Thrush Commander

Manufacturer: Unknown
Type: Thrush Commander
Engine: OS46LA
Wing span: 1.40m. 55"
Controls: Throttle, elevator, rudder (release hook on Roger's)

This is the story of our spray planes. The models as we fly them today started in August 2000. Ben was flying with the (white) Taxi II but knew he liked cropdusters. Roger had een old Thrush Commander that was flying, due to some incidents, excursions or just situations, the cockpit was completely gone. Still, this plane has been arround since the mid 80's, so it is very sturdy build.

Then Roger surprized Ben after returning from holiday in Sweden in August 2000, since Roger had found at his friend Nils Bertil Petterson's place another Thrush Commander. This model was build, but never finished, in the same time as Roger's. Actually, back then, 4 of these Thrush Commanders have been build and at least 3 of them currently (Aug 2001) fly.

And then the work started, which took a few days for Roger, his plane was finished in September 2000, Ben's Thrush Commander was finished in May 2001)
For details, see also Roger's rebuild project and Ben's finishing project

Ben's plane was ready just in time for a holiday in Sweden to Roger's family. We had planned to bring both Thrush Commanders (there's always space in the car for an extra plane...) and fly them at Hornlanda Airport, a little asphalt airstrip, from Nils Bertil Petterson, who btw, also has one of these Thrush Commanders, in origional colors.
For details on this trip, see May 2001, Hornlanda Airport, sweden.

Towing a banner.

After the holiday, we both have been doing a lot of flying, on 29 July 2001 Ben flew his licence exam with the Thrush Commander. Yes, in the Netherlands you need a licence to fly these planes, don't ask...;-))
When not flying his other models, Roger flies and experiments with his Thrush Commander. We are still brainstorming on a working spraysystem (ideas are welcome) and Roger build in a release system under the plane. Now we can use the plane to tow banners or gliders.

For the rest of the season in 2001 we have been flying both Thrush Commanders regularly. For Ben it is the only serviceable plane (the Taxi II had a broken nose wheel that was repaired in March 2002) but Roger also finished his Sukhoi. In early 2002 Roger is flying mainly with the Sukhoi. Next to that is he working to get his TMG licence in a Super Dimona

Aileron added to Rogers Thrush.

Since the both Thrush Commanders are origionally build without ailerons, Roger decided in September that it was about time to build in ailerons for better maneuverability, especially on finals. For details, see the Thrush Building projects.

Winter Flying Januari 2002.

Real R/C pilots will not stay home if weather is a bit less comfortable. During winter, when the world is covered with snow, the weather conditions for flying can be perfect. The only problem is the wheel breaks through the surface of the snow, so ski's are a necessity. Since Roger already had a set of ski's made of aluminum (15 years old) it was about time that Ben also build a set. In the last week of December, Ben build a first set, but they were to small. So on the 31st, when others were eating Oliebollen and Appelflappen and drinking champagne, Ben was building his second, larger set. See for details the Thrush Building projects. It flies fantastic...

Do you want to build and fly a Thrush Commander?

Good news for those who want to have a Thrush Commander. Leo Holmstén from TECH-AL in Sweden has drawings available for 9 (nine!) different sizes of Thrush Commanders ranging from 800mm (31") upto 3000mm (118"). At this moment we are revising the order process. You can send an email or return to this page in a few weeks.