Random Rotorcraft - Barnett J4B ZK-RBM

Dennis Moore commenced building his Barnett J4B gyrocopter in the early 1980s I think.  At the time Dennis and I were both members of the Manawatu Chapter of the AACA and I saw it under construction.

When it was finished he took it down to Foxpine airfield where I took this photo of Dennis about to fire it up in the mid 1980s.  ZK-RBM (c/n NZRA/06/2) was registered in July 1983 and was the first Barnett J4B to be registered here (there has been one more being ZK-RBF that I know nothing of).  The Barnett J4B was an American design and it was more powerful than other gyrocopters of the time, having a 100 HP Continental O-200 engine.  It was withdrawn from use and de-registered in January 1994.