By Mike Davenport, Langley, British Columbia
This Volmer VJ-22 Sportsman is registered as CF-EBY, a nice touch considering the builder’s last name is Eby. This wooden amphibian was designed by Volmer Jensen in the late ‘60s and was built by Bill Eby over a period of five years. Bill first flew the VJ-22 in 1970, 55 years ago, and he continues to enjoy it to this day.
Built in Kitchener, Ontario, beginning in 1965 and completed five years later in 1970. The black and white photo shows the complex nature of a plansbuilt wooden aircraft. Every part had to be painstakingly handmade from the designer’s drawings.
Among the numerous modifications, the most noticeable is the change from a pusher to a tractor mounted engine. This required that Eby design a totally new mount and cowling. Less noticeable is the main gear retraction method. The original design called for a large lever located between the seats that had to be raised and latched to a fitting near the roof. He designed a crank and chain mechanism that while it requires 35 turns to raise or lower the wheels, and it is much easier to operate than the aforementioned lever. Included in later updates was the installation of some “glass” and an autopilot capable of following a preset course and the all-important 180-degree turn.
I can attest to the fact that his 125-hp converted GPU (ground power unit, purchased for $250) provides the necessary power to get him and a passenger into and out of some of the nearby mountain lakes located in his backyard.
Cost to build in 1970 dollars: $5,000.
