|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 5, 2009 22:32:50 GMT 12
Thanks for the explanation of the Invercargill trip. It's nice they did that, and must have been quite something for the crew.
|
|
|
|
Post by skyhawkdon on Oct 6, 2009 6:42:08 GMT 12
I grew up in Invercargill and remember them coming there on their way home from Singapore (they must have flown from Hobart I think). I think there were 3 of them? I thought they were a rather cool looking aeroplane in their camo.
|
|
camtech
Group Captain
Being young is a fault which improves daily!
Posts: 335
Karma:
Exalt | Smite
|
Post by camtech on Oct 6, 2009 12:09:18 GMT 12
Yes, there were thre (5910,11, and 12), and yes they did fly from Hobart. Slow, noisey and boring trip. I did one trip Whenuapai - Norfolk Is - Amberley and return for a 5 Sqdn exercise at Townsville. Galling thing was we tramped over in the B170, then transferred to a C130 (one of ours) for the leg to Townsville. Still, while on the way home, stopped at Norfolk for gas and lost one generator. As we were not due back til late, we were not allowed to fly at night on one generator, so had to spend the night at Norfolk. Bit of a buggar as few of us had any money left, but I can remember a damn good night at the South Pacific Hotel. This was the only night I spent at Norfolk, despite passing through about 14 or 15 times with B170, Andover and Friendship.
|
|
camtech
Group Captain
Being young is a fault which improves daily!
Posts: 335
Karma:
Exalt | Smite
|
Post by camtech on Oct 6, 2009 12:12:49 GMT 12
Actually, slightly off topic, but Don you must have been through 2TTS shortly after I was there. I was an instructor (Instruments, Batteries and ERB areas) Dec 1981 to Dec 1984. I went to NATTS then as NCO i/c Maintenance.
|
|
camtech
Group Captain
Being young is a fault which improves daily!
Posts: 335
Karma:
Exalt | Smite
|
Post by camtech on Oct 6, 2009 13:38:26 GMT 12
Just found an article on the return of 41 Sqdn B170's - route was Singapore - Bali - Broom - Alice Springs - Adelaide - Hobart - Invercargill
|
|
|
|
Post by skyhawkdon on Oct 6, 2009 14:48:17 GMT 12
Actually, slightly off topic, but Don you must have been through 2TTS shortly after I was there. I was an instructor (Instruments, Batteries and ERB areas) Dec 1981 to Dec 1984. I went to NATTS then as NCO i/c Maintenance. I was on Mechs Course Oct 84 - March 85, then Techs Course Jan 86 - Dec 86 (I was a CT). You would probably know my uncle Dave Geddes. I forwarded him the link to this thread as he loves his Bristol Freighters (and Friendships and Andovers)! |
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Oct 6, 2009 15:18:53 GMT 12
I've noticed in a couple of these photos that some of the B-170s have an astrodome in the roof near the base of the vertical tail.
Was this something that all RNZAF B-170s had, or was it only on some airframes?
|
|
camtech
Group Captain
Being young is a fault which improves daily!
Posts: 335
Karma:
Exalt | Smite
|
Post by camtech on Oct 6, 2009 16:06:21 GMT 12
I remember Dave Geddes quite well from time on 1 Sqdn - say gidday from Les Billcliff for me.
|
|
camtech
Group Captain
Being young is a fault which improves daily!
Posts: 335
Karma:
Exalt | Smite
|
Post by camtech on Oct 6, 2009 16:20:02 GMT 12
Quick glance at some photos - some with and some without.
With 03, 04, 06, 07, 10, 11, 12
Without 06, 07, 11
Note that some appear in both lists.
|
|
|
|
Post by 30sqnatc on Oct 6, 2009 17:30:43 GMT 12
Hope people are still interested in the mighty B170.  ] What was happening here? Did the RAAF bowser run out of fuel  Note the tow strop to the Bedford RL |
|
|
|
Post by baz62 on Oct 6, 2009 17:57:49 GMT 12
I've noticed in a couple of these photos that some of the B-170s have an astrodome in the roof near the base of the vertical tail. Was this something that all RNZAF B-170s had, or was it only on some airframes? Al or some other expert might be able to confirm this but I think (at least in CPT at Omaka) there is an escape hatch there? |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 6, 2009 17:59:11 GMT 12
It could be just something hin the background perhaps, rather than a tow strop. I assumed the RL was backing up to unload or load something from/to the aeroplane whilst it refuelled.
|
|
camtech
Group Captain
Being young is a fault which improves daily!
Posts: 335
Karma:
Exalt | Smite
|
Post by camtech on Oct 6, 2009 19:09:22 GMT 12
Baz, there is an escape hatch at that position in all Freighters. The air force ones, if I remember rightly, had a step for the navigator to use a sextant from the astrodome where fitted. I thought that the dual control B170's had the astrodome, while the single control didnt. Perhaps Don could ask his uncle Dave Geddes to confirm.
|
|
camtech
Group Captain
Being young is a fault which improves daily!
Posts: 335
Karma:
Exalt | Smite
|
Post by camtech on Oct 6, 2009 19:13:46 GMT 12
That is definitely a tow strop. Looks like the Aussies had broken down while refueling the Ugly. The guy on the side is indicating that the strop is nearly tensioned. Note the vehicle loading ramps in the foreground.
|
|
|
|
Post by baz62 on Oct 6, 2009 19:28:39 GMT 12
Baz, there is an escape hatch at that position in all Freighters. The air force ones, if I remember rightly, had a step for the navigator to use a sextant from the astrodome where fitted. I thought that the dual control B170's had the astrodome, while the single control didnt. Perhaps Don could ask his uncle Dave Geddes to confirm. Ah thanks for that, proves my brain does retain some things after all! ;D |
|
