|
|
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Apr 21, 2012 15:08:16 GMT 12
I was probably the last Kiwi to fly ZK-BBJ, from my log book it was on August 13 1994 from Mogadishu to Nairobi taking four hours twenty minutes. This was my last flight in Africa. I flew in BBJ from Napier to Tauranga (via Gisborne) with NAC when I was a kid back in the early 1960s. I specifically know it was that particular DC-3, because I can remember the name “City of Gisborne” on it. Years later, I went for a ride in the right-hand seat in the cockpit of BBJ with Bruce Thompson while he spread a few loads of superphosphate up the Waimata Valley inland from Gisborne. It was only about a month before Fieldair retired their last dung-duster Dak. He got a ride in the cab of a locomotive from Gisborne to Napier and back in return for the Dak flight. |
|
|
|
Post by kiwibeavers on Apr 21, 2012 15:53:30 GMT 12
Peter, just regarding DC3 VH-CWS, it left Rutherford here in June 2010, flown to Bankstown by Peter Edwards for maintenance. It has been there ever since and is slowly rotting away. Air Ag have put a tender in to recover the fabric and other maintenance. Apparently it never got it's C of A in 2010 and needs mega bucks to get it in the air again. It should be given to a Museum to save rather than end up as scrap.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Apr 21, 2012 19:18:46 GMT 12
That's sad, but thanks for the update.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwibeavers on Apr 21, 2012 20:05:14 GMT 12
Here's a photo of CWS taken 5th January 2012 at Bankstown  This one is up for tender too, better than a "new" one. Photos taken October 2009 at Bankstown with Air Ag LAME John Land, Ozzie's Beaver Guru. This DC3 is now fully assembled and ready to go with new everything. Belongs to Peter Starr, or his Bank.......he once had 5 DC3's running Dakota National Air, these are now parked up out at Molong.   |
|
|
|
Post by Damon on Apr 21, 2012 20:16:38 GMT 12
On my way to and from the Essendon airport in Melbourne in march this year I noticed a DC-3 with DC-3.com titles and maroon trim parked on the airport ramp near the motorway.I look to be in not bad condition as we sped past.Any news on this one at all kiwibeavers? I didnt see the rego but the tyres looked pumped up and looked after in general. Real shame about VH-CWS though.
|
|
|
|
Post by raymond on Apr 21, 2012 21:22:50 GMT 12
Peter, just regarding DC3 VH-CWS, it left Rutherford here in June 2010, flown to Bankstown by Peter Edwards for maintenance. It has been there ever since and is slowly rotting away. Air Ag have put a tender in to recover the fabric and other maintenance. Apparently it never got it's C of A in 2010 and needs mega bucks to get it in the air again. It should be given to a Museum to save rather than end up as scrap. only 200K oz if you want it! www.aircraftonline.com.au/product.php?id=440 |
|
|
|
Post by dakdriver on Apr 21, 2012 21:30:09 GMT 12
Gunny Baz62
I have not as a rule followed up on serial numbers of aircraft I have flown and in this case I was interested in the DC3’s that came into New Zealand (There were a couple that came in around the same time in the late eighties and early nineties) I found a couple that I had flown In Aussie ended up here. At that stage I did not think I would get to fly any of them in New Zealand. I was offered a contract in Somalia and when I arrived there, I found BBJ and AMR there.
AMR had a unserviceable prop and it was a supreme effort by all concerned to get a new prop installed (lack of support equipment in hot dusty conditions not to mention the odd bits of lead passing over top) The prop change was completed in the field and with a successful test flight the aircraft went back on line on 18th of may 1994. The day after I took her from Mogadishu to Zanzibar some 9 hours 50 minutes flying. Later during maintenance at Nairobi on June 5th corrosion was found in one of the wings and it was found necessary to have this repair work done in Harare. On June 21st I flew her from Mogadishu to Nairobi to prepare her for the trip south. My contract finished before this was done. I believe the next crew to fly her were from the UK. In the meantime BBJ kept working on, any breakdowns were minor and we always got back to base with her. My contract was for six months, in eight months of working there I logged 900 hours most of it on BBJ.
As for flying different DC3’s I found most of them flew the same main differences were how the cabin heating system performed (if at all), and small differences on single engine climb(which was not very startling at the best of times) but as a rule they all handled the same. I enjoyed my time flying them and would love to do it all again, I have retired to flitting around the New Zealand countryside in an RV6 these days and this keeps me off the streets and out of the pub.
Rgds
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwibeavers on Apr 21, 2012 22:59:16 GMT 12
Damon, that's VH-SBL which went to Essendon for a 100 hourly check 3 years ago. Peter Starr's credit rating at the time was not good so no check until paid for in advance.....hence, she's still there. Will need more than a 100 hourly now one would think. Cheers, Graeme.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwibeavers on Apr 22, 2012 9:09:10 GMT 12
Raymond, that is the original advert from 2009, photos are at Rutherford. Unsure if it's still relevant. Would need that figure to get a C of A probably. Here are 4 of the 5 out at Molong. Waiting for a reply for an update on these.  |
|
|
|
Post by raymond on Apr 23, 2012 20:35:54 GMT 12
Raymond, that is the original advert from 2009, photos are at Rutherford. Unsure if it's still relevant. Yes the ad has been there for quite a while but looks like it is still current?? It would be interesting to find out about the DC-3's in your photo. Ta for sharing it. |
|
|
|
Post by kiwibeavers on Apr 24, 2012 8:08:41 GMT 12
Ray, I know it took me a day and copious amounts of skin off the knuckles to unbolt the wings on DNF!!! ;D
|
|
ron
Squadron Leader
Posts: 111
|
Post by ron on Apr 27, 2012 18:43:23 GMT 12
On 24JUN10 VH-CWS was registered to Peter Christoudias / JNP Enterprises Pty Ltd trading as Broome Air Services in Broome, WA. As of today he is still shown as the registration holder and operator. If the aeroplane is still at Bankstown does this mean that the move to Broome is off? For more on the DC-3 Detention Centre at Molong see here: www.adastron.com/dc-3/ozcensus.htm#Note25kiwibeavers, do you have a date when DNF was moved? Rgds |
|
|
|
Post by kiwibeavers on May 5, 2012 17:28:02 GMT 12
Ron, we moved DNF on the 24th February 2010, leaving Warnervale at 1am, arriving Maitland 2am, (had to wait until 9am because of RTA permit), left Maitland at 9am, got to Sandy Hollow at 11.20am. I left them there, Ralph got to Molong around 4pm.   |
|
ron
Squadron Leader
Posts: 111
|
Post by ron on May 5, 2012 18:01:55 GMT 12
Thanks KB for that update. I show the transport dates as follows:
VH-BPN 25NOV09 (approx)
VH-MIN 10DEC09
VH-DNA 17DEC09
VH-PWN 21JAN10
VH-DNF 24FEB10
Are you able to be more precise about VH-BPN? I think the date shown was Ralph's best estimate.
What's this I hear about a purchaser in Denmark?
Rgds
Ron
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwibeavers on May 5, 2012 20:33:00 GMT 12
Ron, I'm unsure as I missed BPN's move. I have been trying to contact Ralph to see how progress is. Peter Starr told me 2 years ago that a container of parts and 3 of the DC3's were going to Denmark. Ralph was "given" BPN in payment for moving the other 4 and he was going to refurbish her for a static display. He was also talking about getting one of the others engines going and race up and down his farm. I'll ask John Land at Air Ag what is happening with CWS as they have put a tender in to recover ailerons and elevators.
|
|
|
|
Post by Gary. on May 26, 2012 20:10:17 GMT 12
Thanks so much Peter for starting this thread its been the most amazing read. The kids are asking why Dad has been glued to his lap top all afternoon. It must have taken you hours to set all this up so top marks to you mate  Whats next? maybe a thread on the history of the 748s I can tell you a little rumour i heard about ZK-CAW in Taupo. The space its taking up don't quite offset the council rates. I was told about a year ago that it was quietly for sale.......  Sad if it goes i have often sat in there as the Kids stuffed down their BIG MACs and FRIES. Children seem to have no concept of history. To them its just a crappy old relic as soon as the last slurp of Coke is down they out the door. While dad is counting the Rivets around those cool SPANZ widows. I gotta say is there anything cooler than a NAVIGATINAL ASTRODOME That is so 1950s like something from the Thunder Birds. |
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on May 26, 2012 22:07:54 GMT 12
Found this footage on Youtube, and thought it may be of interest:
|
|
|
|
Post by johnnyfalcon on May 28, 2012 18:08:56 GMT 12
Wow. What an interesting small window into history! Cheers :-)
|
|
|
|
Post by shorty on May 28, 2012 20:50:07 GMT 12
When I visited the site in 1968 the remaining wreckage was that which was in the gully
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 25, 2012 20:17:40 GMT 12
Photo of ZK-AOZ / 5W-FAA / PK-RDB after the December 1974 Darwin cyclone added to the appropriate entry on page 1.
Must have been quite a wild ride.
|
|
Whats next? maybe a thread on the history of the 748s I can tell you a little rumour i heard about ZK-CAW in Taupo. The space its taking up don't quite offset the council rates. I was told about a year ago that it was quietly for sale....... 
Sad if it goes i have often sat in there as the Kids stuffed down their BIG MACs and FRIES. Children seem to have no concept of history. To them its just a crappy old relic as soon as the last slurp of Coke is down they out the door. While dad is counting the Rivets around those cool SPANZ widows. I gotta say is there anything cooler than a NAVIGATINAL ASTRODOME That is so 1950s like something from the Thunder Birds.
