|
|
Post by planeimages on Oct 29, 2006 10:42:10 GMT 12
The President of HARS, Bob De La Hunty, announced yesterday that the Society has acquired an ex-RAN Grumman Tracker from the Qantas Apprentice training centre.
The aircraft is complete (except for a pair of clocks) and, after transport to Albion Park (near Wollongong) and re-connection of the wings and tail, will be made airworthy. ;D
Two members of this forum were present at HARS "Tour Guides" training program when this news was released as part of Bob's address to the group.
|
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Oct 30, 2006 10:21:43 GMT 12
Ah, I love the Tracker - it'll be good to see one in the air again.
Whatever happened to the RAN Historic Flight Tracker?
|
|
|
|
Post by FlyNavy on Oct 30, 2006 15:38:14 GMT 12
A good person to e-mail about the RAN Historic Flight Tracker would be Bob "Windy" Geale. His e-mail is on the Nowra museum website. I believe that since the Navy took over running the museum recently, including the Historic Flight, that more money would be available for operations. But don't quote me on that please. And yes it will be great to hear the Tracker growling away again. Phil.  |
|
|
|
Post by xr6turbo1 on Oct 30, 2006 15:38:52 GMT 12
Thats great news, will be great to see one in the air in Australia so it sounds like a good excuse for a visit when its up and running  |
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Oct 30, 2006 15:58:54 GMT 12
Thanks for that tip Phil; I'll drop Windy a line.
Two flying Trackers: now that'd really be worth seeing! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by planeimages on Oct 30, 2006 17:31:01 GMT 12
SCENE I. France. Before Harfleur.
Alarum. Enter KING HENRY, EXETER, BEDFORD, GLOUCESTER, and Soldiers, with scaling-ladders
KING HENRY V
Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more;
Or close the wall up with our English dead.
In peace there's nothing so becomes a man
As modest stillness and humility:
But when the blast of war blows in our ears,
Then imitate the action of the tiger;
Stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood,
Disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage;
Then lend the eye a terrible aspect;
Let pry through the portage of the head
Like the brass cannon; let the brow o'erwhelm it
As fearfully as doth a galled rock
O'erhang and jutty his confounded base,
Swill'd with the wild and wasteful ocean.
Now set the teeth and stretch the nostril wide,
Hold hard the breath and bend up every spirit
To his full height. On, on, you noblest English.
Whose blood is fet from fathers of war-proof!
Fathers that, like so many Alexanders,
Have in these parts from morn till even fought
And sheathed their swords for lack of argument:
Dishonour not your mothers; now attest
That those whom you call'd fathers did beget you.
Be copy now to men of grosser blood,
And teach them how to war. And you, good yeoman,
Whose limbs were made in England, show us here
The mettle of your pasture; let us swear
That you are worth your breeding; which I doubt not;
For there is none of you so mean and base,
That hath not noble lustre in your eyes.
I see you stand like greyhounds in the slips,
Straining upon the start. The game's afoot:
Follow your spirit, and upon this charge
Cry 'God for Harry, England, and Saint George!'
Exeunt. Alarum, and chambers go off
Excellent motto!
|
|
|
|
Post by planeimages on Oct 30, 2006 17:33:21 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by FlyNavy on Oct 30, 2006 21:08:27 GMT 12
First graphic is the original Royal Navy FAA 816 Squadron:  Next the current RAN helo squadron badge:  With the Tracker badge as worn by aircrew in the Tracker era:  I guess the previous reference to Shakespeare suits these 'smarter than average' tigers. Phil. |
|
|
|
Post by Calum on Oct 30, 2006 21:33:18 GMT 12
Ah, I love the Tracker - it'll be good to see one in the air again. Whatever happened to the RAN Historic Flight Tracker? it's a pretty long tortuous story, and I only know some of it. The aircraft has been in pieces for a few years, plus I believe there are some certification issues. |
|
|
|
Post by FlyNavy on Oct 31, 2006 10:24:37 GMT 12
Eleven S2 Trackers going ‘the same way the same day’ on the occasion of the disbandment of VS-816 on 29 April 1982. Both photos have been provided by Michael Sandberg, a former Tracker maintainer. Aircraft are from both 816 and 851 Squadron.  This second photo shows the aircraft forming up and flying past Cambewarra north of Nowra on their way to flyby the base I guess:  Phil. |
|
|
|
Post by baldrick on Nov 6, 2006 14:55:36 GMT 12
Grumman S2 Tracker 851 arrived at Albion Park this morning.  The weather did not help.  But she`s home and she will fly again.  |
|
|
|
Post by planeimages on Nov 6, 2006 15:55:42 GMT 12
Great shots in the rain. The mightly Statesman tows so fast it ripped the wings, tail and props off the Tracker!  On the crane ready for upload from the former Qantas apprentice training school at Alexandria. Friday 3.11.06  Details for the record.  The drivers’ seats. Cockpit in pretty good condition. Just the radar missing.  One of the Wright Cyclones. Some lock wire missing from the cylinder bolts. |
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Nov 6, 2006 18:44:29 GMT 12
Fantastic photos, Peter. Gee, she does look to be in pretty good condition too.
Do you happen to know what sort of timeframe will be involved in getting her airborne once again?
|
|
|
|
Post by planeimages on Nov 6, 2006 20:07:19 GMT 12
Hi Craig,
I am not privy to that information. While the a/c is intact and complete I would imagine that some very thorough checking would still be be required.
Unless there are validated records of work carried out it would seem logical that even the engines might need to be stripped.
There is a small amount of restoration required on parts of the airframe.
Sure is a better proposition than a wreck out of the jungle.
With wings, tail and props re-installed she will be a potentially immediate display item.
When Albion Park reaches a stage where the Museum is operational it will be the best aircraft display on the east coast and rivalling even Temora. Clearly the two will complement each other with their wide variety of aircraft.
|
|
|
|
Post by FlyNavy on Nov 6, 2006 20:40:21 GMT 12
Peter,
Thanks for the good news and photos. Albion Park will be an easier place to visit. Nowra and Temora are a bit far away for mum and the kids (just my opinion). :-)
Phil.
|
|
|
|
Post by corsair67 on Nov 7, 2006 10:28:50 GMT 12
There's just something really nice about the Tracker that catches my eye. Maybe it's the lack of straight lines around the cockpit area?  Phil, Temora's not that far away - it'd only take about 20 mins to get there from Sydney in an A-4! ;D |
|
|
|
Post by FlyNavy on Nov 10, 2006 21:26:49 GMT 12
|
|
