Imagine cleaning the windscreen!

Further to my post two days ago. Temora’s last flying weekend this year was cancelled due to the locust plague. The RAN came visiting and did fly their Squirrel helicopter and the HARS Catalina remained static but flew home at which time this photo was taken. Credit: Keith Webb. The locusts will be long gone by February!

Chris

“Whilst in Penang a 727 freighter took off – three JT9Ds at full thrust brought back memories as to what noise is!”

I think you might mean JT8D! I have visions of a 727 with three JT9’s on the back. The first tail dragger 727? Mind you, if it did get into the air it would go up quickish!

Chris

Ozmatt,

I’ve sent you a PM. I’m interested in a meeting sometime Jan/Feb Pt Cook, Tyabb or Ballarat is fine. If a success first time then maybe a visit to Temora to involve Forum members in NSW and Southern Qld might work.

Chris

Iraqi Furies

Folks,

If I recall correctly the Iraqi Furies were either new build or rebuids of surplus Sea Furys. Some had hydraulic folding wings and the majority wings that folded manually. Thus all could be folded, just the means varied. The manual fold was a major undertaking with lots of people and ropes and this seems to have been considered not worth the effort unless long term storage and a limit to space conspired to make it worth doing.

Chris

A Bargain?

Yes, they are a bargain however as very early build aircraft they are not spring chickens! They were probably the most high cycle airframes in the 767 worldwide fleet at the time of Ansett’s collapse. All had been used predominently on the east coast flying 1 hour sectors between MEL, SYD, BNE, OOL and HTI (Hamilton Island) with the only break being the 3-4 hour sectors between SYD/MEL and PER. Each had been used at a rate of over 4400 hours per year for most of their lives and as explained above, each hour was darned near one cycle! With Ansett’s expansion into international flying some of the aircraft started to experience longer haul international flying to DPS (Bali), HKG & KUL however all that did was to increase the annual flying hours!

They are also possibly less valuable for another reason. As very early build 767-200s they were all built with small freight doors, the standard at the time. Later build 767-200 and all -300s have large freight doors making them much more appealing as freighter conversions.

I’m delighted to hear they have been sold as creditors and former Ansett staff should get some of what they are owed. Also sad, as those aircraft represented such a significant part of Australia’s aviation history from the mid 1970s until three years ago.

Chris

Reno

It is some years since I attended Reno for the races. I went four times in 5 years and loved every minute! I would second the motion to obtain a pylon pass if you can as it is the way to truly experience the power, sound and breathtaking speed of the aircraft. 420+ MPH around the pylon, and they have been slowed by the “G” being pulled as they turn! They are faster down the straights!

I also concur with Steve P. When you hear the shriek….no thats not the sound….a moaning sound a Merlin makes when putting out probably double its rated power, you know that it could let go at any time! The hot rodders axiom “There is no substitute for cubic inches” has merit at Reno! A 4360 on a Sea Fury is only (W)right in this context.

To Hairplane I say go even if you haven’t lined up a hotel in which to stay. Given that Stead is about twenty minutes out of Reno and that Tahoe is an easy drive (Freeway) of about double that your choices of a place for sleeping isn’t limited.

Go and enjoy!

Chris

Oh, and let us know how you find it on your return.

Hudson

My vote is Hudson/Lodestar as well. Both the windows and the upper curvature to the roof are similar.

Chris

Mark,

Thank you for your lucid observations on the background to the CA15 and the Avon Sabre. As is usually the case with me, I have knowledge of elements of this jigsaw however it is putting the pieces together that places much in perspective! I shall have to go out and read some of the books discussed earlier in the thread.

Chris