Author Tales of an Old Aviator...The Big Chill
avcanada
Joined: Oct 14, 2001
Posts: 197
From: Calgary, Alberta
Posted: 2003-12-07 11:01
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-12-11 07:50
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Sorry boys but I can't let this slide to page three.
I lost some very meaningful posts on page ten and I urge Avcanada to somehow fix it.
Sorry Burrito and those who lost their posts.
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-12-11 19:03
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I will take a break from further tales , of which there are many more to come , to indulge in a little reality.
I lay on the couch at the Flight Service Station in Mayo, Yukon Territories. I still had my flight suit on as we were on Red Alert whereby we were poised for action. There was a large fire only minutes away. I did not want to fly. I knew something was wrong with my guts. I knew it was not ulcers as I had been initially diagnosed. It was not Beaver Fever as I was now diagnosed. The pain became unbearable. The bird dog officer came with good news: we were to return to Dawson City and stand down as a fleet of helicopters were on the fire line. I clambered up the ladder of the A26 and fired up both engines in haste , followed by a scrambling take off .... I wanted to go to the small medical clinic ASAP so I left the power at METO and scorched across the blurred landscape at 260 knots indicated. The clinic sent me immediately to Whitehorse where I sought help but there was only one surgeon there and he was busy. Fortunately , he did see me and I discovered how lucky I was. He was an Australian who was temporarily releiving the local surgeon and he saw me after hours. He admitted me immediately for explorative surgery but when I awoke and was clear of the morphine he gave me the bad news. He had removed a tumour from by colon that was clearly cancerous but he said he was amazed that I had survived so long and that I would not have lasted a week as there was four litres of stuff backed up behind the tumour.
Recovery was very painful but his visits showed him to be a pleasant and compassionate man who had clearly saved my life. He was an athletic, 52 year old good looking man and was a favourite amongst the staff. He returned to his home down south as I was released from Whitehorse hospital and shipped south to my home in Chilliwack where I recovered over the next six months only to be subjected to the chemical nightmare of chemotherapy for six months. It was a miricle that the cancer seemed to be beaten and I returned to flying with the help of Transport Canada who gave me a restricted ATR and Fugro Airborne Surveys, who I flew for in the off season. Fugro was both compasionate and generous and had sent me to one of the most respected flight surgeons , Dr Takahashi of Ottawa. His gentle encouragement was a beacon of hope.
I now have a lifetime loyalty to Fugro and that was put to the test in Yellowknife on my way back from Baffin Island. As I wandered throught the hangar at Buffalo Airways I was approached my Buffaloe Joe who offered me an immediate job as Captain of a fire-bombing DC4 but loyalty won out. Joe was even appreciative of that.
Honour is a man's gift to himself.
A very close friend, Brian, from the Yukon, phoned me one day and was emotional as he told me to check my e-mail. The attatchment was an obiturary of Dr Frank Timmermans , an Australian surgeon previously from Whitehorse. He had died of a brain tumour.
I'm sorry folks ... I have to collect my thoughts .... back soon.....
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-12-11 19:33
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Dr Timmermans life was one of the most productive, profound, adventurous and compassionate jewels of mankind.
He had sailed around the world and had stopped in Africa to work with people with AIDS. He than went to India to work with people with leprosy and then on to Canada where he went up to the Northern villages to help the native population with myriads of afflictions. He settled in Whitehorse and as I say, became a popular hard working surgeon.
Can you fellow aviators see where my inspiration comes from?
I am blessed.
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wallypilot
Joined: Dec 12, 2003
Posts: 31
From: B.C.
Posted: 2003-12-12 16:59
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Hey LM. Good to hear you are still threading those great yarns. Mark just told me that you were writing them here on avcanada, so i thought i would log on. It's great to have all the stories in one place. Many I remember from those sauce-clouded evenings in a cheesy bar in wetaskiwin.
I have been thinking about ya lots, and Mark has kept me relatively up to date. I know that you are doing well....you always carry yourself with pride and always see the positive. My thoughts are with ya.
-mike
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treefrog
Joined: Dec 18, 2003
Posts: 4
From: Brisbane
Posted: 2003-12-18 18:16
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Got a call from a thousand years ago. On the phone was someone with a phoney Yank accent saying he was Duke Elegant (not his real name!)just visiting Australia and wanted to meet up. Naturally he invited himself for an indefinite period.
Two great days of talking - never let a good story be ruined by facts- and he headed off to the outback for Xmas. The bane of authority, collector of women with extreme cantelever structures and legend in his own lunchtime has mellowed a lot.
If you weren't in charge of him you could not help but like him. He pointed out this forum and going through it, now he heads off to continue with his personal battles, I want to confirm the PNG/Australian stuff is 100% "based on fact" as they say in the movies.
I first met him at Officer Training School back in 67 and for some reason (maybe most of us were heading for flying training although the Army wanted us to be grunts) we were part of a small group who are mates to this day. He was always "in the shit" but extremely popular with the staff and other cadets - because he took the heat off us. I think he had a regular reserved position on the 0500 punishment parades every morning.
He was caught red handed in the cadets mess one evening up on a table doing an impersonation of the distinctive characteristics of the colonel who unbeknown to him was standing off to the side. Anyhow, as he says of his unbelievable luck "If it was raining arseholes I would be hit with a c--t" and the colonel invited him to partner his daughter who was visiting for a dance.
The next morning he was at the colonel's house seeing the daughter off back to university.
Colonel "I chose him to partner you because he dresses so well"
Daughter " And so quickly too."
Duke stayed out of the colonel's way for the rest of the course.
Shortly after the sad period of Barry Mayhew's death so well related by Duke, there was a huge summer ball at the officers mess at RAAF Point Cook. State Governor, mayor, admirals and generals were invited. Duke brought a girl who, if she fell flat on her face would look like a Piper Cub on Tundra tires. Anyhow, the lesser mortals stuffed down the back of the room got sick of foxtrots and waltzes and pooled together to bribe the band (against strict instructions from the base commander) to play some "proper" 60's music.
I seem to recall it was during a Stones number that Duke and the watermelon girl were swinging wildly when he lost his grip and she flew through the air, crashed into the band, displacing the drummer and his gear into a heap over the back of the stage.
Much to the horror of the Governor's wife and delight of the Second Lieutenants our heroine's low-cut dress had exceeded VNE and I think inspired the band (when they finally got sorted out) to launch into "Great Balls of Fire".
All 6 Army Officers, 5 of them completely? innocent, were banned from the Air Force mess for 3 months - thanks mate!
If anyone is interested there are lots more stories - particularly in PNG, Duke might not like to relate himself.
[ This Message was edited by: treefrog on 2003-12-19 18:02 ]
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MCDU
Joined: Feb 21, 2002
Posts: 33
From: Western Canada
Posted: 2003-12-18 20:05
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If anyone is interested there are lots more stories - particularly in PNG, Duke might not like to relate himself.
[/quote]
Oh please, oh please!!!
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-12-18 22:09
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My holiday so far provides me with many moments for reflections and visits to my past. I left my relatives in Brisbane to spend two days with retired Army major Laing K***y and his still beautiful wife. I had written a short history of our acquaintence but it looks like he has beaten me to the punch. I think he faked that speech for the Air Force Association in order to ensure my departure. He did indeed give a speech to commemorate the flight of well know Australian aviator Bert Hinkler who flew a WW1 Avian bomber from England to Australia.
My friend re-enacted that flight a few years ago in a replica Avian and National Geographic followed the whole adventure, and an adventure it was. It is worth exploring the archives for this feat.
I boarded the electric Tilt Train (7 hours Brisbane to Rockhampton) that streaked across some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. I had done this trip 53 years ago by steam train to Cairns and it took two days and two nights and we were filthy with coaldust on arrival. On that journey , my dying Grandmother was taking my brother Dougie and I to live with my stepmother and father that I never knew. I sadly lost both my Grannie and my brother within two years and experienced extreme lonliness that precipitated enrollment in boarding schools thereafter. (stories to follow)
The years have soffened the bitterness of the past and instead of wallowing in self pity , I secured well being with forgiveness thereby forming a true loving bond with my stepmother who I was on my way to visit on this trip. Prior to my Dad's death , I forgave him too and was blessed with the last years of his life.
Well , after a few glasses of wine with my stepmother , the stories started to flow and one name in particular emerged , that of the infamous Dr Eddelstein , a doctor of the Jewish persuasion who has apparently been stripped of his licence to practice a few years ago; I may have helped him lay the cornerstone of his short lived empire.
1969 ... or thereabouts.
SOMETIMES AN AVIATOR HAS TO MAKE SACRIFICES.
My restless soul had been set free by my Army courtmartial.
Whilst plundering the Trans Australia Airlines inventory of air hostesses I similtaenously ran out of money.
Since bullsh*t was the intellectual mainstay of the era I was well qualified to present myself as the catch of the day but first I had to find a job. I secured a job mowing lawns around Coogee Beach from 8am to 1pm and then spent the afternoon surfing. At night I had a part time job in a bar that I expertly fitted to match that of the TAA hostie schedule.
Most of the landscape customers were little old ladies or widows of considerable wealth. , one of whom took a fancy to me. I'd often joked to my friends that my plan was to find a rich wealthy old tart with a
bad cough and put my d*ckie in the till , so to speak.
"Come in for a cuppa" she wheezed. She'd already scrubbed up and bathed in cheap industrial perfume and the tea tray and scones were delicately placed upon the table in the courtyard. I sipped tea under her randy stare as she manouvred for the kill by leaning forward to share the beauty of her breasts that looked like two oranges , one in each foot down at the bottom of a pair of panty hose. She was certainly a leading cause of erectile dysfunction so I stammered moronlike but to no avail. I was scared .. I had to flee somehow ....so I did the honourable thing and bleated, " I'm a poofter ... er ..I'v got a date tonight ... er ... gotta go ... he's such a bitch when I'm late." So I quickly gathered the tools and fled to the waiting truck where my mates howled with laughter .. they knew she was as toey as a roman sandal and had set me up.
More to follow .. over!
[ This Message was edited by: Duke Elegant on 2003-12-19 00:12 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Duke Elegant on 2003-12-19 00:14 ]
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-12-19 01:12
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One day I spied an ad in the morning paper looking for a pilot so I submitted a resume and was surprised when I was called for an interview at a medical clinic. There were two other candidates amongst the patients and I could tell by their watches that they were Air Force. I found out that one was a Hercules pilot and the other a Caribou pilot so I had little chance and jobs were scarce. I was rewarded with disdain when they learned I was an ex Army aviator but I was called in first. There conducting the interview was the pudgy little Jewish Doctor Eddelstein. who was about my age.
"I'd wager that he was not successful in squiring the ladies." thinks I as I cunningly devised a plan to secure the job which entailled flying a doctor in Eddelstein's employ from Walgett to Lightening Ridge every day in a Piper Arrow.
The interview was going OK when I purposfully let it slip that I lived amongst the hosties and they would be unhappy at missing the rogering roster of the Duke and sure enough he blurted out that the job involved regular trips to Sydney and he giggled excitedly as he imagined himself as the Dukes right hand man in the art of the hostie romp.
The tide had turned in my favour for sure.
He tried as he might to entice me to take the job, "I have a Lambourgini ... and,..and ... a flat at Coogee Beach," he blubbered. I let out some more line and then "Well now! What about pay?" says I.
I was cockly now as I tapped into his uncharacteristic generousity. I had aced the job , and, as I strode out past the two professionals I proudly suggested that they piss off and maybe they should take my lawn mowing job.... and especially the adress on Oceanic ... he he he..that of the old tart.
It was a slack job and suitable quarters were hard to find but I secured a dusty, noisy little flat furnished with a matress and some boxes upon which was a radio.
The doctor who worked for Eddelstein was none other than Dr John O'Gorman , an ex Australian Wallabies rugby player with a cute Mexican wife Juanita.
I'd fly him to Lightening Ridge every day to a clinic manned by a tough, non ladylike , hairy legged nurse who cut and polished opals out the back of the clinic. Most people lived underground in a room hollowed out in their opal mines to escape the heat. It was a wild place governed by the code of the west thereby providing a steady supply of wounded miners at the surgery.
There were occasional charters out to Western Queensland for sheep and cattle agents and the landing areas were usually dried salt pan lakes. And hot! Bloody hot! Rough air, dry thumping air.
Back in my Walgett flat one evening I recieved a phone call from Dr John. "Come up to the house," he invited , "we are having a party.
In polished riding boots and mock oilskin pants I arrived at the house and was led in to a very small party. Three people, all pleasantly drunk, the doctor, his wife and a stunningly beautiful blonde lady in a fur coat.
"A little better setup than the old trollop in Coogee." thinks I.
The ladies wanted to dance so I obliged. And close too...much to my pleasure as the lady cuddled up and cooed in my ear. The docs child was at a baby sitter so they retired early for a bone session leaving the godess sighing contentedly as she pawed over my person.
"Take me to the pub for some excitement," she said tonguening my ear. I couldn't refuse but I warned her of the ruffians and wild clientelle downtown in that grotty bar but she remained steadfast.
The place went silent as we entered , the dashing dandy and the countess in the fur coat.
I looked about .. we were the only ones not wearing a large hat ... and we certainly were the only ones with a full set of teeth.
There were sheep shearers, railway men , labourers who humped wheat all day and lots of abbo's.
The barmaid asked if we were in the right place as the mumbling turned to smart comments with learing stares. The abbo's stirred and moved closer for a better look.
I strutted confidently and answered "It is indeed my sweet" as a blush swept over her twenty pound face.
The white wine we were served was an affront to the civilized world.
"You look nervous," my temptress whispered,my Tzarina, "I like excitement." At this she glided in front of me and slowly opened her fur coat .. just for me.
Lord Thunderin' Jesus .. there is a GOD.
Naked. Starkers. Heavenly .. pert little ski jump titties .. like little puppies noses .. tight curly blonde well manicured bush...
I had impure thoughts.
We left breathlessly for my little flat in the Jaguar ....
We bent our backs to the passionate strains of the night.
We were having breakfast from the menu of the Karma Sutra when I spied the time ... "Hell! I exclaimed, "I have to fly a charter in fifteen minutes and the customer pick up is in Coonamble" ... I dressed in a blur. It sure didn't take her long to dress now did it?
On the way to the airport she 'fessed up that she was married and that her husband had cheated on her and her mission was to punish him.
Successful mission I'd say.
I was caught in the crossfire but a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. Oh! The sacrifice.... an Aviators life can be hell.
I did a quick walkaround and entered the cockpit of the Arrow with my petite, delicate bird perched upon the wing making sure I spied the lily. I waited for the regular F27 to land and it taxiied in and the steps were rolled up to the door down which came the passengers.
"My God!," she exclaimed "my husband". And down the steps came the large ex Wallaby rugby player , now a famous lawyer in Sydney.
I half pushed her towards the Jaguar , started the engine and ever so gallantly , I fled.
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treefrog
Joined: Dec 18, 2003
Posts: 4
From: Brisbane
Posted: 2003-12-19 04:01
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On reflection I think I will just relate a few more Duke Elegant tales to give those who do not know him (I think a vast number of members have his I.D. by now)a bit of a background from a third party.
As I mentioned earlier he has mellowed considerably in the 40 odd years I have known him but there is still an 18 year old trapped inside his 58 year old body! I don't think it would be fair to tamper with his great outlook on life by stealing stories which form part of his package.
Just a couple more Duke Elegant observations:
Still at RAAF Point Cook learning to fly. One night a senior RAAF Officer noticed Duke studying the flora with a young lady in the magnificent gardens of the Officers Mess. Early next morning all the Army Officers were summoned to the briefing room not completely unaware of the subject in hand.
Now, finding a tiny minded cretin in the senior ranks of the Army is not difficult but in the Air Force it is compulsory. The Chief of Staff, a Group Captain, strode into the room with a black scowl on his face.
The boys could see the humour of the situation but kept a straight face.
"Now I am as broad-minded as anyone", lied the Group Captain, "and do not wish to comment on the personal habits of a fellow officer - as distasteful as they may be.'
"But I will not condone such activities taking place on an AIR FORCE BLANKET!"
The room broke up and, leaving a bunch of uncouth gorrillas posing as Army officers rolling in their chairs with tears running down their faces, the Group Captain stormed from the room.
Further ridiculous mass punishment, which backfired on the Air Force in a humorous (for us) manner naturally followed.
After Duke's minor difference of opinion with the Army he and I arrived in New Guinea at the same time. He was initially driving his little C 182 - basic VFR panel, no oxygen or any fancy stuff- around while I was pushing Pilatus Porters with the 183 Recce Squadron.
Within a short time Duke was legend. I remember flying between Port Moresby and Lae one afternoon (a bad time to fly in PNG) and heard a TAA F-27, in the pre-radar days, call on the radio to the controller that they had just passed a C-182 at 16,000.
"Alpha Bravo Charlie have the F-27 in sight"
"Alpha Bravo Charlie what are you doing at 16,000?"
"Alpha Bravo Charlie descending from 18,000"
Final bit on the Duke concerns his beloved Aztec. Everything is in the eye of the beholder but I think even a new Aztec had a face only a mother could love and Duke's machine was far from new.
Perhaps I was spoilt by having gleaming aircraft maintained by the taxpayer but I remember this crappy brown bucket of bolts with prop leading edges like a cross-cut saw.
Duke is like a father with a daughter who could defeat the whole Dallas Cowboys defensive team single handed - just by falling on them- encouraging her to take up ballet. Love is blind.
The truth about that plane probably lays somewhere in the middle. Whatever, it carried him through plenty of adventures and whenever his stories fill an hour at some bar I am proud to say he is a mate of mine.
[ This Message was edited by: treefrog on 2003-12-19 17:59 ]
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-12-19 18:30
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Hey treefrog! There's a check in the mail if you'll stop. He He He He....
I don't like where this is heading....
Thank God me missus does not use a computor eh?
How about the four way partnership in the ski boat you were involved in at RAAF Point Cook?
Ha Ha Ha! I was the only one to get a ski before it blew up.
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-12-19 18:36
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Also just to put and end to my Dr Eddelstein story , my stepmother tells me that he built quite an empire of clinics and got more aeroplanes after I left but was caught defrauding the Medical Health system. He is only now applying to get his licence to practice back but I don't think he has seen a patient since his business greed got the best of him.
And I only took him to one hostie party in order to fullfil my commitment. Oh Well!
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2003-12-21 16:13
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I am in an internet cafe in Charters Towers which is the gateway to desolation and is also the town in which one of the most brutal boarding schools in Australia is situated. All Souls , it was called and is now co-ed ... unfair ... strictly a boy's school in my day.
Heading further west to my cousins cattle station .... 220 square miles.... five hour drive ahead of us.
Last chance at a computor so Merry Christmas All but most of all , be happy!
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Burrito Bob
Joined: Nov 29, 2003
Posts: 4 Posted: 2003-12-24 22:12
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Merry Christmas Duke,
Keep em comin!!!
Wishing and praying for all the best for you in the New Year,
"Illegitimi non Carborundum"
(Never Let the Bastards grind you down)
Take care,
Burrito
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Rum-.
Joined: Jul 07, 2002
Posts: 48 Posted: 2004-01-08 11:33
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The DUKE should be home anyday now..after all no more Golden throat charmers in the outback..!!
PERTH, Australia (AP) - The only pub in Australia's hottest Outback town has shut down after its temporary manger quit. The Iron Clad Hotel has been serving ice-cold beer in Marble Bar, a town of 300 people, for 111 years.
But residents said it hasn't opened its doors since Sunday night.
Western Australia state's Department of Gaming, Racing and Liquor said the establishment's operators were on a European vacation and its temporary manager simply decided he'd had enough.
One restaurant in the town is serving beer with meals. But the nearest pub is at Port Hedland, a thirsty 200 kilometres to the west.
Marble Bar earned its title as Australia's hottest spot when in 1923-24 it clocked up 161 consecutive days with temperatures of at least 37.8 degrees C.
Last week, the mercury hit 45 C. This week, it hovered at around 40 C, said Lyn Towes, who records temperatures for the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2004-01-08 22:28
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[ This Message was edited by: Duke Elegant on 2004-01-10 02:32 ]
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Tinpis
Joined: Jan 08, 2004
Posts: 7 Posted: 2004-01-09 17:26
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test...a...one....a......two.....check! ...a....check !
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Tinpis
Joined: Jan 08, 2004
Posts: 7 Posted: 2004-01-09 17:30
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Ok..so it workin hi to all canucks "the chosen frozen" heehee.
Treefrog I think we coulda worked together if you were moonlighting on Porters ( PNG PNH ?)in Lae humpin coffee bags??
Keep the words coming Duke emi gutpela stori tru
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North Shore
Joined: Mar 05, 2002
Posts: 191
From: Paradise on the Left Coast - CYYJ
Posted: 2004-01-09 22:01
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Is it just me,
or does anyone else
have a problem with this
thread where the words go
all of the way across the
page, and you have to scroll
laterally to read them all?
Not a critical problem,
but *extremely* annoying.
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treefrog
Joined: Dec 18, 2003
Posts: 4
From: Brisbane
Posted: 2004-01-09 22:24
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Tinpis,
Yes I did a bit of moonlighting on the Macair Porters. Bit rough around the edges but they were a lot lighter than the Army ones without all the radio gear, wing hardpoints etc.
They were also lighter because they didn't have pilots doors. As you probably experienced you would sit in the seat while they stacked coffee bags to the roof behind you. Totally impossible to get out if you pranged.
Because the bags were a bit big to go right to the roof at the back there was about a foot of space - enough to squeeze two full fare paying passengers prostrate on top of the bags. Because they were jammed against the roof I always thought it was a good thing because they steadied the unsecured bags.
Remember going into a strip and Duke Elegant was just leaving. He had been taking advantage of the dumped drums of army Avgas (the Bell 47 helicopters had a range of about 300 yards)which were all over PNG. it was not a bad thing and most of the operators used the fuel either scratching on the drum who took it or calling the army later. They would eventually get a bill.
We often put Avgas in the Porters from these dumps and it made absolutely no difference to temperatures or performance in the PT-6. I think the manufacturer says 50 hours Avgas use in an engine life - we did a lot more than that before the factory instructions came out.
Having every man and his dog use the dumps (some companies also had dumps) allowed the fuel to be turned over. The Air Force Caribous- a great mob (nobody else in the air force would work in an iron lung)used to wander around topping the dumps up.
No theft after a few people were killed in a village putting Avgas in a lantern thinking it was jet fuel. Very often the rubber seal rings were gone from the drums as the women found them an essential fashion accessory to wear on their wrists - lots of wasted time doing water checks.
Anyhow Tinpis and Duke you know all this stuff.
duke, hope you got home Ok!
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2004-01-10 02:21
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Good memories .... New Guinea was the most exciting flying in my thirty six years of aviating.
I was standing talking to a Macair pilot one day in Lae. He told me he had two trips to Kabum and I saw the pile of stuff and I saw the Porter ... mmmm ...more like three trips ..
.. quite a load(even for the Duke). As the cargo boys recieved their instructions and began to load the airplane, we both decided to go and troll the TAA F27 that had just screached up to the terminal and sure enough , behind the twenty five or so natives, were two TAA godesses shooing them off.
My dishevilled attire was a turn on to the starch uniformed hosties and my irreverent swagger took them to frenzied heights .... well .... I thought so anyway.
White ladies were a treasure owing to their rarity.
Thinking back , we most likely had talked them into an adventurous evening ... and then .. being pilots ... kept on talking ... and had most likely talked our way to the exit. He was late so we scurried off back to the loading bay and my man fires up the Porter and staggers , yet still proudly nose up , off and up to the high, short , jungle strip. I waited for his return by wandering out to the loading area and it was empty.
" Sampela cargo e go long balus* na sumpella cargo istap. Istap wer?" i questioned of the two gargo boys.
"Cargo e go olgeta" he grins , mouth agape and teeth blood red from betel nut chewing
as he gestured up towards Kabum. He had explained that ALL the cargo went on that flight.
As the hoverlike landing Porter taxied up to the loading area he too was astonished to find it empty. And even more astonished when he realized that it never made a difference ... he hadn't noticed.
* airplane
tinpis This guy walked away from a wrecked Helio Courier.
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Tinpis
Joined: Jan 08, 2004
Posts: 7 Posted: 2004-01-10 18:03
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Duke, I was rostered for two trips on a Saturday morning in the Porter carting building material,wood and corrugated iron,
from Lae to a little strip close by up the back of Nadzad (Kisengan?)
Macair had just put on the first local traffic officer and he got the early Saturday morning slot.
Duly arrived lept into the already loaded Porter and lurched off.
Geezaz! the old tarts a bit sluggish this morning I thought, ah well could me me after a big finish the night before at the Lae Dero club.
Offloads and zooms back to Lae, where on arrival told the cargo bois to raus the other load on quick time coz I was in serious need of some hairy dog.
The new local chappy just looked at me with those wonderful limpid brown eyes and said"wanem narapela load?"
I had just carted 2 ton instead of one!
Treefrog his name escapes me now but one of your Army chaps took over the Porter from me in Wau one afternoon.It seemed it was your custom to do a post flight inspection?He looked under the fuse and saw LOTS of orange oil.The starter seal was stuffed and the engine oil had gone pinis through it.The engine was totally empty of oil and they reckon I would have had not a long time left flying before something quite harrowing would have happened.
[ This Message was edited by: tinpis on 2004-01-10 21:11 ]
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29chev
Joined: Dec 11, 2003
Posts: 22 Posted: 2004-01-13 12:22
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Hi Duke
How you doin?
Just moving the thread back to the top.
Its a small world, I worked with Ted S in northern Ont. and meet your friend Jim while at KFC. Jim was a gentleman!... I can truely say in my 15 years in the industry I have never met a person like Ted! But then I haven't met you yet.
Keep them comeing.
29chev
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2004-01-16 01:21
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Bring forward ... story following.
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endless
Joined: Jan 10, 2002
Posts: 798
From: nuclear winter
Posted: 2004-01-16 01:53
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I can't wait.
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Sharpie
Joined: Jan 16, 2004
Posts: 1
From: Peter Sharpe
Posted: 2004-01-16 02:13
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Hey Duke.
Keep the great stories coming and I'll certainly be on the mailing list when the book is ready.
As the old saying goes, Do not let the Bastards get you down! and you certainly seem to be giving the scythe man a great run for money. Keep the pecker up as we are all rooting for you.
I'm quite sure that our paths and slipstream must have crossed in PNG years ago; I was with TAL in Hagen '66-70. Recall a couple of B47's scattered around the place, one just out of Mendi and the other in the Tari Gap. Fixed wing drivers had C180's covered in whip aerials. Later another bunch came through with a Queenair and I think, maybe a few Porters in tow. A great bunch of blokes and even though we nicknamed them the 'hired killers', many a cold ale was quaffed in Hagen Country Club as well as by Gibbe's Goroka Hotel.
Ray F.... ? Have not heard of him for donkey's years.
Regards.
Peter Sharpe.
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Tinpis
Joined: Jan 08, 2004
Posts: 7 Posted: 2004-01-16 04:22
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Kia Ora sharpie hope the retirement isnt too hard to take.
Was chatting with an AirWest driver the other day who informed me(Flash) Ray F.... had recently retired after many years on the 73-200.
He deserves a rest !
regards
[ This Message was edited by: Tinpis on 2004-01-16 04:25 ]
[ This Message was edited by: Tinpis on 2004-01-16 04:27 ]
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2004-01-16 13:20
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"Well Duke , the news is not good ...... the cancer .... it's back ....." said the doc.
That was a year ago.
Boy , was I depressed then. Twelve brutal chemotherapy sessions. Hospitalized twice.
I flew along the fireflank of hell racked in sickness and cloaked in misery.
But with determination and will , I recovered twelve times. Twelve times I got to realize how lucky I am.
One year ... well I went sailing , crabbing , fishing , flew a S58 helicopter , had adventures with the grandkids , lots of aerobatics , watched over squeeling neighbour kids in our pool , growing roses , growing weed, went to Australia , visiting relatives, riding dirtbikes , fast cars , lobsters , wine .... on and on and on.
And old friends , lots of old friends , the phone calls from Australia and sharing the lost era of New Guinea.
Reminds me ... I'd better get the old ski's out. The snow pack this year is excellent and I'm only forty five minutes away.
A quick story follows , spawned by a call from Oz last night.
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2004-01-16 13:53
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There are several reasons why I would look for any excuse to flee the highlands for Lae on the coast in New Guinea. Heidi , Ronnie , Trish .... and aircraft maintainence too.
The old Aztec was in the capable hands of an old , chronically pleasant Pommie engineer who had his own ancient straight tailled Cessna 172 Alpha Romeo Kilo.(the Ark)
He calls the tower requesting taxi clearance and they replied , "Alpha Romeo Kilo cleared to taxi , the wind is 350degrees at ten knots gusting fifteen and the QNH is 30.15 taxi via taxyway alpha"
To which he replies "Roger, Kilo Romeo Bravo cleared to taxi the wind is 350 degrees at ten knots gusting to fifteen and the QNH is 30.15 taxi via Alpha"
The exasparated controller says "KRB there is no need to read back everything I say"
And then a proper English voice , "Roger , Alpha Romeo Kilo , no need to read back everything you say"
He He He He He
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Duke Elegant
Joined: Nov 28, 2002
Posts: 264 Posted: 2004-01-16 14:31
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Whenever I was required to fly to company HQ in Ottawa I would use Westjet as they operated out of Abbotsford , a mere thirty minutes away.
This neccessitated a change of aircraft in Calgary.
On one trip I had a need to visit the comfort station. I wheeled my suitcase to the second stall as the first was occupied and then with a lot of clumping and banging I managed to include my suitcase while I performed my dailly ablutions.
I heard a voice from the next stall, "Hi. How are you?"
Well I am not the type to talk to strangers , especially seated on a toilet at the airport , but , rather embarrassingly, I answered, "Well , not so bad I guess"
And the stranger says "What are you up to?"
Talk about a dumb question. I was really starting to think this was a little wierd so I said "Like you I guess I'm catching an airplane"
The stranger says "Look honey! I'll call you back , some arseh*le in the next stall is answering every question I ask you"
He He He He He He
Page #11 Tales of an Old Aviator...The Big Chill
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