Forrestair DC-3 VH-TAK Pics and info Request

[cac_sabre]

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/DC-3TAKsm.jpg

I saw this old girl at Esssendon back in 1975. I am preparing to build a model of this aircraft and I'd like some reference information and history on her.
She started off as a RAAF machine A65-52 and at sometime went to TAA, I have seen a picture of her in the TAA scheme with the big window modification.
Does anyone know the whys and whens of the window mod
Any interior pictures?
What did Forrestair use her for?
What is the significance of that logo that looks like the Rolls Royce Lady riding a bullet? Anyone have a close up of this logo?
If you know anything about her I'd like to hear from you.

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

TAK was used by Forrestair for freight between Essendon and Launceston.

The windows are called viewmaster.

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

The windows were called Viewmaster Panoramic windows, and were installed in the following aircraft, AEQ, ANR and TAK

From the book DC-3 Downdunder, Forrestair used four DC-3's on cargo work to Tasmania and the Bass Strait Islands between 1974 and 1978.
Thses included TAK and SBL.

They also operated a Piaggio P-166 on night freight as well

[prospector]

Was AEQ allocated to a Dakota prior to being the name of a Beechcraft Excalibur conversion??

[TheRev]

TAK sat at BN for quite a while. Forrestair purchased it and I ferried it to Essendon in Jan 1975. It was still in TAA colours and fitted with the original passenger door, the C47 freight doors were fitted by Forrestair.
Forrestair was owned by H.G.Sleigh and that is their logo behind the cockpit window. It was one of four DC3s used on the Tasmanian freight runs, the others being EDD SBL & MMF.
I have a few photos if I can work out how to post them.

[Fris B. Fairing]

cac_sabre

Here is an enlargement of the logo on the port side of VH-TAK.

http://www.adastron.com/aviation/vault/HCSleigh-logo.jpg

The text underneath the logo reads:

A Division of H C Sleigh Limited

It's enlarged from a full-frame shot of the aeroplane so it's the best I can do. You might be better off researching it from the HC Sleigh angle. Here's the full-frame shot:

http://www.adastron.com/aviation/vault/VH-TAK-M132.jpg

PM me if you would like the high res scan. (Give thanks to Mike Madden and Kodachrome, both sadly deceased).

Rgds

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Were not the 'Viewmaster' windows fitted by Arthur Butler / Butler Air Transport...waaay back when??

(Memory banks fading...but....):ok:

[Fris B. Fairing]

Griffo

It is believed that VH-ANR was the first Viewmaster mod performed in Australia. The work was done by Fairey Aviation at Bankstown in July 1958. VH-ANR was operated by Butler Air Transport but by this time Ansett had gained control of Butlers.

Rgds

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Thankyou for that Mr 'F'....

I thought I remembered something about 'Butler' advertising the 'scenic flights'....

Cheers.:ok:

[cac_sabre]

Thanks very much for that info. Love any more pics of the aircraft

cheers

I just realised the aeroplane has a name, just under the cockpit Peter? something...anyone know?
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/DC-3TAKEN5752MMsm.jpg

[Fantome]

VH-TAK c/n 13338
42-108949
A65-52
VHCII

Part of the front end of VH-TAK is now in the collection of the Mitiamo Air Museum at Mitiamo, 85 km north of Bendigo, Victoria. The new museum is operated by Richard Winterburn. The wrecked nose section extends from the forward bulkhead (Station 20) to just aft of the cockpit (Station 86).

VH-TAK was scrapped at Essendon in 1983.

SOURCE: Census of Australian DC-3s (http://www.dc3.adastron.com/ozcensus.htm)

[Fris B. Fairing]

cac_sabre

Peter Sleigh

Rgds

[CharlieLimaX-Ray]

Had a look through some photos, but only have a picture of Brain and Browns DC-3 taken at Point Cook Airshow in the mid 1970's.

Didn't Sleigh's own the Golden Fleece petrol stations in Victoria?

[Aye Ess]

Sorry cac sabre for this slight deviation to your thread,but I'm an aviation artist & some time ago I painted a Connair DC3.
The annoying bit was the reference photo's signage on the side said ''Australia's Airline...*something*''
As the photo was taken of VH-PWM on the ground with doors open,I don't know what the full wording was.
Maybe an old Ppruner could help?

[Fris B. Fairing]

Aye Ess

I believe that the full titling was:

CONNAIR Australia's Airline

By the time they had F.27s it had become CONNAIR The Territory Airline so perhaps someone challenged the previous claim.

The good news is you don't have to change your painting!

Rgds

[tail wheel]

If memory serves me correctly, that was the HC Sleigh logo fifty years ago. I seem to recall that logo on oil bottle metal spouts.

HC Sleigh produced motor oil and owned or operated Golden Fleece service stations.

[cac_sabre]

You have stirred a distant memory I do think I remember the metal woman logo.. it really is quite strange. I have researched the net trying to find reference for it to no avail. That close up pic will be good enough for my project

[Aye Ess]

Thank you,Fris B....I had what titles I could see on the painting,fully expecting some eagle eyed observer to correct me;took the painting to an art show & sold it to a gentleman who had once lived in Alice Springs,but he bought it as a reminder of his time in Central Australia rather than the a/c.....anyhoo,I've always wondered if the signage was correct & you confirmed that....thanks again.

[Stationair8]

Must have been a very busy place in those day's with Air Express, Brain and Brown, Forestair, Rebel Air and Ipec operating night freight.

[cac_sabre]

flying over at night.
Before Tulla opened I remember on more than one occasion seeing the odd Bristol Frightener and DC3 with prop feathered overflying Moonee Ponds West state school.

[Stationair8]

No doubt left you traumatised, that's why you want to build a model of VH-TAK for closure?

[cac_sabre]

Nah no trauma, just a severe DC-3 fetish! I present the following as evidence:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/fortescue2.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/IMGP6066.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/IMGP3784sm.jpg

And TAK? well I just find her attractive.. I am working on Decal design..a few hours work so far:
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/FAWIP2.jpg

[Aye Ess]

SWEEET Cac_sabre.....great work.
I too suffer from DC3 obsession...please show us all your other models(DC3 or not)

[cac_sabre]

forum (http://www.aussiemodeller.com/pages/discussiongroup/forum.html)
Plastic Pix - HyperScale's Model Photo Forum (http://www.clubhyper.com/forums/plasticpixframe.htm)

[frigatebird]

Too many for me.. My old models of Zero, Betty Bomber, and Twin Otter are looking a bit forlorn now.. The ATR and Saab souvenirs of courses look better, together with the Air Pacific 732 and 742 ones that came from inflight sales. You can do me a nice QueenAir if you like....(!), only have a Betikama brass rubbing of a photo of one given for a birthday..

Actually not so much a brass rubbing (have one of those from Robbie The Bruce's tombstone -in his armour), but more a copper sheet-engraved from a photo from the reverse side-and beaten-with outlines highlighted by polishing on the front-mounted, whatever that is called, type of thing..

[Wally Mk2]

cac_ I got excited when you said you where building a model plane of the "3", I didn't expect a toy plastic one though more a real toy plane an R/C monster...sob sob sob:ok:

I recall the good old "3's heaps of dem at EN in the 70's I worked for EAM (Exec's) back then who where taken over by H.C Sleigh (Golden Fleece). I'm sure I have old pix of TAC & others inc the old Canberra bombers that where parked up at EN's old graveyard, funnily enough about where I sit now in our shiny new tax payer funded digs, Thanks:ok:
Would be interesting to know where they went?


Wmk2

[Peter Fanelli]

If you like pictures of models try these..


And here I was thinking it would be something quite different.

[Stationair8]

Now I am left traumatised!!

What kit's do you use and what scale?

[cac_sabre]

Hiya Stationaire there are a number of DC 3 kits available, all of mine pictured are 1/48 scale produced by Monogram / Revell.. there are 2 boxings currently available the AC-47 kit is blessed with the paddle bladed props one requires for post war daks. In this scale the model takes a lot of shelf space. You can get a kit for about $60.

Another 1/48 offering is produced by a Chinese mob called Trumpeter. This has a lot more detail and bits but it is more than twice the price of the Revell offering and the engine cowlings and rudder are wrong.

In 1/72 you can buy an Airfix or Italeri kit (it is made from the same mold).. I dont like it I dont know why it just doesnt look "right" to me.

There are also kits in 1/100 and 1/144 scale but my eyes aint good enough for Braille scales. I you want more info PM me I would be glad to help ( and I have a spare kit)

[Stationair8]

Thanks for that, I have a 1/48th Monogram in the big boys toy shop, just waiting to be built. But after seeing your masterpieces it will be staying in the box.

[cac_sabre]

Just off the bench..

http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/tak1.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/tak2.jpg

thanks to contributors for their help in collecting reference material

[Dog One]

Looks very nice - well done!

[Wally Mk2]

"cac" that's a nice peace of work there buddy but now to dirty it up right?:) Looks too new:-) We have a couple of toy plane nuts at work & they seem to spend most of their time making their models look crap!:) You know dirty oil stains & rough looking surfaces, is this the next task?
What scale is that bird shown?

Wmk2

[cac_sabre]

Yeah I know..but it takes a bit of "bravery" to go and muck up something you've sweated over.. less is more in the weathering department.. I will do a bit on it "in the future".. mind you I have pics of her bright and shiny just out of the paint shop, she was clean once... you can see I dirtied up the engine / nacelle a bit.

The kit is in 1/48 scale its a big shelf hog

cheers
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/tak16.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/tak15.jpg
http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/tak14.jpg






http://i141.photobucket.com/albums/r68/sabrejet/tak13.jpg

[Stationair8]

Another superb masterpiece, cac_sabre!!

[Jabawocky]

Except he rolled her on her back landing! :}

Great work:D I am impressed indeed!

J:ok: