Beech 18 in HIR

[down3gr33ns]

What has happened to the Beech 18 that was languishing at Henderson? On a few recent trips there I haven't seen it - is it now finally doing some flying?

[Hasherucf]

What happened to another Beech 18 Vh-ATX that was also languishing at Derby WA ? Still up for auction ?

[fencehopper]

Hunter Valley skydive operator Bill Tuddenham said he was buying one of them. haven't seen any sign of it tho.

[Horatio Leafblower]

Mate of mine (not Tuddy) said he is buying ATX and sure enough she's now sitting in Cessnock.

His mother took the props off to stop him racking up Avgas bills. Good thing his L39 doesn't have a prop, eh? :D ;)

[witwiw]

Interesting 'cos I heard from someone close to the HIR operation that they were buying ATX.

Doesn't answer D3's q about that B-18 in HIR, though.

[Hasherucf]

ATX was very cheap, except for 2 calendar timex props

[AussieO2]

The 18 might be up Bogan way, heard that 2 x bandits are going that way.

[Captain Starlight]

Down33gr33ns, you will have noticed its been there for over 18 months.

The Beech 18 (BE18) in Honiara is VH-CII, model is E18S.
Formerly residing at Caboolture and Bundaberg.

A check of the register shows its owned by Bob Keys, a former CX 747 skipper, and more recently of Palau Paradise Air fame.

It is operating on an interim AOC as Solomon Sea Planes, in association with Coral Sea Express from Solomon Islands.

Sol Sea Planes intended to take on Solomon Airlines on their domestic routes, but so far it has managed about 3 charters,
with probably at least one not being paid for.

The BE18 is performance limited to only a handful of the domestic strips.
It was to be the spearhead of a fleet of aircraft, including a Grumman Goose, 2 Bandits, and a Cessna 310.

A strange fleet, for strips best suited for Twin Otters and Islanders.

The reason for the recent absence was a sales trip to Bougainville to set up an airline for Bougainville, a google search will reveal some details.

You should see the monument back in place on your next trip.

[rocket66]

Hi,

I unfortunatley know what happened to ATX. I had flown several hours in her while she was based on the east coast of Oz. It was contracted to a place up in WA somewhere (perhaps it was Geraldton) but didn't fly enough hrs to justify the owner holding on to it.

Someone is correct in saying the aircraft had 2 time X props and I think an engine was removed for what reason I'm not sure. A dispensation was sourced for the props and the aircraft was flown back to BBN where it has now been sold, to whom and where I'm not too sure.

I have fond memories of spending ages sitting on the wing pumping in 1200 litres of avgas in for big trips to distant airshows then looking down the runway hoping our T/O calcs were all ok!

[fencehopper]

Tuddy seemed to know a lot about the aircraft and what it needed. He also said he was trying to source props ect from air whitsunday.
maybe a partnership with your mate.

[Hasherucf]

Rumour has it there is a set of floats for sale that would suit a B18

[Bobby Dazzler]

Has Sol Islands Seaplanes actually secured the two Bandits yet? I remember the announcement that stated that a CV580 was going to turn up with the BE18.

[Captain Starlight]

Bobby Dazzler,

Spot on with the CV580, forgot about that.

The Bandits were inspected, but no cash no splash.

The seaplane, the Grumman Goose, has been in Wangaratta from the outset,
rumour has it there are 300,000 reasons why it hasn't been picked up yet.

[Bobby Dazzler]

I'm surprised that BK has only come up with 300,000 reason as to why the operations haven't yet commenced.

[frigatebird]

Getting pax to PAY for their travel is always a problem. Especially those from Rennel and Bellona.. Wuntoks within the company will see you get on tho.. :uhoh:

[Martin VanNostrum]

There is another Beech 18 sitting at Murwillimbah (Tweed Valley, northern NSW) airstrip. It was flying about 8 years ago but hasn't moved since.

[Waghi Warrior]

A bit off the topic,where is VH-SAU theses days that machine has a bit of history behind it I seem to recall.

Can you still get avgas easily in the Solomons these days ? Re the Bandits,they wouldn't be coming from Goroko by any chance as big Mal has a bit of a grave yard happening up there.

[MyNameIsIs]

Waghi, AVGAS is available in HIR- not sure how "easy" it is though. Can get it through South Pacific Oil (I think "Shell" is written on their trucks). Solomon Airlines still run an Islander, and the odd piston visitor/ferry comes through.

Drums could be shipped from HIR to the outer islands if you needed them there too.

[AussieO2]

WW, VH-SAU is privately owned in Victoria, I believe.

BK has 2 x Bandits registered to him on VH.

How many Bandits would be at Goroka ?, can't seem to find any photos of them on the net.

[frigatebird]

Always check before planning an avgas fuel stop in Honiara. Sometimes the calculation of anticipated usage breaks down, -or it wasn't ordered-, and drum stock imported from Malaysia, or at short notice from Brisbane, runs out. You wouldn't want to be grounded there for the best part of a month waiting for the next shipment to arrive. You can ring SP Oil and get them to confirm a couple of drums for your requirement, but little is held or used now.

[Animalclub]

Capt Starlight

What happened to the Hevilift Twin Otter that operated as Air Sankamap in the late 90's?
I see that there is a business registered as Air Sankamap at Buka.

[cold wombat]

What happened to another Beech 18 Vh-ATX that was also languishing at Derby WA ? Still up for auction ?Sitting on the tarmac at Jandakot.

https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5758/20822212322_213b3e6737_b.jpg

[pa28180]

Now at YWOL out front of the HARs museum

[Kris Lovell]

It went faster when it was red. :O

And looked a little better:E

Kris

[Checklist Charlie]

Agree on both counts Kris.

It also flew better with a "Rod" at the wheel.

CC

[Kris Lovell]

:ok:

Its down in SA now I think....