Where was this control tower - Can anyone assist
You are a smooth operator FSO Griffo!
What was a PA24-250 worth to private hire in those days?
Then I suppose you drove to the local drive in theatre in your three on the tree Holden, with cross ply tyres, drum brakes, vinyl bench seat and no seat belts after consuming a few ales at the aero club bar?
What was a PA24-250 worth to private hire in those days?
Then I suppose you drove to the local drive in theatre in your three on the tree Holden, with cross ply tyres, drum brakes, vinyl bench seat and no seat belts after consuming a few ales at the aero club bar?
Moderator
This is Parafield in 1940:
Note the hangar to the right of the terminal - same hangar as per the photograph at Post # 1?
This is Archerfield in 1947, still painted in camouflage pattern:
Archerfield appears to have a different parapet outside the Control gondola?
Interestingly, the clocks are different???????
Sydney Mascot C 1945:
Note the hangar to the right of the terminal - same hangar as per the photograph at Post # 1?
This is Archerfield in 1947, still painted in camouflage pattern:
Archerfield appears to have a different parapet outside the Control gondola?
Interestingly, the clocks are different???????
Sydney Mascot C 1945:
"And all just to 'impress' the girlfriends..... Finish it orf with a 'City and Beaches'
then back to BK for dinner at the RACNSW Clubhouse Dining room...VERY nice!"
If you had a ASIC you could have started by saying you are a "real pilot" and you might have ended up getting lucky after dinner!
The only thing I have ever used an ASIC for which was useful was to scratch ice off the windscreen of my aircraft rather than risk bending my credit card.
then back to BK for dinner at the RACNSW Clubhouse Dining room...VERY nice!"
If you had a ASIC you could have started by saying you are a "real pilot" and you might have ended up getting lucky after dinner!
The only thing I have ever used an ASIC for which was useful was to scratch ice off the windscreen of my aircraft rather than risk bending my credit card.
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Ex FSO Griffo's story reminds me of several flights made on different occasions for mate's 'bucks nights" We'd fly up from Canberra, (usually in a C182) park in the lighty parking area at Mascot, jump the fence and grab a taxi into Kings Cross to see the sights. After a good night out and appropriately rested etc it was taxi back to Mascot, quick flight plan at the briefing office at Mascot, jump the fence again, then fly back down to Canberra via National Park and Woollongong. Them were the days.
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Parafield Tower
Talking of the old days; I transited Parafield in 1962 and went to briefing at the terminal to enquire about the nearest hotel for the night. To my surprise we were offered overnight accomodation on the first floor where there was a small flat ready for transient flight crew. This included a kitchen and no charge for the use there of.
How times have changed.
How times have changed.
Parafield had a square clock.
Archerfield had a circular clock.
Archerfield had a circular clock.
Back in 1973-4, I had a friend (R.W.) who like me was an aeromodeller. He was also a GA pilot and a member of Royal Aero Club of S.A. Often on Sunday mornings we'd go for a fly together at YPPF. I remember the fun of doing aeros in Airtourers, BWE and BWT. A couple of times we also did aeros in their Fuji which was marvellous. Another aeromodelling friend (B.G.) owned an Auster which was lots of fun too. Especially landing in cross winds..
At that time, the bar was located on the first floor. Fortunately, there were no ID age checks in those days..
At that time, the bar was located on the first floor. Fortunately, there were no ID age checks in those days..
According to a builder who was working on the YBAF terminal several years ago, these buildings (and sure he mentioned one or two overseas as well) were all built off the same plan to military specifications and were designed to be able to take an artillery round or similar and remain standing long enough to be evacuated before it collapsed in on itself. Apparently the Archerfield building simulated a carrier deck alongside the tower (? Dunno, just what I was told) with the "Admiral" (CO?) and his family residing on one of the floors.
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RESIDENCE AT YBAF
From an associate who for some years was a tenant in the Archerfield Tower:
"The middle floor at YBAF was a "residence". The layout of the floor was quite clear in that respect - bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, toilets etc."
MJG
Back in Paradise for a couple of months
"The middle floor at YBAF was a "residence". The layout of the floor was quite clear in that respect - bedrooms, kitchen, dining room, toilets etc."
MJG
Back in Paradise for a couple of months
It's Parafield
I am amazed how long this debate has been going. I worked at Parafield Tower on a number of different postings, including the last shift in the old tower before the new one was grafted (c1981?) You can see in these shots that the hangars on the line to the right of the tower from this view match the ones in the old photo. Ignore the toilet paper hanging out of the windows - just a bit of a lark by the boys on shift! We operated from the Temporary Tower for about a year, maybe a bit longer. It was cramped to say the least. We had to climb a steep ladder. No running water and a porta-loo on ground level.
I learned to fly at the RACSA in 1965. In those days the DCA OIC was Jack Buckham and when you went on a cross country you went up into the tower to hand in your flight plan. Jack knew everybody! Those were the good old days of a sort of "All-Over grass field". Runways were 1000ft wide and you landed to the right of anyone ahead of you. You turned left and stopped to do after landing checks then either taxied via the perimeter or requested a taxi direct to dispersal. Some aircraft did not have VHF radio. They used a simple 3Mhz HF. Some aircraft had no radio at all and did a let down over the top and looked for a light signal. The Verey Pistol was in occasional use. My goodness. That was 52 years ago!
I learned to fly at the RACSA in 1965. In those days the DCA OIC was Jack Buckham and when you went on a cross country you went up into the tower to hand in your flight plan. Jack knew everybody! Those were the good old days of a sort of "All-Over grass field". Runways were 1000ft wide and you landed to the right of anyone ahead of you. You turned left and stopped to do after landing checks then either taxied via the perimeter or requested a taxi direct to dispersal. Some aircraft did not have VHF radio. They used a simple 3Mhz HF. Some aircraft had no radio at all and did a let down over the top and looked for a light signal. The Verey Pistol was in occasional use. My goodness. That was 52 years ago!
Jungmeister is 'spot on' . And the OP said he was member of RACSA. I recognise that !
My aircraft days started as a RACSA 'hangar rat' during school holidays in '55, which gave me a lead in with Tigers (prop swinging, taxying, refuelling) until I started learning the manipulative arts of aviating in March '57.
All over grass, no radio... light signals, no brakes ..it was fun alright. Low flying, spinning and engine restarts were all part of the process. I can thank those crusty old ex Wartime guys who taught me... and well.
My tatty old log book still has the old brown WAC section showing the first cross country from PFD to Port Pirie. After a bite to eat, a solo prop restart and off back to PFD via Gawler. A basic intro to "magic carpetting" flying off to some place youve never seen before. And later get lucky enough to see things some have never dreamed of. Drat.!.. that was 63 years ago... and time waits for no man.
My aircraft days started as a RACSA 'hangar rat' during school holidays in '55, which gave me a lead in with Tigers (prop swinging, taxying, refuelling) until I started learning the manipulative arts of aviating in March '57.
All over grass, no radio... light signals, no brakes ..it was fun alright. Low flying, spinning and engine restarts were all part of the process. I can thank those crusty old ex Wartime guys who taught me... and well.
My tatty old log book still has the old brown WAC section showing the first cross country from PFD to Port Pirie. After a bite to eat, a solo prop restart and off back to PFD via Gawler. A basic intro to "magic carpetting" flying off to some place youve never seen before. And later get lucky enough to see things some have never dreamed of. Drat.!.. that was 63 years ago... and time waits for no man.
Archerfield Airport has done a great job of restoring the original departure lounge including many time line photos
Not unusual to see movie film crews on site
A couple of pictures
AF Former Ops-Admin-TWR 2006
Not unusual to see movie film crews on site
A couple of pictures
AF Former Ops-Admin-TWR 2006
