Old C185 Regos
Tinpis
Looked up my logs to check where I'd flown KRD. It was originally imported into Australia by King Ranch Development, a Yank cattle company credited with the introduction of the Santa Gertudis into tropical Aust. It then went to PNG under the Ron Firns' STOL logo.
Although I had checked out on a c185 back in November 1965 with STOL, (VH-STP), it wasn't until Feb 1967 that I became a part-timer with them again. On 13 Feb '67, I checked out with Phil Chittock in VH-KRD at Daugo Is, and flew my 1st ICUS to Naoro on 19 Feb '67, and to Cloudy Bay next day. My very 1st PIC in a c185 was in KRD 'all stops' to the SE and back on 7th March '67.
There were some interesting strips down there - Biabara was right on the beach - and very rough. Cloudy Bay was ,as usual, very wet and slippery, and not the nicest place.
After that, I got to fly KRD quite often, between stints in SBU, CMO, DJU, and STP over the period 1967 thru to 1970.
Fun times those,
happy days,