CL44-O
The CL44 Association comprises of over 150 forty four members drawn from as long ago as Tigers,Slick, RCAF thru Transglobe, Tradewinds, TMAC to Transvalair, Affretair, UAA, Redcoat, and the many American operators.
The Presidents are former Captains from Wrangler and TMAC whilst the Chairman saw a 'bit of service' with Jack Malloch in Rhodesia, UAA in TIP and more recently, with Johnsons Air on the Guppy.
In fact, when the old girl was finally withdrawn to BOH all those years ago, the final owner, sold the aircraft to the Chairman only for the Australian 'gentleman' to come along to declare his intention to return the aircraft to the skies.
Many years have passed since this statement was made and despite the work now being made (both on the aircraft and with various 'bits' of paperwork in the USA, the Chairman and the Association prefers to steer well clear of conjecture, instead noting that when, all those years ago, the centre tank was removed, a major amount of corrosion was very, very evident.
The Grounding Orders, continue to be active whilst the many questions regarding the availability of legitimate parts, together with the identity of crew members is also a matter of discussion.
Commercially, does a market exist for the Guppy or has her day gone?
This Association has written many times to the alleged owner in Australia but to no avail.
The CL44 Association has recently held its reunion in London during which the subject of the Guppy was discussed at length-we, like most others, await the outcome of the current work. In the meantime, should any reader wish to speak with the Chairman, do please note that he can now be found at Brooklands most weekends.