Silverback Cargo Freighters
Join Date: Apr 2001
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Silverback was set up by the special forces of the APR for weapon deliveries and covered ops in DRC.
Silverback bought the 2 Diesel-8 for 10$ each in a very complex deal involving western intelligence agencies.
The planes flew weapons and millions of ammo from Albania and former-Yugoslavia to Rwanda. The plane were also used to discretely deliver hundreds of tons of tin stolen from DRC.
Although the entire ops is profitable, the mechanics were not able to keep the aircraft airworthy, which is really the least they could do.
All this while the UN/EU/etc. are investing billions to bring peace back in the region (how many millions of deads again ?).
And you were expecting a "normal", "reciprocal" or even "fair-play" treatment with this type of ops and history ?
Probably the best joke of the year, thanks for that !
Silverback bought the 2 Diesel-8 for 10$ each in a very complex deal involving western intelligence agencies.
The planes flew weapons and millions of ammo from Albania and former-Yugoslavia to Rwanda. The plane were also used to discretely deliver hundreds of tons of tin stolen from DRC.
Although the entire ops is profitable, the mechanics were not able to keep the aircraft airworthy, which is really the least they could do.
All this while the UN/EU/etc. are investing billions to bring peace back in the region (how many millions of deads again ?).
And you were expecting a "normal", "reciprocal" or even "fair-play" treatment with this type of ops and history ?
Probably the best joke of the year, thanks for that !
Join Date: Oct 2004
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ALL,
I certainly don't agree with arms being flown to the Middle East as it happens over the past years. But arms flown to Central Africa are more likely to be used for genocide purposes. However, if you would feel that what is happening in the Middle East is almost genocidal, I would be inclined to share that opinion. But I presume, this is not the right place to discuss that issue.
I certainly don't agree with arms being flown to the Middle East as it happens over the past years. But arms flown to Central Africa are more likely to be used for genocide purposes. However, if you would feel that what is happening in the Middle East is almost genocidal, I would be inclined to share that opinion. But I presume, this is not the right place to discuss that issue.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Stratocaster,
You clearly have some very strong opinions about Silverback. While we are, as you put it “joking around”, let’s guess - you flew for them and they perhaps didn’t pay your last salary, or you yourself flew for their opposition or for rebels in the affected areas and merely dislike them as a result.
Your supposition about how they acquired their aircraft are equally humorous for if what you profess that they were provided by “Western Intelligence Agencies”, the process and fact would have been handled in a very professional and sensitive manner, and more likely, the details of which would certainly not have reached your ears and be flying around in the irresponsible fashion that you present.
However, your assertion of how they may have been come by once again raises the same concern about the duplicity, hypocrisy and self-righteousness of those who now at this very late stage of the hour want to stand in judgement of others. Would it then not be reasonable to assume that those same agencies were in the process approving of their activities, or by their actions otherwise were again meddling in the affairs of others. If you read in the earlier, this is exactly the kind of White Lies and White-Mischief that I alluded to in an earlier post, that ends up in regrettable situations and Blacklists.
You clearly have some very strong opinions about Silverback. While we are, as you put it “joking around”, let’s guess - you flew for them and they perhaps didn’t pay your last salary, or you yourself flew for their opposition or for rebels in the affected areas and merely dislike them as a result.
Your supposition about how they acquired their aircraft are equally humorous for if what you profess that they were provided by “Western Intelligence Agencies”, the process and fact would have been handled in a very professional and sensitive manner, and more likely, the details of which would certainly not have reached your ears and be flying around in the irresponsible fashion that you present.
However, your assertion of how they may have been come by once again raises the same concern about the duplicity, hypocrisy and self-righteousness of those who now at this very late stage of the hour want to stand in judgement of others. Would it then not be reasonable to assume that those same agencies were in the process approving of their activities, or by their actions otherwise were again meddling in the affairs of others. If you read in the earlier, this is exactly the kind of White Lies and White-Mischief that I alluded to in an earlier post, that ends up in regrettable situations and Blacklists.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Originally Posted by AAL
Dear Snarfel,
Silverback are not gunrunners. If they did do some such flights for their Government it is a completely different matter to that of the notorios smugglers who do so one day, and fly the next for every bleeding hearts campaign.
.
Silverback are not gunrunners. If they did do some such flights for their Government it is a completely different matter to that of the notorios smugglers who do so one day, and fly the next for every bleeding hearts campaign.
.
Join Date: Nov 2004
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AAL,
Don't get all pi$$ed off now. Silverback isn't that clean or great as you might think or hope to believe so. Yes, they are trying, trying hard, I'll give them that, but that's about it. Yes the Belgian CAA is insane and yes they don't know what they're alking about. But Silverback isn't an angel....
Again, the maintenance in BRU was done by a certain Swedish AMO, not Lufthansa Technics, the airplane was just parked there. The said AMO did not want to sign out, or sign off the airplane because of the work that had been done by Silverbacks own "brilliant" mechanics.
The same lead "mechanic" of Silverback nearly killed an entire crew on a DC-8 from Abidjan to Paris, when he was flying as a Flight Engineer. He failed to tell the truth, of how much fuel the airplane had remaining, they landed in Paris with 1500KGS, in bad weather and not even enough for a go around. When he was questioned about it he denied it; however his fuel uplift worked out to be more then 1.165 to the litre. Amazing calculation....Needles to to say he was fired....
The same lead "mechanic" / F/E did an engine idle runup in BRU on Silverbacks DC-8, managing to flame out #1&4 engine, not knowing what caused it, thinking it was a problem with the airplane, while main tanks 1&4 were emptied and no transfer had been made from 1&4 alt....The same Brillian "mechanics" changed a mainwheel on the airplane at Luftahnsa Technics, not as per MM, IE, they never torqued it. When the airplane was towed from Lufthanse Technics to another ramp, the Swedish lot found the main tire to be looking a bit funny. When our brilliant "mechanics" were questioned about it, the reply was " aha yes, but you never asked us".
I could go on and on about this guy, Mr Bertram D, but I'll save my keyboard.
The DC-8 of Silverback was never bought for 10$, but leased from Farhad Azima...Maybe by now they own it, but not a year back they didn't.
Everybody in Africa is trying and trying hard, but don't make it sound as if your buddies are flawless and just pour victims of a Belgian Agenda. Most of us have flown guns and ammo around, I will not judge them for that, but Air Safety, man these guys are a joke.
Also your statement to Stratocaster;
"You clearly have some very strong opinions about Silverback. While we are, as you put it “joking around”, let’s guess - you flew for them and they perhaps didn’t pay your last salary, or you yourself flew for their opposition or for rebels in the affected areas and merely dislike them as a result".
Very dumb, you finally admit what Silverback is all about. Yes, not paying peoples salary and what they do... Check with their ex chief pilot Christian V, how much do they own him?
Your second quote to Stratocastor:
"If you read in the earlier, this is exactly the kind of White Lies and White-Mischief that I alluded to in an earlier post, that ends up in regrettable situations and Blacklists".
Ah, so Silverback is just getting screwed by the whiteman, without any reason? A bit far fetched and a bit to close to racism, as far as I'm concerned.
Tell your buddies to get their sh*t together and maybe we don't have to read all this negative publicity of Silverback anymore...
Enough said!
Don't get all pi$$ed off now. Silverback isn't that clean or great as you might think or hope to believe so. Yes, they are trying, trying hard, I'll give them that, but that's about it. Yes the Belgian CAA is insane and yes they don't know what they're alking about. But Silverback isn't an angel....
Again, the maintenance in BRU was done by a certain Swedish AMO, not Lufthansa Technics, the airplane was just parked there. The said AMO did not want to sign out, or sign off the airplane because of the work that had been done by Silverbacks own "brilliant" mechanics.
The same lead "mechanic" of Silverback nearly killed an entire crew on a DC-8 from Abidjan to Paris, when he was flying as a Flight Engineer. He failed to tell the truth, of how much fuel the airplane had remaining, they landed in Paris with 1500KGS, in bad weather and not even enough for a go around. When he was questioned about it he denied it; however his fuel uplift worked out to be more then 1.165 to the litre. Amazing calculation....Needles to to say he was fired....
The same lead "mechanic" / F/E did an engine idle runup in BRU on Silverbacks DC-8, managing to flame out #1&4 engine, not knowing what caused it, thinking it was a problem with the airplane, while main tanks 1&4 were emptied and no transfer had been made from 1&4 alt....The same Brillian "mechanics" changed a mainwheel on the airplane at Luftahnsa Technics, not as per MM, IE, they never torqued it. When the airplane was towed from Lufthanse Technics to another ramp, the Swedish lot found the main tire to be looking a bit funny. When our brilliant "mechanics" were questioned about it, the reply was " aha yes, but you never asked us".
I could go on and on about this guy, Mr Bertram D, but I'll save my keyboard.
The DC-8 of Silverback was never bought for 10$, but leased from Farhad Azima...Maybe by now they own it, but not a year back they didn't.
Everybody in Africa is trying and trying hard, but don't make it sound as if your buddies are flawless and just pour victims of a Belgian Agenda. Most of us have flown guns and ammo around, I will not judge them for that, but Air Safety, man these guys are a joke.
Also your statement to Stratocaster;
"You clearly have some very strong opinions about Silverback. While we are, as you put it “joking around”, let’s guess - you flew for them and they perhaps didn’t pay your last salary, or you yourself flew for their opposition or for rebels in the affected areas and merely dislike them as a result".
Very dumb, you finally admit what Silverback is all about. Yes, not paying peoples salary and what they do... Check with their ex chief pilot Christian V, how much do they own him?
Your second quote to Stratocastor:
"If you read in the earlier, this is exactly the kind of White Lies and White-Mischief that I alluded to in an earlier post, that ends up in regrettable situations and Blacklists".
Ah, so Silverback is just getting screwed by the whiteman, without any reason? A bit far fetched and a bit to close to racism, as far as I'm concerned.
Tell your buddies to get their sh*t together and maybe we don't have to read all this negative publicity of Silverback anymore...
Enough said!
Join Date: Apr 2001
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AAL,
Yeah, yeah, sure... Suggest you get in touch with these boys: +44-20-74135500, and try to explain your version of Silverback's history. I quoted their report on DRC in my previous message. If you manage to convince them, the rest of the world will know, don't worry about it.
Very funny "suppositions" about me, by the way. But you can't tell the difference between a 330 and a 320, so I'm not really surprised.
Yeah, yeah, sure... Suggest you get in touch with these boys: +44-20-74135500, and try to explain your version of Silverback's history. I quoted their report on DRC in my previous message. If you manage to convince them, the rest of the world will know, don't worry about it.
Very funny "suppositions" about me, by the way. But you can't tell the difference between a 330 and a 320, so I'm not really surprised.
Join Date: Jan 2006
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Being an African I do not disagree with anybody’s opinion that Africa and the rest of the world should stop flying arms.
We all know the consequence of Mr Kalashnikov’s contribution to the welfare of Africa. Hopefully soon we can collect them all, melt them down, and with the same steel erect a statue overlooking Victoria Falls in memory of the suffering and destruction they have caused.
We must however at the same time shut down the Belgian FN factory in Tanzania so that we do not in so doing create a demand and market for their products in stead.
As we have now progressed this far, I think it still just necessary to acknowledge and realise that:
We all know the consequence of Mr Kalashnikov’s contribution to the welfare of Africa. Hopefully soon we can collect them all, melt them down, and with the same steel erect a statue overlooking Victoria Falls in memory of the suffering and destruction they have caused.
We must however at the same time shut down the Belgian FN factory in Tanzania so that we do not in so doing create a demand and market for their products in stead.
As we have now progressed this far, I think it still just necessary to acknowledge and realise that:
- Silverback was not started and funded by “certain Western Intelligence Agencies” as Stratocaster so flippantly wishes to make out. They are a small struggling company merely trying to make a living.
- They are perfectly entitled to provide logistical services to their Government as happens in any other country in the world, including yours.
- Their aircraft is not in the sorry state that some biased detractors have tried to make out, and that it was merely used as a tool by a former colonial master to get at the Rwandan Government.
- They have as a result been unfairly treated by the Belgian Authorities for reasons of political expedience.
- The SN Brussels A330 (sorry Stratocaster!) was in an equally alarming condition considering that it is supposed to be a first class passenger aircraft.
- Even-handedness should apply when dealing with such matters.
- The real culprits that have illegally infested Africa with arms should be dealt with and banned internationally by ICAO not just by the EU. Those that have again opportunistically not been mentioned or included on the so-called blacklist and who continue to fly unhindered into Europe every day, should receive the same treatment.
Join Date: Jul 2006
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I don't think he heard it in a bar
Originally Posted by bluesafrica
Speedbrake,
Why do you write such bullsh*t ? Did they tell you that in a bar very confidentally....
Blues:*
Why do you write such bullsh*t ? Did they tell you that in a bar very confidentally....
Blues:*
Also, the Belgian pilot wasn't lying about running construction supplies either. When there are no arms to move they make money off the UN flying relief supplies and refugees around in the same aircraft.
p.s. Is the "Chief Pilot" nick named "Super Mario"?
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"In addition, during 2003 a company based in Rwanda, Silverback Cargo Freighters, used two DC8 aircraft to carry out another series of ammunition deliveries from Eastern Europe to Rwanda.(70) The two DC-8 operated by Silverback Cargo Freighters were each sold for a symbolic price of US$10 in a complex deal from the United States and delivered to the company in May 2002.(71)
According to Albanian officials, at least four arms flights were carried out to Kigali from Tirana from April to at least June 2003.(72) Albanian officials said these flights involved the shipment of large quantities of ammunition - 3,590,000 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition (for Kalashnikov assault rifles) and 85,000 rounds of 9mm (pistol or sub-machine gun) ammunition. At least one arms flight from Tirana was reported by Albanian officials to have involved "explosives" routed from Belgrade.(73) While a "Delivery Verification Certificate" from the Rwandan Ministry of Defence dated 24 June 2003 confirmed receipt of the 3,590,160 cartridges in Kigali, three "end use certificates" indicate that the Rwandan Ministry of Defence had ordered another one million rounds of 9mm ammunition from Albania.(74) These could have been delivered from Albania or another country. Albanian officials indicated that some 9mm ammunition had been returned from Rwanda.(75) The manager of Silverback subsequently offered to fly missiles and large quantities of ammunition from Poland to Rwanda in October 2003.(76)
A UN official told Amnesty International that, according to several reliable sources, aircraft of Silverback Cargo were used in mid 2004 to transport further quantities of arms to Rwanda from Eastern Europe.(77) Between March and September 2004, Silverback Cargo Freighters leased one of its DC8 aircraft (9XR-SC) to a company called International Air Services (alternatively International Air Express), registered in Liberia but based in the Ras-al-Khaimah Free Zone (UAE). According to international aviation records, from late 2003 to at least April 2005, International Air Services leased two Lockheed 1011-100 Tristars from Ducor World Airlines, a company named in a UN report for flying arms in violation of the UN arms embargo on Liberia(78) and carrying arms through Mwanza to Burundi in late 2002.(79) In November 2003, International Air Services leased a Boeing 707 from Air Memphis, a company registered in Egypt that flew coltan from Goma to Germany in June 2001(80) and continued to operate from Goma in 2003(81), the year it reportedly founded Air Memphis Uganda.(82)"
http://web.amnesty.org/library/index/engafr620062005
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Silverback Cargo Freighters
This may be a bit old hat but can anyone tell me what's happened to Silverback Cargo freighters?
Their website redirects you to Akagera Aviation (a helicopter charter operation), as of today (05 March) they still remain on the EU Banned List of Airlines and I saw both DC-8's parked-up at KGL a few weeks ago when I was in transit.
Can anyone out there shed some light?
Their website redirects you to Akagera Aviation (a helicopter charter operation), as of today (05 March) they still remain on the EU Banned List of Airlines and I saw both DC-8's parked-up at KGL a few weeks ago when I was in transit.
Can anyone out there shed some light?
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Be very careful of them. They bring alot of work here and pay well at first and then all of a sudden you dont hear from them again and battle to get hold of anyone. My previous company lost alot of money because of them after months of trying.
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Silverback Cargo
Has any heard what Silverback Cargo is up to?? They have a DC-8 stuck in the shop in Johanesburg that is not finished. Are they going to get back into the air or are they out of money?? I know about the EU ban but understood they were to be making regular runs throughout the middle east.
