Vale. L - 188 A/F VH - RMB

[robroy]

:{ :{ :{ .

Have just found this site.

I, with many others have flown this beautiful AEROPLANE, Wombat 2, aka, VH - RMB.

To my mind and I hope many others, who flew the L - 188, in whichever Airline, where ever, would agree.

God's Gift To Pilots.

Go to,

www.adastron.com/lockheed/electra/h1n358q.htm

Cheers

robroy

Note . what appears to be the "Wombat " still on the nose section.

:{ :{ :{

With sadness,

robroy

[Binoculars]

Ahh, the weekly service into Weipa, the very aircraft which brought my little dog to me in a cage from Cairns in 1980. All hail the wombat.

What ever happened to Norm Bramley?

[robroy]

He is around, somewhere Lah.

Will do my best to find him.

Do you know where John Morton is ?

Apinun and

Cheers

robroy

[56P]

manducat radices floria

Thems were the days. Four screws beat two blowjobs any day!

[Johhny Utah]

Norm Bramley was Beech 1900D Fleet Captain for MBA-Airlines PNG in Port Moresby, Papua new Guinea. With the 'retirement' of the B1900D fleet, I believe he's now cruising around in the Citation.

Someone more current with the PNG scene will surely be able to refine/correct the above...

[Fris B. Fairing]

robroy

RMA is still going strong and last I heard was available for sale. Why don't you pass the hat around?

Cheers

[tinpis]

Funny no one shed a tear for the F27 freighter. :p
Is the Slom still in pee en gee?

[robroy]

Fris b,

I had a Chipmunk & a C172, years ago, they costalotta.

Can you imagine the costs for Wombat 1.

Do you, perchance, know, John Travolta.

I wish.

Manducate Radices Floria

Cheers

robroy

[robroy]

Fris B,

Where is Wombat 1, aka VH-RMA, also do you know the current rego. The Grievance Committee and I where discussing this thread over dinner.

Not saying any thing at the moment, cause you all would think, I am, lapun man, lusim tinktink olgeta.

Did you fly the L-188?

Have an idea, more like a pie in the sky, after talking to another Wombat.

You never know, stranger things have happened.

Will also try to contact our old Chief Wombat and another Wombat Leader.

Cheers,

Thanks for the idea,

This is going to get my best shot.

robroy

[Fris B. Fairing]

robroy

Here's my page on VH-RMA (http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/electra/vh-rma.htm)

I never flew the L-188 (or anything else for that matter) but you don't have to fly them to love them.

If you decide to get serious about the project I'm happy to use my website to promote it. Good luck!

Cheers

[robroy]

Frisby

Ýou put a thought in my mind, the Grievance Committee, said have a go. Damn it, I am going to give it a go.

I have some wide spread ideas, I have already contacted some ex Wombateers, seeking their "Gratis " help, engineering, piloting, anything and so far, YES, but how does one get hold of Wombat 1.

Hence my question, where is she.

BIG PROBLEM, IS MONEY.

Got some ideas on that one.

I, note that you are Brizzy based.

Your L-188 site is magic.

I know where there are around "X " number of L-188 's extant. Possible spares.

Without committing you or I to anything, how about a meeting to see if you think my thoughts are completely asinine, or worth a go.

I would value your opinion, because you have put in a hell of a lot of work into the history of the Oz. Electra's, you really must LOVE this Aeroplane as much as I do and I was fortunate enough to fly it.

If so, contact me by PM, on pprune, that way the Woomeri's and Danny can see that we are trying to do something legit.

I, personally promise to Danny and all Ppruners, that I will keep you all informed with total honesty.

It might be a pie in the the sky, but Damnit, I will have a a go.

Any help or suggestions will be received with much gratitude.

My first task is to find Wombat 1 and how much the purchase price is. I cringe, but what the hell!!!!!

Íf in a years time we all find out it was cut up for $1000, I would be most P1ssed Off ,if something wasn't tried.

Wombateers, tell me now, Totally STUPID or give it a GO.

Manducate Radices Floria,

I still have my Wombat badge,

Cheers

robroy








:D :) :D :D ;) ;) :cool: :cool: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok: :ok:

Frisby and Charlie P,

In DEEP Sh#t, with the Grievence Committee.

She was the Personal Secretary to the Engineering Manager of TAA/AA , at Essendon.

WHY IS IT ALL, ANSETT WOMBATS, we flew ELECTRA'S TOO.

My most sincere APOLOGY to ALL TAA Aircrew, Engineers and Ground Staff. if you would like to help, if you come forth with info, GREAT.

hero's excepted,

MANDICATE RADICES FLORIA

Cheers

robroy

[56P]

http://aviation-safety.net/database/1971/711224-0.htm

Check the above site - not an Australian L188 but a fascinating story. A movie was made of the only survivor (a young girl) who fell 20000+ feet into the jungle and then walked out!

[Fris B. Fairing]

robroy

Sent you a PM.

Cheers

[VTM]

Count me in.

VTM

[robroy]

Frisby F,

I have tried to find the owners of Wombat 1, from the info. you gave to me.

No luck, maybe I am losing ting ting, cannot find the web site.

Would really like some more of your knowledge, on this post.

I watched the TV show on the , "CONNIE ", I tips my Lid, to those guys.

Could it be done again ?

At a recent retired Pilot's get together, I found out where our Wombat Commander was, but I would like to have some firm info on Wombat 1 , before I , make his day, or nightmare.

Cheers,

robroy

[GoGirl]

If I can dig it up, I'll post it the picture I have.

I was a spring chicken, tender age of about 11, and in the photo I'm standing on the tarmac presenting a cake to the skipper of the last wombat flight either into or out of Townsville (details are sketchy....it was a long time ago!!!)
My brother always rubbed it in however that he got his mug on the front page of the local rag in which it looked as though he was discussing the finer points of the mud crab he was holding with the skipper!

I remember seeing the wombat with the tear, and for the life of me, I could not understand all the fuss...as I mentioned, I was 11 :O

There was a TV crew there, and from memory, they were from a current affairs program, I think it was 'Today Tonight', definately channel 7, and a few nights later they ran the story.
It's probably still out there in archive-land somewhere.

Of course, I look back now and think what a wonderful experience it was :ok:

GG

[robroy]

You may have been a young,11 year old young lady, but your post has brought tears to a old Wombat's eyes.

Thank you,

If I, with the help of old Wombats, AN , with RPT, TN and QF,
flight crew and Gingerbeers, can get Wombat One, to Oz somehow, wouldn't it be great.

I would hate to see a www. site , showing , Wombat 1, being cut up, in the future, with nothing done to save her.

Iam still trying to find her and have posted Frisby F, re her location and his help to try and find her.

I think the cost might be huge, but we will not know until the question is asked, of the owners. when I can locate them.

Please, I need help, might be a "Pie in the Sky " but why not.

Like the, CONNIE, if it could be done for the L-188 A/F VH- RMA,
and imagine, a two Lockheed Formation, the most beautiful looking RPT aeroplane ever built, with God's gift to pilots, the Electra, tucked in close.

Oh Shi#, I must be getting far to sentimental with regards to Classic Aeroplanes.

Cheers


robroy

[GoGirl]

I found 2 photographs which I've scanned, but unfortunately, my online photo host site is down at the moment, so I'll post the links to them when I can.

Cheers
GG

[GoGirl]

Here's the LINK (http://www.fototime.com/inv/4192963F5ED1B20) to the 2 pics I dug up!

Hope you enjoy.

Cheers
GG

[Pole Vaulter]

Thanks GG for those fab Photos.
Was the captain Stan Clark with the beard ?

[tinpis]

She was 11 pole vaulter he just look like some hairy old coot.

[amos2]

That does look like Stan in the photo...

now tell me, when are you ex Wombat scruffy reprobates gonna tell the uninitiated what the Wombat insignia means?

:p

[GoGirl]

A quick call confirms it was indeed Stan :ok:

Cheers
GG

[tipsy]

What does the Wombat signify ???????:confused: :confused: :confused:

38 Squadron used "Wombat" as a callsign and for them it indicated their nocturnal habits.

Eats, Roots and Leaves. :ok:

tipsy

[tinpis]

Wombat=Nocturnal animal.

The holding pattern on the footpath outside the early opening boozer in Cairns. :}

[amos2]

No, no, no, tipsy!...

you have the apostrophy inserted incorrectly!!! :{

[tipsy]

I'm a cat for chrissake, I've never been taught to spell, exude good grammar or even punctuate properly.

I eat and I sleep. OK.

tipsy

[Eastwest Loco]

Isnt it funny how an aeroplane can have such an affect on us.

I will admit to a trip to TN AMD at tulla to say goodbye to the very first aeroplane I flew on - the venerable VH-TJA, Boeing 727-76. She looked so sad with flaps and slats dropped, and Pratt and Whitney's missing.

Likewise, my lasting memory of the Wombat fleet was one very early morning in Launceston, waking up an East-West F27 on a drunks Casino charter. Foggy morning, and all that was visible of the Leccy was the fin as she taxiied from the freight area - with the 2 bob skyrocket tail, but in the still air the roar of the Allisons was to say the least impressive.

Not nearly as inpressive as the sight of the girl blasting clear of the fog and climbing away.

What a sad end to a great airliner.

Best all

EWL

[tinpis]

Did a trip across the ditch in a TEAL Electra in the 60's .Quite a few stubbies long that trip was.

[Topview]

Here's the latest photo I can find of the ex VH-RMA. Still registered OE-ILB to Amerer Air of Austria and still flying on contract to TNT I believe.

www.airliners.net/open.file/691578/L/

The airlines website is www.amererair.com

Wouldn't it be great to bring her home again.

Regards.