Calling all Mohawk Drivers (aka Nord 262 or, The Pterodactyl)

[Capt Claret]

Last night I had a most enjoyable BBQ & reminisce out at Bracken Ridge with some friends from the good old days. Two of the questions we covered were "where is so&so now", and, "I wonder how many Mohawk drivers are out there".

So, let's let PPRuNe work its wonders.

http://www.airliners.net/photos/middle/4/5/7/378754.jpg

[list=1]
Have you flown a Mohawk 298, aka Pterodactyl or Nord 262, in Australia?
Which operator/s in Australia did you work for?
Given say 12 months notice, would you be interested in attending a Mohawk Reunion in Brisbane?
[/list=1]

1. Yes.

2. QPA (Queensland Pacific Airlines)... (didn\'t get to fly it because they went belly up on the day we completed ground school). Southern Pacific Airlines & Majestic Airways.

3. Absolutely

[4PW's]

1. Yep.
2. SPRA, Dubbo.
3. Yeah baby!
4. SIA, left seat on the 400.

[nascar3]

Capt Claret

To answer your questions

1 Yes

2 Most of those that operated a Mohawk

3 Absolutely, sounds like a good idea

Nas

[Fris B. Fairing]

Capt Claret

If you are going to reune in Brisbane why not plan a sidetrip to Caloundra and give VH-HIX a pat at the Queensland Air Museum? I believe she's the only survivor now. If you're coming, please bring two PT6s and props. Timex will do.

Cheers

[Capt Claret]

I'm not the organiser, just a willing participant. At the risk of being flamed, I'll probably drive half of the way from Darwin at > 130klicks, then slow down as I drive the other half to attend.

The thread was a lubricated :} attempt to gauge support for el supremo at BR.

[ANCaptain]

1. Yes...... :O (That's an embarrased smilie)

2. Lloyds / QPA

3. Sure ...why not

[brame]

1. No, but bear considerable responsibility for their importation into Australia.
2. LloydAir – Adelaide & Brisbane
3. Yes



Wow, you're one game man making that admission!!!! :}

We are, by the way, friends of old - not that you and I have many friends!!! :E

Woomera

[topgun0007]

1) Yes

2) Lloyds

3) Why not

[brame]

Woomera

I’ve been in aviation all my working life and we unfortunately don’t make friends. We compete with each other, we step over whoever we can to get up another rung in the ladder and we even tell lies about each other.

When we learn that we can work together, we will have an industry truly worth belong to. We then won’t have to hide under handles like we do on forums like this.

But, as they say… It won’t occur in my life time!

I am surprised that you think you know who I am, PM me if you are game…

Brame

P.S. The Nord /Mohawk was a s**t of an aircraft, even before Freddy Frakes got his hands on it and anyone who been involved with or has flown one, has reasons to celebrate. Let’s try and make this get-together happen. They where back in the good old days.

[john_tullamarine]

Never flew it, or in it .. but had some peripheral involvement when it ran foul of the Regulator with regard to certification ... interesting aircraft.

[Fris B. Fairing]

I thought readers might appreciate some significant photos.

The Beginning 09SEP87 (http://www.adastron.com/aviation/N29811-AC483.jpg)

The End OCT96 (http://www.adastron.com/aviation/Mohawk-Reef-OCT96.jpg)

The first photo is the future VH-HIX at Brisbane after its trans-Pacific delivery flight.

The second photo depicts two unknown aircraft about to be sunk as an artificial reef. I would be grateful if any reader could identify which is which in the second photo. VH-HIX survives (in QPA) colours at the Queensland Air Museum and one other (identity unknown) was more recently broken up at Bundaberg.

Cheers

[nascar3]

My understanding of their fate, and I could be wrong, was that VH-HKT ended up with some bloke living in it on his five acre block near Bundaberg, as previously stated VH-HIX ended up at the Queensland Aviation Museum at Caloundra and VH-HEI and VH-HKS went for a swim.

I would be interested if anyone has more.

Nas

[Visual Landing]

Yes - Too many hours

Lloyd Air and QPA

Look forward to it tell me where when and how

Ps I know many former QPA ppl still, so .............lets get it happening.

[ur2]

I had a mohawk haircut once. Will I qualify for the pissup?

[Fris B. Fairing]

Can anyone remember if the Majestic Airways livery featured the last letter of the registration above the centre windshield? In the second photo, the foremost aeroplane appears to have the letter I (India) in this position. This would suggest that this is VH-HEI and the aeroplane astern must be VH-HKS.

[Capt Fathom]

Will the girls be there? :E

[Fris B. Fairing]

nascar3

A fellow historian in Bundaberg assures me that HKS was moved off the airport in August 98 to a vacant site opposite Duncan's Scrapyard. The aeroplane disappeared about two years ago and is presumed to have been scrapped. However, it is possible that it was relocated and "ended up with some bloke living in it on his five acre block near Bundaberg" as you recall. Further research is required.

The two aircraft which were sunk would therefore appear to have been HEI and HKT. A photo of HIX in the Majestic livery shows that the aircraft did carry the last letter of the registration over the centre windshield (answering my own question earlier). As the foremost of the two waterborne aircraft is carrying an "I" in this position, it must be HEI and the aircraft astern must be HKT.

Have you guys considered having your reunion on the Sunshine Coast? (Closer to HIX at the Qld Air Museum).

Cheers

[Capt Claret]

I had the pleasure of being checked in at QF BNE this morning by none other than Terrie (Todd).

Too busy reminiscing to think to tell her of the proposed reunion but from other things mentioned (I'd love to see so&so again) I'm sure she'd be interested.

[4PW's]

I suppose a lot of us may have retired.

No-one's adding #4.

Anyone here in SQ?

[300ER]

1. Yes

2. Lloyd BNE.

3.Currently 777 Capt. Prob wont be able to make it.

[nascar3]

I would have thought that there was a lot more ex-Mohawk drivers around.
Considering that someone has suggested a party, caus thats what we did in those days.

Nas

[Woomera]

Back to the top - any excuse for a party!! :}

brame I tend to agree with you - Freddy Frakes didn't do too many favours to Australian aviation. But his Nord 262 Fregate conversions did achieve a place in Australian history, even if it was nautical! Like the equally old Jetstream, the Nord 262 started life with piston engines before progressing to Turbomeca turbine engines.

And you and I go way, way back to the time you were in short pants maintaining a certain Citation....... Ah, the anonymity of PPRuNe - dontcha just love it!

:}

Woomera

[cunninglinguist]

Capt. Fatom, yes, Capt. Claret will be there :}