RFDS Barons

[Stationair8]

Not referring to Capt Wally in this case, but having a little wager with an "industry expert" who reckons that the RFDS only operated B58's.

I seem to recall the RFDS in WA operated Baron 55's with an extended baggage door at one stage.

[Dora-9]

95-A55's VH-FDP and -FDK (WA Section and Goldfields Section) spring immediately to mind....

[manymak]

I have a feeling they even operated BE95 Travelair's as one point or another too.

[Grogmonster]

I flew FDI which was a 55 with the big engines. It went like stink.

[Mr Milk]

VH-FDX still gets around.

[Jamair]

Robin Miller in a Westops B55

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p271/jamair_photos/RobinMillerB55800x616.jpg

[Dora-9]

I flew FDI which was a 55 with the big engines. It went like stink. So do we mean a 55 with IO-550's or a 56?

[strim]

Is the Baron the best light twin ever produced?

I think so.

[Jamair]

I flew FDI which was a 55 with the big engines. It went like stink.

I flew 'an' FDI which was a SKA with the -41 engines & 3-bladers - it REALLY went like stink!!!

Current FDI is a new B200, STILL goes like stink, still in RFDS.....

[morno]

Jamair you should know better than that, :E. THAT FDI of which you speak (the old 3 blader), had -42 engines. But you're right, it did (and still does, just under a different rego) go like a shower of sh!t, for an oldie.

The new one though, ohhhh she goes nice, :}.

[Jamair]

Ahhh fuggit, was thinking of SKU, which WAS a -41. FDI is now FFI and still leaves the other B200s behind in climb.

[PLovett]

Showoffs.....:}

[Jamair]

So Stationair, question answered? Are we sharing the payoff?

[poteroo]

UPJwas a 95/55 which I flew in 1974 out of YPJT. Thought it was previously with RFDS in Alice Springs? Maybe Connellan?
happy days,

[Checkboard]

I used to fly with a bloke called Tim, who flew Barons for the RFDS. He had a story ...

... pick up for a patient, with a nurse, and it was a hot day. Tim says to the nurse - "It's pretty hot, it'll be bumpy - is there any problem climbing to 10,000' to get above the bumps?"

Nurse says "No, not at all."

Tim climbs to 10,000' for a bit of smooth flying, only to be tapped on the shoulder by the nurse ...

"Faeces!" she "whispers" (at a semi-shout) in his ear.

"What!?" Tim says.

"FAECES!", the young nurse repeats. Tim looks back, and the patient is indeed VOMITING lumps of turd!

So, it turns out that the patient had a blocked bowel, and the only exit under the reduced pressure of 10,000' was UP, through the stomach and out the mouth. :yuk:

When Tim questioned the nurse about the decision to climb, she said "Oh! I thought all aircraft were pressurised!" :ugh: :}

[Howard Hughes]

Some stories just don't need to be told...;)

[Towering Q]

Code BROWN!!!:eek::eek:

[Stationair8]

Industry expert lost this one, and will be paying for a long liquid lunch.

Thanks gentlemen.

[illusion]

There was FDJ that was a 55 in the early 70's. Later used for charter in Perth. Last seen in Perth mid 90's. Probably scrapped at YPJT.

Also FDN was a 58 and a very fast one at that. Story goes that when it was very new a hanger door badly damaged the tail section. After rebuild it was 10-15 kts faster than spec; around 190-195 ktas. Academy air charter had it at JT I thinks?

[hurlingham]

illusion

Had the same experience with a 55 - rebuilt after cleaning up the HIAL, 190-195kx @ 65%.

[Towering Q]

From a very reliable source....

VH-FDP, A model. 260 hp engines, was only a 5 seater
VH-FDD, B model. 260 hp engines, 6 seater
VH-FDG, B model. 260 hp enhines, 6 seater
VH-FDJ, C model. 285 hp engines (air scoop on top of engine), 6 seater
VH-FDT, C model. 285 hp engines (air scoop on top of engine), 6 seater
all models had a half door RHS rear. Came standard, this wasn't a RFDS modification

VH-FDN, 58 model, had full height double doors RHS rear.
VH-ADB, 58 model, same doors
VH-AYV, 58 model, same doors

[morno]

VH-FDP - Now a PC-12
VH-FDD - Now a B200 - 2000 model
VH-FDG - Now a B200 - 2010 model (I think)
VH-FDT - Now a B200 - 2007 model
VH-FDJ - Now a PC-12

[Dora-9]

Toweing Q, there's a bit more to it than that:

95-C55's - compared to a 95-B55 had a longer nose (larger baggage compartment) and greater span tailplanes

The larger aft baggage door (as compared to a Bonanza) was standard I believe for all 55 Barons.

The 58 is not just a 55 with double aft doors, the wing mounts to the fuselage some 15 inches further aft than on a 55.

[AussieO2]

A complete list:-
A model: FDK, FDP, UPJ.
B model: FDD, FDG, FMS.
C model: FDJ, FDT
D model: FDI
58 model: ABP, ADB, AYV, FDC, FDE, FDN, REH.

[Towering Q]

VH-FDG was a B200 at Westops with steam driven dials and a cargo door.

I believe Karratha Flying Services now operate it under the rego VH-KFE.

[morno]

VH-ABP still carries the rego, operated by West Wing Aviation.

VH-FDC was re-registered VH-BAM, also operated by West Wing. FDC is now a PC-12.

VH-FDI is currently a 2010 B200C, previously was about a 1980 B200 with a big hole cut into it to make it a Cargo door B200 (not a B200C, was not built as one).