Friedrich The Fraud

[Stationair8]

Interesting discussion on ABC Radio National today, about John Friedrich and the NSCA.

The episode (https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/the-history-listen/the-history-listen-friedrich-fraud-nsca/102961206) can be accessed via the Radio National web page.

[Squawk7700]

We used to go sailing on their 44’ Peterson yacht. Out into Bass Strait, Nomad would drop some recovery experts, parachute into the water, swim onto the yacht and sail us home.

He was ahead of his time, but unfortunately didn’t have bottomless pockets like a government run department.

[Lookleft]

He was very much of his time with the likes of Skase and Alan Bond building up houses made of cards with other people's money. Funny that every airshow of the 80's had Bondies Swan lager blimp and the yellow 227 participating.

[Pinky the pilot]

I managed to get at an obscenely low price, about $15 IIRC, a pair of Nomex Flight Overalls through someone who attended one of the auctions of the NSCA equipment after John Friedrich 'disappeared'.

Still had the NSCA patch in the shoulders.

[aroa]

I guess some of the empty containers went cheap. Someone I knew who had a flying job with NSCA did very well out of it with endorsements and etc, with both turbine twins and helicopters.

[Squawk7700]

after John Friedrich 'disappeared'.



If by “disappeared” you mean buried in the ground or cremated after shooting himself, then you would be correct.

[Pinky the pilot]

If by “disappeared” you mean buried in the ground or cremated after shooting himself,

Wasn't sure exactly if he was buried or cremated. And did he shoot himself, or as some would have it, it was made to appear that way?:E

Disclaimer; In general, I do not subscibe to conspiracy theories. :=

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

AHEM !.....Do the overALLS still fit....???

Cheeerrrsss.....

[Pinky the pilot]

Yes, Griffo me old.... They still fit! :ok:In fact I'm probably about 2kg lighter that way back then....:D

[Ascend Charlie]

The NSW Polair aircrews all did the Dunker course at Sale, and it was very well-equipped. We looked with envy at the 412s and the 227 on the tarmac, then hopped back into the cross-hired Bandeirante and droned back to Sydney at 9000' in the bumpy clouds.

[CIC]

The Dornier DO-228 served the NSCA well. Very practical aircraft for them. Factory built roller door assembly for parachuting and the same door was easily removed for the pax door to be refitted.
I was working at Schutt Aircraft, (Jet Corporation) Moorabbin where Bill Hagerty a sales dude became the Australian agent for the DO-228. He marketed the aircraft under 'Aviation Marketing Services'
The first of the NSCA fleet was VH-NSC. CASA was very rigid in that a co-pilot door was required for Australian operations. The R/H door later became a factory option. Dornier were not impressed when we cut a hole in the instrument panel for the Van X DME.

[Squawk7700]

Wasn't sure exactly if he was buried or cremated. And did he shoot himself, or as some would have it, it was made to appear that way?:E

Disclaimer; In general, I do not subscibe to conspiracy theories. :=

He wasn’t locked up at that point or even on bail, he just knew he was about to face the music. I’m not sure if the big banks had hit men back then. He walked off or his own accord into a paddock and did the needful.

I do recall the gossip at my local pistol club was that “not one funeral director in Sale ever saw his body” but I’m guessing they took his body to the coroner for the usual treatment.

[megan]

Someone I knew who had a flying job with NSCA did very well out of it with endorsements and etc, with both turbine twins and helicoptersThe largess was truly staggering, of course it can be when using other peoples money, the banks literally trucked the money in the front door with eighteen wheelers. Loans officer from one of Sale's banks was sacked for turning down a loan to Freddo, little did the bank know how much the loans officer was to save them. Locals did very well thank you very much, some pilots got training from scratch.I managed to get at an obscenely low price, about $15 IIRC, a pair of Nomex Flight Overalls through someone who attended one of the auctions of the NSCA equipment after John Friedrich 'disappeared'Gear walked out the door when the organisation folded,may not have been an auction item necessarily, I attended the auctions and had/have worked with many of their employees.

[Stationair8]

Worked with a pilot that had done several years for NSCA, he always said it was best job ever. Obtained some nice endorsements, worked with some interesting equipment, very specialised flying, good money and said it was great people and organisation to work with.

Anyone have a list of aircraft and helicopters that they operated?

[Fris B. Fairing]

Anyone have a list of aircraft and helicopters that they operated?

There is this page on the NSCA's Beech 200s and the jump door mod.

NSCA Beech 200 (http://www.nsca.adastron.com/)

If you scroll to the bottom of the page there is a link to download a fleet list. If anyone has any additions I'd be pleased to hear.

[Stationair8]

Thanks for that info Fris B Fairing.

Forgot about the B200’s and the trick door modification.

Wonder the Learjet and Hawker were actually used for?

[KAPAC]

Meet him , interesting chap . Like Noah’s ark he seemed to have 2 of everything . Lived close by and company I worked for inspected an aircraft after it was over . Dorniers, caravans , kingairs , baron , multiple helicopters & someone mentioned a mini sub ( did not see that one ) Worked with a couple ex police air wing guys and parachutist who raved about it . Lots of shipping containers along fence line .

[megan]

Had a Falcon 10 for a while, seemed to be used for "communicating", chap I once worked with took up a position with NSCA and despite having only a few Winjeel FW hours at the commencement of his Army training, plus lots and lots of helo time, got a rating on the 10. The list FBF links to doesn't mention the chartered Hughes 500 the organisation started with at Latrobe Valley - VH-SCQ.

[Fris B. Fairing]

The list doesn't mention the chartered Hughes 500 the organisation started with at Latrobe Valley - VH-SCQ.

Hi Megan
It's on page 3, second line.

Rgds

[megan]

Thanks Fris :ok:

[markis10]

I had a couple of meetings with “John” in the day and while I never worked for them, I was inspired by the ideas that were before their time, like Helimed1, the remote scanning Kingairs and the seasonal fire bombing fleet, all part of todays scene in various incarnations. He may of taken the state bank for a ride, but I wonder how many lives have been saved since and at what cost?