The way we were - Ansett, TAA, Qantas
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Devonport Tasmania Australia
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That's exactly what my father (TN LAME) told me as a little kid airsupport.
The 700 Series would never fly again. the single spar wing had brought their demise but the 800 would carry on as they were twin spar.
All of these accidents were taken personally by Dad as his job was to keep aeroplanes and people safe.
I was only 4 but clearly remember him coming home on a mid winter night absolutely devastated that TFB had been lost on approach to Mackay. I was also reduced to tears when I found out that the cut open for display Dart on display in the TAA Franklin St terminal was actually one from the ill fated aeroplane. Not a good way to start your days work in Res. Too many echoes.
Even today as a museum or historical society you would not be able to place a Viscount 700 on the Australian Register as an operational aeroplane. They have been black banned for years and years.
Fantome - I accept the "idiot" to go with the savant, but believe I have been totally accurate in everything I have recounted. The WNY DPO incident included a gentleman in the F/O position who among other things including some financial was adept from what I heard in falsifying log books and was finally pinged for that in Malaysia. When he stepped off the aeroplane he was white as a ghost and said "He yelled yoiks tally ho and opened the throttles and dived". Only time I have seen that person rattled.
I believe he had lost his Captiancy for some reason at that time.
For those that might remember Laurie McGuire who was a TN 25 year Club member passed away at 2330 Friday night. Did a good job at mid 80s. Some of the older crew may remember him from TN997 services into Devonport. I am pretty sure he didn't do the TN990 very often.
Enough rabbiting on.
Best all
EWL
The 700 Series would never fly again. the single spar wing had brought their demise but the 800 would carry on as they were twin spar.
All of these accidents were taken personally by Dad as his job was to keep aeroplanes and people safe.
I was only 4 but clearly remember him coming home on a mid winter night absolutely devastated that TFB had been lost on approach to Mackay. I was also reduced to tears when I found out that the cut open for display Dart on display in the TAA Franklin St terminal was actually one from the ill fated aeroplane. Not a good way to start your days work in Res. Too many echoes.
Even today as a museum or historical society you would not be able to place a Viscount 700 on the Australian Register as an operational aeroplane. They have been black banned for years and years.
Fantome - I accept the "idiot" to go with the savant, but believe I have been totally accurate in everything I have recounted. The WNY DPO incident included a gentleman in the F/O position who among other things including some financial was adept from what I heard in falsifying log books and was finally pinged for that in Malaysia. When he stepped off the aeroplane he was white as a ghost and said "He yelled yoiks tally ho and opened the throttles and dived". Only time I have seen that person rattled.
I believe he had lost his Captiancy for some reason at that time.
For those that might remember Laurie McGuire who was a TN 25 year Club member passed away at 2330 Friday night. Did a good job at mid 80s. Some of the older crew may remember him from TN997 services into Devonport. I am pretty sure he didn't do the TN990 very often.
Enough rabbiting on.
Best all
EWL
Join Date: May 2002
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I was only 4 but clearly remember him coming home on a mid winter night absolutely devastated that TFB had been lost on approach to Mackay
Join Date: Apr 2000
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Correct airsupport
Nine from Rockhampton Grammar
The internal chatter (probably via the Townsville refuellers Grandpa) was runway lights reflecting of the very low overcast creating a ghost runway on the still water or the low approach they used to get under the fog tripping them up on turn onto final with the port wingtip finding water.
This event sparked the placement of black boxes on anything from F27 size upwards.
Best all
EWL
Nine from Rockhampton Grammar
The internal chatter (probably via the Townsville refuellers Grandpa) was runway lights reflecting of the very low overcast creating a ghost runway on the still water or the low approach they used to get under the fog tripping them up on turn onto final with the port wingtip finding water.
This event sparked the placement of black boxes on anything from F27 size upwards.
Best all
EWL
Last edited by Eastwest Loco; 13th Feb 2014 at 00:10.
Join Date: Feb 2002
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The internal chatter (probably via the Townsville refuellers Grandpa) was runway lights reflecting of the very low overcast creating a ghost runway on the still water or the low approach they used to get under the fog tripping them up on turn onto final with the port wingtip finding water.
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greg47
As A pilot I understood the Roots blower on the viscount was the same as the F27 . It was magnesium alloy. On the f27-200 the shaft was a light quill shaft designed to shear if the bearing picked up and yes we had the red light, but it would have been burning then. Im not aware of any f27 having a problem.
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As A pilot I understood the Roots blower on the viscount was the same as the F27 . It was magnesium alloy. On the f27-200 the shaft was a light quill shaft designed to shear if the bearing picked up and yes we had the red light, but it would have been burning then. Im not aware of any f27 having a problem.
The main difference of course between the F27 and the V800 is that on the F27 the blower is mounted in a vertical position where on the Viscount 800 it was mounted horizontally.
It was found at the time of the investigations that this was one of the main factors in the accident because the drain plug on the blower was installed in the wrong place thus not allowing the oil to drain away as the blower failed, something that would not have been so critical on an F27 because the blower is mounted vertically and the plugs are at the top.
How sad is this
Recently had all my files wiped from hard drive and whilst searching my photos so I could scan them back into my PC, I came across this sad picture from the early 70s.
I had joined TAA in 1969 and eventually managed to obtain a TAA poster for my wardrobe. You may even notice another "well known" airline poster in the picture.
Sorry, picture didn't come throuh so will have to try again.
yep . .. . . . . .. .. . .that fly united mock-logo did the rounds, alright. Borrowed and adapted by more than one hairline pilot to be made into a nav bag tag.
thinks .. . . what has that young chasp lusting after those lovely legs got round his neck?
Not the medallion of a liveryman of GAPAN?
Ahhh . .. . .. The Friendly Way . . . .. somewhere there's a recording of the Dulux Show with
Jack Davey where "Mrs Jones" wins a flight. Spliced in for the show is the voice of John Chance (it sounds like) giving an old fashioned boarding call, giving the usual plug for the Vickers Viscount , making it sound oh so very imperial .
Only the greybeards round here will have first hand memories of Jack Davey, his perpetual brightness, and the patter of the born showman.
"That's not quite the right answer Mrs Jones. But don't go home empty handed.
"Take this Namco Pressure Cooker. Cuts cooking time in half.
"Here. Take two. You won't have to cook at all."
of course the best archive of all things TAA is in the TAA Museum just over the tram line from Essendon Airport, run by James Meahan, ex TAA and a real trooper
BTW . . his g g g g grandfather , also James Meahan, was a ticket of leave surveyor attached to Charles Grimes, the second surveyor general of NSW, just before John Oxley.
Which surveyor general happened to the g g g g grandfather of yours truly.
Jim and I adjourned to Young and Jacksons for a nostalgic Fosters or 3.
we did not follow up with a slash from the Grimes Bridge (just down flinders Street) being in a couther part of Melbourne.
which all has little to do with rootes blowers, flying united, and the price of fish.
If anyone wants to meet a bloke who flew for Ansett ANA for many years, he lives a hop and a step from Heck Field, and has a fund of ripper yarns.
Flew with Keith Virtue. Flew with Jason Hazzard.
Has some great stories about Harry Moore, seconded to BCPA.
Was F/O on a Sepal survey Cat out of Mascot. Has a few good ones about those days too. Like landing at Rose Bay and springing multiple leaks.
Laugh? bloody near died.
thinks .. . . what has that young chasp lusting after those lovely legs got round his neck?
Not the medallion of a liveryman of GAPAN?
Ahhh . .. . .. The Friendly Way . . . .. somewhere there's a recording of the Dulux Show with
Jack Davey where "Mrs Jones" wins a flight. Spliced in for the show is the voice of John Chance (it sounds like) giving an old fashioned boarding call, giving the usual plug for the Vickers Viscount , making it sound oh so very imperial .
Only the greybeards round here will have first hand memories of Jack Davey, his perpetual brightness, and the patter of the born showman.
"That's not quite the right answer Mrs Jones. But don't go home empty handed.
"Take this Namco Pressure Cooker. Cuts cooking time in half.
"Here. Take two. You won't have to cook at all."
of course the best archive of all things TAA is in the TAA Museum just over the tram line from Essendon Airport, run by James Meahan, ex TAA and a real trooper
BTW . . his g g g g grandfather , also James Meahan, was a ticket of leave surveyor attached to Charles Grimes, the second surveyor general of NSW, just before John Oxley.
Which surveyor general happened to the g g g g grandfather of yours truly.
Jim and I adjourned to Young and Jacksons for a nostalgic Fosters or 3.
we did not follow up with a slash from the Grimes Bridge (just down flinders Street) being in a couther part of Melbourne.
which all has little to do with rootes blowers, flying united, and the price of fish.
If anyone wants to meet a bloke who flew for Ansett ANA for many years, he lives a hop and a step from Heck Field, and has a fund of ripper yarns.
Flew with Keith Virtue. Flew with Jason Hazzard.
Has some great stories about Harry Moore, seconded to BCPA.
Was F/O on a Sepal survey Cat out of Mascot. Has a few good ones about those days too. Like landing at Rose Bay and springing multiple leaks.
Laugh? bloody near died.
Last edited by Fantome; 17th Feb 2014 at 14:59.
I have no idea what's around my neck. I did wonder myself as I just can't remember having anything that bling.
Although I only did just over a year with TAA, I had always been a fan of them from before I arrived in Australia. As it happens, I ended my aviaition career with Sunstate/Qantas in Hervey Bay, so the 'old' connection was still there.
Will definitely visit the TAA Museum if I ever get back down to Melbourne.
Although I only did just over a year with TAA, I had always been a fan of them from before I arrived in Australia. As it happens, I ended my aviaition career with Sunstate/Qantas in Hervey Bay, so the 'old' connection was still there.
Will definitely visit the TAA Museum if I ever get back down to Melbourne.
Join Date: May 2002
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Just been talking to some of the Family about this ''the way we were'' business, our Daughters fondly remembering the cockpit visits every time they flew, which YES was mentioned before.
Another thing though I was reminded of from way back then that would NEVER EVER happen today sadly, when I was an Apprentice back in the 1960s at Essendon, working Monday to Friday, there would often be test flights scheduled for over the Weekend, usually but not always a DC3 that had been in for a check and needed a test flight.
Any of us that wanted to could put our name down to go on these test flights as pax, and not only that, but we could (and did) nominate and then bring someone else too, a Mate or a Girlfriend with absolutely NO connection at all to Ansett.
Cannot imagine that happening now............
Those really were the good olde days.
Another thing though I was reminded of from way back then that would NEVER EVER happen today sadly, when I was an Apprentice back in the 1960s at Essendon, working Monday to Friday, there would often be test flights scheduled for over the Weekend, usually but not always a DC3 that had been in for a check and needed a test flight.
Any of us that wanted to could put our name down to go on these test flights as pax, and not only that, but we could (and did) nominate and then bring someone else too, a Mate or a Girlfriend with absolutely NO connection at all to Ansett.
Cannot imagine that happening now............
Those really were the good olde days.
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We'll imagine it
787 had staff friends and family on it for some proving flights
When the A330 was introduced to JQ same deal, mates got a free scenic flight out of it, no ones asked me though
787 had staff friends and family on it for some proving flights
When the A330 was introduced to JQ same deal, mates got a free scenic flight out of it, no ones asked me though
The 'mock ups' for QF cabin crew training were pretty good in years gone by.
Lunches were the go but you could also be lucky to get a night time traiing so dinner was very good and BYO.
And they were P class meals.
I wonder if they still do them?
Lunches were the go but you could also be lucky to get a night time traiing so dinner was very good and BYO.
And they were P class meals.
I wonder if they still do them?
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We'll imagine it
787 had staff friends and family on it for some proving flights
When the A330 was introduced to JQ same deal, mates got a free scenic flight out of it
787 had staff friends and family on it for some proving flights
When the A330 was introduced to JQ same deal, mates got a free scenic flight out of it
These were aircraft that had been in maintenance and had to have a test (proving) flight before they were cleared for revenue service.
Fairly sure no Company would allow that now, if for no other reason it would be because of insurance liability.
500N
Wish I'd kept the poster as well, but it's long gone.
That said, as well as being able to take the p**s out of ourselves, in those days we actually had pride in our job, pride in the airline we worked for and happy to be part of a team. I do remember having "discussions" with Management over certain issues, but generally I would say there was a lot of mutual respect between the staff and Management as together, we all made the team work well. Those days airlines were run by airline people who may have had accountants to 'help' them run the business, now it seems that accountants run the business and 'reluctantly' have to have airline staff to help them. Such a shame that it has all come down to this. Experience counts for nowt now and I'm really glad to be retired now. At least I still have my memories of how things used to be.
Wish I'd kept the poster as well, but it's long gone.
That said, as well as being able to take the p**s out of ourselves, in those days we actually had pride in our job, pride in the airline we worked for and happy to be part of a team. I do remember having "discussions" with Management over certain issues, but generally I would say there was a lot of mutual respect between the staff and Management as together, we all made the team work well. Those days airlines were run by airline people who may have had accountants to 'help' them run the business, now it seems that accountants run the business and 'reluctantly' have to have airline staff to help them. Such a shame that it has all come down to this. Experience counts for nowt now and I'm really glad to be retired now. At least I still have my memories of how things used to be.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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I did a lot of flying on BA and QAntas between 78 and 82 as SLF,
always good times !
As slf, I see experience counting - Scully, QF32, QF oxygen cylinder ?
Versus the crashes in Indo as examples.
My HO only !
always good times !
Experience counts for nowt now and I'm really glad to be retired now.
Versus the crashes in Indo as examples.
My HO only !
500N
I meant that from the current management point of view, experience counts for nowt now. Their only concern is the bottom line on accounts sheets.
I meant that from the current management point of view, experience counts for nowt now. Their only concern is the bottom line on accounts sheets.
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I read this and silently weep. Weep for all the great pilots I have known and lost, the aircraft I have known and lost. My beloved DC9, my time with TAA in PNG, surely now a young pilots dream job, "mornins for flyin, afternoons for drinkin, night times for sha$$in! I think of all those young Captains in the late fifties and early sixties, all so badly damaged by war, mostly crewing the Lancaster Bombers, and somehow survived, but to go thru life never the same, just too much for a twenty year old to see and experience, and yet it was those same men, who took the airlines forward. I think of Butler, East West, Airlines of NSW, I think of Captain's Dicky Holt ( the father of bidding) Buck Brooksbank, Frank Ball, John Hickey, I think of the great Engineers, (when TAA was partly seconded to Dept of Mineral Recourses, they sent us, two young pilots and one engineer off on a adventure of a lifetime with a DC3 called MIfu%$in N, with a amazing Engineer called Russell Mc,fuc%^n Nee,) three young men, who lived a dream. Imagine now sending three people with one aircraft, to search for minerals, along with a small team of geologists, out into the GAFA (Great Australian FA) for six months, living in tents, and leaving small mountains of empty beer cans dotted on the landscape, as our proud monuments! We shed the uniforms, flying in shorts, socks, army boots, and a cap, that is until the TAA manager Capt. Frank Ball caught up with us in Boulia, and horrified that his pilots looked like two deadbeats, demanded we went back into uniform. Sadly we had lost so much weight from the heat, our uniforms almost fell off us, and so TAA sent us some natty shorts, a proper uniform shirt, totally impractical shoes, and insisted on the same uniform hat. They are all still in my wardrobe, for as soon as they left...........................? Going back to line flying was like going back to boring, you cannot have fun with a aircraft full of PAX, and we had fun with that DC3, but we all have to grow up at some stage. Now its flying by hubcaps, as my kids who now fly, call it, and envy my adventures, I would not swap one day of it.