The Last African Flying Boat
Thread Starter
The Last African Flying Boat
I am trying to find a copy of this programme as my copy was eaten by video player 
anybody out there who might have a copy ?
many thanks
Paulc
anybody out there who might have a copy ?
many thanks
Paulc
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,629
Received 299 Likes
on
167 Posts
Is this the programme with Alexander Frater about the Cat flight down the Nile and across to Mozambique? If so I have a very poor broadcast copy on VHS - I might be able to find a way of transferring to CD/DVD.
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Meon Valley
Posts: 106
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
So the plan to get the super cat back in the air ended in nothing then ?
Hardly suprised. If you buy an airworthy machine and don't fly it, why would you rebuild an worn out hulk and say your gonna operate it ?
Hardly suprised. If you buy an airworthy machine and don't fly it, why would you rebuild an worn out hulk and say your gonna operate it ?
Thread Starter
unfortunately it did - being involved with it since the start along with other volunteers it was a disappointing end to the project. However the good things to come out of were some new friends (+ 1 a**hole), 'hands on' experience of working with an aircraft and learning new things.
The owner only bought the airworthy one for the large quantity of spares that came with it - it was suggested that the group keep that one airworthy but it proved too expensive. (1 person bankrolling RS + 2 on VP)
As for saying we would operate the super cat - that was the intention but on dismantelling the aircraft for moving, it became obvious that it would be a long term project. (+ 1 a**hole running before we could even crawl)
PM if you want more details
The owner only bought the airworthy one for the large quantity of spares that came with it - it was suggested that the group keep that one airworthy but it proved too expensive. (1 person bankrolling RS + 2 on VP)
As for saying we would operate the super cat - that was the intention but on dismantelling the aircraft for moving, it became obvious that it would be a long term project. (+ 1 a**hole running before we could even crawl)
PM if you want more details
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,629
Received 299 Likes
on
167 Posts
Good news, my colleague can do the transfer to DVD - will take a few days though. PM me your address. Afraid it's a bit snowy from memory...
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 2,517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have seen that video several times and found it interesting as I used to fly the same machine in Canada.
It is also a very good reference aid for how not to fly one on the water.
Chuck E.
It is also a very good reference aid for how not to fly one on the water.
Chuck E.
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Germany
Posts: 275
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by Chuck Ellsworth
It is also a very good reference aid for how not to fly one on the water.
Chuck E.
Chuck E.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,629
Received 299 Likes
on
167 Posts
I'll have a guess at the "hot, high and heavy" take off from Lake Naivasha Chuck? Approx 5000' ASL. Abandoned until the cool of the next morning with just two on board.
Paul C, found the vid, will try and get it sorted during the week if I can nail my colleague to his desk for an hour or two...
Regards
Treadders
Paul C, found the vid, will try and get it sorted during the week if I can nail my colleague to his desk for an hour or two...
Regards
Treadders
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Vancouver Island
Posts: 2,517
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
"I'll have a guess at the "hot, high and heavy" take off from Lake Naivasha Chuck? Approx 5000' ASL. Abandoned until the cool of the next morning with just two on board."
Yes that was a very good example of incorrect airplane handling in an attempt to force it to fly. It clearly demonstrates that with incorrect pitch attitudes the Cat will poropise every time, he aborted before he wrecked the thing but it is unlikely he understood what was really going on.
The Cat is unforgiving of incorrect pitch attitude during take off and landing and that has been the reason for many fatal accidents. I have a collection of pictures showing correct and incorrect pitch attitudes on the water that I use as reference material for teaching water handling during training.
Anyhow I am now into my second month of retirement and am finding it strange having the summer off.
I have turned my training business over to the Dutch crew and am truly pleased with their grasp of how to properly fly a Cat on the water, on the land it is just another airplane, on the water it can quickly kill you if you do not understand how to fly it.
By the way, has the Cat at Lee on Solent been sold yet?
Chuck E.
Yes that was a very good example of incorrect airplane handling in an attempt to force it to fly. It clearly demonstrates that with incorrect pitch attitudes the Cat will poropise every time, he aborted before he wrecked the thing but it is unlikely he understood what was really going on.
The Cat is unforgiving of incorrect pitch attitude during take off and landing and that has been the reason for many fatal accidents. I have a collection of pictures showing correct and incorrect pitch attitudes on the water that I use as reference material for teaching water handling during training.
Anyhow I am now into my second month of retirement and am finding it strange having the summer off.
I have turned my training business over to the Dutch crew and am truly pleased with their grasp of how to properly fly a Cat on the water, on the land it is just another airplane, on the water it can quickly kill you if you do not understand how to fly it.
By the way, has the Cat at Lee on Solent been sold yet?
Chuck E.
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Way up north
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nice to have you back, Chuck!
Now that you're retired (?), hopefully we'll enjoy your company here more often...
Very happy to see that Cat's are so close. Grew up with the critters nearby. Good excuse for a trip to Lelystad.
Now that you're retired (?), hopefully we'll enjoy your company here more often...
Very happy to see that Cat's are so close. Grew up with the critters nearby. Good excuse for a trip to Lelystad.
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,629
Received 299 Likes
on
167 Posts
Nardi Riviera - now there was another nice looking seaplane! Never seen one, did they build many and are there survivors?
Paulc, afraid my colleague is still away and I am off next week - hope you're not impatient to see it again! I'll try and sit with him when he does it and learn how/what to do with the kit in question.
Good to see the Dutch Cat at Duxford last weekend doing a "same day, same way" formation... Ahhhh...
Paulc, afraid my colleague is still away and I am off next week - hope you're not impatient to see it again! I'll try and sit with him when he does it and learn how/what to do with the kit in question.
Good to see the Dutch Cat at Duxford last weekend doing a "same day, same way" formation... Ahhhh...
Don Quixote Impersonator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Australia
Age: 77
Posts: 3,403
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Is that the vid where the crew seek some local advice re SAM and RPG fire from the local felons from a fellow called Bill Cragg, who was flying a relief and aeromed King Air I think.
He was himself shot down and killed some time later?
He was himself shot down and killed some time later?
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,629
Received 299 Likes
on
167 Posts
Yep, Bill Cragg does make an appearance - in the Sudan or Ethiopia I think.
Don Quixote Impersonator
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: Australia
Age: 77
Posts: 3,403
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I knew him from a stay he had in Perth as an aircraft Salesperson for the local Cessna Dealer.
He dropped out of sight then the next time I saw him was on the docco.
I remember the docco very well not so much for the "cameo appearance" of Bill but for the notion of Grand Touring in chintzy art deco comfort in a Cat.
I may be mixing up aircraft but did this one have wicker chairs in the bubbles??
He dropped out of sight then the next time I saw him was on the docco.
I remember the docco very well not so much for the "cameo appearance" of Bill but for the notion of Grand Touring in chintzy art deco comfort in a Cat.
I may be mixing up aircraft but did this one have wicker chairs in the bubbles??
Originally Posted by Chuck Ellsworth
The Cat is unforgiving of incorrect pitch attitude during take off and landing and that has been the reason for many fatal accidents. I have a collection of pictures showing correct and incorrect pitch attitudes on the water that I use as reference material for teaching water handling during training.
Do you have these pictures in electronic format - would be very helpful to see them.
Failing that - what pitch attitude/pilot actions are bad and what are good ?
Thanks
Gnome de PPRuNe
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Too close to Croydon for comfort
Age: 60
Posts: 12,629
Received 299 Likes
on
167 Posts
It would be a lovely thing to do given the chance - re the wicker chairs, well now I guess that means I need to watch it again!
Is Bill definitely no longer with us? Seemed a very nice guy from the film...
Is Bill definitely no longer with us? Seemed a very nice guy from the film...