TAA and the DC-9
They did put FE's in the DC-9 initially. He didn't do much though!!
After working out the details he was dropped from the crew. I think they lasted a few months? Maybe someone else knows the exact time frame?
After working out the details he was dropped from the crew. I think they lasted a few months? Maybe someone else knows the exact time frame?
Photos: McDonnell Douglas DC-9-51 Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net
The combined carriers still have a whole range of the DC-9 types in operation, various different sizes. Northwest have kept them very well. They never bought a new one but inherited a large fleet when the took over Republic, which in turn had been a merger of several large DC-9 users. Some are now coming up for their 40th anniversary.
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Here is a pic (CNS nov 86) of TJQ in that less than ideal socialistic "our TAA" paint scheme. Had a pretty cr*ppy camera then. When we went to "our TAA advertising" I heard that Ansett gleefully bought up the rights to the tune "Up up and away in my beautiful balloon" thus preventing TAA, even if they realised their mistake, from ever using that most effective jingle again.
T-Jets was a much better scheme. T-Jets I guess inspired the registrations.
TJ* for TAA Jet - These ended up being 727-100's and DC-9's (now on QF 734's)
TB* for TAA Boeings - the 727-200's
TF* for TAA Fokkers - the F27's
TA* for TAA Airbuses - The A300
TQ* For ?? - was it Queenairs originally on Flying Doctor Contract?
In my time they were on Fokkers - now they are Eastern Dash 8sTV* for TAA Vickers - The Viscount
TL* for TAA Lockheed - The L188 Electra
Back in those days DCA /DOTA etc would not alow rego's to be recycled hence the TJ* 727-100's could not be recycled when the 727-200's arrived.
Last edited by D.Lamination; 26th Jan 2009 at 05:22.
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Well,in my day VH-TQ* regos were on the Jetstream 31,so we just assumed because they hurtled around Queensland,it was for TAA QLD. The Tin Otters had TG* regos as we assumed they were from the days when the a/c were operated in Guinea(New)
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Can't help with the footage tho I remember it....
As for the "TQ..." regos, my recollection is that the Q was for QC as all that series were QC freighters. Though (I think) TFM was also a QC. Too late and too tired to go and check that old logbook to find if I ever flew the old 2211/12 or 2248/49 on TFM.
Great machines tho and lots of learning. AS for the DC-9, Peter Muggleton trained me on it about 34 summers ago, bringing 6 full size bottles of beer to my room on a layover in CNS while training me and when I said I didn't drink (then!) he looked puzzled and said the beer was for him! Did show me how to cross SY NDB (think it was called Glenfield then) at 300 kts. Thoough Lushey showed me more and Ian Smith even more!!
As for the "TQ..." regos, my recollection is that the Q was for QC as all that series were QC freighters. Though (I think) TFM was also a QC. Too late and too tired to go and check that old logbook to find if I ever flew the old 2211/12 or 2248/49 on TFM.
Great machines tho and lots of learning. AS for the DC-9, Peter Muggleton trained me on it about 34 summers ago, bringing 6 full size bottles of beer to my room on a layover in CNS while training me and when I said I didn't drink (then!) he looked puzzled and said the beer was for him! Did show me how to cross SY NDB (think it was called Glenfield then) at 300 kts. Thoough Lushey showed me more and Ian Smith even more!!
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Here is a pic (CNS nov 86) of TJQ in that less than ideal socialistic "our TAA" paint scheme.
I'd kill to see a 332 and 717 in those colours! Somehow I do not think the idea of 'retro jet' liveries would go very far, with Qantas continually telling us how 'contemporary' and 'dynamic' they are.
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Re F-27 regos.
If memory serves me correctly , the F-27's were all to be TF* , however , the sequence was broken when it was found that TFO had already been used on a C402? with Thunderbird Aviation. TFM was the first "QC" ( Quick Change ) and stayed as such and the remaining deliveries were given TQ regos.
TAA used to operate a weekly DC9 CNS-POM-HIR v.v.. Henry Blackman ( AKA Larry,AKA Greasy,AKA Shaggs ) did a supernumerary ride once but declared the thing too bloody fast and maintained his preferred mode to HIR as the DC3 service Rabaul-Buka-Kieta-Munda-Yandina-Honiara ( once landing on the HIR golf course when Henderson Field suddenly closed due WX ).
If memory serves me correctly , the F-27's were all to be TF* , however , the sequence was broken when it was found that TFO had already been used on a C402? with Thunderbird Aviation. TFM was the first "QC" ( Quick Change ) and stayed as such and the remaining deliveries were given TQ regos.
TAA used to operate a weekly DC9 CNS-POM-HIR v.v.. Henry Blackman ( AKA Larry,AKA Greasy,AKA Shaggs ) did a supernumerary ride once but declared the thing too bloody fast and maintained his preferred mode to HIR as the DC3 service Rabaul-Buka-Kieta-Munda-Yandina-Honiara ( once landing on the HIR golf course when Henderson Field suddenly closed due WX ).
Bottums Up
My first ever flight on an aeroplane was a TN F27 MEL-CBR (ex Essendon), followed some days later by a TN DC9 CBR-SYD, then a Lufthansa 707 SYD-SIN-FRA, and a BEA Trident FRA-LHR. 
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Back in the olden days when pilots were sort of respected, Ansett painted CZF up in Air Van colours when we started flying their services on the weekends.
During the week she'd do normal Ansett services.
Y'orta seen the pax when they got out to her. Heads wagging looking for their plane and then closely inspecting the cockpit windows to ascertain the hairstyle of the drivers.
At CB one morning a business man busted into the cockpit when he got to the top of the front stairs and demanded, "You Australians?"
Captain didn't look up from the omega we were checking but just answered, "Bloody oath mate"
Pax took his seat happily then.
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What a great thread , boys. Best ever.
Does it bring back some memories. After a short stint as a TAA "bag-snatcher" I went the ATC way and was the Tower Flight Data on the Saturday morning following TJA CPAir coming together. Licence all of 2 weeks.
Sitting over the back of the console and hearing some discussion between my seniors and betters I asked "Did something happen last night?" only to have flight strips thrown at me. Oh well, make tea for the rest of the shift.
300kts to Glenfield (or 350 to about 12 for the 727) must have been exciting with the wind at 290/8 DW5 when you knew it was really 270/11. Sorry abot that. Great aeroplanes and great airlines, what happened?
Cheers
Does it bring back some memories. After a short stint as a TAA "bag-snatcher" I went the ATC way and was the Tower Flight Data on the Saturday morning following TJA CPAir coming together. Licence all of 2 weeks.
Sitting over the back of the console and hearing some discussion between my seniors and betters I asked "Did something happen last night?" only to have flight strips thrown at me. Oh well, make tea for the rest of the shift.
300kts to Glenfield (or 350 to about 12 for the 727) must have been exciting with the wind at 290/8 DW5 when you knew it was really 270/11. Sorry abot that. Great aeroplanes and great airlines, what happened?
Cheers
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That year
Yeh, but probably also technology, the drive for "efficiency", depersonalising and PC. ATC Centres on the other side of the airport, away from the movements of crews and passengers - no visits to the tower or centre by crews with an hour or so between flights. The windows of Sydney AACC C1972 looked out to the TAA/EWA carpark - you could actually see people arriving for their flights. These days you need a ground radar or CCTV to even see the movement of aircraft around terminals. Brisbane tower is not even "on airport" It cost me $18 in a taxi to go the CASA's offices "on airport" just before Christmas.
Sorry, I digress, get back to talking about aeroplanes.
Cheers
Sorry, I digress, get back to talking about aeroplanes.
Cheers
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All very true,but I guess when many of us were flying in the 70s,there were the older generation of pilots who missed the happy,carefree days of the 50s. I suppose that's called 'progress'. There are good things eg GPS, no VAR, better radar,higher,faster,more comfort.