New book on Short Skyvan

[TCAS FAN]

Originally Posted by ancientaviator62

TCAS FAN,
yes 'sunny' Salalah. Most of my pics were of Skyvans based at Salalah.

Mostly sunny until the khareef set in. Spent many hours in the SOAF and PDO Skyvans , the Firq-Saiq shuttle was particular fun as allowed to fly it for most of the time.

[dixi188]

Originally Posted by TCAS FAN

Mostly sunny until the khareef set in. Spent many hours in the SOAF and PDO Skyvans , the Firq-Saiq shuttle was particular fun as allowed to fly it for most of the time.

I remember the Ops board with Firq-Saiq X 6 that departed Seeb at 0600 and was back by 0900 hrs, before the temp got too high.
I was maintenance on Viscounts and 1-11s.

[TCAS FAN]

Originally Posted by dixi188

I remember the Ops board with Firq-Saiq X 6 that departed Seeb at 0600 and was back by 0900 hrs, before the temp got too high.
I was maintenance on Viscounts and 1-11s.

Apologies for the thread drift, so you’d remember Messrs Boardman, Williams, West, Mc Claren and Fullerton, Caribou force landing on beach, 1-11 hanging on a wall and 1-11 oxygen fire?

Back to the thread, remember Kerry Drew OC SOAF Skyvans before he left to become OC Salalah. Thanks to Kerry organising and flying her, Mrs TCAS had a memorable day trip to Saiq.

The Skyvan was truly the SOAF workhorse for many years. Often wonder where they all ended up.

[Bill Macgillivray]

TCAS FAN,
Just checking, you know that Kerry passed away a couple of months ago? A good mate and a brilliant boss at Salalah. Good days!!

Bill

[Bill Macgillivray]

Certainly the minimum four "runs" to gain the special tie !!!
Bill

[cavuman1]

I have often wondered why the Skyvan's design team selected a wing with such high aspect ratio. The wing of a glider and the fuselage with a cross-section of, well, my ex-wife....

- Ed

[treadigraph]

Firq-Saiq

Real location...? Or Soldier humour?

[TCAS FAN]

Originally Posted by Bill Macgillivray

TCAS FAN,
Just checking, you know that Kerry passed away a couple of months ago? A good mate and a brilliant boss at Salalah. Good days!!

Bill

So sorry to hear the news, as you say a great guy. Had many pints with him and his then new wife Ute in the SAFTR and Salalah messes.

[Herod]

Originally Posted by treadigraph

Real location...? Or Soldier humour?

Real. The tie, which I never got was the letter "O", the Arabic number "4", and the names of the two villages.

[FL575]

[ancientaviator62]

I remember doing para drops one day in Oman when we saw the storm rolling in fast. The captain landed on the DZ with the 'Van pointing into wind until the storm blew through. A rocky ride !

[Khalifa101]

Hello from 2 sqn

Dear Bill how are you? All 2 sqn and 5 sqn follow from Oman are sending their regards to you and want to keep intouch with you. Please send me an email on [email protected]. Abbas, khalfan, mohammed, rashid are sending their regatds. Please send me your email to let them conact you.

[Khalifa101]

Can you plz email me [email protected]. from Oman 2 sqn

Originally Posted by Bill Macgillivray

In the '80's the Omani Air Force had three Skyvans extensively modified for maritime recce.. Extra fuel tanks, a maritime radar capability, KNS660 nav. (new then!!) and an auto-pilot (very good!). They were extensively used (mainly in Srait of Hormuz) and were known as Seavans! Still going in early '20's. Great bits of kit!!

Can you plz email me [email protected]. there are some old friemda from Oman 2 sqn and 5 sqn want to talk to you dear Captain Bill.

[Bill Macgillivray]

Khalifa,
Salaams - it is done!
Bill

[Stitchbitch]

I had the good fortune to get on an early morning trip with Bill over the jebel to Adam (?) and a few other places. Recall being bounced all over the place and feeling pretty ropey.
I seem to remember a 'van doing touch and goes on the mess roof at Thumrait, dropping flares for the rapiers to track, and resupplying TACOPS in some pretty inhospitable semi-prepared areas. It may not have had the glamor of the 'rat pie' 1-11's or the C-130s, but what a work horse!
Greetings to all those in Oman still doing the biz.

[Bill Macgillivray]

Stitchbitch,
Good to hear from you again - hope all is well. Good days!

[aeroflight]

For all Skyvan fans, it is not too late to treat yourself for Christmas. My Skyvan book is now available for immediate dispatch.

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Avia...rdback/p/56872

Also, any feedback on the book is appreciated.

- John

[SWBKCB]

It may not have had the glamor of the 'rat pie' 1-11's

What does 'rat pie' mean here?!

[Compass Call]

Guppie, was this Mike R. Ingle-Finch who was on 175 Sqdn. during the war?

[TCAS FAN]

Originally Posted by aeroflight

For all Skyvan fans, it is not too late to treat yourself for Christmas. My Skyvan book is now available for immediate dispatch.

https://www.pen-and-sword.co.uk/Avia...rdback/p/56872

Also, any feedback on the book is appreciated.

- John

Added to my Xmas wish list.