CL44-The Way Forward-and Thanks
 

The Officers and members of the 190-strong Canadair Forty Four Association can now indeed announce that thanks to Heavylift Cargo Airlines and its MD Mr Nicholas Leach, it is empowered to seek and secure a future for the unique Conroy Guppy (C/N 16).
The Association would be delighted to hear from any Aviation Museum that is able to add the Guppy to its established collection.
We are able to offer unequalled technical support to any project, from engineering to logistical and to any subsequent promotion and marketing.
Additionally, the Association has within its remit, a similar role with regard to the Shorts Belfast at Southend.
As with most other projects of a similar nature, time is of some significance and it is hoped that an early solution can be found ensuring the future of these two awesome aircraft.

The CL44 Association also announces that a professionally-produced DVD of the 44 will be released later this year. The Association's website will contain details in due course.
Places at this years re union at the Royal Air Force Club, London are still available for BOTH nights. However, due to the already-high demand, rooms at the Club are in short supply. Nearby HOTAC in Piccadilly, is available however-(within MSD-Minimum staggering distance)

Sadly, it sounds like this thread needs to be moved to the Aviation History and Nostalgia forum.

No logbooks no fly.

CL44 and Belfast
 

'Heavycargo' would appear to have missed the core issue concerning the two aircraft. There is no intention to operate either and all efforts are now being directed to their preservation in a professionally-run museum or collection.Already interest is high and it is to be hoped that a site will be secured within the short term.
Heavylift and the CL44 Association are now working together and are meeting representatives of museums and collections. Documents, records and paperwork relating to the two aircraft would be great to have to support any future presentation but are not vital.

Guppys last flight.
 

It was the 18-4-2003 at Bournemouth airport,i was lucky to be there at the time.I have some photos of the flight on the all about guppys web-site.I am sure in saying Marvin Beier was Captain on the day.Hope this is of some interest.

F/O Identity
 

The First Officer was, at that time, about to become the only CL44 Type-Rated Check Pilot in the world. The Ghana CAA Rep ('Sam') was on board to administer his check ride.
Rather a humourous side to this story: 'Sam' had been collected from LHR and seemed to know little of the CL44. Upon arrival at Bournemouth, he was escorted to the aircraft and declared it to be a 'Big Viscount'.
Marvin was indeed the captain and took the aircraft over Boscombe Down where the necessary actions were taken (stalls etc)
It was very apparent that 'Sam' was asleep most of the ride-but upon returning to Base, the first officer was duly promoted.Several wonderful colour photographs were taken of the Guppy's return to Base -especially as one engine shut itself down!
And the F/O's name?
Keith Huggett-ex Affretair (Rhodesia), Transvalair, United African Airlines.
F/Eng-David Gritton-He replaced Dave Priest who had returned to Cathay and has, alas, since passed away. We 'think' DG was ex TMAC-his stay at BOH was brief and no further contact was ever made.
Barry Meade took over thereafter although history now show that there would be very little to take over!
Ground Engineer at the time (and still is) was Steve Dodson ex Heavylift SEN.
Hope this info helps.
I can divulge that interest has reached us that would indicate genuine interest in ensuring that the 44 remains in one piece.

A change of heart? :E

Shouldn't this be "There is no MORE intention..." etc ?

Intentions/Change of Heart
 

No change of heart on the part of the Owners of both aircraft.
'Full Steam Ahead' in endeavours to ensure that the Belfast AND the Guppy are preserved.

Is the Guppy still at BOH? if so where? Was pleasure flying in the DAK there yesterday and couldn't see it!

When was your last medical?

Now then, now then!!! Several possible reasons:-

1) Cockpit windows a bit on the small side on the Dak, and sometimes a bit delaminated
at the edges.

2) Pilot as misty-eyed as the passengers, knowing it all comes to an end in a few
weeks' time.

3) Looking across regularly at the other pilot with an unspoken "Did you hear/feel
that noise/rumble/vibration just now?"

4) Apart from the airmanship aspect of looking outside, spending a lot of the rest of the
time scanning the engine instruments, half expecting the flickering oil pressure
needles to depart from their normal numbers, closely followed in sympathy by a few
other guages besides.

5) Basking in the euphoria of yet another glorious flight when they didn't.

6) Wearing too-strong sunglasses to impress who-knows-which of the passengers.

Always assuming, of course, that the Guppy IS still there, and substantially in one piece.

Lest any of this should discourage anyone from taking a DC-3 flight while they still can, please don't let it. I've done thousands of hours on those very same aircraft, and I'm still here!
They're much better looked-after these days, and flown by some of the best and relevantly-trained pilots you could ever wish to meet.

(An ultimately sad and sombre thread; just trying to add a note of levity, if I may be so bold).

JW411

I thought Piky's question was a reasonable one, why the Sarcasm?

ABUKABOY

Excellent, you describe it perfectly! I renewed my Medical last month and I couldn't spot the Guppy either. (Probably because I was sat next to Piky!:ok:

Well, the Association can now concentrate its' efforts on the Guppy...
Belfast G-BEPS at Southend will probably not survive the end of this month.

See
http://www.pprune.org/forums/aviation-history-nostalgia/248140-shorts-belfast-southend-3.html#post4326425
and
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=80086&page=2 .

Yes, scrapping for spare parts... :{

CL44-O C/No 16
 

Despite the best efforts of several groups/individuals, it is increasingly likely that the Guppy WILL be scrapped within a short time-frame.
The CL44 Association's August Newsletter carries little news of the aircraft simply because there is no ACTUAL news-simply the slow, onward cruise to the inevitable.
One European Group DID indeed lodge interest but failed to provide hard evidence of its intentions (these will be included in the Re-Union 'Live News' on Saturday 1st November at the RAF Club. The Bournemouth Aviation Museum's move to its new site looks likely not to happen within the near future and with no other viable proposals-it looks like the end for the old Skymonster.
Thanks to the MD of Heavylift and to his UK Rep for all the help during the past few months-alas, we note that the Belfast has already begun its last trip from SOuthend to the Skip. The good news is that a film unit from Short Bros together with the Heavylift Rep and a CL44 Association member met up to make a 'short' documentary on the aircraft.
One RR Tyne prop blade is for sale at BOH-buyer collects.

I'd have thought the Guppy and/or Belfast would have been ideal for carrying GE90-115 engines. AFAIK, the only aircraft that's currently able to carry them in an assembled state is the AN124. Alas, it's too late now...

CL44-O
 

Everyone would agree that both the Belfast and the Guppy would indeed provide ideal transport for many outsize loads-with regard to the Guppy, Jack Conroy realised this when designing the old Skymonster.
Time marches on however and is set to leave the Tynes behind.
One good piece of news is that the Bournemouth Aviation museum HAS in fact received the go ahead from the local authority to move its exhibits to the new site-once again, the CL44 Association has asked its local Rep down on the seaside, to approach the Museum to see if they could/would accept the aircraft.
Lastly-a 'plug' for the Association!!! At its TWO DAY re union this year-one of the speakers will be CAPTAIN JEFF SEIDEMAN (FLYING TIGER LINE) who will recall the near-fatal flight on the newly-converted Guppy.Jeff was one of the original crew members and will be using the ORIGINAL COCKPIT VOICE RECORDER from the FAA proving flight. Other speakers include-F/Eng Bryan Grace (BOAC-N228SW) and Captain Marvin Beier (Wrangler Blue Bell)
Non members CAN attend but must pre book

Belfast @ SEN

The aircraft has been stripped of interior spares and other items during the last week via a container lorry. The container is expected to be shipped South. The end is nigh.

Bid launched to save cargo plane
 

re belfast at SEN.
local paper today.

Bid launched to save cargo plane (From Echo)

I think it maybe a little bit too late!