LOW act!
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Used to live next door to 'Greasy" in Ninth St Lae , ( Mace Denheld on the other side ). Quiet Sunday mornings would be disturbed around 0700 with Greasy/Larry/Henry at the bedroom window " Hey Shags , what about a Fourex ?."
He was famous for delaying the DC3 service between Honiara and Rabaul . Schedule was not important , what mattered was he , and the passengers , picking oysters off the rocks at Yandina or Munda . Same in the highlands , where's Larry , Oh he's down the 'Boong' getting the vegetables for Shirley.
His favourite hotel in Port Morbid was the top pub ( The Papuan ) , no matter how full there was always a room available for Capt Blackman. He did an unwilling stint on the F27 but said it was too bloody fast for him.
The DC3 P2-SBW on the pole outside Pixie HQ in POM is named the "Larry Blackman".
Many a young F/O owed their progression in the industry to the man.
He was famous for delaying the DC3 service between Honiara and Rabaul . Schedule was not important , what mattered was he , and the passengers , picking oysters off the rocks at Yandina or Munda . Same in the highlands , where's Larry , Oh he's down the 'Boong' getting the vegetables for Shirley.
His favourite hotel in Port Morbid was the top pub ( The Papuan ) , no matter how full there was always a room available for Capt Blackman. He did an unwilling stint on the F27 but said it was too bloody fast for him.
The DC3 P2-SBW on the pole outside Pixie HQ in POM is named the "Larry Blackman".
Many a young F/O owed their progression in the industry to the man.
Thread Starter
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So you want to know about Larry "Greasy" Blackman eh?
To the best of my knowledge, he is STILL the highest time DC-3 pilot in the world, and will likely remain that way.(> 32,000 hours or so, on the DC-3 ALONE!!!!!!)
He was called "Greasy" because EVERY landing he did was a greaser. He called EVERYONE Shag.
Larry is most famous for his use of explosives. Since he is now sadly deceased, I guess he can't get into any more trouble, but...
Larry used to take a box of dynmaite with him on overnights in Honiara (well, I should say not on the A/C). He and his mate (Honiara post-master Dudley Wright) would tottle off and find old Japanese bomb dumps, strap a stick on, light, and run, and enjoy the explosion that ensued. He considered it helping out the government. Everyone knew when Larry was in town.
Anyway, one day they found another bomb dump. Placed the dynamite on, lit it and ran. Well, slightly larger explosion than usual, since they didn't realise what was UNDER that bomb, and in the vegetation around! It was apparently heard for MILES around, not to mention the damage.
Needless to say, that ended Larry's bomb disposal days! I believe the local constabularly took a little notice too!
Vale Larry.
Anyone know if Jack Curtiss is still flying SBO for DC-3 Australia?
I had the distinct pleasure of having a "joy flight" in SBO fairly recently, and lo and behold, Jack was the Captain. Couldn't have asked for more!
Eric Sundstrup is another notable mention - a true gentleman, and a great pilot. Is he still living on that island in Tassie?
To the best of my knowledge, he is STILL the highest time DC-3 pilot in the world, and will likely remain that way.(> 32,000 hours or so, on the DC-3 ALONE!!!!!!)
He was called "Greasy" because EVERY landing he did was a greaser. He called EVERYONE Shag.
Larry is most famous for his use of explosives. Since he is now sadly deceased, I guess he can't get into any more trouble, but...
Larry used to take a box of dynmaite with him on overnights in Honiara (well, I should say not on the A/C). He and his mate (Honiara post-master Dudley Wright) would tottle off and find old Japanese bomb dumps, strap a stick on, light, and run, and enjoy the explosion that ensued. He considered it helping out the government. Everyone knew when Larry was in town.
Anyway, one day they found another bomb dump. Placed the dynamite on, lit it and ran. Well, slightly larger explosion than usual, since they didn't realise what was UNDER that bomb, and in the vegetation around! It was apparently heard for MILES around, not to mention the damage.
Needless to say, that ended Larry's bomb disposal days! I believe the local constabularly took a little notice too!
Vale Larry.
Anyone know if Jack Curtiss is still flying SBO for DC-3 Australia?
I had the distinct pleasure of having a "joy flight" in SBO fairly recently, and lo and behold, Jack was the Captain. Couldn't have asked for more!
Eric Sundstrup is another notable mention - a true gentleman, and a great pilot. Is he still living on that island in Tassie?
Last edited by Romeo Tango Alpha; 15th Sep 2004 at 07:07.
Grandpa Aerotart
Was a time when Oz had real low flying training areas
Moresby still does
Many a happy time spent, quite legally at 10'
To my mind there is a difference that the nanny state has failed to recognise in the rule book.
Two real life examples:
A young bloke takes off from outback strip in C210 holds it down till the end then pulls up in a wing over to beat up his mates watching.
or
Flying along a big long beach at say 50' for naught but the joy of flying.
Which one is Illegal, which one is stupid?
PS the above piccy is a good example of foolishness...taking the picture while that low is silly...the chances of hitting a dead tree branch in those circumstances is very real...even if concentrating completely on what you're doing. Being that low in that area, even if cattle mustering is a little silly. You wanna be that low do it along a beach.
Moresby still does
Many a happy time spent, quite legally at 10'To my mind there is a difference that the nanny state has failed to recognise in the rule book.
Two real life examples:
A young bloke takes off from outback strip in C210 holds it down till the end then pulls up in a wing over to beat up his mates watching.
or
Flying along a big long beach at say 50' for naught but the joy of flying.
Which one is Illegal, which one is stupid?
PS the above piccy is a good example of foolishness...taking the picture while that low is silly...the chances of hitting a dead tree branch in those circumstances is very real...even if concentrating completely on what you're doing. Being that low in that area, even if cattle mustering is a little silly. You wanna be that low do it along a beach.
Last edited by Chimbu chuckles; 15th Sep 2004 at 07:28.
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Chimbu, agreed. But try telling that to a 20yo. You never did anything foolish when you were young?
Anyway I already disclaimed it with a statement on "foolishness" so relax.
Anyway I already disclaimed it with a statement on "foolishness" so relax.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Chuckles; I know of a Pilot whom shall remain nameless who twice managed to get into Kerema in a BN2 in crappy weather by flying the last 40 or so miles along the coast
'navigating by visual reference to the tops of the Coconut palms'
And you know him too!!
You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
'navigating by visual reference to the tops of the Coconut palms'
And you know him too!!
You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
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RTA
Due you recall the occasion when Larry couldn't get into Henderson Field at Honiara , no problem , put the DC3 down on the golf course.
Another time he got caught out with the weather between Lae and Madang , ended up on the ground at Dumpu and stuck for the night. He and the passengers slept in the aircraft after consuming all the Australian passengers duty free booze. A great night of singing and drinking by all.
Due you recall the occasion when Larry couldn't get into Henderson Field at Honiara , no problem , put the DC3 down on the golf course.
Another time he got caught out with the weather between Lae and Madang , ended up on the ground at Dumpu and stuck for the night. He and the passengers slept in the aircraft after consuming all the Australian passengers duty free booze. A great night of singing and drinking by all.
Grandpa Aerotart
Pinky...there have been occassions when people, who shall remain name less, have done that every day for weeks.
Not to mention Kikori, Finchafen, Gonali, Jacquinot Bay, Garasa, Sialum,...and on and on.
It took me 8 years but I finally managed to fly every inch of the PNG coastline at dot feet...a little bit at a time when empty.
Remember the B17 in the swamp on the way to Tufi...only way to find it was low enough to see the fin poking out of the swamp grass...I wonder how many hours were spent in Uncle Dennis' aircraft at zot feet looking for WW2 wrecks...or just having fun?
Interesting to here just how much of a character Larry Blackman was, having seen his name on the one outside BS Castle at POM.
Wonder how many charachters our current nanny state will produce...the world is a poorer place for their passing.
Not to mention Kikori, Finchafen, Gonali, Jacquinot Bay, Garasa, Sialum,...and on and on.
It took me 8 years but I finally managed to fly every inch of the PNG coastline at dot feet...a little bit at a time when empty.
Remember the B17 in the swamp on the way to Tufi...only way to find it was low enough to see the fin poking out of the swamp grass...I wonder how many hours were spent in Uncle Dennis' aircraft at zot feet looking for WW2 wrecks...or just having fun?
Interesting to here just how much of a character Larry Blackman was, having seen his name on the one outside BS Castle at POM.
Wonder how many charachters our current nanny state will produce...the world is a poorer place for their passing.
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
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Stallie, I'm saving them.
I also seem to remember a pretty good shot of a 210 in your photo album.
Go on, put it up............I dare ya!
I also seem to remember a pretty good shot of a 210 in your photo album.
Go on, put it up............I dare ya!
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Hmm, I like the first picture- similar (maybe same) as the one they have on the wall of the Taa Museum- sorry- Qantas Museum in Melbourne. Maybe there are more there too. They all knew it was Capt Baker....
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One pilot , now living in Tassie , who was mentioned earlier in this thread was flying a DC3 load of frozen prawns from Daru to Lae when he had an oil problem. He diverted into Malalau and established it was an indication only problem. So here he was at a shortish , very hot coastal strip with 6,000lbs of frozen prawns and no local freezers available. The charts said he would have to offload the cargo to get out , unless , he had 40 kts on the nose.
Just then a sudden wind sprung up , the 40 kts was achieved and the load was safely delivered over the hump to Lae.
They talk about it still in Malalau.
Just then a sudden wind sprung up , the 40 kts was achieved and the load was safely delivered over the hump to Lae.
They talk about it still in Malalau.
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Like your name, I am losing my memory! 
Which DC-3 had the tonne or so of solidifed concrete under the floorboards? The damned thing was sluggish as all hell, and couldn't uplift nearly as much as the others until the erks found the cement in the fuselage under the floorboards! I seem to remember it was SBI?
Some great names from that period for sure.
Which DC-3 had the tonne or so of solidifed concrete under the floorboards? The damned thing was sluggish as all hell, and couldn't uplift nearly as much as the others until the erks found the cement in the fuselage under the floorboards! I seem to remember it was SBI?
Some great names from that period for sure.