27th Jan 2019, 13:21 - Wikipost
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A thread where ex PNG geriatrics lapuns and long longs can live in the dim distant past.
Where tall stories are accepted as fact. War stories are applauded. Grab a Brownie, pull up a story and join in a trip down memory lane!!! 
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PNG Ples Bilong Tok Tok
Chimbu. Just seeing if the class was awake!!! Mi no lusim ting ting! 
You're right - Bristol Frightener!
An HS Argosy at gross weight on a hot day wouldn't make the Wau Valley!
Thought DC3's went into Wau. In fact, in the '60's I think they operated RPT Lae - Bulolo - Wau - Port Moresby almost daily.
I remember Talair used to carry heavy consignments of "spray nozzles" from Bulolo - a euphamism for gold, carried as normal consigned freight because Talair would not accept the liability for loss.
You're right - Bristol Frightener!
An HS Argosy at gross weight on a hot day wouldn't make the Wau Valley!
Thought DC3's went into Wau. In fact, in the '60's I think they operated RPT Lae - Bulolo - Wau - Port Moresby almost daily.
I remember Talair used to carry heavy consignments of "spray nozzles" from Bulolo - a euphamism for gold, carried as normal consigned freight because Talair would not accept the liability for loss.
Animal - PX DC3's were regulars thru Bulolo up until '76 - then Talair in 402's. Hotelier was Ted Ferrie then his son Duncan.
Gold - rivers were paved with it! Up until mid 70's BOI wire wasn't known - just flywire in the windows all over town.
Did you ever hear about the Talair? aircraft that left Wau with the Commonwealth Banks gold shipment around 1978 - never arrived in POM?
It's out there somewhere.
Cheers
BB
Gold - rivers were paved with it! Up until mid 70's BOI wire wasn't known - just flywire in the windows all over town.
Did you ever hear about the Talair? aircraft that left Wau with the Commonwealth Banks gold shipment around 1978 - never arrived in POM?
It's out there somewhere.
Cheers
BB
Bugsmasherdriverandjediknite
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I seem to remember flying CMW in Raglan, QLD (not to far out of Gladston) in about 96 or so. was owned by the shire mayor and I flew a few laps around his station in it. It was a beautiful piece of equipment and started my love affair with the 185. The bloke who owned it then was a bit of an aviation enthusiast, and used to hold a fairly large fly in there, as an annual event, incorperated into a rodeo. It was called the Old station fly in, and was a bloody bonza event. Anyway, I degress, thats where CMW was last time I saw and flew it.
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It was a beautiful piece of equipment
geezaz he must have spent a motzah onnit!It was an old bow wow in 1970 !
Did it still have its pod?
There were two 185's in the TAL fleet with pods (or lower deck extra fares area) GKI and CMW.
CMW was the nicer handling of the two but was pretty sluggish from memory.
GKI suffered from a strange wing drop on landing flare this I was told was due to a wing being rebuilt on the hangar floor rather than in a jig
BuloloBob. It was a Talair flight that the spray nozzles went missing from. The claim was still hanging around when I left in 1985, although it was from an insurance company, so I suppose the owner of the shipment was paid.
Our best guess at the time was the consignment never went on the aircraft, although it was on the manifest.
Our best guess at the time was the consignment never went on the aircraft, although it was on the manifest.
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We, TAA, used to carry the gold from Bulolo to POM as "Ink" on the manifest.
There was a story doing the rounds that a door stop in the TAA Traffic Office at Jacksons was in fact a gold ingot. Don't know whether it was true or not.
bulolobob I last saw Duncan Ferrie at the Gateway Hotel POM. Didn't Peter Barter buy the Pine Lodge some years ago?
There was a story doing the rounds that a door stop in the TAA Traffic Office at Jacksons was in fact a gold ingot. Don't know whether it was true or not.
bulolobob I last saw Duncan Ferrie at the Gateway Hotel POM. Didn't Peter Barter buy the Pine Lodge some years ago?
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185's
Two 185's advertised in Pacific Wings, one NZ$200,000 and 'tother around $145,000. I wonder if Trader took one home?
Taildragger.
No problems. You can walk around POM with the oldfella out if you like. But as I said and I say it again, In 37 years I never felt the need to carry a gat.
Looie the Lip.
I remember carry a lot of the good stuff from Porgera to from Wau, unconsigned and just their trust in the pilot. Seemed pretty common occurrance in the early days as we all trusted each other pretty well.
On another occassion I can recall that we parked the aircraft more or less out side the Goroka hangar using whatever as wheel chocks (1966, before some bright lad build wooden ones) and one day, someone kicked a bag full of stones used for many a day as a chock, to find it full of paper and coin. About A$4500 at the time and a few years pilot\'s pay. We thought it may have been a Heagney consignment but he never claimed it, so as far as I know, it was emptied in Dennis\' coffers.
Taildragger.
No problems. You can walk around POM with the oldfella out if you like. But as I said and I say it again, In 37 years I never felt the need to carry a gat.
Looie the Lip.
I remember carry a lot of the good stuff from Porgera to from Wau, unconsigned and just their trust in the pilot. Seemed pretty common occurrance in the early days as we all trusted each other pretty well.
On another occassion I can recall that we parked the aircraft more or less out side the Goroka hangar using whatever as wheel chocks (1966, before some bright lad build wooden ones) and one day, someone kicked a bag full of stones used for many a day as a chock, to find it full of paper and coin. About A$4500 at the time and a few years pilot\'s pay. We thought it may have been a Heagney consignment but he never claimed it, so as far as I know, it was emptied in Dennis\' coffers.
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I gotta resticky this, I am so enjoying the tales of when men were men and .................well you know the rest. 
Also in the hope that the youngsters around here will get an understanding that it is never all beer and skittles, ............well maybe the beer part, b ut you know what I mean.
Woomera
One of a couple who never had the privilege and fun
of working there.
Had to check what Woomera stickied this, just to make sure you weren't telling fibs.
Yup, you're excused......... You haven't lived.........
'Nuffer Lapun Woomera
Also in the hope that the youngsters around here will get an understanding that it is never all beer and skittles, ............well maybe the beer part, b ut you know what I mean.
Woomera
One of a couple who never had the privilege and fun
of working there.Had to check what Woomera stickied this, just to make sure you weren't telling fibs.
Yup, you're excused......... You haven't lived.........
'Nuffer Lapun Woomera
Last edited by Woomera; 15th Mar 2005 at 12:07.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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Woomera; I know how you feel even though I did work there!
However, in my time (1990-92) even though I had the time of my life, reading all the previous posts makes me realise that I missed out on all the real fun!!!!
You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
However, in my time (1990-92) even though I had the time of my life, reading all the previous posts makes me realise that I missed out on all the real fun!!!!
You only live twice. Once when
you're born. Once when
you've looked death in the face.
Dunno who wrote this one...........
What is a Talair Pilot
Between the security of second childhood and the insecurity of childhood, we find that fascinating group of humanity called Talair pilots. They come in all shapes, sizes, weights and states of drunkenness.
They can be found anywhere-in planes, in crewrooms, in love, in bars, and always in debt. Girls love them, towns tolerate them and the government supports them. A Talair pilot is laziness with a deck of cards, bravery with dark glasses, and the protector of the Earth with a copy of Playboy. He has the brains of an idiot, the energy of a sea turtle, the slyness of a fox, the stories of a sea captain, the sincerity of a liar, the aspirations of a Casanova and when he wants anything it is usually connected with leave.
Some of his interests are - gins, silver bellies (occasionally) and members of the opposite sex. No one else can cram into their pocket, a little black book, a packet of crushed cigarettes, a picture of his girl, a comb, a pack of cards, a can opener and what’s left of last months pay.
He likes to spend his money on silver bellies, some on beer, some on repairs to his car, some on cards, the rest he spends foolishly.
A Talair pilot is a magical creature; you can keep him out of your house but not out of trouble. You can chase him out of Operations on orders, but not out of the courthouse, or post office.
He is a one and only, bleary eyed good for nothing bundle of worries, but all your dreams become insignificant when he comes into your office, stands at attention in front of you with those bleary eyes and says GO AND GET F_CKED!
"I wonder if Trader took one home?"
Probably, Sharpie. He flogged almost everything else that wasn't screwed down........
The K5 genuine Rolex watches. Entire company stationary store stock of biros. And for a piece de resistance, the Goroka Womens Group's cold drink dispenser, complete with stock, from the Goroka Talair Terminal.
Heard today you acquired your present "business interest" from Shags? Geeze mate, the goods would be rather shop soiled and in need of a retread..............
What is a Talair Pilot
Between the security of second childhood and the insecurity of childhood, we find that fascinating group of humanity called Talair pilots. They come in all shapes, sizes, weights and states of drunkenness.
They can be found anywhere-in planes, in crewrooms, in love, in bars, and always in debt. Girls love them, towns tolerate them and the government supports them. A Talair pilot is laziness with a deck of cards, bravery with dark glasses, and the protector of the Earth with a copy of Playboy. He has the brains of an idiot, the energy of a sea turtle, the slyness of a fox, the stories of a sea captain, the sincerity of a liar, the aspirations of a Casanova and when he wants anything it is usually connected with leave.
Some of his interests are - gins, silver bellies (occasionally) and members of the opposite sex. No one else can cram into their pocket, a little black book, a packet of crushed cigarettes, a picture of his girl, a comb, a pack of cards, a can opener and what’s left of last months pay.
He likes to spend his money on silver bellies, some on beer, some on repairs to his car, some on cards, the rest he spends foolishly.
A Talair pilot is a magical creature; you can keep him out of your house but not out of trouble. You can chase him out of Operations on orders, but not out of the courthouse, or post office.
He is a one and only, bleary eyed good for nothing bundle of worries, but all your dreams become insignificant when he comes into your office, stands at attention in front of you with those bleary eyes and says GO AND GET F_CKED!
"I wonder if Trader took one home?"
Probably, Sharpie. He flogged almost everything else that wasn't screwed down........
The K5 genuine Rolex watches. Entire company stationary store stock of biros. And for a piece de resistance, the Goroka Womens Group's cold drink dispenser, complete with stock, from the Goroka Talair Terminal.
Heard today you acquired your present "business interest" from Shags? Geeze mate, the goods would be rather shop soiled and in need of a retread..............
Last edited by Torres; 15th Mar 2005 at 12:52.
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Yup, CMW still had the pod, along with the longer legs and a 300hp engine. flew pretty damn good for an old girl.
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Djaiapura overnight
Ho! it's all gone quiet hasn't it?
Tinpis! I did get one overnight in Djaiapura. Normally we flew back to Vanimo each night as the Indonesian accommodation was substandard during the tar charters.
One day Dave Campbell (Ops Manager) decided to come over for a look see as a third crew.
I was on my sixth day and was going to have to remain alone at Vanimo the next day while Dave and Corney flew together. Pretty boring from my point of view.
The Indonesians invited me to stay. They could set me up with a room... I thought it would be at Sugito's house, which we had visited and was pretty swish even by our standards.
I asked Dave if I could stay and he said, "If you're mad enough to want to .... yes". We checked with me good mate "The chief of police" and he wanted to join us for dinner, so I reckoned I was in the right group... powerful people...
I got dropped off in a set of almost finished, single room, units and told they'd return in an hour after I freshened up.
All I had was my sweaty uniform... so I reckoned a shower would be the go.
Ha! it was local accommodation so there was the hole in the floor and a sort of tile coated concrete trough full of water and a chipped enamel dipper.
Sluiced myself with cold water ... no soap and felt a bit better.
There were some kind of Cicadas I've never heard before in the nearby bush that made the loudest, piercing, shimmering noise that went through you. I've looked for them on movies and nature shows since, but have never heard them again. They were an experience.
A car arrived for me and carted me off to a restoran where a number of people I got on well with were already there. I was surprised to find Lieutenant Badrag there. Sugito knew we got on well together and invited him as well.
Having the cop and a rich business man in the group certainly had the service coming.
More molten metal in the guise of food and the combined encouragement of me mates to try everything had me ready to give my leftie for a packet of Quickeze.
After tea Sugito, his brother, his driver and Badrag took me to the open air markets and Sugito gave me a heap of Rupias to spend.
This was the first "foreign place, apart from PNG I'd been to so I did the tourist thing and bought a load of interestin' stuff, like a waxed paper and bamboo umbrella, a real weird broom, a betji (those black velvet caps Indos wear), a length of Batic material.
They dropped me off at about ten PM at the accommodation and I had to wash me shirt and undies and sleep in the nuddy.
Worst night of my life. Bloody mossies bit through the sheet. I had me head under it to keep them off my face and there wasn't a breath of wind so it was stinkin' hot.
Got picked up at seven and fed more molten metal. The only thing without chille was the cold fried eggs which I gutsed.
Sugito was busy, so he gave me about fifty bucks US and the driver and told to, "Enjoy enjoy".
We moped round town and I found that what had been a beautiful tropical Dutch town had been let go to ruin. No buildings had been painted so they were all peeling and had the red stain a couple of feet up the wall from the clay splashing up in rainstorms.
Large shops were empty but, every alleyway had been secured by the population where all the commerce was carried out.
The typical glass case carts were set up like a barber, food vendors etc and you had to squeeze past them as you negotiated the alleys.
I wanted to buy more unusual stuff and ventured into a chemist shop, which had racks of small different coloured envelopes of herbs.
There was an oval picture of some ancient keeper of the secret ingredients and lots of Indonesian writing on the front of them.
The driver wasn't too flash in the English department even though that's why he'd been allocated the job of guiding me.
I asked him what various packets of medicines were for. He'd have a read, jabber at the pretty ladies serving us and they'd have a read then jabber some more and he'd answer, " this one for ladies!"
I put it back and chose another. More readin' and comparing notes and an answer, "this one for man"
Right... pay dirt, now JUST what did this ancient formula DO for men?
........ not enough English. The girls tried to help me , in Indonesian so I wasn't too sure.
Got an idea after a while ... wonder if the stuff for ladies ( the one that had gotten all the giggles during the Indonesian debate) might be an eastern form of Spanish Fly!!!
Decided to enquire more.
How is this potent taken?
More reading.
"Dis taken with orange juice"
"Hmm! ... Chicks wouldn't think you're tryin' to knock them out then off if ya fed 'em an orange juice.
Bought two packets. .. "Can get someone to buy me more if they work".
Landed up buying a number of packets of different colored packets with a venerable old Chinese lady and wispy bearded old bloke on them ... all to be taken with orange juice.
I found a gold shop and bought a fairly solid gold chain, seeing as I had enough money for it . (Later I was married about a year when the "Mem Sahib" happened to be excitedly going through some of my foreign treasures and trinkets I'd collected over three years, that she'd never seen before when she found the chain, she couldn't believe it that I had the thing so long and had never mentioned it. She still wears it most times she goes out, thirty years later.... strange things women!!
I was delivered back to the airport with my loot in the afternoon and passengered back to Vanimo for the next days flying.
When I got back to the Madang mess a couple of days later I decided to make "an entry" to the usual drinkies in what ever room the gang would be in.
I wrapped the Batik around me ( It was the real thing... still smelling strongly of the wax they used), bunged the Betji on my head, opened the umbrella and took me broom and entered the room where the after work party was on.
Everyone stopped and looked.
I had the floor so I held up my hand like an Apache saying "How" and wracked my brain for the Indonesian for hello.
Couldn't remember it in the heat of the moment which was about to go flop if I didn't say something, so I said the first thing that came to mind.
"Barso" ... in a deep resonant voice had the desired effect and everyone stuck their hand up and said Barso back, although some blokes (under the influence of Buka Meris or SP misunderstood and said, "Arseholes to you too!"
Some mad inquisitive bugger HAD to ask what Barso meant.
Had to tell the truth didn't I?
"Meat ball soup!"
For about a week after that people in the mess on seeing each other didn't say hello but said, "Meatball soup!" instead.
I've lived a year in Indonesia since then and my Indonesian increased to yes, no, good middle of the day, and a number of Indonesian dishes.
All ya need really, isn't it.
I later opened some of the packets of “medicine” (for man) and mixed it with orange juice. Tasted pretty rank and left a bad aftertaste. It was a light brown powder.
Opened the possible Spanish fly. Tasted like “medicine for man” and later, on opening the others, I found they all looked and tasted pretty similar.
Didn’t reckon I was going to get any sheila to drink a muddy coloured orange juice with splinters floating on top, that had a hint of rosin in it’s flavour to discover if she was goin’ to tear me clothes off or would find relief for her period pain, so I didn’t get to run the business I thought I might have gotten rich on … sellin’ aphrodisiacs to the male population of PNG.
Tinpis! I did get one overnight in Djaiapura. Normally we flew back to Vanimo each night as the Indonesian accommodation was substandard during the tar charters.
One day Dave Campbell (Ops Manager) decided to come over for a look see as a third crew.
I was on my sixth day and was going to have to remain alone at Vanimo the next day while Dave and Corney flew together. Pretty boring from my point of view.
The Indonesians invited me to stay. They could set me up with a room... I thought it would be at Sugito's house, which we had visited and was pretty swish even by our standards.
I asked Dave if I could stay and he said, "If you're mad enough to want to .... yes". We checked with me good mate "The chief of police" and he wanted to join us for dinner, so I reckoned I was in the right group... powerful people...
I got dropped off in a set of almost finished, single room, units and told they'd return in an hour after I freshened up.
All I had was my sweaty uniform... so I reckoned a shower would be the go.
Ha! it was local accommodation so there was the hole in the floor and a sort of tile coated concrete trough full of water and a chipped enamel dipper.
Sluiced myself with cold water ... no soap and felt a bit better.
There were some kind of Cicadas I've never heard before in the nearby bush that made the loudest, piercing, shimmering noise that went through you. I've looked for them on movies and nature shows since, but have never heard them again. They were an experience.
A car arrived for me and carted me off to a restoran where a number of people I got on well with were already there. I was surprised to find Lieutenant Badrag there. Sugito knew we got on well together and invited him as well.
Having the cop and a rich business man in the group certainly had the service coming.
More molten metal in the guise of food and the combined encouragement of me mates to try everything had me ready to give my leftie for a packet of Quickeze.
After tea Sugito, his brother, his driver and Badrag took me to the open air markets and Sugito gave me a heap of Rupias to spend.
This was the first "foreign place, apart from PNG I'd been to so I did the tourist thing and bought a load of interestin' stuff, like a waxed paper and bamboo umbrella, a real weird broom, a betji (those black velvet caps Indos wear), a length of Batic material.
They dropped me off at about ten PM at the accommodation and I had to wash me shirt and undies and sleep in the nuddy.
Worst night of my life. Bloody mossies bit through the sheet. I had me head under it to keep them off my face and there wasn't a breath of wind so it was stinkin' hot.
Got picked up at seven and fed more molten metal. The only thing without chille was the cold fried eggs which I gutsed.
Sugito was busy, so he gave me about fifty bucks US and the driver and told to, "Enjoy enjoy".
We moped round town and I found that what had been a beautiful tropical Dutch town had been let go to ruin. No buildings had been painted so they were all peeling and had the red stain a couple of feet up the wall from the clay splashing up in rainstorms.
Large shops were empty but, every alleyway had been secured by the population where all the commerce was carried out.
The typical glass case carts were set up like a barber, food vendors etc and you had to squeeze past them as you negotiated the alleys.
I wanted to buy more unusual stuff and ventured into a chemist shop, which had racks of small different coloured envelopes of herbs.
There was an oval picture of some ancient keeper of the secret ingredients and lots of Indonesian writing on the front of them.
The driver wasn't too flash in the English department even though that's why he'd been allocated the job of guiding me.
I asked him what various packets of medicines were for. He'd have a read, jabber at the pretty ladies serving us and they'd have a read then jabber some more and he'd answer, " this one for ladies!"
I put it back and chose another. More readin' and comparing notes and an answer, "this one for man"
Right... pay dirt, now JUST what did this ancient formula DO for men?
........ not enough English. The girls tried to help me , in Indonesian so I wasn't too sure.
Got an idea after a while ... wonder if the stuff for ladies ( the one that had gotten all the giggles during the Indonesian debate) might be an eastern form of Spanish Fly!!!
Decided to enquire more.
How is this potent taken?
More reading.
"Dis taken with orange juice"
"Hmm! ... Chicks wouldn't think you're tryin' to knock them out then off if ya fed 'em an orange juice.
Bought two packets. .. "Can get someone to buy me more if they work".
Landed up buying a number of packets of different colored packets with a venerable old Chinese lady and wispy bearded old bloke on them ... all to be taken with orange juice.
I found a gold shop and bought a fairly solid gold chain, seeing as I had enough money for it . (Later I was married about a year when the "Mem Sahib" happened to be excitedly going through some of my foreign treasures and trinkets I'd collected over three years, that she'd never seen before when she found the chain, she couldn't believe it that I had the thing so long and had never mentioned it. She still wears it most times she goes out, thirty years later.... strange things women!!
I was delivered back to the airport with my loot in the afternoon and passengered back to Vanimo for the next days flying.
When I got back to the Madang mess a couple of days later I decided to make "an entry" to the usual drinkies in what ever room the gang would be in.
I wrapped the Batik around me ( It was the real thing... still smelling strongly of the wax they used), bunged the Betji on my head, opened the umbrella and took me broom and entered the room where the after work party was on.
Everyone stopped and looked.
I had the floor so I held up my hand like an Apache saying "How" and wracked my brain for the Indonesian for hello.
Couldn't remember it in the heat of the moment which was about to go flop if I didn't say something, so I said the first thing that came to mind.
"Barso" ... in a deep resonant voice had the desired effect and everyone stuck their hand up and said Barso back, although some blokes (under the influence of Buka Meris or SP misunderstood and said, "Arseholes to you too!"
Some mad inquisitive bugger HAD to ask what Barso meant.
Had to tell the truth didn't I?
"Meat ball soup!"
For about a week after that people in the mess on seeing each other didn't say hello but said, "Meatball soup!" instead.
I've lived a year in Indonesia since then and my Indonesian increased to yes, no, good middle of the day, and a number of Indonesian dishes.
All ya need really, isn't it.
I later opened some of the packets of “medicine” (for man) and mixed it with orange juice. Tasted pretty rank and left a bad aftertaste. It was a light brown powder.
Opened the possible Spanish fly. Tasted like “medicine for man” and later, on opening the others, I found they all looked and tasted pretty similar.
Didn’t reckon I was going to get any sheila to drink a muddy coloured orange juice with splinters floating on top, that had a hint of rosin in it’s flavour to discover if she was goin’ to tear me clothes off or would find relief for her period pain, so I didn’t get to run the business I thought I might have gotten rich on … sellin’ aphrodisiacs to the male population of PNG.
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In the 60's one tended to talk to every stranger, as different conversations were hard to find, and sometimes befriend them and get used by them.
Befriended a real gentleman - turned out to be a guy in the SAS doing jungle training around Lae - later lost an eye in the Indonesian "confrontation".
Got "abused" by a friend (a Sydney - mainly pharmaceutical - entrepeneur) because he wanted me to send a carton of Johnnie Walker (plus assorted canned supplies from Burns Philp) to him at Sukarnopura (just after the Indo takeover) to be used as "sweeteners". His interpretation of large bottles and mine differed by 250mls... I sent him 750mls bottles!! Later, this guy had a heart attack in Lae and recuperated at my house, in 5th Street, with me and my newlywed. Lester and his lady partner Pat are remembered as good friends.
Shortly after arriving in Lae on my first overseas posting I was drinking in the TAA mess (how strange) one late afternoon with Tony Jewiss (International Travel) and Murray Wilson (Traffic) when a guy sat down at our table and introduced himself as Reg Groom. Didn't know him from Adam. Saw (or heard) that I was a new Australian and asked where in Australia I had settled... well, didn't I open up about this backwoods called Brisbane - with no sewers, 6 o'clock closing, unmade roads etc. etc. (well, it was 1962).
What I didn't know was that the TAA Airline Commission was meeting in Lae. So it was quite a shock when Tony kicked me under the table and said that SIR Reginald Groome used to be the Lord Mayor of Brisbane - and was on the Airline Commission. Did I get pi$$ed that night - assuming that it was my farewell party!! It wasn't.
Met many Tour Operators - one of whom was Jack Kirkwood from Long Beach, California. He used to bring about three or four tours a year through PNG (chartered TAA DC3s) so he decide to invest - he built Buka Luma in Buka Passage as a sort of high rollers get away. Didn't work as Buka in those days wasn't easy to get to on a frequent basis. I was cabin attendant on one of his charters out of Bulolo the morning that it was reported that Kennedy was shot. I couldn't believe it - about half of the tour party actually cheered when they heard the news! Met Jack, still in business in Long Beach, when I was based in LAX in the 70's.
A rich South American industrialist wanted to go to the Trobriand Islands, but wouldn't go without an escort. Harry Drake dobbed me in for the job (be nice)! He chartered Crowley's Baron - which had a slight hiccup on the return leg... both engines stopped as the pilot wanted to check how accurate his fuel guage was on one of the tanks!! We stayed at Kiriwina Lodge when Tim Ward owned it. When I spoke to Tim a couple of years ago he was still writing to the South American.
I met Mel Dultz, then owner of tour company Travcoa, in Chicago whilst on a TAA sales blitz through the states in 1969. We had a good argument that day but became good, shall we say, "business friends". TAA (my section) used to handle all the Australian and PNG arrangements for Travcoa. So when Mel was visiting PNG during my PX days I was asked to accompany him on his trip on the single hull "Melanesian Explorer" from Samarai to the Trobriands. Quite an uneventful trip until the night AFTER Mel departed from Kiriwina back to POM. At about 0200 I was on the deck reading a book (the boat did have good lights) - I had a stretch and looked up to the stars when I saw a coconut palm above me. Strange I thought. Next moment - an almighty thud as we hit an island! It appears that the Captain had fallen asleep due to too much hanky panky at the Trobriands... the same Captain currently plies PNG waters on a very much bigger ship! We continued our cruise to Madang! I believe Travcoa still send groups to PNG.
I hope I'm not boring you. I'll stop talking of the good days. Geez, I enjoyed myself.
Befriended a real gentleman - turned out to be a guy in the SAS doing jungle training around Lae - later lost an eye in the Indonesian "confrontation".
Got "abused" by a friend (a Sydney - mainly pharmaceutical - entrepeneur) because he wanted me to send a carton of Johnnie Walker (plus assorted canned supplies from Burns Philp) to him at Sukarnopura (just after the Indo takeover) to be used as "sweeteners". His interpretation of large bottles and mine differed by 250mls... I sent him 750mls bottles!! Later, this guy had a heart attack in Lae and recuperated at my house, in 5th Street, with me and my newlywed. Lester and his lady partner Pat are remembered as good friends.
Shortly after arriving in Lae on my first overseas posting I was drinking in the TAA mess (how strange) one late afternoon with Tony Jewiss (International Travel) and Murray Wilson (Traffic) when a guy sat down at our table and introduced himself as Reg Groom. Didn't know him from Adam. Saw (or heard) that I was a new Australian and asked where in Australia I had settled... well, didn't I open up about this backwoods called Brisbane - with no sewers, 6 o'clock closing, unmade roads etc. etc. (well, it was 1962).
What I didn't know was that the TAA Airline Commission was meeting in Lae. So it was quite a shock when Tony kicked me under the table and said that SIR Reginald Groome used to be the Lord Mayor of Brisbane - and was on the Airline Commission. Did I get pi$$ed that night - assuming that it was my farewell party!! It wasn't.
Met many Tour Operators - one of whom was Jack Kirkwood from Long Beach, California. He used to bring about three or four tours a year through PNG (chartered TAA DC3s) so he decide to invest - he built Buka Luma in Buka Passage as a sort of high rollers get away. Didn't work as Buka in those days wasn't easy to get to on a frequent basis. I was cabin attendant on one of his charters out of Bulolo the morning that it was reported that Kennedy was shot. I couldn't believe it - about half of the tour party actually cheered when they heard the news! Met Jack, still in business in Long Beach, when I was based in LAX in the 70's.
A rich South American industrialist wanted to go to the Trobriand Islands, but wouldn't go without an escort. Harry Drake dobbed me in for the job (be nice)! He chartered Crowley's Baron - which had a slight hiccup on the return leg... both engines stopped as the pilot wanted to check how accurate his fuel guage was on one of the tanks!! We stayed at Kiriwina Lodge when Tim Ward owned it. When I spoke to Tim a couple of years ago he was still writing to the South American.
I met Mel Dultz, then owner of tour company Travcoa, in Chicago whilst on a TAA sales blitz through the states in 1969. We had a good argument that day but became good, shall we say, "business friends". TAA (my section) used to handle all the Australian and PNG arrangements for Travcoa. So when Mel was visiting PNG during my PX days I was asked to accompany him on his trip on the single hull "Melanesian Explorer" from Samarai to the Trobriands. Quite an uneventful trip until the night AFTER Mel departed from Kiriwina back to POM. At about 0200 I was on the deck reading a book (the boat did have good lights) - I had a stretch and looked up to the stars when I saw a coconut palm above me. Strange I thought. Next moment - an almighty thud as we hit an island! It appears that the Captain had fallen asleep due to too much hanky panky at the Trobriands... the same Captain currently plies PNG waters on a very much bigger ship! We continued our cruise to Madang! I believe Travcoa still send groups to PNG.
I hope I'm not boring you. I'll stop talking of the good days. Geez, I enjoyed myself.
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I have received a complaint from Pinky the Pilot regarding a missing post:
OK. No one leave the room until who ever stole Pinky's post puts it back here!!!
Of course, Pinky just may have had a few too many and lost the post himself!!!
Woomera
What happened to me post????
Greetings Sire,
Last night (19th) noted that Sixtiesrelic had made a post re overnights in Djiapura (spelling) which is now in the PNG thread, where I suspect he actually intended it to go. I made a reply to it but it appears to have disappeared! Any ideas what happened?
Cheers from the *%&#@ oranges,
Pinky
Greetings Sire,
Last night (19th) noted that Sixtiesrelic had made a post re overnights in Djiapura (spelling) which is now in the PNG thread, where I suspect he actually intended it to go. I made a reply to it but it appears to have disappeared! Any ideas what happened?
Cheers from the *%&#@ oranges,
Pinky
Of course, Pinky just may have had a few too many and lost the post himself!!!
Woomera
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Gosh animalclub do you remember the German administration at all?
You were truly there in a golden era.
Old fella Ive known here for a number of years told me he had been in POM from 61-68 and said it was the best years of his life
Ya reckon we could put together a company and buy the place back?
You were truly there in a golden era.
Old fella Ive known here for a number of years told me he had been in POM from 61-68 and said it was the best years of his life
Ya reckon we could put together a company and buy the place back?
Grandpa Aerotart
You're right tinpis. I was once deadheading up from CNS to POM in the Scarebus and seated next to me was the then Treasurer to Piaus Wingti's Govt. Can't remember his name...he was a naturalised PNG citizen...i.e. white. In his view the only way to 'save' PNG was to delocalise everything above hausmeri.
I agree completely- as long as it went all the way to, and included, PM.
For a while straight after Talair closed I flew Ray Thurect's Aerostar for him...he was, besides being a 'biznisman' an adviser to Wingti's Govt...at a policy meeting in Goroka, at the Bird, I was left alone with the minutes of the previous 3 meetings...quite a tome. I killed the better part of a day reading it while Ray was in policy meetings with the MPs.
There in black and white was every problem facing PNG and the correct answer to those problems. Everythng from attracting stable 'long term' expats by allowing their wives to work to the law and order problems...one white MP (Spencer?) suggested legalising hand gun ownership for expats on the basis that it was unfair that they could carry guns for protection while not allowing expats the same right of self defence...this was shouted down by a highlander with "Live by de gun, die by de gun". The irony was hillarious.
In general terms though they were ALL on the record as agreeing to reasonable solutions to ALL the problems that beset PNG at the time.
In 100% of cases they went out from those meetings and innacted policy and laws diametrically opposed to the precips espoused in the policy meeetings. I can only assume that once they were on record as suggesting the correct course of action they felt free to proceed with their own adgendas of greed and corruption....they could always say they had suggested all this good stuff and it was not their fault that it didn't happen
I agree completely- as long as it went all the way to, and included, PM.
For a while straight after Talair closed I flew Ray Thurect's Aerostar for him...he was, besides being a 'biznisman' an adviser to Wingti's Govt...at a policy meeting in Goroka, at the Bird, I was left alone with the minutes of the previous 3 meetings...quite a tome. I killed the better part of a day reading it while Ray was in policy meetings with the MPs.
There in black and white
was every problem facing PNG and the correct answer to those problems. Everythng from attracting stable 'long term' expats by allowing their wives to work to the law and order problems...one white MP (Spencer?) suggested legalising hand gun ownership for expats on the basis that it was unfair that they could carry guns for protection while not allowing expats the same right of self defence...this was shouted down by a highlander with "Live by de gun, die by de gun". The irony was hillarious.In general terms though they were ALL on the record as agreeing to reasonable solutions to ALL the problems that beset PNG at the time.
In 100% of cases they went out from those meetings and innacted policy and laws diametrically opposed to the precips espoused in the policy meeetings. I can only assume that once they were on record as suggesting the correct course of action they felt free to proceed with their own adgendas of greed and corruption....they could always say they had suggested all this good stuff and it was not their fault that it didn't happen
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tinpis I don't believe it ever will be as good as it was... but isn't that the same all over the world? Right now it would be cheap to buy - just ask the politicians!!! The earliest I can remember is Horrie Nial (?) the District Commissioner(?) for Morobe, Geoffrey Bowen-Jones was TAA Manager New Guinea, Jack Carrol was the Superintendent of Police and Alan Hoyle lent me his car which got me my first, well you know, in PNG. No, it wasn't in the car, but I had to take the lady for a tour of Lae first.
Didn't we have some fun completing the first census of PNG. Then there was the local bloke on New Britain Island who promised to turn everyone white if they voted for him in the first elections. Strange, but he didn't get elected!
Chimbu The expat advisor to Wingti was that man you stated in your brackets. He used to own the Minj Hotel, Sticks and Feathers in HGU and leased the Sepik Hotel in WWK. When Wingti failed in the following election Wingti supporters blamed the expat and I understand, rearranged his face. It's on public record that I spoke out against him at the first TAPNG meeting that I attended in Madang July 1978. He undercut existing tour operaters to get all the inbound tour business into PNG - then he up and went broke. I wonder why! He just about ruined any credibility that PNG had in the world tourism market. Bob Bates and Peter Barter picked up the tours at costs quoted, lost money, but saved PNG tourism. I do get wound up over that guy. This is the same guy that walked into my office in CNS in the 80's and blamed Air Niugini for "destroying the social fabric of Papua New Guinea" - his words. I ask you!! I won't tell you my response but it related to the above. He sent me a fax when he got back to HGU threatening me with the law. Never did.
Animal. Surely you are not suggesting one with the initials P.S. became an financial advisor to Wingti???????????
I find it hard to believe even Pius would give him any credibility..........???
Then again another temporary politician prone to incarceration in Australia named Pauline got taken in by another of PNG's well known rogues with the initials J.P....
Woomera
Didn't we have some fun completing the first census of PNG. Then there was the local bloke on New Britain Island who promised to turn everyone white if they voted for him in the first elections. Strange, but he didn't get elected!
Chimbu The expat advisor to Wingti was that man you stated in your brackets. He used to own the Minj Hotel, Sticks and Feathers in HGU and leased the Sepik Hotel in WWK. When Wingti failed in the following election Wingti supporters blamed the expat and I understand, rearranged his face. It's on public record that I spoke out against him at the first TAPNG meeting that I attended in Madang July 1978. He undercut existing tour operaters to get all the inbound tour business into PNG - then he up and went broke. I wonder why! He just about ruined any credibility that PNG had in the world tourism market. Bob Bates and Peter Barter picked up the tours at costs quoted, lost money, but saved PNG tourism. I do get wound up over that guy. This is the same guy that walked into my office in CNS in the 80's and blamed Air Niugini for "destroying the social fabric of Papua New Guinea" - his words. I ask you!! I won't tell you my response but it related to the above. He sent me a fax when he got back to HGU threatening me with the law. Never did.
Animal. Surely you are not suggesting one with the initials P.S. became an financial advisor to Wingti???????????
I find it hard to believe even Pius would give him any credibility..........???
Then again another temporary politician prone to incarceration in Australia named Pauline got taken in by another of PNG's well known rogues with the initials J.P....
Woomera
Last edited by Woomera; 22nd Mar 2005 at 11:19.