Darwin in the 80's
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Great thread guys. Can't believe I hadn't seen it before. Only stumbled across it because of the Cyclone Tracy one.
Tinpis, that pic of SAO certainly did make me misty-eyed. What eventually happened to her?
Grew up as a teen in Darwin in the 70's and used to work for Ossie during school holidays to pay for flying lessons-helping (maybe not, more like hindering) the engineers with any crap jobs around the hangar- spark plug cleaning, wheel bearing greasing, general gofer, plus polishing his Pitts (Any idea how many cans of Repo it took to polish a Pitts!!! VH-KIT wasn't it?)
As many have said, amazing to see how often Ossie woud sack his pilots/engineers on a Friday and take them back on Monday.
All the aircraft I recall donderwolkje.
Plus he bought the original ECO, PA32 just before Tracy and that ended up in the port engine of the F227 from recollection.
I recall one young hopeful turning up for a test ride with Ossie and landing it with the handbrake on, taking the brand new tyres down to the canvas. You could hear Ossie coming all the way down the apron telling the guy he'd never get a job with him as long as his ass pointed towards the ground.
PKY C310 spent over a year stuck in the back of the hangar being stripped and repainted. How many layers of paint were on that thing???
Between cleaning spark plugs etc I was lucky enough to go on a few flights with some of the guys.
Racking my brain to think of some of the pilots' names- nearly 40 years ago!!
Max L- (Ironically I later flew the Heron with him for Airlines of Tassie)
Pat ? - He flew TOV mostly. Remember him flying 6 Baron's full of beer to Bathurst Is one Xmas. Went on one of the runs with him in formation with the 337 DVY flown by Peter ?. Went with Peter once and he showed me how half the instrument panel would come out in your lap if given a bit of a nudge. Bit like your sun visor Tinpis.
Geoff (Jeff?) - Flew SAO but went on to fly the Freeport 227 later. Recall going up with him when he was trying to prove the gear was taking 2 minutes to come down. None of the engineers wanted to go up in it it seemed!
A very young Phil G (changed his surname later?) flew the Cherokee 6. Saw him on DC9s at TAA some years later.
Wally was the Chief engineer?
And I remember engineer Richard was a really great guy but heard he was a terrible victim of the cyclone. Anyone know for sure?
Was Liz the female refueller? She was definitely one of the boys. Was Liz Wally's daughter??
Yes, Xmas eve hangar pissups were memorable, although '74 was a pretty quiet affair with everyone wanting to get home due to the approaching wx. Never seen the sky so black in Darwin in the middle of the day when we knocked off work. A few beers around the pool table in the hangar was all I can recall that year.
Great memories guys.
Tinpis, that pic of SAO certainly did make me misty-eyed. What eventually happened to her?
Grew up as a teen in Darwin in the 70's and used to work for Ossie during school holidays to pay for flying lessons-helping (maybe not, more like hindering) the engineers with any crap jobs around the hangar- spark plug cleaning, wheel bearing greasing, general gofer, plus polishing his Pitts (Any idea how many cans of Repo it took to polish a Pitts!!! VH-KIT wasn't it?)
As many have said, amazing to see how often Ossie woud sack his pilots/engineers on a Friday and take them back on Monday.
Back a little earlier than the 80's, Ozzie or SAATAS were the top end fixtures to be see at. TOV, SAO, DVY, AON (Barron, Navaho, C-337 and G.m's C-182) all shiney and new (not) . Great flying, interupted only by the odd sacking and the shiney QANTAS cadet's, who would arrive un-anounced do it all for "the experience" before they 'P....d o.f" to fly the 707's. Wouldn't have missed it for quids....
The xmas hangar piss ups were monumental in the week leading to the same event. They would lock you up and throw the key away today!!
The xmas hangar piss ups were monumental in the week leading to the same event. They would lock you up and throw the key away today!!
Plus he bought the original ECO, PA32 just before Tracy and that ended up in the port engine of the F227 from recollection.
I recall one young hopeful turning up for a test ride with Ossie and landing it with the handbrake on, taking the brand new tyres down to the canvas. You could hear Ossie coming all the way down the apron telling the guy he'd never get a job with him as long as his ass pointed towards the ground.
PKY C310 spent over a year stuck in the back of the hangar being stripped and repainted. How many layers of paint were on that thing???
Between cleaning spark plugs etc I was lucky enough to go on a few flights with some of the guys.
Racking my brain to think of some of the pilots' names- nearly 40 years ago!!
Max L- (Ironically I later flew the Heron with him for Airlines of Tassie)
Pat ? - He flew TOV mostly. Remember him flying 6 Baron's full of beer to Bathurst Is one Xmas. Went on one of the runs with him in formation with the 337 DVY flown by Peter ?. Went with Peter once and he showed me how half the instrument panel would come out in your lap if given a bit of a nudge. Bit like your sun visor Tinpis.
Geoff (Jeff?) - Flew SAO but went on to fly the Freeport 227 later. Recall going up with him when he was trying to prove the gear was taking 2 minutes to come down. None of the engineers wanted to go up in it it seemed!
A very young Phil G (changed his surname later?) flew the Cherokee 6. Saw him on DC9s at TAA some years later.
Wally was the Chief engineer?
And I remember engineer Richard was a really great guy but heard he was a terrible victim of the cyclone. Anyone know for sure?
Was Liz the female refueller? She was definitely one of the boys. Was Liz Wally's daughter??
Yes, Xmas eve hangar pissups were memorable, although '74 was a pretty quiet affair with everyone wanting to get home due to the approaching wx. Never seen the sky so black in Darwin in the middle of the day when we knocked off work. A few beers around the pool table in the hangar was all I can recall that year.
Great memories guys.
Last edited by bekolblockage; 22nd Jan 2012 at 12:16.
Swamp Jockeys..
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Thanks donderwolkje 
Pretty sure Max is still in Launy.
Any ideas what happened to the other guys?
How about the engineers? Any news about Richard? My family flew out only 3 days after the cyclone and I've only been back once on an overnight since then.
Great memories.
Pretty sure Max is still in Launy.
Any ideas what happened to the other guys?
How about the engineers? Any news about Richard? My family flew out only 3 days after the cyclone and I've only been back once on an overnight since then.
Great memories.
Silly Old Git
There was a Mark....?? at Ossies? Indonesian missus as I recall? And a Dave McC....ck last seen (Hawaii? )trying to circumvent Yanky residency laws for a job with Continental??
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
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engineer Richard
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Quote:
engineer Richard
What was his surname?
engineer Richard
What was his surname?
I had the impression Liz the refueller was his sister. She was married I thought, so different surname.
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The 1980's at Arnhem Air Charter
What a great thread.
I flew SAO, IXP and recently saw the carcass of IXA at Bankstown. Got sacked by Ozzie every day for several weeks for refusing to boost his profits by flying over-loaded. I remember the Dolphin, Dix, the strippers on Thursday at the Winnellie pub, and got hosed out of the cage bar once or twice.
Where is Greg Finn? And Ed Allen? And Denis Salter? And Mark Diamond?
I just can't believe that Karl is still alive at MGD. That's fu@&ing unbelievable - he was a crotchety old fart 25 years ago.
I flew SAO, IXP and recently saw the carcass of IXA at Bankstown. Got sacked by Ozzie every day for several weeks for refusing to boost his profits by flying over-loaded. I remember the Dolphin, Dix, the strippers on Thursday at the Winnellie pub, and got hosed out of the cage bar once or twice.
Where is Greg Finn? And Ed Allen? And Denis Salter? And Mark Diamond?
I just can't believe that Karl is still alive at MGD. That's fu@&ing unbelievable - he was a crotchety old fart 25 years ago.
Wow, just stumbled across this site here in dear old Albion, where it is hosing it down with rain. We like our droughts wet over here!
Never worked in Darwin, but transitted many a time in the early-mid eighties, and once in '78 in a TMAC CL-44.
Had mates that worked there, one Owen Jackson already mentioned. Knew Mary O'Brian too; she taught me to fly, I did my first 30 hours with her on a Chipmunk. Flew with Owen in WA both in our first flying job.
Royal Brunei days were most fun. We'd be the last flight in for a night stop. Murray, if I recall, Ansett station manager, would keep the Ansett lounge open. Straight in there after landing for a swift, cold one whilst the nights plans were developed! Twice a week, Thursday's and Saturday's.
The RBA traveller's friend; a chilled six-pack in a mini eskie for the passengers when the airline went dry. What a laugh.
Happy days.
BSD.
Never worked in Darwin, but transitted many a time in the early-mid eighties, and once in '78 in a TMAC CL-44.
Had mates that worked there, one Owen Jackson already mentioned. Knew Mary O'Brian too; she taught me to fly, I did my first 30 hours with her on a Chipmunk. Flew with Owen in WA both in our first flying job.
Royal Brunei days were most fun. We'd be the last flight in for a night stop. Murray, if I recall, Ansett station manager, would keep the Ansett lounge open. Straight in there after landing for a swift, cold one whilst the nights plans were developed! Twice a week, Thursday's and Saturday's.
The RBA traveller's friend; a chilled six-pack in a mini eskie for the passengers when the airline went dry. What a laugh.
Happy days.
BSD.
Silly Old Git
BSD
On 10 October 1985 one of the company's (Pelair)Westwind aircraft crashed into the sea off Sydney after departing Sydney
Owen Jackson along with Ian "Luigi" Hasket on board.RIP.
Both well known to the Inn keepers and hosteleries of Darwin
On 10 October 1985 one of the company's (Pelair)Westwind aircraft crashed into the sea off Sydney after departing Sydney
Owen Jackson along with Ian "Luigi" Hasket on board.RIP.
Both well known to the Inn keepers and hosteleries of Darwin
Tinpis,
I didn't know Luigi, but Owen had been a very good mate. Their loss was a stupid tragedy that should never have happened.
Most of our night-stops Darwin night-stops in RBA days we stayed at the Travelodge, but almost always ended up at the casino. Always a laugh down there.
Went for ride out to Narbalek in the 3-30 with Owen once when I was there for a couple of days.
BSD.
I didn't know Luigi, but Owen had been a very good mate. Their loss was a stupid tragedy that should never have happened.
Most of our night-stops Darwin night-stops in RBA days we stayed at the Travelodge, but almost always ended up at the casino. Always a laugh down there.
Went for ride out to Narbalek in the 3-30 with Owen once when I was there for a couple of days.
BSD.
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This c1989 - as pax on the Nomad we flew into Tindall on a photo task. Don't remember the name of the Pilot pictured but I do remember she wanted a photo of the said event. Maybe one of the Darwin old hands might pass it onto her.
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You could hear Ossie coming all the way down the apron telling the guy he'd never get a job with him as long as his ass pointed towards the ground.
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A word of advice Tee Emm
I worked for Ossie for a bit over 4 years and would like to think that I got to know him fairly well. For most of that time I was his chief pilot. Yes, he did throw a wobbly every now and then and yes he did fly off the handle every now and then and sack a pilot only to take him back the next week. Occasionally he would be frothing at the mouth with rage but it didn't take long before the gentleman within rose to the surface.
Despite all of that he had a bucket load of experience and gave many a young pilot an opportunity. You might have had to start working in the engine shop or out at Maningrida but you got a start and he always kept his word when he said you would be flying RPT soon.
He was generous to fault in some ways (I think that was to make up for Shirley) and would step in to give a hand when he could.
I left in unhappy circumstances, quite bitter and disappointed but Ossie and Shirley still rang to congratulate my wife and I on the birth of our first son.
To see the way they both ended their days was very sad. The territory is worse off for their passing and if I were you, and thank god I am not, I would be very careful not to judge people you have not even met based on the colorful stories you read on PPRUNE.
Despite all of that he had a bucket load of experience and gave many a young pilot an opportunity. You might have had to start working in the engine shop or out at Maningrida but you got a start and he always kept his word when he said you would be flying RPT soon.
He was generous to fault in some ways (I think that was to make up for Shirley) and would step in to give a hand when he could.
I left in unhappy circumstances, quite bitter and disappointed but Ossie and Shirley still rang to congratulate my wife and I on the birth of our first son.
To see the way they both ended their days was very sad. The territory is worse off for their passing and if I were you, and thank god I am not, I would be very careful not to judge people you have not even met based on the colorful stories you read on PPRUNE.
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Glen Beard
I don't use alias's when i state something because i feel i have nothing to hide by using MY name.This is my first post on Pprune.
I have no idea who Tee Emm is but,i can assure you that your insinuation that Ossie Osgood was a bogan deeply upsets me.
A few facts for you and anyone else who cares to read this regarding Ossie & Shirley -
I sold parts to Arnhem Air Charter back in the late 70's/ early 80's and got to know the Osgoods pretty well.
When Cyclone Tracy hit Ossie moved as many people as he possibly could out of Darwin - i think to Katherine, at no charge to those concerned.To my knowledge that included family of staff & incapacitated locals who were worried about the result of the cyclone.I don't know whether he ever put an invoice into the gov't,but knowing Ossie,i would very much doubt it.
He also opened his hangar as a shelter & from memory had upward of 500 people shelter there.
Have a look at the Tracy Museum at Fannie Bay & see Ossie's aircraft destroyed - why- because he reckoned saving lives was more important than saving his own beloved fleet.Does that sound like a bogan to you?
Regarding making him out as a bully or whatever,Ossie used to work on "the old system".You want a job,i want a pilot,engineer,whatever.He expected everyone who did work for him to do a fair day's work for a fair day's pay.And if you didn't ,then beware.
I stayed with the Osgoods & was privileged to help them celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary & 21st anniversary of the foundation of Arnhem & can assure you ,that even though Ossie was a teetotaller when i knew him,had one of the greatest nights of my life,shared with 2 great people who had an ongoing passion to improve aviation in the NT.
With regards to sacking pilots,again,i know he was hard on them,and possibly went overboard a few times but it was a wake-up call to quite a few novices who most probably turned out to be better for the experience.It was like a game i reckon.
One day he sacked a pilot in front of me.As the guy walked out the office he turned & said "see you tomorrow". The next day he went on a charter for Ossie,along with a fairly stern warning about turning up late for an RPT.Seemed pretty fair to me.
NT aviation lost a great identity when he finally pulled stumps,but,a fitting reminder of what the territory thought of his imput into GA in the Territory is the road near the airport called "Osgood Drive" near Bunnings ,from memory.Does that indicate he was a bogan.
I suggest Tee Emm puts an apology on this site to the Osgood family
I have no idea who Tee Emm is but,i can assure you that your insinuation that Ossie Osgood was a bogan deeply upsets me.
A few facts for you and anyone else who cares to read this regarding Ossie & Shirley -
I sold parts to Arnhem Air Charter back in the late 70's/ early 80's and got to know the Osgoods pretty well.
When Cyclone Tracy hit Ossie moved as many people as he possibly could out of Darwin - i think to Katherine, at no charge to those concerned.To my knowledge that included family of staff & incapacitated locals who were worried about the result of the cyclone.I don't know whether he ever put an invoice into the gov't,but knowing Ossie,i would very much doubt it.
He also opened his hangar as a shelter & from memory had upward of 500 people shelter there.
Have a look at the Tracy Museum at Fannie Bay & see Ossie's aircraft destroyed - why- because he reckoned saving lives was more important than saving his own beloved fleet.Does that sound like a bogan to you?
Regarding making him out as a bully or whatever,Ossie used to work on "the old system".You want a job,i want a pilot,engineer,whatever.He expected everyone who did work for him to do a fair day's work for a fair day's pay.And if you didn't ,then beware.
I stayed with the Osgoods & was privileged to help them celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary & 21st anniversary of the foundation of Arnhem & can assure you ,that even though Ossie was a teetotaller when i knew him,had one of the greatest nights of my life,shared with 2 great people who had an ongoing passion to improve aviation in the NT.
With regards to sacking pilots,again,i know he was hard on them,and possibly went overboard a few times but it was a wake-up call to quite a few novices who most probably turned out to be better for the experience.It was like a game i reckon.
One day he sacked a pilot in front of me.As the guy walked out the office he turned & said "see you tomorrow". The next day he went on a charter for Ossie,along with a fairly stern warning about turning up late for an RPT.Seemed pretty fair to me.
NT aviation lost a great identity when he finally pulled stumps,but,a fitting reminder of what the territory thought of his imput into GA in the Territory is the road near the airport called "Osgood Drive" near Bunnings ,from memory.Does that indicate he was a bogan.
I suggest Tee Emm puts an apology on this site to the Osgood family