I Miss PNG
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I Miss PNG
Gooday All,
I have viewed many posts on this site from people who obviously spent a lot of time in PNG so hence the following request. I grew up in PNG, where I got the aviation bug, finally leaving in 1975. The last two places that I lived were Rabaul, 7 years, and Madang, 4 years. I have a lot of memories, some dulled by too much SP, but very few photos. I do fly commercially but never get the opportunity to go back to PNG. It broke my heart years back when Rabaul was destroyed as my memory was of it being the best place on the planet.
In Rabaul the yacht Club was a fun place and in Madang I have fond memories of Coastwatchers and the Bastow girl whose name began with L. I met many Talair pilots in those days and back in Rabaul remember flying in Crowley airways Aztec as a pax. I would be interested in finding a source of information for both towns. Any pictures, links or stories would be greatfully appreciated. And finally does anybody remember a German or Dutch pilot by the name of Frank Staffenhoffer? took a punt on the spelling!!!! He took the time to show me over the F27 on a number of occasions. A real gentleman!!
I also have an interest in any information on the Porgera / Karik airstrip if any body can help??
I have viewed many posts on this site from people who obviously spent a lot of time in PNG so hence the following request. I grew up in PNG, where I got the aviation bug, finally leaving in 1975. The last two places that I lived were Rabaul, 7 years, and Madang, 4 years. I have a lot of memories, some dulled by too much SP, but very few photos. I do fly commercially but never get the opportunity to go back to PNG. It broke my heart years back when Rabaul was destroyed as my memory was of it being the best place on the planet.
In Rabaul the yacht Club was a fun place and in Madang I have fond memories of Coastwatchers and the Bastow girl whose name began with L. I met many Talair pilots in those days and back in Rabaul remember flying in Crowley airways Aztec as a pax. I would be interested in finding a source of information for both towns. Any pictures, links or stories would be greatfully appreciated. And finally does anybody remember a German or Dutch pilot by the name of Frank Staffenhoffer? took a punt on the spelling!!!! He took the time to show me over the F27 on a number of occasions. A real gentleman!!
I also have an interest in any information on the Porgera / Karik airstrip if any body can help??
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I lived in Rabaul for a while, too. I don't remember a Yacht club, though.
PNG was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, yet at the same time I was very glad to finally leave. And, at the same time, I miss it.
I've not been back to East New Britain since the volcano, and sometimes wonder what's become of it.
PNG was one of the most beautiful places I've ever been, yet at the same time I was very glad to finally leave. And, at the same time, I miss it.
I've not been back to East New Britain since the volcano, and sometimes wonder what's become of it.
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tinhorse
The Rabaul Yacht Club was located just east of Rabaul Travelodge, which was one of the few buildings in this area to survive the volcano - the Yacht and RSL clubs disappeared. The area around the aerodrome and golf club was completely devistated. Really sad to see what was such a beautiful area turned by nature into a wasteland.
Silly Old Git
Did you look in here?
What evers missing Im sure someone will fill you in.....
http://www.pprune.org/d-g-general-av...g-tok-tok.html
What evers missing Im sure someone will fill you in.....
http://www.pprune.org/d-g-general-av...g-tok-tok.html
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Staberhoffer, Rabaul & Madang
Could probably help you a bit on all 3, F.S. made it to F27 Command with Ansett MAL in 69 but disappeared either back to Europe or to Jetair DC3s same year. There are others more current than I, but my most recent "layovers" in Madang were with the company of John Cheung at the Sports club and stayed with Gyp Fitzgerald (born on the Sepik) at the Madang Inn. I couldn't afford Sir Peter Barter's establishment. Only 2 accommodation/drinking joints in old Rabaul, Curtain Bros had the Kaivuna, and Susie's parents had the other, so when Brian married Susie they threw the motel in with her. Apart from the old Steamies store near the oil depot, not much else exists. Kokopo is humming, all the Banks and business houses are out there near the airport. I stay at Simon Foo's guest house. Simon is/was a director of Air Niugini. Both towns are still great for a visit if you are streetwise and a straight male. Travel is expensive, but a couple of years ago there was a fast ferry network which was quite cheap. I can't help you with John Bastow's daughter. I don't want this to become a dideedie thread, but current aviation entities at Madang would only be Jan Booij (Hevilift) from Kainantu and the indefatigueable James Moresby Birrell & Col Bubner (ex Airlink) and John Cheung (Island Airways) Some of this is a year or so back, so more up to date info. will probably come out of it. Tony & Stewart Honey were schooled in Rabaul, their father was a FIS officer, both are still in Moresby, Tony heads up RH, the parent Company of Tropic Air.
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Small world
Sundaun,
I went to school with the Honey's. Court St primary school, but I remember them. You say one of them is with RH??? What company is that? I have been away for a long time so very out of touch.
I went to school with the Honey's. Court St primary school, but I remember them. You say one of them is with RH??? What company is that? I have been away for a long time so very out of touch.
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Groggy
Tony should be at PNG Forest Products at Bulolo or POM, unless you speak Malay dont ring RH. Stewart is at Hastings Deering POM.Re Kairek/Porgera an old bastard I know wrote a line on same at PNG place bilong tok tok under pseudo Yerex. He used to fly 185s into Porgera and later a Kingair into Kairek. It should come up under his name
Silly Old Git
Nice to hear of Cheungy 
How come he never got a gong?
Learnt most of my pidjin listening to him talking to the HLS bois we dragged in from the bush (HLS Highland slave labour)
The Madang hotel Hauswin where in the olden days the air would be rent with screams of one of Duke Elegants conquests getting the business
How come he never got a gong?
Learnt most of my pidjin listening to him talking to the HLS bois we dragged in from the bush (HLS Highland slave labour)
The Madang hotel Hauswin where in the olden days the air would be rent with screams of one of Duke Elegants conquests getting the business
Last edited by tinpis; 30th Nov 2008 at 11:00.
I missed it coming south from NRT a couple of weeks ago, it was turned off! 
I used to spend a bit of time in PNG during my RAAF days, Rabaul, Madang, Moresby, Goroka, Lae etc. Always had a great time.
Regards,
BH.
I used to spend a bit of time in PNG during my RAAF days, Rabaul, Madang, Moresby, Goroka, Lae etc. Always had a great time.
Regards,
BH.
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Thanks
Thanks for the comments and photos. The old Tolai meris at the boong (market) bring back memories and it looks like Matupit volcano has grown in size. I assume the new strip is at Kokopo. Is that the one now called Tokua or something similar? The Cheungs must just about own Madang now in much the same way as the Chans had a big interest in Rabaul. Keep it coming this is great.
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Ha! Frank ST. After Ansett , he flew F27's in Japan for some time and received a citation for doing a good job after one stopped. Later opened a Motel up in Australia somewhere I think in Victoria, and heard that he changed his christian name by deed poll to "Captain". Was on a TV program some years ago about his motel.
After the collapse of Airlink, Col I believe is still in Madang, James Moresby has an establishment in Cambodia where he does not invite too many of his ex PNG mates as they may drink his draught supply dry! I was going to lob-in on him recently when I had to renew a visa but the cunning old sod would/could/did not give me his address. His star boarder is another well known territorian of repute, nick-named 'Shaggs'. or not too many miles away from that!
If you can track down Dennis Gray ex Patair/ex Ansett APNG, ex Ansett Aof A and ask if he will provide you with a disk or two of his photo collection, the trouble getting same is well worth the cost and effort. Photos from pre war to 1970's. His unc was TAA CP at one stage.
After the collapse of Airlink, Col I believe is still in Madang, James Moresby has an establishment in Cambodia where he does not invite too many of his ex PNG mates as they may drink his draught supply dry! I was going to lob-in on him recently when I had to renew a visa but the cunning old sod would/could/did not give me his address. His star boarder is another well known territorian of repute, nick-named 'Shaggs'. or not too many miles away from that!
If you can track down Dennis Gray ex Patair/ex Ansett APNG, ex Ansett Aof A and ask if he will provide you with a disk or two of his photo collection, the trouble getting same is well worth the cost and effort. Photos from pre war to 1970's. His unc was TAA CP at one stage.
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Frank Staffenhoffer
Silly Old Git
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Captain Staberhofer RIP
As a result of leads given in this thread I followed up on Captain Frank. I received an email from his wife today thanking me for my interest and informing me that unfortunately the good Captain passed away about 4 years ago as a result of Cancer. May he rest in peace.
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Mad Mike?
Talair had a big red-haired pilot named Mike in the later 1960's. Ex Rhodesian Police Force. Came to us from SPAC in POM. A rough as guts driver with big feet who gave me the privilege of checking him out in the 185 and 206 around the traps. Loved an ale on a cold day and after I left HGU for POM, Mike progressed through the fleet to the 402. I am sure that TORRES can find the story in the archives on "The Man From Ramu River".
I later heard that Mike Grant returned to Rhodesia, survived the misfortune of a mid-air collision on final with another Aztec. The last I heard of Mike Grant was that he had been machette'd to death in Rhodesia.
May not have been the same mad mike referred to.
I later heard that Mike Grant returned to Rhodesia, survived the misfortune of a mid-air collision on final with another Aztec. The last I heard of Mike Grant was that he had been machette'd to death in Rhodesia.
May not have been the same mad mike referred to.
I seem to recall a pilot nick named "Mad Dog" but don't recall his name. I don't think Talair's Mike Grant ever worked for Laurie Crowley.
I have the poem somewhere "The Man from Ramu River" but can't find it at present. SAB was the C402 he lost in the Ramu and I don't think it was ever found? Must have been around the mid 1970's? I too heard he later died in Zimbabwe.
I have the poem somewhere "The Man from Ramu River" but can't find it at present. SAB was the C402 he lost in the Ramu and I don't think it was ever found? Must have been around the mid 1970's? I too heard he later died in Zimbabwe.
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Crowley Aztec
GEEUP,
The guy who flew the truck was a tall slim fellow with blonde or sandy hair. His name escapes me at the moment but I did see him in Cairns about 8 - 9 years ago. I got the distinct impression he was living there although it was in the Hawkers hangar, and Friday afternoon beers were involved, so he could be anywhere.
The guy who flew the truck was a tall slim fellow with blonde or sandy hair. His name escapes me at the moment but I did see him in Cairns about 8 - 9 years ago. I got the distinct impression he was living there although it was in the Hawkers hangar, and Friday afternoon beers were involved, so he could be anywhere.
