Was the Nomad really that bad?
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Location: Australia
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I recall that Nationwide became a dealer for the Nomad, and Vic Walton toured the country demonstating their aircraft. There is ABC TV footage of a landing on 14 at Cambridge in which the aircraft stopped almost in its own lenght.
I believe one or two Tassy operators at the time showed some interest, but the lease terms offered by most finance companies were pretty steep. However, had they being a overseas company, the Government had special finance packages at a very low interest rate, similar to the original Embraer deals on the Bandit.
I am sure that if there had been better finance packages by the Government, more of the aircraft would have been sold to operators.
I believe one or two Tassy operators at the time showed some interest, but the lease terms offered by most finance companies were pretty steep. However, had they being a overseas company, the Government had special finance packages at a very low interest rate, similar to the original Embraer deals on the Bandit.
I am sure that if there had been better finance packages by the Government, more of the aircraft would have been sold to operators.
Biscuit Ears (Douglas Airways) wanted PNG Government support to assemble Nomads in Port Moresby. He was sure they would put the Twotters out of business. 
IAT in Wewak also had a couple of Nomads.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the fiasco of the US Customs service N22s, I think all amphibians? I wonder what happened to those?
IAT in Wewak also had a couple of Nomads.
I'm surprised no one has mentioned the fiasco of the US Customs service N22s, I think all amphibians? I wonder what happened to those?
aeromariner. You may be correct - hence my "?" Your post doesn't contribute much to this thread, does it? 
I was curious what happened to those aircraft - of which I have little or no knowledge, merely a vague recollection - but if it is a national secret I can accept that.
I was curious what happened to those aircraft - of which I have little or no knowledge, merely a vague recollection - but if it is a national secret I can accept that.
I recently saw a photogragh of six Nomads 'stored' in the US, they were all the same colour, blue and white and I am sure they were ex-Customs. Minus engines but complete. It might have been somewhere in Florida, but I am not sure. They are not using them anymore. I have a LAX overnight at the end of the month and intend to visit Chino, somebody there will know and I'll ask.
I remember all the windows were protected with that white plastic or whatever it is the Yanks love to use when storing aircraft, so they might have some life left. They didn't use them for long, so the airframe hours are not likely to be high, but they were stored outside. They all had the 'chin' radar so thats why I think they are the Customs aircraft. The drug runners in their Barons and C402's would have out-run them with ease.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
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No-one else has asked yet so I shall; OK Tinpis, The happy little Vegemite tis you, is it not?
Dear mum,
After six months at Bamaga on the Shrike I have progressed onto the mighty turbine Nomad. Within a few months I will get the call up from Ansett and I have a seniority number already!
Love
Mummies Nomad Driver
After six months at Bamaga on the Shrike I have progressed onto the mighty turbine Nomad. Within a few months I will get the call up from Ansett and I have a seniority number already!
Love
Mummies Nomad Driver
The drug runners in their Barons and C402's would have out-run them with ease.
'Torres' I have solved your question. N6328 a N22L is stored at Tuscon Davis-Monthan AFB and six are stored at Rantoul Airbase in Kansas, all ex-Customs and N22L Searchmasters. Have to take off my Anorak now as 'She' is giving me that look.
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Mine was backdated to '81, what was yours?
Memory's stretching here .. face is vaguely familiar but can't put a name to it .. where were you based ?
Memory's stretching here .. face is vaguely familiar but can't put a name to it .. where were you based ?
By George. I thought the US Customs had Nomads. It is many years ago but I don't think they were in service for very long. Think I read an article that it ended in some type of legal action as the Nomads didn't perform to the US Customs or Coastguard specifications?
If so, they could be very low hour aircraft.
If so, they could be very low hour aircraft.
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"Your post doesn't contribute much to this thread, does it" As much as any of the ill informed here. How long does it take to find out that only Serials 61 and 83 were completed as amphibians? , Or that the legal action was between Hughes aircraft and GAF over the N24A commuter, or that the Litton radar in the searcmaster was air to ground only or where the boneyard is for the the ex customs aircraft.
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completed as amphibians?
More fond memories. I did some of the early estimates for the amphibian. My first attempt at ceiling calcs came up with some unpalatable numbers ... George F had a looksee at my scrawlings and pretty pictures ... "try moving that here ... change that there .." and, lo and behold, instant 5000ft OEI ceiling.
Quite a talented chap, our George.
More fond memories. I did some of the early estimates for the amphibian. My first attempt at ceiling calcs came up with some unpalatable numbers ... George F had a looksee at my scrawlings and pretty pictures ... "try moving that here ... change that there .." and, lo and behold, instant 5000ft OEI ceiling.
Quite a talented chap, our George.