Moonee Ponds International Airport(YMEN)

[hei yu]

G2 VH-ASG upgrade

According to Agnes Hannan's book "Associated Airlines the first 50 years" , ASG was converted to a G2B in 1986.

Does anyone have any info re AA's recent history (the nineties and the noughties) ?

[Stationair8]

Oxley Airlines ran a B200 Kingair on RPT between Essendon and Newcastle for a while in the early 1990's.

Another company was Shuttle Airlines with the Bandeirante VH-CRG, did both charter and night freight.

Can anyone recall the company that tried to run a Chieftain on RPT between Essendon and Canberra for a short while in the 1990's. The guy who ran it tried to set it up as a franchise, with one AOC and various routes that he leased out ?

Anyone remember Bare Air?

[uncle8]

Re #47 & 55

Perhaps the cops should have used VH-SOW

[mad.tobias]

Re Associated

Associated Airlines had a G4 it's rego was ASQ

[john_tullamarine]

Associated Airlines had a G4 it's rego was ASQ

after my time at Essendon, I guess .. not doubt one of Paul, David, George, or whomever, will be a PPRuNer and comment.

[fl610]

Photos: Gulfstream Aerospace G-IV Gulfstream IV-SP Aircraft Pictures | Airliners.net

[Stationair8]

Was any serious consideration ever given to extending Essendon instead of building Tullamarine?

Who had the last flight out of Essendon, TAA or Ansett?

When was the last RPT international flight out of Essendon?

[john_tullamarine]

Was any serious consideration ever given to extending Essendon instead of building Tullamarine?

.. where did you forsee any opportunity to extend any of the runways without disproportionate penalty expense ?

Who had the last flight out of Essendon, TAA or Ansett?

Probably need to qualify the question. I don't recall which tail was last out during the transfer to Melbourne but you need to account for the periodic diversions into Essendon (usually due fog). No idea if this still occurs.

[Dog One]

DC3's on final for 35 with a 40 - 50 kt headwind!

[le Pingouin]

but you need to account for the periodic diversions into Essendon (usually due fog). No idea if this still occurs.

It doesn't - they bugger off elsewhere. Are the runways/taxiways even up to it anymore?

[Stationair8]

Was the Government Aircraft Factories airstrip at Fishermans Bend inside the Essendon CTA in those days?

[john_tullamarine]

The Bend strip ... now, you'll need a bedridden really old greybeard to go back that far ... (actually in the CAC area, as I recall, rather than GAF's).

A more interesting shot ... which will bring a tear or two to Centaurus's eye.

I have it in mind that vestiges were still there in the late 60's as I have a faint recollection that there was talk of doing the initial Nomad flying there ? DJPil's memory may be better than mine on that one.

[djpil]

The photo on this page shows the Bend from the air. Factories at the bottom of the pic - CAC on the left and GAF (DAP as it was then) on the right. The West Gate Bridge featured in those discussions about flying the Nomad from there.

[B772]

boocs and Bulldog 248. Last I heard Russ P is with Jetstar in NZ awaiting a slot in MEL.

[Brian Abraham]

Old memories being stirred here.

I recall VH-ASG (known as 'G' by the engineers) was a Gulfstream IIB version.

Here is the REAL VH-ASG



Happy memories of flying in the old girl as a teenager, along with its sister ship ABH, the Heron ASH, F-27 TFK (on lease from TAA), and the G1 ASJ. Pilots Bob Watts, Alan Frank, Reg Bagwell (during the war force landed a Lockheed 10 in the scrub around Derby way following an engine failure - aircraft retrieved undamaged), Jim Green, Len Diprose - now there is a man with a history of Australias early, early days of aviation, to wit,

1st April 1934 - Flying a DH61 from Carnarvon to Broome encountered bad weather following a cyclone. Arrived at Broome at 6:20PM in darkness and driving rain, on approach to land hit a car, unroofing it, and breaking the prop.

9th July 1935 - Flew the first Marylands to Adelaide service in Norman Brearleys West Australian Airways (first scheduled airline in Australia) brand new Dragon Six. A step up in comfort for the pilot from the open cockpit DH-66 Hercules he had been flying on the run.

23rd Nov 1938 - Australian National Airways - led two crews, comprising Captain, F/O and Engineer in each, on a trip from Essendon to Calcutta under charter to QANTAS Empire Airways to help transport Christmas mail to and from England. Was the first occasion a foreign built (non British) aircraft was used on the Empire Air Mail route. Aircraft used DC-3 (first in Australia) VH-UZK Kurana, later to crash 8 November 1948, on Mount Macedon.

[wwejosh]

Lots of great stories coming out of the airport here.
In the coming weeks I will be preparing my year twelve VCE oral presentation arguing "Essendon Airport should not be closed".
I'm trying to develop some strong arguments in it's defence, some opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Also, say hypothetically the airport was to close today. I would like to hear from people that are employed because of the airport and how a closure would effect you.

Any PM's or replies would be great, cheers

[Stationair8]

Were GA aircraft allowed into Essendon, prior to Tullamarine opening in 1971?

[PLovett]

Were GA aircraft allowed into Essendon, prior to Tullamarine opening in 1971?

Yes, but it was not encouraged IIRC.

[Centaurus]

A more interesting shot ... which will bring a tear or two to Centaurus's eye.

Not a bad beat up. From the book "Testing Time" by John Miles - page 29. He states: "The first Australian-built Lincoln was due to have its first test flight in 1946. Clarrie Scott, who had been one of the early G.A.F. test pilots, had just been appointed to the position of Service Manager of G.A.F. I therefore had been appointed Chief Test Pilot for G.A.F. When the Lincoln became due for test flight, Clarrie and I flew it. I was in the left-hand seat....

[Centaurus]

Remeber the Cheyenne they operated for corporate charter?

Remember it only too well if only because the AH was unreliable at times which didn't help in IMC.