The Readymix Logo

[emeritus]

Last month Mrs Emeritus and I were driving the MG across the Nullabor and as we approached Caiguna I remembered the Readymix logo that was
made in the scrub to the northwest of CAG sometime in the 70's I think.

It was very distinctive even at high altitude and was an excellent advert.
Last night I "flew" over the area with Google Earth and lo and behold its still there albeit not as highly visible.

It is located at 32d 13m S..125d 21m E and is worth a look.

Anyone out there know the story behind the logo ?

The impressive thing about it is its quite a way from Caiguna and was created in the scrub in the days before GPS so whoever surveyed it did a pretty impressive bit of work.

Emeritus

[D-J]

32 13.00S 125 21.00E - Google Maps

[Peter Fanelli]

These days it would probably be considered environmental vandalism.

[wombat watcher]

Readymix were heavily involved in the sealing of the highway across the Nullabor.

[Jabawocky]

There was a nice big white CSR there somewhere too.....or is that CEMEX now or is that HOLCIM

[compressor stall]

Last time I flew over it was about 6 years ago. It was still visible (descending from FLs into Caiguna) but you had to know where to look.

The story? Something to do with advertising during the great WA boom and being created just off the airway from the east.

As I kid, I remember it being in the 1980 Guinness Book of Records too (the red one) as the largest sign in the world.

[0ttoL]

I stumbled upon this article and wondered if PPRuNe knew about it. (It does!)

Bit of history is included and nice photo

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/giant-readymix-logo

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Back 'in the day' most (all?) flights to from the 'east' were routed over the Caiguna VOR, (B469?) located at about .66nm brg 318Deg, from the Caiguna Roadhouse, at the end of that track running to the N from the Highway, if I remember rightly....

The aid was actually monitored from the roadhouse, the monitoring consolette / lights being clearly visible located in the roadhouse shop, behind the counter.

I guess that the 'Readymix' executives put the sign just 'off centre' where it could be easily seen from the overflying '727s etc. of the day.....
Good to see that its still visible!

Ferrying several 'lighties' over from BK to JT, I found I had to climb to around 3,000ft to get it all in the then viewfinder, Caiguna being a 'favourite' refuelling spot - taxy right up to the bowser then go get a bacon sandwich at the roadhouse...best bacon sandwiches on the Nullabor....

A good strip too...able to take DC-3, however the taxiway was a bit 'skinny' with overhanging branches....so it was rumoured....

Those were the days....
Cheers

[Capn Bloggs]

I wish these threads had a big warning sign when you clicked on them:

Warning! Thread 7 years old!

[StickWithTheTruth]

Almost 8 years :-)

[601]

It was even marked on the WAC for the area.
Bet that 50% of the members of this forum don't know what a WAC is.

[Ixixly]

That's the thing I got over the back of the head when I buggered up a landing back in training isn't it 601?

[gerry111]

Originally Posted by Capn Bloggs

I wish these threads had a big warning sign when you clicked on them:

Warning! Thread 7 years old!

Let's hope then, that no one will ever mention Marree Man again.

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

'Tis STILL THERE Cap'n.......Just like U & Moi.......

Still 'Vertical'.....

Just a bit of infill / nostalgia from 'de good ole days'.....I doubt if anyone 'aviating' stops at Caiguna these days...pity... GREAT bacon sannies.....

Cheers

Modern technology put 'paid' to ole B469 though.......
and to Moi......

(Tks again Dick....)

[Pinky the pilot]

Modern technology put 'paid' to ole B469 though.......
and to Moi......

Yers..

I still have a wad of Flight Plan forms (remember them?) upon which are written the words;

"Stolen from Ceduna FSU"

[gassed budgie]

Originally Posted by Ex FSO GRIFFO

Just a bit of infill / nostalgia from 'de good ole days'.....I doubt if anyone 'aviating' stops at Caiguna these days...pity... GREAT bacon sannies

Some of us still do Griffo.....



.....we had a stop there a little while ago. Not sure about the bacon sangers, but it was a bit of a struggle to get going again after lunch. I never even thought of looking for the Readymix logo, had forgotten all about it. Next time.

[Capn Bloggs]

Geoscience Australia aka (Oz) Runway still has it:

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Xclnt Mr 'GB',

The last time I was there was on a charter from KG to CAG, around '82, also in a 210, to service the new diesel genset.

As a 'freeebee' I took the guys the 12nm to the S to view the 300ft cliffs - and, they did enjoy the spectacle, as we did a 'scenic' along the Bight for a while then set hdg for KG....

A luvly day!! And very 'speccy'....

Cheers

[Ex FSO GRIFFO]

Hey 'Pinky',

I heard from the TL refueller's wife in the shower this morning, that you may get a 'knock on the door' for the return of 'gummint property'......Soon......

Cheers

[On eyre]

Ex FSO GRIFFO - and exactly what were you doing in the shower with the TL refueller's wife ? Keep it clean now .... Oh you were .. sorry.