Beech 18 in HIR
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Beech 18 in HIR
What has happened to the Beech 18 that was languishing at Henderson? On a few recent trips there I haven't seen it - is it now finally doing some flying?
Mate of mine (not Tuddy) said he is buying ATX and sure enough she's now sitting in Cessnock.
His mother took the props off to stop him racking up Avgas bills. Good thing his L39 doesn't have a prop, eh?
His mother took the props off to stop him racking up Avgas bills. Good thing his L39 doesn't have a prop, eh?
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Down33gr33ns, you will have noticed its been there for over 18 months.
The Beech 18 (BE18) in Honiara is VH-CII, model is E18S.
Formerly residing at Caboolture and Bundaberg.
A check of the register shows its owned by Bob Keys, a former CX 747 skipper, and more recently of Palau Paradise Air fame.
It is operating on an interim AOC as Solomon Sea Planes, in association with Coral Sea Express from Solomon Islands.
Sol Sea Planes intended to take on Solomon Airlines on their domestic routes, but so far it has managed about 3 charters,
with probably at least one not being paid for.
The BE18 is performance limited to only a handful of the domestic strips.
It was to be the spearhead of a fleet of aircraft, including a Grumman Goose, 2 Bandits, and a Cessna 310.
A strange fleet, for strips best suited for Twin Otters and Islanders.
The reason for the recent absence was a sales trip to Bougainville to set up an airline for Bougainville, a google search will reveal some details.
You should see the monument back in place on your next trip.
The Beech 18 (BE18) in Honiara is VH-CII, model is E18S.
Formerly residing at Caboolture and Bundaberg.
A check of the register shows its owned by Bob Keys, a former CX 747 skipper, and more recently of Palau Paradise Air fame.
It is operating on an interim AOC as Solomon Sea Planes, in association with Coral Sea Express from Solomon Islands.
Sol Sea Planes intended to take on Solomon Airlines on their domestic routes, but so far it has managed about 3 charters,
with probably at least one not being paid for.
The BE18 is performance limited to only a handful of the domestic strips.
It was to be the spearhead of a fleet of aircraft, including a Grumman Goose, 2 Bandits, and a Cessna 310.
A strange fleet, for strips best suited for Twin Otters and Islanders.
The reason for the recent absence was a sales trip to Bougainville to set up an airline for Bougainville, a google search will reveal some details.
You should see the monument back in place on your next trip.
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VH-ATX
Hi,
I unfortunatley know what happened to ATX. I had flown several hours in her while she was based on the east coast of Oz. It was contracted to a place up in WA somewhere (perhaps it was Geraldton) but didn't fly enough hrs to justify the owner holding on to it.
Someone is correct in saying the aircraft had 2 time X props and I think an engine was removed for what reason I'm not sure. A dispensation was sourced for the props and the aircraft was flown back to BBN where it has now been sold, to whom and where I'm not too sure.
I have fond memories of spending ages sitting on the wing pumping in 1200 litres of avgas in for big trips to distant airshows then looking down the runway hoping our T/O calcs were all ok!
I unfortunatley know what happened to ATX. I had flown several hours in her while she was based on the east coast of Oz. It was contracted to a place up in WA somewhere (perhaps it was Geraldton) but didn't fly enough hrs to justify the owner holding on to it.
Someone is correct in saying the aircraft had 2 time X props and I think an engine was removed for what reason I'm not sure. A dispensation was sourced for the props and the aircraft was flown back to BBN where it has now been sold, to whom and where I'm not too sure.
I have fond memories of spending ages sitting on the wing pumping in 1200 litres of avgas in for big trips to distant airshows then looking down the runway hoping our T/O calcs were all ok!
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Tuddy seemed to know a lot about the aircraft and what it needed. He also said he was trying to source props ect from air whitsunday.
maybe a partnership with your mate.
maybe a partnership with your mate.
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Bobby Dazzler,
Spot on with the CV580, forgot about that.
The Bandits were inspected, but no cash no splash.
The seaplane, the Grumman Goose, has been in Wangaratta from the outset,
rumour has it there are 300,000 reasons why it hasn't been picked up yet.
Spot on with the CV580, forgot about that.
The Bandits were inspected, but no cash no splash.
The seaplane, the Grumman Goose, has been in Wangaratta from the outset,
rumour has it there are 300,000 reasons why it hasn't been picked up yet.
A bit off the topic,where is VH-SAU theses days that machine has a bit of history behind it I seem to recall.
Can you still get avgas easily in the Solomons these days ? Re the Bandits,they wouldn't be coming from Goroko by any chance as big Mal has a bit of a grave yard happening up there.
Can you still get avgas easily in the Solomons these days ? Re the Bandits,they wouldn't be coming from Goroko by any chance as big Mal has a bit of a grave yard happening up there.
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Waghi, AVGAS is available in HIR- not sure how "easy" it is though. Can get it through South Pacific Oil (I think "Shell" is written on their trucks). Solomon Airlines still run an Islander, and the odd piston visitor/ferry comes through.
Drums could be shipped from HIR to the outer islands if you needed them there too.
Drums could be shipped from HIR to the outer islands if you needed them there too.
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WW, VH-SAU is privately owned in Victoria, I believe.
BK has 2 x Bandits registered to him on VH.
How many Bandits would be at Goroka ?, can't seem to find any photos of them on the net.
BK has 2 x Bandits registered to him on VH.
How many Bandits would be at Goroka ?, can't seem to find any photos of them on the net.
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Always check before planning an avgas fuel stop in Honiara. Sometimes the calculation of anticipated usage breaks down, -or it wasn't ordered-, and drum stock imported from Malaysia, or at short notice from Brisbane, runs out. You wouldn't want to be grounded there for the best part of a month waiting for the next shipment to arrive. You can ring SP Oil and get them to confirm a couple of drums for your requirement, but little is held or used now.