Belfast in Cairns
Is that the aircraft that Hinterland engineers (I think) used to do engine runs on every month or so? Something to do with the owner one day coming and flying away in it
Had the misfortune to sit next to him about 12 months ago on a PX flight from POM to CNS.
He was dressed in well worn blue slacks, crumpled white pilot shirt, with a pair of epaulettes in left hand shirt pocket, positioned so that 4 gold bars were appropriately visible through the shirt material. Longish silver grey hair.
I didn't say anything to start with until he filled out his 'incoming' card and stated his profession was an 'airline pilot'.
He openly brags about the apparent wrongful arrest and jailing with no prompting what so ever. Of course it's not his fault the Chieftain is dormant at Cairns, always other peoples fault.
He was dressed in well worn blue slacks, crumpled white pilot shirt, with a pair of epaulettes in left hand shirt pocket, positioned so that 4 gold bars were appropriately visible through the shirt material. Longish silver grey hair.
I didn't say anything to start with until he filled out his 'incoming' card and stated his profession was an 'airline pilot'.
He openly brags about the apparent wrongful arrest and jailing with no prompting what so ever. Of course it's not his fault the Chieftain is dormant at Cairns, always other peoples fault.
IFL air show abt a month ago... Dak in bits to be seen across the strip from the Aero Club FNQAM interested in it.
Belfast still there intact last week...will check again next week.
Belfast still there intact last week...will check again next week.
Man Bilong Balus long PNG
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Unfortunately, now back in 'the real world' of Australia, as all good things must eventually come to an end. Looking forward to returning to Japan next year, but in the meantime continuing the never ending search for a bad bottle of Red!
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Just out of curiosity; Anyone know when was the last time that Chieftain (AFW) flew?
Pinky,
Very long time ago when Chieftain last flew; so much so it does not even appear on FlightAware as a listed aircraft.
Fred Martens operated the aircraft in PNG on a "questionable" flying doctor service. The registered address is Fred's 'pile' in Mareeba, Qld; but the aircraft has always been registered as an operator in his brother's name since 2004 at a different address.
If you try and match up the two names; Martens was a Wheatley before the family chucked him out back in the 1970's and Fred changed his name. Fred used to hoon around Berwick in those days in an Aztec from memory. Not the smartest bunch, young brother had to go to USA to get a CPL. The Aussie systems was too challenging.
If you can get hold of a copy of the centre fold magazine that forms part of the weekend Australian, many years ago there was an article on Fred and his brother. Fred has always claimed the Government settled with him in strict secrecy and that's why there is no 'hansard' data available.... You'll piss yourself laughing if you get to read the story!
Very long time ago when Chieftain last flew; so much so it does not even appear on FlightAware as a listed aircraft.
Fred Martens operated the aircraft in PNG on a "questionable" flying doctor service. The registered address is Fred's 'pile' in Mareeba, Qld; but the aircraft has always been registered as an operator in his brother's name since 2004 at a different address.
If you try and match up the two names; Martens was a Wheatley before the family chucked him out back in the 1970's and Fred changed his name. Fred used to hoon around Berwick in those days in an Aztec from memory. Not the smartest bunch, young brother had to go to USA to get a CPL. The Aussie systems was too challenging.
If you can get hold of a copy of the centre fold magazine that forms part of the weekend Australian, many years ago there was an article on Fred and his brother. Fred has always claimed the Government settled with him in strict secrecy and that's why there is no 'hansard' data available.... You'll piss yourself laughing if you get to read the story!
Last edited by Kagamuga; 13th Dec 2019 at 05:44. Reason: spelling
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Sitting n the sun and aging gracefully.
In it's day probably would have made a good water tanker/fire bomber.....
Cairns airport has not go the balls to tear it up, there is a derelict C208 Caravan there from Green Island swim club, Piper Navajo Chieftain associated with Fred Marten's the convicted child crim (apologies if the verdict has been reversed) and registered in his brothers name.
There is a recent addition to the graveyard a Cessna C340. Rotten old Aero Commander and other bits and pieces.
In it's day probably would have made a good water tanker/fire bomber.....
Cairns airport has not go the balls to tear it up, there is a derelict C208 Caravan there from Green Island swim club, Piper Navajo Chieftain associated with Fred Marten's the convicted child crim (apologies if the verdict has been reversed) and registered in his brothers name.
There is a recent addition to the graveyard a Cessna C340. Rotten old Aero Commander and other bits and pieces.
[QUOTE=Office Update;11267155]Engineering team working on Belfast to return to flight status.
Good progress being made.[/QUOTE
I smell some novel scam here.
It has no hope of ever flying legally. It has little historical value - unless lemons make for good history - so it’s not even worth the cost to ferry to a museum. And good luck with a ferry permit, even on RP rego, even with brown paper bags under the desk. It would be a very courageous official who would sign it off. Crew recency? Insurance? Payment of outstanding airport charges before release?
Engineer time would be better utilised stripping all the toxic stuff out of it so that it can be towed out to sea and used as a dive wreck.
Good progress being made.[/QUOTE
I smell some novel scam here.
It has no hope of ever flying legally. It has little historical value - unless lemons make for good history - so it’s not even worth the cost to ferry to a museum. And good luck with a ferry permit, even on RP rego, even with brown paper bags under the desk. It would be a very courageous official who would sign it off. Crew recency? Insurance? Payment of outstanding airport charges before release?
Engineer time would be better utilised stripping all the toxic stuff out of it so that it can be towed out to sea and used as a dive wreck.
Visting Cairns yesterday from down south.
Saw the Belfast, magnificent aircraft.
Engineer working on aircraft said almost ready for engine runs, looked to have new tyres, brakes, oleo struts etc
Saw the Belfast, magnificent aircraft.
Engineer working on aircraft said almost ready for engine runs, looked to have new tyres, brakes, oleo struts etc
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