Calling all aerial survey pilots
Thread Starter
Thanks to everyone who has posted a response or sent me a PM. I will respond individually as I process all of the contributions.
Taily, your B-17 is on the list along with a Bruce Hoy photo:
F-BEEA
Rgds
Taily, your B-17 is on the list along with a Bruce Hoy photo:
F-BEEA
Rgds
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Australia
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In the early sixties as an apprentice aircraft fitter, I was involved in the instalation of a Wilde vertcal camera and a drift sight in a Piper Aztec VH- FWH operated by James Air Charter. Unfortunately I have no information to add as to whom the possible user may have been or whether any contracts were fulfilled. It was certainly flight tested.
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY
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In 1967 Jack Masling (Cootamundra) hired his C310B VH-TTM to a Sydney
survey company, (Retalick?), who fitted a magnetometer. The initial work was done in the Blackstone Range region of WA just west of Surveyor-Generals Corner. The pilot was an American, the late Lane Morrow.
survey company, (Retalick?), who fitted a magnetometer. The initial work was done in the Blackstone Range region of WA just west of Surveyor-Generals Corner. The pilot was an American, the late Lane Morrow.
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Beech Duke VH IFD was operated by Kevron Aerial Surveys during the 80s. Also Queen Air CTE saw service with Kevrons at the same time.
IFD had a large aux tank fitted into the nose compartment (240l from memory).
We flew it to Asia a number of times and when full of gear and fuel we were always appreciative of the curvature of the earth for takeoffs. Whilst it looked like it was doing 100 mph standing still it was one of two aircraft ( the other was an Islander) that when the throttles were closed for landing the drag forced you forward into your straps.
IFD had a large aux tank fitted into the nose compartment (240l from memory).
We flew it to Asia a number of times and when full of gear and fuel we were always appreciative of the curvature of the earth for takeoffs. Whilst it looked like it was doing 100 mph standing still it was one of two aircraft ( the other was an Islander) that when the throttles were closed for landing the drag forced you forward into your straps.
Was that You in IFD ex KG, one day, on climb to FL's, when the #@*& heater wouldn't work, and you were *$#^ freezin', so you returned to KG., and when you called 'On descent inbound', you 'was politely informed' that we already KNEW THAT, as your mic was 'open' ....and had been for the whole of the climb..??
We knew all about the status of your *&#@ heater.....and your feet!!
Cheers
We knew all about the status of your *&#@ heater.....and your feet!!
Cheers
Join Date: Jun 2012
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Airesearch Mapping, Eight Mile Plains, Brissy.
Airesearch VH-SUV & AEA. A56TC Barrons. Had both of them up to FL280 many a time. Full military diluter demand oxy systems. Michael Costello was my navvy. Top lad and a great systems operator.
Join Date: Jan 2005
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What a memory you have Griffo...but honest and for true that wasn't me, but I do know who it was, however I still took a lot of well meaning crap from many many of you FSO characters for the sins of the other 2 guys.
The heaters were a lingering source of malcontent from IFD and KPY the turbo baron. We regularly flew them for long periods above FL250 with the heater not functioning properly and I can tell you it got colder than a mother in laws kiss.
I remember landing in Alice Springs after one such event and all 3 of us subsequently collapsing on the tarmac with jelly legs. That night we presented at the hospital with self diagnosed suspected frost bite but much to our disappointment we were diagnosed as being pissed and told to bugger off.
So much for compassion in the local health system.
I fully support the decision of those guys to return to Kal, open mike or not.
The heaters were a lingering source of malcontent from IFD and KPY the turbo baron. We regularly flew them for long periods above FL250 with the heater not functioning properly and I can tell you it got colder than a mother in laws kiss.
I remember landing in Alice Springs after one such event and all 3 of us subsequently collapsing on the tarmac with jelly legs. That night we presented at the hospital with self diagnosed suspected frost bite but much to our disappointment we were diagnosed as being pissed and told to bugger off.
So much for compassion in the local health system.
I fully support the decision of those guys to return to Kal, open mike or not.
Thread Starter
I have uploaded most of the contributions received via this thread. If your aircraft isn't on the list yet please check for a PM. Some are subject to ongoing research e.g. the Unionair Queen Airs. While I realise that the project will never be complete we now have 313 aircraft on the list. Thanks to all who responded. Please keep them coming.
The Big List
The Big List
Join Date: Mar 2013
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DH89 Rapide
Hey Frisbee Fairing,
In 1959 at Cootamundra I took a few photos of VH-AAG DH89 Rapide, operated by Alpine Airways of Cooma doing local aerial photo surveys.
Am an ex-survey pilot & navigator myself - can tell you more and also send you some images.
Ben
[email protected]
In 1959 at Cootamundra I took a few photos of VH-AAG DH89 Rapide, operated by Alpine Airways of Cooma doing local aerial photo surveys.
Am an ex-survey pilot & navigator myself - can tell you more and also send you some images.
Ben
[email protected]
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: First tin shed on the left,,,
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The big list!
OK, there was C208B VH-NWT set up for mag work in Perth for a job over the Mekong Delta in Vietnam. Ferried via Hedland, Bali, Kuching, Seletar direct Ho Chi Minh City.
It would have been July to September 07.
I believe it went back there at a later date to do more work in the same area.
It would have been July to September 07.
I believe it went back there at a later date to do more work in the same area.
Last edited by zac21; 4th May 2013 at 06:54.
I took VH-EPF up to Taiwan last year. It was a Vlcanair P68 Turbo that was fitted up at Airborne Technologies in Austria before being ferried to Moorabbin where the Taiwanese pilots were type checked.
May technically be ineligible for inclusion as it didn't do any work (other than the test and calibration runs in Austria) before it went onto the Taiwanese register.
May technically be ineligible for inclusion as it didn't do any work (other than the test and calibration runs in Austria) before it went onto the Taiwanese register.
anothery...
MapMakers Turbo Aztec VH-COC used to come down to fly jobs in Oz, late 60s/early 70s. Boorooloola/McCarthur River area, Cape York and Qld map sheets, I remember.
After independence in '75 was P2-COC and later P2 -MAP.
Also back again prior to MM getting TU 206 SIB from SIL in 1977/8? for Oz ops. Finally went off flying on its own in the Jan 1986 super storm in BNE. Vale SIByl.!
You sure used to freeze yr bits off at FL250 siting behind that Wild RC8 and camera hole!
Aahh..the good old days...!
Qasco also had a Turbo Aztec in PNG...AYY ??...have some air to air pics of it near the Bena Gap somewhere. AEA Turbo Baron, mentioned elsewhere, was there for a while also.
After independence in '75 was P2-COC and later P2 -MAP.
Also back again prior to MM getting TU 206 SIB from SIL in 1977/8? for Oz ops. Finally went off flying on its own in the Jan 1986 super storm in BNE. Vale SIByl.!
You sure used to freeze yr bits off at FL250 siting behind that Wild RC8 and camera hole!
Aahh..the good old days...!
Qasco also had a Turbo Aztec in PNG...AYY ??...have some air to air pics of it near the Bena Gap somewhere. AEA Turbo Baron, mentioned elsewhere, was there for a while also.
And another biggie...
B17 got a mention.
In late 60s/early 70s there was a DC 6B set up with side- scan radar and the images came out on a processsed roll 'on the fly'. Heaps of room for all that gear in such a big bird. Shown thru it at POM.
N number ?? Might have a pic some place.
In the mountainous terrain of PNG lots of "shadow" to be looked into on a later pass.
I believe it came on to Oz to fly areas here, later. Can anyone confirm that?
World Wide Surveys????
In late 60s/early 70s there was a DC 6B
set up with side- scan radar and the images came out on a processsed roll 'on the fly'. Heaps of room for all that gear in such a big bird. Shown thru it at POM.N number ?? Might have a pic some place.
In the mountainous terrain of PNG lots of "shadow" to be looked into on a later pass.
I believe it came on to Oz to fly areas here, later. Can anyone confirm that?
World Wide Surveys????
DC 6
FBF...Yep, thats her. The neurons nearly had it right with the W anyway, but..Westinghouse. There was a World Wide Surveys in the picture somewhere?...now where/what did they operate?
I think the sound of run ups and the take-off of the DC 6 has to be the ultimate "sky music"...equalled only by a passing Lancaster.
Four on the roar...magic.!
Or the same thing ..two Mosquitos in TIGHT formation, tucked up together,
back from target towing for Vampire gunnery students. Exeter. UK .1961.
Good to see an ex survey Mossie about to get back in the air in Canada.
For Oz..I wish !
I think the sound of run ups and the take-off of the DC 6 has to be the ultimate "sky music"...equalled only by a passing Lancaster.
Four on the roar...magic.!
Or the same thing ..two Mosquitos in TIGHT formation, tucked up together,
back from target towing for Vampire gunnery students. Exeter. UK .1961.
Good to see an ex survey Mossie about to get back in the air in Canada.
For Oz..I wish !