Vale Billy Vincent
I have stayed out of this thread until now, and I don't recall if Billy used this in his book or it is one of the numerous stories that he didn't use.However, he did tell me one day many years ago that he was in the 185 coming back from Trefoil Island when he spotted, on one of the long flat straight roads to the west north west of Smithton, a quite distinctive sedan owned by one of his fishing mates who would have had the car filled with his crew. Deciding to give them the fright of their lives he quietly circled back, lined them up along the road and decided to sneak up behind them at low power, pop up over the top of their roof and drop down in front of them onto his main wheels, throttle up and soar away. As he got into position just behind them he found he was sinking and banged on the power. The sudden blast of engine noise inside the car certainly frightened them, but what really terrified them was the sudden shadow overhead and then the roof bending down following the impact of a 8.50 x 6 tyre. The car wandered of the road and ended up in a ditch, relatively undamaged, When Bill circled back over the vehicle he saw the full complement standing on the road dancing up and down, mouths opening and closing as they shook their fists at him. On the five minute flight to Smithton Billy decided he had only two options. He could land and get the truck and tow them out, but they were big burly fisherman who were very annoyed and he was quite small. The other option was to land at Smithton, fill up with fuel and head for Victoria until things cooled down. He chose the latter but it was at least a week and many phone calls before he could safely return.
Last edited by flywatcher; 1st Aug 2016 at 05:27.
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Just found this thread.
I have a signed copy of his book one I will treasure.
My first flight in the co-pilot seat was as a small child with Billy, later I had the pleasure of doing some casual work for him.
We went off on my first day to airdrop some supplies to the Allistons as he showed me the strips and beaches also tidal flats I would use.
My first landing back in Smithton in a fully laden 206, ERM was not pretty bouncing my way down the strip in front of his eagle eye. All I got from him was laughter and advice I'll learn as he disappeared into the office leaving me very red faced to go and try it again.
More than once in the future I would call and ask advice on a stip or something else.
If Billy wasn't around Frank always had some advice even though we were the opposition.
Frank never recommended the Duck river ILS Billy showed me.
I did try VFR a few times. Even though it worked I thought the better of using it for real.
Sitting up the front of a wide body over some foreign country in the middle of the night I wonder if that wasn't some of the best flying of my career
I have a signed copy of his book one I will treasure.
My first flight in the co-pilot seat was as a small child with Billy, later I had the pleasure of doing some casual work for him.
We went off on my first day to airdrop some supplies to the Allistons as he showed me the strips and beaches also tidal flats I would use.
My first landing back in Smithton in a fully laden 206, ERM was not pretty bouncing my way down the strip in front of his eagle eye. All I got from him was laughter and advice I'll learn as he disappeared into the office leaving me very red faced to go and try it again.
More than once in the future I would call and ask advice on a stip or something else.
If Billy wasn't around Frank always had some advice even though we were the opposition.
Frank never recommended the Duck river ILS Billy showed me.
I did try VFR a few times. Even though it worked I thought the better of using it for real.
Sitting up the front of a wide body over some foreign country in the middle of the night I wonder if that wasn't some of the best flying of my career
Sitting in the old Alliston homestead on Three Hummock Island as I write this it is hard to not feel the nostalgia for the old days of Smithton and Bill and Frank and the Allistons. There is a lot of history in this place and some of the Alliston possessions still remain on the island including a huge book collection. As I gaze at the homestead wood stove, I recall the story of Billy delivering it and what a hassle 400 odd kg of wood stove was in a 206.
Another story the Allistons told me about Billy was the day they waited for their Christmas mail. Billy, being in a hurry attempted to drop the mail bag from the air. Unfortunately the bag lodged between the strut and the air frame. Knowing how important the Christmas mail was, Billy then attempted to land to dislodge the mail and deliver it in person.
Unfortunately, during the circuit, the mail dislodged itself and fell into the scrub surrounding the homestead strip. Days and months ensued while all and sundry searched for the missing Christmas mail. To this day it has never been found.
Another story the Allistons told me about Billy was the day they waited for their Christmas mail. Billy, being in a hurry attempted to drop the mail bag from the air. Unfortunately the bag lodged between the strut and the air frame. Knowing how important the Christmas mail was, Billy then attempted to land to dislodge the mail and deliver it in person.
Unfortunately, during the circuit, the mail dislodged itself and fell into the scrub surrounding the homestead strip. Days and months ensued while all and sundry searched for the missing Christmas mail. To this day it has never been found.
