Fate of ex Aman Aviation AC-690's?
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Fate of ex Aman Aviation AC-690's?
Hey there,
I recently chatted to a guy here in the US that was involved in ferrying the Turbo Commander 690's out to oz in 1987 for Aman Aviation.
They came from a company in Portland, Maine.
Apart from the one sitting in the scrub in the NT, does anybody know what became of these rigs?
I suspect some of them wound up flying for Tamair but not really sure.
Cheers all.
I recently chatted to a guy here in the US that was involved in ferrying the Turbo Commander 690's out to oz in 1987 for Aman Aviation.
They came from a company in Portland, Maine.
Apart from the one sitting in the scrub in the NT, does anybody know what became of these rigs?
I suspect some of them wound up flying for Tamair but not really sure.
Cheers all.
One ended up as a wreck at YMMB I think and there could be something at the Darwin Air Museum although that could be something else I think. Correct, there was also a wreck at the old graveyard at Darwin many years ago which certainly isn’t there today. Could have been what ended up over at the museum????
They also had an A36 Bonanza that I recall working on as an apprentice at Essendon back when it was all happening.
They also had an A36 Bonanza that I recall working on as an apprentice at Essendon back when it was all happening.
I think the name was Amman Aviation.
VH-KRA - Used for fire fighting at Mackay airport.
VH-NYD - WFU at Darwin.
VH-NYC - Cancelled 2014.
VH-YJP - Cancelled 2010.
VH-NYH -Aviation Heritage Museum, Darwin.
VH-NBT - Believed to be current.
VH-KRA - Used for fire fighting at Mackay airport.
VH-NYD - WFU at Darwin.
VH-NYC - Cancelled 2014.
VH-YJP - Cancelled 2010.
VH-NYH -Aviation Heritage Museum, Darwin.
VH-NBT - Believed to be current.
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Wasn’t he the guy who won the first surveillance contract, had many adjusted start dates and eventually died and withered on the vine. Didn’t he own a few bits if earth moving equipment?
BTW VH KRA was a commander owned by King Ranch of Texas which I think owned VRD in the Territory but corporately were based in Sydney.
Last edited by wombat watcher; 20th Sep 2018 at 10:54.
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Didn’t he own a few bits if earth moving equipment?
As I recall he did have such a business. I was involved in getting some of the aircraft onto the register and we had all sorts of problems because there had been no real homework done regarding the then regulatory importing requirements. A great shame as Rob was a top bloke as I recall .. all a long time ago, now, of course.
I think it fair to suggest that a lot of things were going on in the background and Rob just wasn't quick enough to counter the devil doers.
As I recall he did have such a business. I was involved in getting some of the aircraft onto the register and we had all sorts of problems because there had been no real homework done regarding the then regulatory importing requirements. A great shame as Rob was a top bloke as I recall .. all a long time ago, now, of course.
I think it fair to suggest that a lot of things were going on in the background and Rob just wasn't quick enough to counter the devil doers.
Bob Amman was a good bloke. He used to borrow the radio from my C150L to use in his C150.
The were both parked at Camden.
Getting tied up with Joe Gostner,- ( an instructor at Camden Aero Club), was something that didn't work out too well.
The were both parked at Camden.
Getting tied up with Joe Gostner,- ( an instructor at Camden Aero Club), was something that didn't work out too well.
Wombat,
KRA was a piston Commander 680 and owned by King Ranch Australia, part of King Ranch in Texas.
The Commander was replaced by a Merlin II VH-KRG. The King Ranch properties were, Mt House Station in the Kimberly's, Brunette Downs on the Barkly tablelands, King Ranch Tully, and the world famous garden in Bowral NSW. The Bailleu family were part of the Australian holding at the time.
The aviation division of King Ranch, Australia was managed by the late John Cooke, of Nicol-Cooke Australia, they were also the Lockheed agents at the time amongst others
KRA was a piston Commander 680 and owned by King Ranch Australia, part of King Ranch in Texas.
The Commander was replaced by a Merlin II VH-KRG. The King Ranch properties were, Mt House Station in the Kimberly's, Brunette Downs on the Barkly tablelands, King Ranch Tully, and the world famous garden in Bowral NSW. The Bailleu family were part of the Australian holding at the time.
The aviation division of King Ranch, Australia was managed by the late John Cooke, of Nicol-Cooke Australia, they were also the Lockheed agents at the time amongst others
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Wombat,
KRA was a piston Commander 680 and owned by King Ranch Australia, part of King Ranch in Texas.
The Commander was replaced by a Merlin II VH-KRG. The King Ranch properties were, Mt House Station in the Kimberly's, Brunette Downs on the Barkly tablelands, King Ranch Tully, and the world famous garden in Bowral NSW. The Bailleu family were part of the Australian holding at the time.
The aviation division of King Ranch, Australia was managed by the late John Cooke, of Nicol-Cooke Australia, they were also the Lockheed agents at the time amongst others
KRA was a piston Commander 680 and owned by King Ranch Australia, part of King Ranch in Texas.
The Commander was replaced by a Merlin II VH-KRG. The King Ranch properties were, Mt House Station in the Kimberly's, Brunette Downs on the Barkly tablelands, King Ranch Tully, and the world famous garden in Bowral NSW. The Bailleu family were part of the Australian holding at the time.
The aviation division of King Ranch, Australia was managed by the late John Cooke, of Nicol-Cooke Australia, they were also the Lockheed agents at the time amongst others
OK, Brunette Downs.
As a young pilot stooging around western Queensland, one would come across, KRA, or a very flash C310 belonging to the Goonoo Goonoo Pastoral company near Tamworth, or ABH a Lockheed 12A owned by Dr Tony Fisher on its way to his property near Lawn Hill or UNB, Westernair’s ugly Beagle. Cessna 402s and Merlin were yet to debut in Australia.
i could only aspire to fly one of these one day.
Re. KRA, you left out Bugilbone Station, their Santa Gertrudis stud, I used the strip often "back in the day", when Edenmore was wet. Anybody remember the name of the chap who flew the KRA 680F most of the time??
Tootle pip!!
PS: How many of you can pronounce Goonoo Goonoo correctly??
Last edited by LeadSled; 21st Sep 2018 at 04:53. Reason: ps added