Vale: Jimmy Williams
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Vale: Jimmy Williams
A popular Aviator and LAME at Albury for many years, with a Bird Dog on floats, passed away this week after a long illness. He will be missed.
Jimmy was a wonderful, decent human being and one of the best when it came to maintaining fabric aircraft. He was also a perfectionist when working on any other aircraft, no matter the type.
A huge loss to GA.
A huge loss to GA.
Yes, will be missed by many in float land, warbirds, antiquers and SAAA.
I was fortunate to go for a ride in Birddog XVN many years ago - before it gained altitude on floats.
Jim told me about the early float testing he did on Lake Hume, with Carolyn overhead in the 150 providing a radio relay to Albury Tower.
Carolyn comes on the radio "James, tower says the Coast Guard wants to talk to you when you get back."
So back they go and Jim calls the number (volunteer coast guard there, yes).
On the front foot "I want to speak to your Admiral at once!"
- ah...we don't have an Admiral???
"Put me on to your Chief Petty Officer then!"
- ah...we don't have a Chief Petty Officer...
"Well put me on to someone in charge there!"
Hello, how can I help you?
"I was flying the floatplane on the Hume, whaddaya want?"
Oh, we had reports of a plane landing on the water..
"Yes, AND?"
-well they were worried that you were going to crash into the dam wall!
"Listen, if I hit the dam wall, all you'd find is a big smudge and a whole lot of bubbles. Will that be all?"
-Ah, yes... I guess so....
Geeze he was a character. Carolyn passed away about 18 months or so ago from the big C. Both were solid gold people. Now reunited.
I was fortunate to go for a ride in Birddog XVN many years ago - before it gained altitude on floats.
Jim told me about the early float testing he did on Lake Hume, with Carolyn overhead in the 150 providing a radio relay to Albury Tower.
Carolyn comes on the radio "James, tower says the Coast Guard wants to talk to you when you get back."
So back they go and Jim calls the number (volunteer coast guard there, yes).
On the front foot "I want to speak to your Admiral at once!"
- ah...we don't have an Admiral???
"Put me on to your Chief Petty Officer then!"
- ah...we don't have a Chief Petty Officer...
"Well put me on to someone in charge there!"
Hello, how can I help you?
"I was flying the floatplane on the Hume, whaddaya want?"
Oh, we had reports of a plane landing on the water..
"Yes, AND?"
-well they were worried that you were going to crash into the dam wall!
"Listen, if I hit the dam wall, all you'd find is a big smudge and a whole lot of bubbles. Will that be all?"
-Ah, yes... I guess so....
Geeze he was a character. Carolyn passed away about 18 months or so ago from the big C. Both were solid gold people. Now reunited.
