Caribous and Iroquois
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Caribous and Iroquois
Two aircraft types that will not die. Caribous and Iroquois deploying to the Solomons. This means in terms of Airforce aircraft in the last 6 months that elements of 10,11,36,37,38 and 75 SQN (and other hornet SQNs) have deployed in P3s,C130H and J,F/A-18 and DHC-4 aircraft. Last one out turn off the lights.
From ADF Media site.
A troop of four Army Iroquois helicopters from Oakey, Queensland. The Australian Iroquois utility helicopters, together with a section of similar helicopters from New Zealand will carry out a wide range of tasks including reconnaissance, troop transport, medical evacuation and transport of stores and equipment to the more remote areas.
An air element of two Caribou aircraft and crew from Amberley and Townsville for airlift support.
From ADF Media site.
A troop of four Army Iroquois helicopters from Oakey, Queensland. The Australian Iroquois utility helicopters, together with a section of similar helicopters from New Zealand will carry out a wide range of tasks including reconnaissance, troop transport, medical evacuation and transport of stores and equipment to the more remote areas.
An air element of two Caribou aircraft and crew from Amberley and Townsville for airlift support.
Join Date: May 2002
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Go the mighty Bou! Best aircraft ever built.
Can't say the same for the Iroquois, flown by overated rotor heads. Never trust an aircraft that is always trying to throw away its wings. So Ugly the Earth repels it, whereas the Bou is a thing of true beauty, grace and performance.
Signed
A slightly biased ex 35SQN Bou Driver.
Can't say the same for the Iroquois, flown by overated rotor heads. Never trust an aircraft that is always trying to throw away its wings. So Ugly the Earth repels it, whereas the Bou is a thing of true beauty, grace and performance.
Signed
A slightly biased ex 35SQN Bou Driver.
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The Bou must now have been in Oz service for nearly 40 years
The original RED Rat (Wallaby Airlines in SVN)
My ears are still ringing although I haven't been in one since 1970!!
The best truck to do deliveries from but wasn't to keen on mortars though.
As for the woca-woca's, they are still going inspite of their age, ugly looks and their strange manner of addressing the laws of physics.
Disco Stu
Now if only I could get back all my hair that got stuck in the static cable in the Bou's.
The original RED Rat (Wallaby Airlines in SVN)
My ears are still ringing although I haven't been in one since 1970!!
The best truck to do deliveries from but wasn't to keen on mortars though.
As for the woca-woca's, they are still going inspite of their age, ugly looks and their strange manner of addressing the laws of physics.
Disco Stu
Now if only I could get back all my hair that got stuck in the static cable in the Bou's.
Must be the drag formula that your nickname refers to, halfrhovsquared, given the amount of it that lurks around those 29 (?) control surfaces, not to mention the rest of the airframe!
I'm afraid I can't let your typical fixed wing dick sledging go unchallenged.
As they say in the classics, if your wings don't rotate, you take it up the date...
Having said that, I must add that I have great respect for the Bou too, having gone to the dark side for a few years before returning to the nirvana of phling-wing phlying.
I'm afraid I can't let your typical fixed wing dick sledging go unchallenged.
As they say in the classics, if your wings don't rotate, you take it up the date...
Having said that, I must add that I have great respect for the Bou too, having gone to the dark side for a few years before returning to the nirvana of phling-wing phlying.
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I have actually seen a fixed-wing aircraft fly backwards.
As an ant,on camp at RIC, watching a Bou do a STOL approach the short little grass cross-strip they had back then, into a reasonable headwind. Full flaps, the lot, barely making ground. Then a stronger gust came in and the thing actually retreated about a body-length. Then cam fun & games with the p1ssaphone and stories of hanging over the back with arses out, fertilising the land below... though I suspect my legs were being pulled on that one.
As for rear-end birdstrikes, the Catalina would be a candidate for that as well.
As an ant,on camp at RIC, watching a Bou do a STOL approach the short little grass cross-strip they had back then, into a reasonable headwind. Full flaps, the lot, barely making ground. Then a stronger gust came in and the thing actually retreated about a body-length. Then cam fun & games with the p1ssaphone and stories of hanging over the back with arses out, fertilising the land below... though I suspect my legs were being pulled on that one.
As for rear-end birdstrikes, the Catalina would be a candidate for that as well.
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I saw a 'bou land - and stop - on the piano keys one day at Richmond. There was a 40 knot wind blowing and it was the final practice day for the '70 or '71 airshow. I think Al Field was flying the Caribou display.
I was at the holding point for 10 and Al literally 'put it on the keys' - and stayed there. Quite impressive, but that *** wind played merry hell with the poor sods doing the aero displays.
I was at the holding point for 10 and Al literally 'put it on the keys' - and stayed there. Quite impressive, but that *** wind played merry hell with the poor sods doing the aero displays.
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Well Guys,
As we are recalling our Caribou days in the RAAF:
I remember being on detachment in 38SQN DET A, in Port Moresby, when a couple of Caribous overnighted on their delivery flight from Canada, with the entire cargo area full of bladder fuel tanks, had to exit via the port side escape hatch!
Just after I left Moresby, in '69, I think, they crashed one in the Highlands attempting a very difficult landing!
Whilst working on the flight line at 38Sqn in Richmond, a Caribou doing a post 'D' Servicing test flight had BOTH MLG legs jam in the wells after TO, (because the mechanical brackets had been installed back-to-front). They flew around for some time to burn off fuel (no dumping capability), extended the NLG leg with the emergency 'air' bottle, lowered the ramp door, and landed it on a foam path on the main runway. By that time, the road running next to the runway was packed with people and the news media.
The pilot was, at the time, the oldest FlgOff in the RAAF, named "Father" May. New ramp door and lower UHF antenna, fixed the problem and away she went!
I visited the Caloundra Air Museum (just north of Brisbane), a couple of weeks ago, and there was an ex-38Sqn DHC4 Caribou in the display yard, awaiting full re-assembly, etc - really brought back memories.
I was an Airframe Ground Engineer in those days!!
Cheers
As we are recalling our Caribou days in the RAAF:
I remember being on detachment in 38SQN DET A, in Port Moresby, when a couple of Caribous overnighted on their delivery flight from Canada, with the entire cargo area full of bladder fuel tanks, had to exit via the port side escape hatch!
Just after I left Moresby, in '69, I think, they crashed one in the Highlands attempting a very difficult landing!
Whilst working on the flight line at 38Sqn in Richmond, a Caribou doing a post 'D' Servicing test flight had BOTH MLG legs jam in the wells after TO, (because the mechanical brackets had been installed back-to-front). They flew around for some time to burn off fuel (no dumping capability), extended the NLG leg with the emergency 'air' bottle, lowered the ramp door, and landed it on a foam path on the main runway. By that time, the road running next to the runway was packed with people and the news media.
The pilot was, at the time, the oldest FlgOff in the RAAF, named "Father" May. New ramp door and lower UHF antenna, fixed the problem and away she went!
I visited the Caloundra Air Museum (just north of Brisbane), a couple of weeks ago, and there was an ex-38Sqn DHC4 Caribou in the display yard, awaiting full re-assembly, etc - really brought back memories.
I was an Airframe Ground Engineer in those days!!
Cheers
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I was there in the crowd with you, ‘Flight Detent’. Two things stand out in the aftermath of ‘Father’ May’s very skilful landing on the nosewheel and the lowered ramp.
The first, (amusing), was the two dayglo streaks as the two Malaysian trainees in their bright orange flying suits exited the ramp about a nanosecond after the aircraft came to a stop, even before the wing dropped. I think either of them would have qualified for Olympic selection for the long jump! (I probably would have outdistanced them if I'd been aboard!)
The second, (sadly), was the palpable sense of disappointment you could sense from the crowd lining the base boundary at the lack of smoke, flames and an explosion.
The first, (amusing), was the two dayglo streaks as the two Malaysian trainees in their bright orange flying suits exited the ramp about a nanosecond after the aircraft came to a stop, even before the wing dropped. I think either of them would have qualified for Olympic selection for the long jump! (I probably would have outdistanced them if I'd been aboard!)
The second, (sadly), was the palpable sense of disappointment you could sense from the crowd lining the base boundary at the lack of smoke, flames and an explosion.
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Flight Detent
I watched "THAT" landing as well, I've even got some B&W piccies somewhere. If I remember correctly the landing was a few feet longer than the foam that had been put down by F troop.
I drive past the QAM Bou every day, sad sight but boy what memories. And my ears still hurt!!!!
Disco Stu
I watched "THAT" landing as well, I've even got some B&W piccies somewhere. If I remember correctly the landing was a few feet longer than the foam that had been put down by F troop.
I drive past the QAM Bou every day, sad sight but boy what memories. And my ears still hurt!!!!
Disco Stu
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See you soon Stu
Good to hear from you Stu and Arm OTW.
I have a photo over my desk of the T&Go on the nosewheel. Very satisfying. You will imagine my pleasure to be posted back. Can't wait! See you all there - I'll be the one that can't stop grinning!
Best wishes to all deployed to the Solomons. I am sure you will do great work.
Regards,
I have a photo over my desk of the T&Go on the nosewheel. Very satisfying. You will imagine my pleasure to be posted back. Can't wait! See you all there - I'll be the one that can't stop grinning!
Best wishes to all deployed to the Solomons. I am sure you will do great work.
Regards,
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Those B&W pics of 233's ungainly landing are presently away being scanned onto disc. As soon as I get them (& disc) back I'll put them up somewhere for you all to see.
Disco Stu
Disco Stu
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Thanks, Disco Stu,
Much appreciated, amazing the detail one doesn't remember!
I was standing in front of the 38 Sqn hangar, the old 11 Sqn hangar.
Thanks again,
Cheers from B'gary.
Much appreciated, amazing the detail one doesn't remember!
I was standing in front of the 38 Sqn hangar, the old 11 Sqn hangar.
Thanks again,
Cheers from B'gary.
