Just saw John Kessey interviewed on the ABC news about the Beaufort restoration project.

He appears to be in good health and humour. Great to see.

John Kessey
 

Chimbu Warrior,
I was at the Beaufort function all day today, spoke to John many times and YES, he and his Wife are getting along quite nicely, considering their age.
John's hearing and eyesight is a wee bit below par but he was on his feet almost the whole day, 1000 to 1600.
Good news from the gathering, the Local member of the Bris. City Council
was there and as the Council has promised to help out on the rebuild, the Beaufort has been named, " THE CITY OF BRISBANE ".
Also there ,was the Wing Commander in charge of, RAAF Amberley, who told us about the RAAF's plan to establish an Air Museum at RAAF Amberley and that the Beaufort is invited to make the Amberley Museum its home base.
He also said that this was fitting, as RAAF Amberley was the centre of Bomber Command for Australia. Ralph said the Beaufort will be flown in.
Also stated today was that the Federal Government had been approached for financial assistance of up to $1,000,000 to rebuild the Beaufort and this was receiving a kindly ear in Canberra.
Also today, the Widow of a Beaufort Pilot donated a sum of money to the project, so much so, that a Plaque in remembrance of the Gentleman will be attached to the inside of the Beaufort, so that they will fly together in the future.
A few other ex PNG guys were there and we were all F/O's to John in A/MAL and AAPNG, on 3's and F-27's back in the dim dark. Our F/O, nickname for him was, " Sweetlips " A nice guy to fly with. We the F/O's had nicknames for the Captains, as they had for us, but thats another story. ( soon )
A good day was had by all and hopefully some financial assistance should be forthcoming.
Apinun Olgeta,
robroy

Liklik Red Pela Hat
 

I've been searching for a lost copy of Liklik Red Pela Hat for years and have only just had the nous to do a web search and come across this forum.

I realise your post is about 2 years old, but would appreciate a copy of LLRPH (and Tri Pela Lilik Pig) if still available.

Des Carney
Navy (Retd)

Robroy. I have an interest in octane ratings and fuel combustibility due to a hobby of restoring antique farm equipment. My current project, almost complete, is the total restoration of my 1953 Ferguson TEA20 tractor.

High octane fuel has high aromatics content, and very low olefins (alkenes). Conversely, low octane has low aromatics and higher combustibility. Parafin (kerosene, heating oil) has an octane rating of zero.

During the war gasoline was rationed and restricted but governments had lashings of zero octane kerosene and, seeing as Mr Whittle's invention was yet to be built in large numbers to consume the kerosene, old tractors often use Tractor Vaporising Oil (TVO) or power kerosene, with far lower octane rating. As a result, old engines had far lower compression ratios to avoid pre ignition as the low octane fuel was far more combustible.)

Power kerosene or TVO is approximately three parts lighting kerosene, one part standard gasoline and reduces the octane rating to 55 to 70.

Here ends the science lesson!! :}

Des, someone in here had Mike Thomas's record and I think transferred it to tape or disk.

I'm sure if you offer free beer, all the geriatrics will be here! :}

LLRPH
 

Thanks Torres - if anybody has Liklik Red Pela Hat on disc and would be generous enough to email me a copy ([email protected]) I would be grateful tumas.

Strip Names
 

Hi folks thought I would try and put on Google Earth the airfields/strips in PNG that I used to fly in and out of in the early 70’s. There are a couple of places that I can’t identify. I not sure even if the airfield code is correct.
Unfortunately I have thrown out the maps I used only in the last few years so can’t really check. :confused:
If anyone can help I would appreciate it.
The first one is from Wewak to FRR and return, flight time total two hours thirty, this is in a BN2A. I have a feeling it may be somewhere between Telifomin and Green River?
And a strip PGI between Imonda and Vanimo. Also a place around this area BWE.
Some of the PNG forums on pprune over the years have bought back some great memories of my time there, certainly an unforgettable experience.

You must have been with Malarial Tours?

About the same time as "The Ace?" , the Cunnimbullim Kid?

It has been over 37 years since I operated in that rather inhospitable territory in a lightie; but I think that #1 is Freida River of Bill Dossett fame.
Another may be BEW-Bewani not BWE, and I can not help with the last one.Ha!

One second thoughts, it may be Pagei.

Chimbu Chuckles may be able to confirn or deny.

Cheers.

:ok:

Fate of P2-TGP and VH-UNC
 

Can any one tell me about the fate of P2-TGP, Aztec ? Operator, location ? Also, Beagle 206, VH-UNC, reported as crashed at POM on 19 FEB 1969, operator, what happened ? Thanks

Beagle

Post #943 this thread

Beagle VH-UNC
 

The Beagle, another great English designed aircraft and built like the proverbial (?) did not perform too well in PNG. It had a dingle at Tapini, then in February '69 an engine failed on take-off at Jacksons. The aircraft flown by well known personality, Wally Rivers was carrying only four people to Kerema, so should not have been near maxtow. Wally put it down on the access road with no injuries, but the aircraft was substantially damaged, never to fly again.
For many years it was included in the Fire Service hulks for fire fighting practice and was possibly bulldozed in when the new parallel runway was built.
Aztec VH-TGP was one of the two Aztec's operated by TAA. I can only assume that the aircraft were disposed of after the introduction of the Twin Otters.
:)

TINPIS,
Correct with # 1.

Re # 2 Don’t recall those names, although might know the real name.


SHARPIE,

Thanks for that, for me it is around 34 years, that’s why a little hazy on place names.

Courtesy of Trevor Michie's PNG Gossip Newsletter..

Aussie 02, I have a feeling that the Aztec ended it's days on the fire dump in Rabaul. If the same one, it was owned by an electrical contractor in Rabaul who let it slowly rot away from the early 80's. I think it eventually moved to the fire dump, and no doubt would have been buried in '94.

Goose Pics
http://www.seawings.co.uk/goosewalk3.htm

PNGDash posted the following on the Airlink thread... thought it should be on this one too...

PAC 750XL Inbound
 

P2-SDB, a PAC 750XL has been reported inbound from New Zealand.
Re P2-TGP, thanks chimbu for the info, best lead I have had yet and to everybody else who provided the info on the Beagle B.206. I am RFDS researcher and both a/c were with them at one time.

OT Aussie
Do you know what became of B-58 FDC and PA-31 FDQ?


Edited to add on about the 27th of June 1970 I got a lift with an electrical contracter in his Aztec from POM to GKA. Pretty sure he was on his way to Rabaul.

RFDS
 

VH-FDC is now VH-BAM, based at Mount Isa and VH-FDQ is still FDQ and based out of Essendon. Glad to help.. Both were with Central section. Did you, at some stage, work for RFDS ?

PX Recruiting Direct Intakes
 

:p Anyone out there know when the next Air Niugini interviews could be?:ok: