Looks like that Kiwi Kevin P.......

http://img607.imageshack.us/img607/8131/dsc5346g.jpg
First day back at work in the New Year!

AAAHHH Mr 'PM',

You just know how to drag this back 'on line'......!!!

THANKYOU for ALL of your efforts!!!
Cheers:ok::ok:

Can't take the credit, not my photo. A mate has been having a great time over there in the process of snapping this though.
Some things never change!
https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...25419310_n.jpg

cheers for the photo zappalin, seen some other photos from Tonga, the flying looks amazing, especially in those older machines.

No worries, I myself found it quite fascinating to see the sort of fleet that Chathams are operating! Will have to go over for a visit before his job over there finishes up.
Here are some more of the fleet, including the DC3 and Queenair, all looking immaculate.

Tonga aerial pictures...

The Queenair in previous lives was VH-AEQ, picked up from Moorabbin when the spar life? was reached, according to Aussie rules.

Then, after a major overhaul by Fieldair Palmerston North, converted into a dedicated freight hauler for Port Hutt Air as ZK-WKA hauling Paua, crayfish, and blue cod out of Chatham Island for numerous markets.

Routine maintenance carried out by Fieldair, they had long experience with the Lycoming IO720 engines, same as used in the FU24 950 Ag aircraft.

The Garmin 430 was installed in Wellington, made the GPS Instrument approach in to Chathams much more comfortable then the NDB approach, as the beacon was some miles from the airstrip.

Very good to see the Queenair looking well looked after and being useful again after looking so forlorn in Palmerston North for a number of years.

Agreed Prospector, looks to be in good nic, you'd probably even get me in the cockpit with that garmin 430 :} The DC3 looks in mint condition. I think chats also fly one of the shortest routes in the world with their islander over there? 2 minutes or something along the lines of that anyway. Nice looking Metro too..

People have started to call me Piano Man due to my photographic prowess and ability to catch a perfect subject and favourable lighting conditions :ouch:

This is the not so fun stuff that Piano Man doesn't tell us about - pumping out the bilge juices.

http://members.iinet.net.au/~bc_j400/piano.jpg

Going back a few years now...


http://members.iinet.net.au/~bc_j400/piano2.jpg

http://members.iinet.net.au/~bc_j400/piano3.jpg

Prospecter, that Queenair looks like its had the 'Excaliber' mod with the IO720s fitted? The cowls don't have that classic 'rounded' GSIO430 look.

Yes, it is fitted with IO720's.

Dust storm at Port Hedland.



http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k1...psc5a70c6d.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img832/1576/imagetgg.jpg

Taken with my phone as the camera was left behind today, but it was to good a day not to share with.

And a good thing the camera was left behind, as you might have ruined this beautiful picture. Brilliant! :ok:

http://pamuva1.smugmug.com/Other/Smu..._6986242-L.jpg

reflection of the quality these days?

HAM on floats
 

These were taken in 2008 during the period of runway works at Shute Harbour.

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...psfb03e1d1.jpg

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ps7430dd2c.jpg

God I love a tailwind......

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps7d52df50.jpg

http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p...ps42bc7979.jpg

http://imageshack.us/a/img546/6213/imageqip.jpg

Things have changed since then! Both machines washed and dry after a day playing in the water!

Jamjar

What you doing a BAMBI? Apart from 320kts ;)

Long way from home bro :ok: