Nope. P2-RDB was ex VH-GKR, the first Talair Twin Otter. It was purchased in California (previous operator name alludes me) and ferried to PNG in 1971 by Brian McCook. It was also by far, the lightest Twin Otter around 2,980 kg empty. It was a -100, converted to -200 by installing the long nose.

Over the Kiunga Ok Tedi sector (where it spent a lot of it's life) it carried a better load than a Series 300. "Flash" held the record, twelve return flights in one day, carrying bags of drilling mud or cement.

The first ex TAA Series 200 aircraft came around 1973 through an agreement with Frank Ball then GM TAA. As part of the agreement we also got a Bristol freighter load of Twin Otter spares.

I believe performance gains can be attained in 180/185 with careful "tweaking" of the rigging
TALAIR 185 P2-EIE circa 1975 also fitted with a seaplane prop went like pek pek off a chrome shovel (140kts +)

Wonder where that wound up?

P2-RDB
 

Torres - RDB was ex-TAA, and a converted -100.

The ex-Golden West aircraft you are thinking of was P2-RDA (originally P2-GKR). RDB, like all the other ex-TAA machines (RDC, RDD, RDE, RDH), had a different electrical system from the standard de Havilland issue. RDA and RDF were the 2 lightest machines, and (theoretically) could carry the largest payloads.

"Shags" and his team in POM were uncertain about the payload limits, and instituted a flight test program (lasting several years) to establish which aircraft could carry the heaviest load. :ok:

YUP!!!!

Except that max load 'flight test program' was still 'on going' and 'seeking definitive data' on the last day of Talair:ok:

Now back to regular viewing.

There's nothing like a PNG thread and who flew what aircraft when and where for the "usual suspects" to don anoraks and let forth.:rolleyes::}:ok:

For those who don't understand the reference may I refer you to the "Spotters Corner" forum.:\:uhoh::eek:

Seriously, I enjoy reading about it all and especially enjoy the piccies.:ok:

A lovely aeroplane, one of the really great Cessnas with such a distinuished history in this part of the world. The Cessna Pilot's Association website has some info about 180/5 model histories -

The first (1961) 185 main differences were:
260 HP Fuel injected, IO-470F, stronger firewall, landing gear and axles. Interior 'longer', 3rd side window. 6 seats, bigger dorsal fin. Cargo pod option, all for under $19K... then the A model came in '62 and it became know as 'Skywagon'.. Last made in '85 as the 185F with 300HP IO520D - costing $90K - when they made 23 of them - wish I'd bought one! Who says aircarft are bad investments - buy a 180 or 185 and watch it go up -they are unique and irreplaceable!

Chuckles... I never really forgave the Vet for that Ground Loop at Arufi. I would have been happier if he didn't have that stupid bloody grin on his face.! We are still friends.!! In town Wednesday but not Thursday....soooooo Lunch Wednesday or later in the Month. Your choice. :}

Chimbu Chuckles
 

Old AWM was Anglican Mission 185 based Northern Province flown by Bob Haye in early 60s. Bob was later an Ansett pilot. I think the Mission then sold it to Trevor Gleeson who later sold it to the owners you mention.

yerex worked with Trevor, where he be now?

Plovett we wear Grilli blankets, not anoraks.

Tinpis
 

Trevor & Tess bought a farm at ..... (near Thangool) where Trevor is the town's mayor. He keeps in touch with Sir Kevin Shorthouse who still flies out of Vanimo.

Thank you all again for your great replies on this thread.

I have another request.

Does anyone have any pictures of Twin Otters that were used by TAA in PNG that they could post please? Were they part of the Sunbird servcies group?

Thanks again.

Just in case yer want a Canso next.. :hmm:
Did not the Twotter arrive at the end of the Sunbird thing 1966?

http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac...et/VH-SBV3.JPG

No photo's..apart from what's in my mind, but I worked for TAA in Goroka as a bag snatcher from early 1966 to midish '67 while I was learning to fly. I remember we started getting twotters into Goroka (and still DC-3's, and then F-27's) from around early 1967. I looked up www.seabee.info/dhc6/dhc6-prod and saw that TAA's first twin otter was ser/no 6 and was delivered in July 1966, their 2nd was ser/no 8. So they were early users. If I remember, most of the twin otter drivers came from the Lae based DC-3 First officer's pool. Correct me if I'm wrong someone!

tinpis,
Can remember a Catalina moored Port Moresby when passing thru there Anzac weekend 1958, was not as pretty looking as your photo, was there one based there on oil exploration work about that time??

Jolly good post chaps...keep 'em coming.
I just like looking at the pictures!

A couple that may be of interest: the first is from The Ed Coates Collection, a website I can thoroughly recommend,
VH-SBU

The second is from the same site but of other Sunbird aircraft. The main index for this site also has old photos of various Aussie aircraft (including the VH-SB series taken in the '50's and 60's):
Sunbird Fleet

Just go to the index - it may even have a picture of the aircraft you went solo in. Judging by the age of you old codgers the photos will probably be in Sepia;)

In terms of Twin Otters, this was the best I could do:
VH-TGR

Catalinas:
Google Image Result for http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac5/ROW%20Asia/VR-HDH2.jpg

Someone early in this thread said that the C185 didn't do much work... how wrong can you be!!! We had it doing the LF and FL on a regular basis... and the LW bit, of the LWP, and return many times (the old codgers will know what I'm talking about) when there was insufficient load for the DC3. No ones mentioned Jenkins (Nigel? Neil?) as one of the C185 pilots... married a Hostie who later worked at the Chemist

Around that same time was the Piper Aztec which Noel von Hoff flew. That aircraft was eventually based in Rabaul.

I was told that it was unusual for a pilot to be endorsed on C185/Otter/DC3 and F27 at one time. There was apilot in Lae in the early 60s who, I understand, had all these endorsements. Who was he?... he always flew with Phil Allen down to Honiara with the F27. He married the daughter of a lady in TAA Finance Lae.

Memories... and GOOD ones.

I was going to say Animal, that I seem to remember a TAA Sunbird Services PA-23 AZTEC in TPNG. If I recall Crowley Airways in Lae bought it. Can't seem to find any evidence of it on the web though!

Le Rhone VH-SBU/P2-SEQ was owned by the Wau based missionary pilot when I was based there in 1989. She was a much loved and cared for aircraft at that time...I assume Jim is still flying her ex Wau nearly 20 years later..anyone?