Anyone remember the Esso flight department and the Citation VH-EMO?

Yep, i know EMO well. Mate of mine used to look after the maintenance of her. Helped him tear her down and put her back together one year. Beautiful machine, probably the best maintained aircraft i've ever come across, there wasn't one part of her you couldn't use as a mirror. Flew something like 1 hour every morning and 1 hour every everning with an 11 seat interior (i think).

But back to reminiscing about YMEN, i used to love sitting up on that balcony with my CPL studies out working thru notes. I didn't even train there! Such a shame when that went off limits. Walking out to the end of those walk ways and watching Shortstops DC-3 lift off 35 stands out. Talking my way into GIV TGG, just walking up to Executives hangar and asking if i could have a look around "yeah, no worries, just take your shoes off if you go inside any of them". Oh and best of all the 727 that came in every year for maintenance Romeo Mike Something. Gold!:ok:

Shame how it's changed in the last 10 years. :(

RMX.

And yes, that stinks you can't sit out there these days. Or do you need an ASIC card for that??? :*

b.

Enjoyed my time there working in the control tower and briefing office in the 1970s - the variety of aircraft parked at or using the airport was pretty interesting. With Tulla taking all the RPT traffic the evening and night shifts were very relaxing. Former ATC Jack Russell had a funny story to tell after falling asleep on one of his night shifts in the 1960s:

YouTube - Essendon Airport Nostalgia

Watched RMX or Readymix as it was called depart out of Essendon on RWY26 for a right base onto 34 at Tulla.

Didn't Esso operate a Learjet and Merlin at one stage?

When did they close down the flight department?

Anyone remember Associated Airlines Gulfstream 1 VH-FLO?

Did CRA have their own flight department or was that part of Associated?

S8 I recall VH FLO & the Esso Merlin, now yr bringing back memories when the Merlin was handled (if I recall) by EAM, Exec Air Maint back when I was about in the mid to late 70's. We had the agencies for Enstrom choppers, Tobago's,(I recall them in wooden crates brand new) the Nomad N24 Searchmaster mods, oh boy age shall not weary them they say? BS I feel about a 100 yrs old now!:{
I also remember the Departments fleet of planes a few in which they did wheels up ldg's at MNG I think, G1000? Yep they (DCA) led the way:}


Wmk2:-)

Did Bill Bell have Reg 203 approval to do the WBL-EN run to start with??? Vaguely remember him bringing in a load of WBL local pollies into EN to rally DCA and VH-SOW was hit by a bullet on the way in.

Stationair8..I do remember the G1. It was (still is) my favourite looking a/c.

Like MB, the gang in the Briefing office went beyond the call of duty to help you recieve the right notams, wx and submit a basic VFR full reporting flt plan.


Is Russ P. still flying????How old would he be now??

Good on your Captain Wally, I knew you would be good for a few stories on YMEN.

What was the name of Russ Pascoes flying school? Always have a chuckle when another operator refererred to him as Puss Rascoe. If you out there Russ in ppruneland, thanks for that advice many years ago at least you gave me an honest opinion and saved me a lot of dollars! Did Russ fly the Argosies for Ipec?

A mutual friends dad and grandfather worked at Air Express as casual loaders for some extra cash in the 70's, loading the Bristol Freighters and later the DC-4's for the nightly runs to Launceston and King Island. Muttered something about Essendon being a cold wet place on a winters night.

Remember the fixed wing section of the Police Air Wing?

Russ had AAA I think??

The police had Cessna 400 series twin???? I dont remember if they were 402's or 404's????

What's happening to my brain????!!!!!:confused:

What about when B.H's PA31 (I think) was broken into and started, causing havok 10-15 years ago. They did a crimestoppers ep for that.

I used to drive my car airside and take photos with the planes and keep it parked out there too. Security didn't exist at all

Police air wing had a Cessna C402, VH-PVA if my memory is correct.

Thanks for that Bulldog, AAA was also ay YMMB for a while as well.

Dear old FLO ended her days at AKL in the 90s as I saw her there on the scrap heap after she was robbed of all useable parts which could be used on F27 (engine and gearbox etc.)

Did Russ fly the Argosies for Ipec?

Flew as F/O on Argosy and DC9 ending up an Argosy captain prior to 1989.

Police air wing had a Cessna C402

Memory is a tad fading. As I recall they started off with a brace of Shrikes and then into Conquests (?)

PVA was one of the Dauphin registrations

Gday
First memory of Essendon was silver hangars in the south eastern corner (which was cut off for the Tulla freeway) and Tiger Moths or similar flying over head, they moved to Moorabbin when that opened. I spent quite a bit of time just watching the movements, the operators then were, TAA ANA Ansett and Southern Air with Doves Just below the tower. We could get in through a hole in the timber picket fence near the reservoir, now water tanks, that was left open for the workers living to the east, at times we could walk around to the north then get into the hangars, or get the little yellow Landy and get evicted. In the mid 60’s I was introduced to the tower controllers and spent many nights watching from the tower, the radar was a round green cathode tube in a little tent. On one occasion I remember a Viscount on approach to 17 the controller advised the pilot he was increasing intensity of the runway lights, the aircraft made an abrupt change in direction, they were lined up on Bulla Road. They were great days very little security, it was just like a big family. Unfortunately those days are over.
Cheers Q

Just a few of the thoughts from the old days -

Associated Airlines in my time had a G4, VH-ASG later replaced by VH-ASM I think, and three G1's VH-ASJ, VH-FLO and VH-CRA. When the G4 and G1's went they had a CL-60 VH-ASM, and a WW24 VH-ASR.

The police used a C441, VH-EVP, (later to become VH-OPM)? They also used a C414, VH-FKH for a while.
The SA police turned up one day in VH-COP, and as they taxied in our local wit said
"shouldn't that be Papa India Golf?" ..
"Uh, say again"..
"shouldn't that be Papa India Golf?"
Talk about stony bloody silence!
JT Don't believe they ever had Shrikes. And you would have wept tears of blood when the mechanical muncher turned the Argosy's into a pile of scrap aluminium.

The Esso boys..what a great bunch of old stagers! VH-EMO, twice a day, three times on Tuesday to WSL and back. 27 min EET planned no matter what the wind was doing. When based at SY, they ran a LJ35, VH-EMP, and being private class of ops, apparently spent many a hour in the BIK holding pattern.

Anyone remember Melbourne Aeronautics, and their prototype the Melbourne Mamba? What ever happened to that?

More to come when I can dredge it up

CG

Chief:
ASG and ASM were G2's. ASM supplemented ASG late in the scheme of things so the two operated for a while. I think ASM replaced one of the G1’s.
One - can't remember which but it was probably ASG - was subsequently upgraded to something like a G3 (new wing plus probably upgraded engines and other goodies). The police may have borrowed a Shrike occasionally but I don’t remember them as a Shrike operator. The Mamba was Jess Smith’s design and I believe he occasionally still flies one of them. Will ask him next time I see him.
Blackburn

Self was a 'hangar rat' with Stillwells at Hangar 204 for a while. Great job and have fond memories there. Worked later at Associated clipping hedges, mowing lawns etc before getting my CPL and going north. I recall VH-ASG (known as 'G' by the engineers) was a Gulfstream IIB version. VH-ASR and FLO were the only three aircraft at that time. Is that pressurized 210 still parked outside?

VH-FLO what a mighty machine, Associated Airlines then to Rob Sherrards operation, then finally a freighter at one stage in the early 1990's.

Wasn't there another G1 around for while in the mid 80's?

Associated Airlines in my time had a G4

can't recall their ever having a GIV .. if my recollection is correct, and this echoes other posts, the two aircraft were GIIs but subsequently modified to GIIB ?

JT Don't believe they ever had Shrikes.

Certainly did - odds and sods of paperwork still in my archives from doing engineering work on them. That was right at the beinging of the operation when Neville Balding - he had the most delightful shock of red hair - was the brevet Inspector in Charge. As I recall both very presentable machines. VH-KAK rings a bell without checking into the dungeons. As I recall they didn't last terribly long with the PAW.

A quick google gives the official confirmation.

I can recall that the standard briefing to the crims was along the line that they could step out any time they liked ... apparently most were very well behaved during transit flights.

And you would have wept tears of blood when the mechanical muncher turned the Argosy's into a pile of scrap aluminium.

not only would I have done so .. I most certainly did so ... I was standing on the apron adjacent when the muncher did its dreadful deeds. The then GM, whose name we need not recall, picked up (as I remember) something like $4k scrap value for the company ... a dreadful tragedy when there were various folk lining up to get gate guards out of the fleet and would have thrown in more dollars.

Anyone remember Melbourne Aeronautics, and their prototype the Melbourne Mamba?

Melbourne Aircraft Maintenance - Jess Smith's operation as noted elsewhere. Hence Melbourne Aircraft Maintenance Basic Aircraft. Jess actually designed the first iteration of the aircraft on his hangar floor in chalk with Graham Harvey (the sheetie who built it) and a couple of other reprobates who can remain nameless. Some fine folk involved with that project as it developed ... a great idea which really should have kicked along and made Jess a fistful of dollars. I can still recall sweating profusely during the wing sandbag structural tests ... every creak frightened the bejazzus out of us all. Merv (the stressman), throughout, was quite relaxed in his delightful way. Haven't spoken with Jess for a year or two but I guess he still is tied up with the aircraft work at Kangan ?

Rob Sherrard

... now there's an interesting fellow ...

DCA incidents at Essendon/ Mangalore / Wagga
 

Wally Mk2:

Re your post no: 46, I think that I can recall an incident in a DCA Twin Turbo Prop at Wagga when the Crew had the idea, that to check Landing Chart information they were to close the throttles to the ground fine position at 50 feet AGL. The wing fuel tanks certainly increased their fuel leak rate.

Tmb

G2 VH-ASG upgrade
 

According to Agnes Hannan's book "Associated Airlines the first 50 years" , ASG was converted to a G2B in 1986.

Does anyone have any info re AA's recent history (the nineties and the noughties) ?

Oxley Airlines ran a B200 Kingair on RPT between Essendon and Newcastle for a while in the early 1990's.

Another company was Shuttle Airlines with the Bandeirante VH-CRG, did both charter and night freight.

Can anyone recall the company that tried to run a Chieftain on RPT between Essendon and Canberra for a short while in the 1990's. The guy who ran it tried to set it up as a franchise, with one AOC and various routes that he leased out ?

Anyone remember Bare Air?

Re #47 & 55
 

Perhaps the cops should have used VH-SOW

Re Associated
 

Associated Airlines had a G4 it's rego was ASQ

Associated Airlines had a G4 it's rego was ASQ

after my time at Essendon, I guess .. not doubt one of Paul, David, George, or whomever, will be a PPRuNer and comment.

Was any serious consideration ever given to extending Essendon instead of building Tullamarine?

Who had the last flight out of Essendon, TAA or Ansett?

When was the last RPT international flight out of Essendon?

Was any serious consideration ever given to extending Essendon instead of building Tullamarine?

.. where did you forsee any opportunity to extend any of the runways without disproportionate penalty expense ?

Who had the last flight out of Essendon, TAA or Ansett?

Probably need to qualify the question. I don't recall which tail was last out during the transfer to Melbourne but you need to account for the periodic diversions into Essendon (usually due fog). No idea if this still occurs.

DC3's on final for 35 with a 40 - 50 kt headwind!

It doesn't - they bugger off elsewhere. Are the runways/taxiways even up to it anymore?

Was the Government Aircraft Factories airstrip at Fishermans Bend inside the Essendon CTA in those days?

The Bend strip ... now, you'll need a bedridden really old greybeard to go back that far ... (actually in the CAC area, as I recall, rather than GAF's).

A more interesting shot ... which will bring a tear or two to Centaurus's eye.

I have it in mind that vestiges were still there in the late 60's as I have a faint recollection that there was talk of doing the initial Nomad flying there ? DJPil's memory may be better than mine on that one.

The photo on this page shows the Bend from the air. Factories at the bottom of the pic - CAC on the left and GAF (DAP as it was then) on the right. The West Gate Bridge featured in those discussions about flying the Nomad from there.

boocs and Bulldog 248. Last I heard Russ P is with Jetstar in NZ awaiting a slot in MEL.

Old memories being stirred here.
Here is the REAL VH-ASG

http://www.adastron.com/lockheed/electra/vhasg1.jpg

Happy memories of flying in the old girl as a teenager, along with its sister ship ABH, the Heron ASH, F-27 TFK (on lease from TAA), and the G1 ASJ. Pilots Bob Watts, Alan Frank, Reg Bagwell (during the war force landed a Lockheed 10 in the scrub around Derby way following an engine failure - aircraft retrieved undamaged), Jim Green, Len Diprose - now there is a man with a history of Australias early, early days of aviation, to wit,

1st April 1934 - Flying a DH61 from Carnarvon to Broome encountered bad weather following a cyclone. Arrived at Broome at 6:20PM in darkness and driving rain, on approach to land hit a car, unroofing it, and breaking the prop.

9th July 1935 - Flew the first Marylands to Adelaide service in Norman Brearleys West Australian Airways (first scheduled airline in Australia) brand new Dragon Six. A step up in comfort for the pilot from the open cockpit DH-66 Hercules he had been flying on the run.

23rd Nov 1938 - Australian National Airways - led two crews, comprising Captain, F/O and Engineer in each, on a trip from Essendon to Calcutta under charter to QANTAS Empire Airways to help transport Christmas mail to and from England. Was the first occasion a foreign built (non British) aircraft was used on the Empire Air Mail route. Aircraft used DC-3 (first in Australia) VH-UZK Kurana, later to crash 8 November 1948, on Mount Macedon.

Lots of great stories coming out of the airport here.
In the coming weeks I will be preparing my year twelve VCE oral presentation arguing "Essendon Airport should not be closed".
I'm trying to develop some strong arguments in it's defence, some opinions would be greatly appreciated.
Also, say hypothetically the airport was to close today. I would like to hear from people that are employed because of the airport and how a closure would effect you.

Any PM's or replies would be great, cheers

Were GA aircraft allowed into Essendon, prior to Tullamarine opening in 1971?

Yes, but it was not encouraged IIRC.

Not a bad beat up. From the book "Testing Time" by John Miles - page 29. He states: "The first Australian-built Lincoln was due to have its first test flight in 1946. Clarrie Scott, who had been one of the early G.A.F. test pilots, had just been appointed to the position of Service Manager of G.A.F. I therefore had been appointed Chief Test Pilot for G.A.F. When the Lincoln became due for test flight, Clarrie and I flew it. I was in the left-hand seat....

Remember it only too well if only because the AH was unreliable at times which didn't help in IMC.