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2 Dogs
9th Aug 2008, 07:51
Following a suggestion in another thread C180s in PNG (http://www.pprune.org/forums/d-g-general-aviation-questions/337283-taa-cessna-180s-png.html)
I found a great site HERE (http://www.edcoatescollection.com) - and to my great delight found photographs of the aircraft in which I learned to fly back in the sixties.
I went on to become an ATC and haven't flown any "logable" ;) hours since.

Maybe you can find a photo of your first aircraft there too......thought it might be a good idea for a new thread.

I did all my flying on the Mornington Peninsula (Tyabb, Moorooduc).

VH-BYE Auster J/5F Aiglet Trainer
http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austb/VH-BYE.jpg

Built as a J/5F, this aircraft was converted to J/5L standard somewhere between 1955 and 1959. Bob Neate's photo (above, via Geoff Goodall) was taken at Cootamundra, NSW in March 1962 by which time the conversion was complete. VH-BYE was written off in a crash at Dromana, Victoria on 10 March 1969.

Must go dig out my logbook, if the cockies haven't eaten it, and see just when I went solo.

***July 8th 1967,after 10 hours dual***

Also flew
VH-FAE Auster III
http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austcl/VH-FAE.jpg

http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austcl/VH-FAE2.JPG
The Illawarra Flying School, based at Bankstown Airport, NSW was part of the Fawcett Aviation group, hence all its aircraft were registered in the VH-FA series. This Auster was previously VH-BGU (http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austb/VH-BGU1.html), and acquired by Illawarra in 1952. It is seen here at Bankstown in 1954.
It was still going strong in 1965 as a glider tug, as Geoff Goodall's image below shows, taken at Gawler, SA. This Auster was built for the RAF as an army liaison machine with serial number MZ249, but transferred to the RAAF as A11-17 before being civilianized in 1949. Were it flying today it would no doubt be decked out in D-Day RAF markings.

....and VH-AST DHC-1 Chipmunk T.10
http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austa2/VH-AST.JPG
Ex WB642, this Chippie came into Australia as VH-BVQ in December of 1956. It was re-registered VH-GAF in 1961 and VH-GAH soon after that. In 1965 it assumed the identity seen in the shot above by Geoff Goodall, taken at Jandakot in 1969. It was evidently withdrawn from use in 1971.

ps Hope it's Ok to use the photos - credit is given :)

Howard Hughes
9th Aug 2008, 09:06
Went solo in 1982 in a C-150 VH-WWS, I believe it is still going strong on Canberra...:ok:

I will try and dig up a picture!

ForkTailedDrKiller
9th Aug 2008, 09:19
28 Nov 1973, Archerfield, C150H VH-DTE, Gill Layt (...the Great) was my instructor - with Woodfall Aviation at the time.

Dr :8

Now in Tassie. Can't find a pic.

morno
9th Aug 2008, 09:55
C152, VH-TLN, back in 2001. :ok:

It was with Johnston Aviation back then.

JetPhotos.Net Photo » VH-TLN (CN: 15281446) Proflite Cessna 152 by Lachlan Brendan (http://jetphotos.net/viewphoto.php?id=5996230&nseq=3)

the wizard of auz
9th Aug 2008, 11:24
I found my C310 from when it first came into Australia from PNG. :ok:

HarleyD
9th Aug 2008, 11:41
I used to fly this one on ag work a long time ago

http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austcl/VH-EYA.JPG

this one was nice as well,,,

http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austcl/VH-IDI.jpg

the poor old creepy crawlies were not attractive but they were honest

http://www.edcoatescollection.com/ac1/austmz/VH-MPC.jpg