pudestcon

Apparently no injury.FrankM

Pud

G'day naremman,

I did my training out of Narrogin as well, back in the late 90's under CFI Rod Jarrold. He was using an SB Drifter and a Jabiru. I preferred the Drifter, and still do:wink:

It was very remiss of me not to mention the St Johns volunteers,being the controller at Koorda for over 20 years. We were part of the Wyalkatchem Sub-branch. Most country services would not exist if not for vollies, as you are well aware being heavily involved yourself.

It would be good to meet up with you but I will probably only be at Westfly on Saturday. Westfly promises to be a great event if we all support it.

Cheers,

Pud

Did you install any internal baffles to stop fuel 'slosh' Tomo?

Pud

Pud, when you're away from home ya gotta remember what yer Mum told ya "Stay away from other men's women and other men's hangars - both of them are gonna get ya in trouble!" Judging from the cone of oil-impregnated dust under the engine bay, I'm tipping 19-4553 to be a Verner-engined SkyRanger that was kit-built about 5 years back. The fellow then had a split up with his partner & went to ground and I doubt that the aircraft has even had the obligatory 25 hour probationary registration period flown off. Mind you, last time I saw it (6 months back) I wouldn't have been game to add more than 5 minutes to it's run time (and that would only have been in run-up mode). Gonna see you at White Gum?? cheers

I'll be at Whitegum Farm for Westfly - volunteered to do some marshalling so watch out!!!

Pud

Nah, that one still has headlights and all the wheels are the same size.

I was going past the Narrogin Airfield today and suddenly found myself in the carpark:augie:

The RFDS were there doing what they do best, and the hangars has a few aircraft I thought you might find interesting. It's a pity some had covers on. I'd like to know what 19-4553 is but can't find it on the RAAus register - maybe an early Lightwing? There was a very nice looking, gleaming, Cougar 19-7999.

See what you think.

Pud

Like this you mean?

This is going to be a long post so brace yourselves!!

As most of you know, Gay and I took an outback camping trip with 3 other couples across Australia and somehow ended up on a cane farm at Deeral NQLD. At a patch of paradise I like to call “Farri’s Place”. We spent 2 wonderful days with Frank and Fran, with one couple staying an extra day to chill out.

Not knowing what to expect when we arrived the convoy parked up at Frank’s gate whilst I went to do some ‘forward scouting’ and to see what my relationship with Frank would be like – after all, you do hear of horror stories about meetings arranged on the net!! Not so this time, with this little guy bounding out of the house (with 2 little dogs in tow), big grin on his face, offering his hand and saying “G’day Pud, I’m Frank”.

Frank made me feel right at ease straight away and offered his best piece of real estate on the banks of the Mulgrave River as a camp site. He even got to on the slasher and cut down a prime ‘cash crop’ to make room for us all – you don’t get generosity like that every dayJ Even stirred up the wild life so we could have a lesson in identifying the local snakes!

1st impressions of Frank: A wiry, fun loving gentleman, generous to a fault, short of stature but never short of words. In fact I would call him a ‘motor mouth’ if it didn’t sound so derogatoryJ Frank likes to talk, but its words of explanation and wisdom that tumble from his lips. He is passionate about most things and has done most things in his long life – worked hard too, it is evident. Our group, all who have spent large parts of their lives living in small country towns, had many questions for Frank which he answered fully and with knowledge. He also took time to explain to us the painful thorns that grow in these parts, and be sure not to tread on them. But Frank was in bare feet – always in bare feet that I could see. He only left our little camping area that late afternoon because his mistress was calling. That’s right, he went for a half hour late afternoon flight just for the joy of it – and to make me envious I’m sureJ

The next day went in a blur for me as Frank took me for an orienteering fly of his patch of the world, and what a lovely patch it is too. Then the ol’ buggar worked his honey sweet dulcet tones into a persuasive, irresistible force on my wife Gay!! Before I knew it he had her strapped in the Drifter and heading into the wild blue yonder. I tell you, I was gobsmacked!!! It took me many, many hours of persuasion before Gay would come flying with me and Frank managed it in a couple of minutes. In fact, to this point in time, Gay has more hours with Frank then she does with me.

After more flying from the front seat of the Drifter (first time since November 1999 for me) we were relaxing with a coffee in Frank’s kitchen when the sound of Maj’s Lightwing could be heard overhead. So Frank and I raced down to the strip to watch a final sideslip and landing by Maj. It was great to finally meet the Maj in person and to shake hands as if we already knew one another – and I suppose we do really, through the medium of this great site right here.

1st impressions of Maj: A wiry, fun loving gentleman, generous to a fault, short of stature, but never short of words. Hang on, I’ve already written that a couple of paragraphs up the page!!! It’s all true though, just in a different way to Frank. Maj’s words are ones of wisdom born of experience, but not delivered at the breakneck speed of Frank. I felt right at home straight away with Maj and we slipped into that relaxed easy banter between people who are at ease in one another’s company. Maj is a funny guy with some of his sayings and mannerisms, and he doesn’t mind giving you the benefit of his knowledge, which I did appreciate.

It wasn’t long before we decided to do some flying ‘in company’, with a short flight around the immediate area, then a landing on the beach for a good long talk about all things aviation. Those few hours on the beach talking and listening and laughing and flying and talking, and laughing and flying, and talking… will live with me for a long time. A late afternoon flight over the beach and rainforest and mangroves was exhilarating and I was able to get some good shots of Maj in his Lightwing before we finished flying for the day right on last light.

Frank and Fran, and Maj came down to our camp for a few drinks (thanks for the wine and beer MajJ) and a talk around the camp fire to finish off what for me was a truly magnificent day. By the way, your wine went down very well around the campfire one night in the desert.

Frank and Maj arrived at the camp next morning so we could say our goodbyes to Maj as he was calling in to Ingham (I think) on his way back to Townsville. It was great to meet you Maj, and thanks for giving me experiences I will remember often. Frank and I had to finish our time together with some more flying where I picked up some good flying tips and different ways of looking at situations. For a low time (100 hours total) pilot this was invaluable and much appreciated. As we were packing up our camp I noticed another Drifter fly over and land on Frank’s strip. It was Ron Biondi who I had the pleasure of having a too short conversation with. It was good to meet you Ron, it’s a pity time was so short.

We left Frank and Fran’s place knowing we had met some very genuine people who show there friendliness by the generosity extended to us. Frank and Fran, thank you very much.

On our continuing journey I was able to catch up with Frank Marriot in Townsville where we talked aviation at the aero club for about an hour before we had to leave – we had some catching up to do with our friends in Charters Towers. Thanks Frank, it was good to put a face to the name that I now can see every time I read one of your posts on the forum.

Our 4 week trip had many highlights. The 2 days at Farri’s Place is on top of the list for me.

Thank you Frank, Fran and Maj, and remember; you come to WA, I want to know about it!!!

Pud

Maj's wine tasted mighty good!

Have finally got my aircraft into the air with only myself aboard, after requisite tailwheel training with the CFI.Loving it!

 

 

- boingk

Well done boingk.

Pud

My wife was screaming at me: "Leave!! Get out of this house!" she ordered.

As I was walking out the door she yelled, "I hope you die a slow and painful death!"

So I turned around and replied "So now you want me to stay?"

Must be 'weed' for all those 'high' flyers.Alan.

Pud

Will be hooking up with Ian and Julie Wells in their 'Savvy 'Cab Sav'at Heathrow (Proserpine), and then down to Marian (Mackay) to pick up my refueller and backup pilot Hongie. Then direct to Dingo roadhouse for a late brekkie or early lunch. Should be overhead Monto mid arvo Friday. See you all there !!..............................Maj...

Looks like it will be a good weekend for everyone.

Just had a look at Monto on Google maps -what do they grow there; seems to be a lot of area under cultivation?

Pud

No club where I fly from, unless my mate Poll is classed as a club!!

Might join the club at Bindoon where Riley is a member.

Pud

Yeah, saw the advert for it and thought I'd give it a go. Could be good.... or not!

Pud

How many are you looking for? Another guy you might try on here is Steve Vette, he has a heap of stuff.

Pud

Sorry Frosty, no joy for you there that I am aware of.

You might put a request out here on the forum though as I know there are a number of people who are/have been involved with restoring Thrusters. They may have some of what you want, surplus to their requirements.

I'd post in the Thruster section if I was you. Riley has a Thruster heis restoring so send him a PM. Ya never know what that crusty ol' Canadian might have in his sh!tpile:augie:

Pud

Welcome nutnudger - love that moniker!!!

Welcome also to Perth where I live. This is a great city with magnificent weather most of the time.

Despite what some cretins:duck for cover: from the East say, Perth and WA in general are great places to live.

Pud

Congratulations IanR, but I'm craving photos of this wonderful machine.

Pud

can you still easily obtain parts since they dont make them anymore?

Some parts are standard stuff, like alum tube (aircraft grade of course!), bolts and skins, cabling etc. Specific parts made from stainless steel and chrome moly are harder to get. Most of these I had specially fabricated when doing my rebuild. There are some 2nd hand parts around but you have to dig deep.

Pud

Yep, I was right - Just looked and this thread is indeed in the Aviation Laughter section.

Wot the???

Pud

I got it for 6k.....Just reg 12 months...Just needs a tidy up...Skins.Engine all good...

Pud

Lol..ok..a pic for all..[ATTACH=full]18973[/ATTACH]

Pud

I wear mine all the time Ian, they perform perfectly and are just the right colour in my opinion. Don't f@#% with something that is just fine as is!!!

Pud

Thanks to all.....I managed to buy a thruster tst with 582....Thanks to Steve at Merriwa..

Pud

Antics ????!!................have no idea what you are reffering to Pud......................................................Maj...

Please explain !

Check out the photos in the album "Farri's Place" biggles - those 2 are a laugh a minute:smile:

Pud