Guy s

Thanks Red and I still had trouble sorting it out but my wife worked it out for me, she had to change the photos from something to jpeg if that makes sense.

Amazing! Thanks for sharing. Would you be so kind to post a route map of your trip please? If able of course. I was trying to pin points on your track but failed miserably

Great trip Guy. Enjoyed the photos. One query, how did you carry sufficient luggage as well as camping gear, fuel drum and presumably tools etc within weight limits? Especially as it appeared to be winter. My VG XL has a 20kg limit in the luggage compartment and we find that ok for a couple of nights but 12 would be a challenge.Bob.

The 20kgs is definitely a challenge for sure. I've done some backpacking out in the bush over the years so I've had a bit of insight on how to travel light.

The Tent is a lightweight backpacking setup that comfortably sleeps 2 people weighting 2.5kgs and the sleeping bags are about -10 rating weighting about a kilo each, I also carried 2 inflatable Thermarest mattress that u can hold in one hand and areabout the weight of a matchbox but when inflated it gives u a 6 cm cushion from the cold ground so there's the 5 star rating 5kgs accommodation covered if needed. Basically the lighter the backpacking set-up the dearer it cost to buy.

The overnight bags we got were fairly lightweight and with wheels and a extendable handle to wheel around if needed or it also had backpack straps as well so you could wear it as a backpack for that walk into town for the night.. Bags weight about 7kgs each full. Also had a lightweight Canopy, bonnet cover made by Punkin for the Savannah which worked a treat which is the silver bag in the photo.

The fuel container as u can see in this photo is collapsible and flat so was on the bottom in the luggage department. The tie down pegs, straps, wooden handled hammer and,tools had a bit of weight which sat on the floor between my wife's feet and the water container also had it's own spot on the floor.

With our set-up we could comfortably travel for many weeks with no drama and maybe along the way we could swap our clothes at a local op shop for a different look

Our total Luggage plus my collapsible fishing rod which never got used but I'm sure it enjoyed the trip tho.

Hi Doug, Luckily we met the charter pilot who works out of Marree at the local drinking hole and we were able to pick his brains and he was quite helpful, can't remember his name tho.

He told us when leaving Marree for William crk which is about 290 heading he said head 270 from Marree and exactly 30 miles you'll fly over the Marree man and he was right on the money. This is also a better track as you basically follow the rd from marree to william crk with the Marree man only being a couple of miles north of the road.

Marree man 29 35's 137 29'e

The publican from Marree and William crk pubs got together and got permission off the Traditional owners to revamp the Marree man and the Traditional owners were all for it. Guessing they got a grader or dozer in but he certainly stands out now. They didn't bother going though Council as they new that would be a big headache in itself and the council eventually did get wind of it afterwards and weren't happy Lol

There seem to be plenty of Art galleries in Broken Hill Bex and Martin also met Jack Abslom at his Gallery and was pretty stoked at meeting one of his idols.and getting a photo with him.

I'm on a roll The only places we booked in advance was 3 nights at Marree and White cliffs and even thought we had camping gear in case we got stuck, we never found accommodation a problem. I was looking forward to camping out at least once (me trying to be tough I guess) but the girls weren't overly keen on that idea, I guess it does get a little cool out there. Fuel was never a problem and we mainly ran Avgas but we also carried a collapsible 20ltrs fuel container and at times we made use of them when we came across a town with PULP. Apart from the storm front moving through Lighting Ridge we had fantastic weather and normally had a 10kt headwind following us around for some reason.

A few more photos off the Samsung

Here's a few photos from a recent trip from Lismore to Marree camel races back in July, hope you enjoy.

The trip involved 2 Savannah S, Martin Jackson and his wife Anne Maree and myself and my wife Sandra.

The trip consisted of approximately 2,300 miles and 30 hours flying time over 12 days.

We weren't interested in busting our gut in getting from A to B and normally did around 3-4 hours per day depending on our destination with a break every 2 hours where possible. The first night stay was at Lighting Ridge and a soak in the hot springs. The next morning a thunderstorm hit the Ridge but by mid morning it had move east.

Our Track

Lismore viaTenterfield to Moree (fuel stop)

Lighting Ridge-1 Night via Brewarrina to Bourke (fuel)

Louth-Lunch at the pub then onto White Cliffs-1 Night via Tilpa

Wilcannia and Menindee Lakes to Broken Hill-2 nights

Curnamona sheep station for a break then onto Arkaroola-1 night

Leigh crk (fuel) to Marree-3 Nights with included a day trip out to William crk for lunch

Innaminka- 1 night

The Dig tree(rest stop) onto Noccundra for lunch and fuel then onto Cunnamulla-1 night via Thargomindah

Bollon-lunch at the pub to St'George - 1 night

Rankamatuer catch up for a cuppa with Steve

Tenterfield

Home.

The photo of our Luggage also consisted of lightweight camping gear as a back-up in case we couldn't get accomodation.

Hi Peter and great write up also. We dropped into Arkaroola for the night on our way to the Marree camel races in July..

The Blue Budgie at Arkaroola.

The instructions could be a little vague on rivet type but usually a phone call to the dealer would clear things up.

When Lismore had their last airshow they also for the first time put a fence around the planes and when i was ask i by friends if they could have a close look at my Savannah, I was told I wasn't allowed to enter. Basically it was a case of telling them I was coming through wether i have to jump the fence or pull a panel out but my perfer option was to use the gate.

Anyway I was able to use the gate and after about the 5th time I entered as there seem to be plenty of people wanting to look at the Blue Budgie they stop giving me that look and started smiling as they let me in

It was never a problem in past fly ins letting the general public wandering around the planes. The vintage cars and bikes were open to the public.

Apart from that disappointing aspect it was still a great day but I'm hoping to bring it up to the council at the next Airshow, maybe have 1 or 2 Marshall's instead of the fence.

I was fascinated with how the seats went together, certainly a work of art.

Hi Peter,

Casino Aeroclub would love a CFI RA Instructor having lost their CFI a few years ago and having a instructor helps to gain new members for the club, but you have to start from scratch again and build the business up but it's a good part of the world to live in WINK WINK

Lismore are sometimes looking for Instructors for their flight training school and I can find out for u or you can ring Wally Soward- Lismore Aeroclub President

Very smart and beautiful looking plane and thinking I'll be having some erotic dreams about this one in the future and hopefully The Blue Budgie won't get too jealous.

That's a bugger as I've been living in hope for a 750 kg weight limit giving us greater scope in types of aircraft, diesel motors down the track maybe and some creature comforts like better seats,Brakes and possible aircon and not being so skinny on the luggage we can carry when travelling etc, not asking for much am I

Hi Puk, I've flown into Evans a bit but mainly touch and go's but have stopped in for a walk into Evans for a coffee. There's grass areas if i have your own stakes and tie downs and have never notice tie down points on the tarmac but i would be very surprised if there weren't any but maybe give the museum a ring at the aerodrome.

I can't help with the hanger question.

Cheers Guy.

2 Savannahs flew into Whitecliffs in early july and we briefly met a chap who flies a Jab 160 out of Whitecliffs. Wasn't you by any chance?

I have not flown GA for many years. Last in the air in paragliders and hang gliders last year. Looking for something with stronger landing gear Lol. My project will likely fly out of Lismore or Evans Head. Im based near Alstonville.

Hi Marcov, I see we are Neighbours in a sense.

I fly out of Lismore and are you flying at the moment ?

Hi Guy,I was wondering how you identified all your parts when you had them alodine dipped?

Cheers Phil

In the end I peeled off every number sticker and put a small hole through the sticker then then reattach through a rivet hole on the part in came from with small cable ties. Basically a pain in the arse but did the job keeping everything numbered.

I also used eucalyptus oil to get the sticker residue off the part and worked a treat.

Enjoyed reading about your trip John and going north is on our to do list so you've given us some good insight.

Cheers Guy.

Is it part of the 560 kg to 600 kg weight increase?

Maybe the straps that hold the oil can.

All of the above is correct.

Just the standard Tj and I'm not sure what the extra adapter is and does.