Classic Wings DC-3 VH-CWS Sydney-Perth Trip Report Day 2+3

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Well hey all. I am sorry for the lateness for my trip report but I have not had a chance to get to a computer. This Trip Report will comprise of Days 2 and 3 and all of the Info from Day 1.

 

Day 1.

 

 

 

Bankstown-Temora

 

Well a lot happened on this day. The gang where a little late in getting away due to paper work but once they got off the ground they went to Temora. The Museum prooved to be a good stop on their way. Later on they boarded back up with and extra 2 passengers. 1 of them was an ABC Reporter who loved every second of it. She interviewed the owner of the plane.

 

Temora- Wagga Wagga

 

They then ventured down to Wagga Wagga where they picked up 60's Daughter. There where a few people who come out to have a look at the aircraft. They fellas didn't do any Joyflights at Wagga due to a lack of interest. They guys then boarded up once again and ventured West to Deniliquin.

 

Wagga Wagga-Deniliquin

 

This run prooved to be a big one for the guys as there was litrally half of Deniliquin out at the airport to meet the Plane. There was more than 1 load of passengers who wanted to do a joyflight during the sunset and early evening. So the fellas loaded up and took 28 eager and excited passengers out on a half hour scenic flight which everyone absolutely loved. Then the Deniliquin Aero Club took the Guys and Girls around to the Aero Club Clubrooms where they all tucked into a big BBQ which by all reports was fantastic. the heating was provided by a giant gas cylinder which had been converted into a giant Pot Belly Stove. After a big day of flying and meeting and greeting people the folks where stuffed from such a big day that they headed to sleep.

 

Day 2

 

After a long and from what I am told cold night, the team woke up early before Sunrise for the start of Day 2. A few eager people where there before the gang arrived at the airport for a look and wanted to do a scenic flight so the 2 Pilots decided to do an Early Morning Flight. The Flight was delayed by a couple of hours because the plane decided to do its own thing and not start. From what I have been told the Engine in question was the right hand engine which appeared to be flooding because every time they kicked it over, fuel would dribble out of the Fuel overflow nozzle. After some phone calls to engineers they found out that the engined wasn't getting fuel during the start cycle. Once enlightened by the Engineers, the engine fired and the gang was ready for another Joy Flight. After disembarking the first lot of Joy Flighters another lot of people hopped onboard for another Joyflight. After the plane landed and disembarked all of the passengers the gang quickly loaded up and headed for Horsham.

 

Deniliquin-Horsham

 

After having a yarn with 60's half of Horsham arrived to see the Plane. As you could see in Col_Pa22's pictures you can see just how many people turned up. After the early dramas the trip was running late so they only did 2 Joy Flights. After the Joy Flights it was time to load up and scuttle off to Mt Gambier.

 

Horsham-Mt Gambier

 

This flight prooved to be a highlight for not only the crew but for myself as I was on a chase plane that met the gang half way from Horsham. From what I have been told some of the pictures that where taken from 1 Aircraft to another where just Fantastic. 60's was telling me that he could see me in the back of the chaseplane clear as day but the 2 planes where seperated by more than half a Kilometer but it was a pity we couldn't get closer. Thank God for Zoom lens but they shake alot. I got some good photos but a lot where blurry. Then come time to land at Mt Gambier where a huge mass of people come out to see this visitor. After touch down I was quickly rushed into work where I was busy handing out boarding passes furiously having to fill in the passenger manafest at the same time while sitting in the Mt Gambier Aero Club Clubrooms. The 1st Joyflight was superb as told to me by some of the passengers. The 2nd Joyflight was a Night Flight. Another fantastic Joyflight was had. When it landed the crew where so hungery that they quickly packed up and went to the Hotel where they had showers. I played Tour Guide for the night and met them at a Chinese Shop in the main street of Mt Gambier. It was about 10.30pm by the time we left the Chinese Shop. After a quick Goodbye we all went our seperate ways for the night.

 

Mt Gambier-Adelaide

 

I must say that being on this flight, I was so excited that I didn't sleep a wink last night. I had shower and got into a 1950's style Suit that we where required to wear on this trip because David Gray, the owner, wanted it to reflect the way it was back in the 1950's. I deiced to go out to the airport a bit earlier. Silly me . It was too early and the gates wheren't open yet. After a quick trip into Mt Gambier for breakfast I ventured back out where thankfully the gates had been opened. After dropping my car off at the airport terminal I headed over to where the plane was parked. After meeting up with the crew at the plane we loaded up and did all of the usual pre flight checks both inside and out. After saying goodbye to everyone that come out to see us off we taxiied out to the end of Rwy 36 where we did a quick back track to the end of rwy 18. When the plane was lined up, the Captain pushed the throttles open and we thundered down the Rwy. This was an experiance in itself as I have never been in any tail wheel Aircraft where the tail rises soon after opening the throttles. We lifted off soon after 83 Knots and climbed out at 110 knots. After a couple of notacible power reductions from take off to meto (maximum except for takeoff) soon followed by climb power which sounds much lower in revs that what most pilots are used to. After reaching our Cruising Altitude of 6000 feet the throttles where brought back to Cruise power of 2050 RPM where we made our way to Adelaide which took 75 minutes. We where meant to land at parafeild Airport but due to Weight Restrictions we had to divert to Adelaide International Airport because we couldn't get the Written Conssesion from CASA because it was a Sunday. Sadely we missed out on taking 2 lots of Joyflights that the Classic Fighter Jets Museum had organised for us. The ABC and Channel 7 found out that we where landing at Adelaide International and quickly sped over to Adelaide to get an Interview with the owner which was conducted through the Perimiter fence of the General Aviation tarmac. The Plane was Thirsty so we decided to give her a drink. While the ownere was re fuelling some of uys went over to the Terminal where 60's Daughter had to catch a plane for Melbourne. A few of the members went to a take away shop in the Terminal where they loaded up a box of food for the crew.

 

Adelaide-Forrest

 

After a quick and nize taxi past the new Terminal, the Aircraft was turned onto Rwy 23 where the Throttle where once again opened up for takoff. We maintained Rwy heading for a long time before we finally turned and headed for Forrest. The head winds wheren't as bad as expected with the plane making up almost an hour on the expected 5 hour leg. It was a pretty boring flight but there where things to do during flight. We all had a quick change of our clothes to something more casual as there was no more passengers to be seen until Kalgoolie tomorrow. After a circle of the Forrest Airport we landed on Rwy 18 where the entire Forrest Population of 2 come out to meet us. We re fuelled and then went to the accomodation. We went for a look around the town at an old weather station then headed over to the aircraft to clen it but then the Sunset captured out attention where we spent at least and hour to and hour and a half of using the sinking sun to out advantage where we experimented with different reflections and shadows. We where watching the Aircraft shadow rising up the wall of the historical hangar where 60's took the opertuinty to grap the end of the wing (photo to follow in a later report). After the sun had set we all headed back to the accomodation where we were treeated to a stunning 3 course meal. After that I decided to come in and write you this report.

 

Well thats it folks. I am tired and it is getting late. We will be waking up at 5am in the morning to get some sun rise shots where we hope to get of the ground at 7.30am. We have a plan to go to Kalgoolie and then onto Perth where we make our historical arrival into the Aircrafts new home. Photos will be posted when I am at Chainys House on Tuesday night. So Until then see ya.

 

 

[Guest Glenn]

Thanks mate, can't wait to see the photos.

 

 

[Guest Chainsaw]

Thanks Choppy,

 

Nice report :) Cant wait to see the pics too.

 

 

[Uncle Chop Chop]

Well thatnks fellas. I am at Perth International Airport at the moment waiting to hope on the 12.25am Virgin Blue fliht from Perth to Sydney but I haven't got enough money to write out a trip report. I am on 1 of those Internet Stations. When I am at Chaineys house I will post the final trip report.

 

Gladd you liked it because the next 1 is even longer but a bloody good read.