sad Day for a lot of ex pilots when the faithfull old caribou was decommisioned/retired the day before yesterday?
lot of tears and memories went with a consistantly reliable aircraft!
JRH said
04:04 PM Nov 8, 2009
Advances in technology not always for the better. Put a good reliable unit out to pasture and run with an untested newer model.
Rolly said
04:09 PM Nov 8, 2009
An aircraft designed for work in difficult and inhospitable environments for which no suitable replacement has yet been produced.
It is a testimony to the thoroughness of the original concept that it has remained in service for so long and with so few incidents.
Our Canadian cousins did themselves proud, as they have done with several other great aircraft.
I'm sure that they will be sorely missed.
Gary and Kerry said
04:21 PM Nov 8, 2009
I spent 10 years working on the boo's, 2 tours @38sqn , 35Sqn and 35Sqn DetA. IMHO it was the best buy the airforce ever did. I can remember my first CO's parade at 38Sqn back in 1978 and we were told then that they were going to be retired within the next couple of years, 30 years later it has finally happened.
Rolly said
04:25 PM Nov 8, 2009
Gary and Kerry wrote:
.......... in 1978 and we were told then that they were going to be retired within the next couple of years, 30 years later it has finally happened.
dave06 said
04:36 PM Nov 8, 2009
they still look really stable in the air, as if it was born to fly, some planes just dont get that look!
Rolly said
04:40 PM Nov 8, 2009
I had the unforgettable pleasure of watching a series of demonstration flights where the booboo was put through its paces; including some aerobatics "not to be repeated in service".
It was unbelievable.
I was happy not to have been aboard. At least not with a full stomach.
Basil Faulty said
04:54 PM Nov 8, 2009
I flew in them in Vietnam several times, was amazing to see trucks passing you on Route 1. Then there was the short landings took about 50 metres... I have some footage of them landing across Luscome International airfield....
Cruising Granny said
06:52 PM Nov 8, 2009
I enjoyed the honour as a civvy being allowed on board a Caribou which landed at Anna Plains Station for a defence project in '97. The crew was checking out the airstrip capabilities for the hurcules which was to land a couple of weeks later to bring the missiles and other hardware in for the project.
The short landing and take off area was impressive, and despite their clumsy appearance they are very aerodynamic. A real truck!
I wasn't allowed to fly with them, but my camera was.
They had a "send off" at Townsville a few days ago, and a couple of fellow nomads may be recovering from the farewell today.
What's replacing them?
Ma said
07:18 PM Nov 8, 2009
Guru and I are in Townsville right at this minute. GUESS WHAT WE CAME HERE FOR?
Yesterday was very emotional and there were many a tear shed by both male and female.
The full colour parade and fly past was exceptional.
For Guru to be able to get back in the seat and hang out the back and and and and
Well you can imagine.
He did his time with 38 Squadron and is very passionate about his "bous".
I dare say when all the "red cordial" wears off he will put up a post for any of you that may be interested.
The final fly past will be on Friday. By then we will be having one of those "red cordials" with Granny so won't get to see it.
Oh well I suppose that is for the best as I have run out of dry handkies for him......LOL
Ma
-- Edited by Ma on Sunday 8th of November 2009 06:20:35 PM
tonyd said
07:44 PM Nov 8, 2009
Saw it on TV last night. Very sad day. As a correspondent in Vietnam 1967-68, I had many trips on the Wallaby route Saigon-Nui Dat and back. I remember the sudden, near-vertical drop into Luscombe Field. In fact I credit the Caribou with curing my (then) fear of flying in general. Ungainly and noisy buggers, but extremely effective. Never liked the Hercules at all. I raise a glass in the direction of all former RAAF Caribou crew (and the Huey guys as well). Cheers, Tony
ibbo said
08:28 PM Nov 8, 2009
my friends on the Forum.The post by Ma tells it all.Cheers.Ibbo.
ibbo said
08:31 PM Nov 8, 2009
tonyd wrote:
Saw it on TV last night. Very sad day. As a correspondent in Vietnam 1967-68, I had many trips on the Wallaby route Saigon-Nui Dat and back. I remember the sudden, near-vertical drop into Luscombe Field. In fact I credit the Caribou with curing my (then) fear of flying in general. Ungainly and noisy buggers, but extremely effective. Never liked the Hercules at all. I raise a glass in the direction of all former RAAF Caribou crew (and the Huey guys as well). Cheers, Tony
Good on You Tony.Cheers.Ibbo.
dave06 said
10:14 AM Nov 9, 2009
I didnt know them, never went near them but I bloody miss them, whats wrong with me!!!
Disco Duck said
11:32 AM Nov 9, 2009
Another piece of history gone?? Things are changing very quickly nowadays.
They sure had their own very distinct sound too. Very gutsy sound.
Now it'll be some screaming Kerosene burning piece of tin foil that will be used.
Rolly said
11:59 AM Nov 9, 2009
dave06 wrote:
I didnt know them, never went near them but I bloody miss them, whats wrong with me!!!
Nostalgia, Dave.
It just isn't what it used to be.
Disco Duck said
12:42 PM Nov 9, 2009
Aaah yes Rolly...............the good old days eh? When your computer chair had little wheels on the feet instead of tracks and a machine gun. Those were the days :)
Rolly said
03:27 PM Nov 9, 2009
You like my new shopping "gopher" then ?
Disco Duck said
04:46 PM Nov 9, 2009
You bet Rolly...........I could use one of those. Looks a neat piece of machinery. Hours of fun with that.
I guess it's home made?? :)
dave06 said
04:47 PM Nov 9, 2009
now I can see it I want it!
Cruising Granny said
04:54 PM Nov 9, 2009
Guru and Ma have arrived, and they're still talking planes. Great memories to go on with for them.
While progress can be good, it means we lose what it replaced, but we don't lose the memories.
I think the Caribou is held in such high esteem because of it's durability, and the work it's done for this country for so long.
I'm not an ex-service person, but I have the utmost respect for those who made it possible for me to live in a free country full of peace and love - most of the time.
I don't care if they fought on behalf of this country on the ground, in the air or on the sea. They will always have my respect.
Remembrance Day is only 2 sleeps away.
Rolly said
04:59 PM Nov 9, 2009
Gotta 'fess up DD, I have no idea who made it, for whom it was made, or whether indeed it is not just a darned good bit of photoshopping!
I lifted it from the 'net and promptly lost the source details.
But I just thought that the concept was such a good one for any one who is limited in mobility but still wants to get outdoors and into the rougher stuff. (And no, I'm not referring to el cheapo reds :)
I'm getting that way myself, dammit.
Disco Duck said
11:49 AM Nov 10, 2009
Are you getting that way because of the rough reds....................or just old age Rolly?? :) :)
The rough reds you can do something about but old age........................Hmmm ??
It was probably made by some red-neck southerner to go shooting in or something. I reckon you could mount a decent 50 cal. on too.
Cruising Granny said
11:43 PM Nov 10, 2009
I think I need one of those chairs. Full track arm chair - not fast but it'll take you anywhere.
Be a bugger to park at the shopping centre tho'.
Rolly said
04:07 PM Nov 11, 2009
Cruising Granny wrote:
I think I need one of those chairs. Full track arm chair - not fast but it'll take you anywhere. Be a bugger to park at the shopping centre tho'.
I reckon that the actual "chair" bit could be a demountable standard 'gopher' which you simple drive of the tracked section by means of a retractable ramp.
Some means of disabling the main section would be required. You can imagine the kind of mayhem that your average di.ck head carpark lurker could create with it!
lot of tears and memories went with a consistantly reliable aircraft!
It is a testimony to the thoroughness of the original concept that it has remained in service for so long and with so few incidents.
Our Canadian cousins did themselves proud, as they have done with several other great aircraft.
I'm sure that they will be sorely missed.
IMHO it was the best buy the airforce ever did.
I can remember my first CO's parade at 38Sqn back in 1978 and we were told then that they were going to be retired within the next couple of years, 30 years later it has finally happened.
Yesterday was very emotional and there were many a tear shed by both male and female.
The full colour parade and fly past was exceptional.
For Guru to be able to get back in the seat and hang out the back and and and and
Well you can imagine.
He did his time with 38 Squadron and is very passionate about his "bous".
I dare say when all the "red cordial" wears off he will put up a post for any of you that may be interested.
The final fly past will be on Friday. By then we will be having one of those "red cordials" with Granny so won't get to see it.
Oh well I suppose that is for the best as I have run out of dry handkies for him......LOL
Ma
-- Edited by Ma on Sunday 8th of November 2009 06:20:35 PM
Cheers, Tony
Nostalgia, Dave.
It just isn't what it used to be.
You like my new shopping "gopher" then ?
Gotta 'fess up DD, I have no idea who made it, for whom it was made, or whether indeed it is not just a darned good bit of photoshopping!
I lifted it from the 'net and promptly lost the source details.
But I just thought that the concept was such a good one for any one who is limited in mobility but still wants to get outdoors and into the rougher stuff. (And no, I'm not referring to el cheapo reds :)
I'm getting that way myself, dammit.
Some means of disabling the main section would be required.
You can imagine the kind of mayhem that your average di.ck head carpark lurker could create with it!