De Havilland Canada Caribou

[Stoney]

and the runway we used

[Brenden S]

HARS operates 2 Bous, VH-VBA, VH-VBB
https://hars.org.au/

[Ken]

Stoney, what's the name of the airfield in the photo?

Ken

[Stoney]

Meck Island, Kwajalein atoll

[DADE]

Not sure if this will work but nothing tried nothing gained. Watch how the pilot's help unload the aircraft.

https://youtu.be/LcmabmOJvh4

[DADE]

I have always liked this display of the Caribou in New Zealand

https://youtu.be/fVddQV9o6s8

[DADE]

Stoney it would be good to hear what it was like flying the aircraft during your time with it.

[Brenden S]

That is a neat Video DADE

[ErrolC]

If you want Caribou stories, listen to Noel Kruse being interviewed by Dave Homewood

http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WON ... rt-eleven/

In this episode of the WONZ Show we continue the story of Noel Kruse’s aviation career. He talks about his time as a pilot, Flight Commander and then Commanding officer with No. 38 Squadron RAAF, flying the venerable transport aircraft, the DHC Caribou – including more seat of the pants flying in Papua New Guinea. And Noel also talks about some of his ground roles, including a posting as an Education Officer, teaching skilled RAAF tradesmen how to pass on their knowledge to younger airmen. And we hear the superb story of Noel’s last proper operational flight in the RAAF, bringing a Caribou home, around the world, from Pakistan to RAAF Richmond in Australia.

[Chris Brame]

I went to an estate sale on the spur of the moment yesterday and saw a box of old 8mm home movie film. First reel I picked up, I unspooled and the first images I see are at least three Army Caribous. Bought the whole box immediately. Now to crank up the projector...

[Spitty]

Some Pc6 flying..Royal Australian Army Aviation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYtRCC7gSN4

[L-188]

Very cool thread. Had the opportunity to fly on a Missouri ARNG caribou back in about 1980 IIRC. They picked us up at Mitchell field (MKE) and flew us to Manhattan KS (MHK) then trucked over to Ft Riley. Home of the Big Red 1. (1st INF DIV) I think it took us about 5 hours or so with a stop in Ottumwa IA. I recall the flight engineer straddling the left engine and pouring a LOT of quart cans of oil into the left engine. He was worried about the right engine which wasn't using any oil. We did a couple of assault landings at MHK before they stopped and let us out. One of my compadres was airborne, and during the rather steep approaches some of our gear which was strapped to the ramp, starting rolling towards the front. He was pretty wide eyed and I asked what was going on. He said " I never landed in one of these I always got off half way!"

[Stoney]

I worked for Global Associates and flew from Kwajalein to Meck 3 or 4 times a day, 6 days a week. there were 30 flights a day to Meck day and night. We also flew 9 flight a day to Roi-Namur in the C-54, I did about 9 a week. lots of T/O and landing per month, Flew a C-54 from Kwaj to Miami for maintenance, 39 hours.

edit Kwaj to Mech 15 minutes block to block, Kwaj to Roi 30 minutes B to B.

Last edited by Stoney on Mon Feb 03, 2020 11:21 am, edited 1 time in total.

[DADE]

Interesting Stoney, thank you. Here are some more photos.