In the back of the Caribou
 

Those of you who went to Temora last weekend and were there on Thursday may have seen some unusual formations out to the west.
I was lucky to be in the back of the Caribou with a video camera shooting an array of interesting aircraft including a Mustang, 2 Spitfires, Boomerang, Hornets, Sabre and Hudson.
Not sure whether I can attach a Facebook pic but will try. The pic was taken by Rob Fox and you can see my hand and the camera on the left.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.n...00900917_o.jpg

Hi Keith, that would have been a real buzz. Is that a Hudson trying to land in the back. You certainly get all the good rides but when I read the title I thought you had a shot of someone with their head up a Caribou! :confused :confused(Elk/Deer? Moose and so on!)
Colin.

Caribou
 

Yes, it could have read that way. At least it would have been quieter.
One of my earplugs fell out and went straight out the back. I wish I'd had a helmet like Gavin in front of me. Gav was over from NZ and is one of the top air to air stills guys. On the right is Jarrod Cotter, editor of Aeroplane Monthly in the UK. Anyone who has seen the beautiful stills of the Mosquito and Anson flying in NZ will know his work.

The loadmaster trod firmly on one of Gavin's hands and I saw him shaking it violently, the language matched it later in the pub when he was telling us about it.

photographers
 

ABSOLUTELY no CMP content! :yappy:

One of the truisms of the Olympic Games - it is a slow newsday when the reporters start interviewing each other. So, with a beautiful aircraft, a charming landscape and great light, why are people taking pictures of the photographers?

And yes, the Caribou is a great air to air photo platform. Canada has an air demonstration team called the Snowbirds. The CT-114 Tutor aircraft are now almost all older than the aircrew. Every year they have a training camp at Comox on Vancouver Island. When the Search and Rescue tempo permits, they fly formation behind the Buffalos. All the nice shots looking down at pretty airplanes over snow covered mountains, surf scenes, etc are off the Buff'.

http://airforceapp.forces.gc.ca/v2/n...35-IS2008-1042

Photos
 

Yes indeed, it is a slow news day when that happens.

I think there were something like 7,000 plus frames taken by the stills guys. I took a couple of wider video shots at about the same time Rob took this one, as the Hudson was a bit close for good views.

And at least there is some good Candian content in the photo ship! :)

I was very impressed at the take-off performance and later interviewed a couple of former Caribou aircrew who served on them in Vietnam, some amazing stories including one from our loadmaster on the day. He was sitting up near the step of the cockpit on an esky when there was a bang. A full metal jacket 50 cal round had come through the floor, gone through the esky and its ice, through his flying overalls, nicked his backside and lodged in the radio rack. During the interview he produced this round from his pocket!

Another of the "non SAR" uses of the Buffalo is support of the Skyhawk parachute demo team.
Smaller and cheaper than a Hercules but still has a ramp for mass exit out the rear rather than forcing a side exit, big enough to do the job and free the Hercules for other missions.

What do you mean no CMP content?
 

Hi

Doesn't CMP stand for Canadian Military Plane? Sorry I could not resist.

Keith great photo, glad to see you guys were harnessed into the Caribou would hate to see you guys making like a bug on the Hudson's windscreen.

Great photo to show to people as a closeup of the Hudson then pull back to get the impact of the tight formation.

Thanks for sharing

Cheers Phil

Another pic
 

This one taken from the back seat of one of the Hornets.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.n...92185664_o.jpg

Because of the leading edge position I assume the nose up attitude of the Hornet was due to the low speed required to maintain formation and that he was not just passing through.
If so it sure highlights the difference in performance between the aircraft.

David

Hornets
 

Yes, the two Hornets were burning a LOT of fuel doing this.

Here's one of Gavin Conroy's shots of the Hornet from the 'Bou:

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...47658468_o.jpg

Why do you keep telling us about all those boring days in your office?!?! :giveup

H. :D

Hey Keefie, what's on the back of your helmet: is it 'Maverick' or is it 'Goose' ... yea, 'Goose', I suppose: he always rode in the back, too....

Nice shots, very nice: and another type chalked up on your extensive and diverse list of 'I've flown in....'s.

We are all, of course, insanely envious of your exploits: but good luck to you, I say: you've done the hard yards and earned it!


Best

Mike C

Helmet
 

Hi Mike

That's Gavin Conroy, the Kiwi air to air specialist in the helmet. I'm in the first shot on the far left, at least the camera, Tyler mount and part of my hand is.
I was shooting video not stills.

Gavin is famous for his stunning shots of the Mosquito and Anson in NZ.

I would have preferred to have been sitting; would have made my job 20 times easier.

As for being jealous, I still haven't been in a C46!

More from others
 

Here's one with the Hudson.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...14781149_o.jpg

oh my...oh my..oh my....wow..what beauties..magnificent photos

By the way theres a C46 still regularly flying cargo etc out of Yellowknife...part of Buffalo Air who has a yard full of vintage craft still used ...Canso C47, Dc4 and some CL215...or probably the newer versions

Some good stuff in Canada!
 

Was on Vancouver Island a few years ago and chanced upon Sproat Lake where two Martin Mars flying boats used as water bombers were based.
The maintenance guys were quite amiable and took us aboard one whilst the other one moored alongside was started up and taken for a high speed taxi around the lake to make sure it was ready if called upon. It disappeared around a point and when it reappeared it was airborne. The fellow we were with explained that they always taxied fast enough to haul off the water if anything got in their way.
I will always regret not trying to talk my way onto that one. What a magnificent aircraft, two hundred foot wingspan, four Wright 3350s with Curtis Electric polished steel 4 bladed props and capable of carrying 30 tons of water.
It was a bright sunny morning and it was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen when they put it back down on the lake and turned towards us with all four ticking over.
The aircraft were retired last year I believe and I don't know what is to become of them.

David

Now that would be a treat! A Martin Mars! Still, just getting aboard would be a treat, and watching the other one 'taxi'. Beautiful.

Mike

Martin Mars
 

According to Wikipedia, there were two flying until recently.

Philippine Mars last flew operationally in 2008(?) and the operator had run out of spares. It was sold to the US Navy to be displayed at NAS Pensicola Florida.

Hawaii Mars II is still airworthy, but it had not fought fires in two years ie not since 2010, and consequently failed to meet the firefighting contract preconditions for the province of BC. The operator therefore would not get a contract in 2013. Its fate is not reported on Wiki.