CMPs at Truscott Airbase, AUS

[cantankrs]

Roberts pic below includes what I think is a Malcom Moore Grader - I've seen 6 or 7 around the country in varying condition (1 or 2 of them would have been scrapped by now) and we own and use a Fordson petrol/kero model. Curiously just to the north of the coast at Truscott is I think Malcolm Moore Island (blame my memory if I'm wrong). I've always wondered at its name.

Originally Posted by Lang

People do visit the area by 4WD but it is rough and only for the dedicated.

I seem to recall being told that the first person to find a way in by road was John Belfield when on a 4WD trek to the top end.

I can confirm Lang's comment about 'dedicated'. We visited Kalumburu by road in a 1968 Inter 4WD camper back in '93 and Crikey it's a RUGGED part of the country. The temp was 45C in the water bag and the flies were thicker than hair on a dogs back. And the road hadn't been graded in who knows how long. The saving grace was a one lane strike through the corrugations that a road crew just happened to cut with a grader before we headed south again and it wasn't bad getting back home after that. A couple years later I met a young bloke who did the Gibb River Rd in an LJ Torana (smallish Aust car - early '70's model) shortly after us when the road had been freshly graded! If the road hadn't been graded their car would probably still be there - shaken to bits.

Regards

Alex

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by cantankrs

I seem to recall being told that the first person to find a way in by road was John Belfield when on a 4WD trek to the top end.

Yes he was the first to reach the strip by land.. it was a hairy trip for them .. a VMVC member was on the trip..late 70's or early 80's. The area was much more in a untouched state back then... compared to now. The 40mm AA gun pits were still dotted around the perimeter .. When the word got out, I think everyone and their dog went in there . Malcolm Douglas featured it in one of his TV shows . And Ben Cropp was there filming as well , as I spotted on late night TV . The authorities woke up and put their foot down ... understandable as much of it would have been looted by "aircraft collectors" . This has been a on going problem throughout the SW PAcific , with many aircraft being stolen and then, later appearing on the open market for a kings ransom.