Radschool Association Magazine - Vol 23

Page 19

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Members of the RAAF Vietnam Vets Assoc of WA

at a get together at the

Romany Restaurant in Northbridge

after the 2007 Anzac Day March in Perth.

 

 

Normie Rowe

 

"In conjunction with the Twin Towns Services Club’s Vietnam Display, the Currumbin RSL is hosting a luncheon on Aug 13th in aid of MIVAC – the mine removal guys. I will be hosting this luncheon and also attending will be Patron Sandy MacGregor and Mr. Graham Edwards former MHR and ex-7 RAR – who lost his legs during ops in Vietnam to a mine attack.


Those attending the luncheon will be informed of the fine work instigated by Vietnam Veterans in places where unmarked mines litter the country-side. They work in places as far a field as Laos, Cambodia, and Lebanon (Cluster bomb remnants from the last war).


MIVAC’s member’s efforts are totally humanitarian and don’t end at mine clearance. They have supplied running water and built schools and kindergartens. The information promises to be very interesting for all who attend, I’d love to see a huge attendance. Bookings can be made through the Currumbin RSL on 07 5534 7999.


Please make an effort.   Normie Rowe”

 

 

And

 

Fellow Vietnam Veterans,


The Patron of the Australian Veterans Vietnam Reconstruction Group, Mr Charlie Lynn, MLC, will host a dinner at NSW Parliament House in honour of all Vietnam Veterans on the 18th August 2008 titled "Salute to Vietnam Veterans Charity Dinner", with the intention of raising much needed funds to assist the AVVRG (a licensed NGO), to continue to provide humanitarian aid and environmental solutions to the impoverished people of Vietnam within the Ba Ria/Vung Tau Province and in major hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City.


A number of high profile guests have been invited including Col Joye, Little Pattie and Normie Rowe, who have all signalled their willingness to attend as well as actual participants in the Battle of Long Tan.


If any of your members wish to intend they may contact the AVVRG NSW Sub-committee President, Mr Kerry Phelan at kerry.phelan@gmail.com or mobile 404334663


Vietnam Veterans Day at the Long Tan Cross - 2008

 
As the AVVRG is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Long Tan Cross, I will be personally attending the 42nd anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan in Vietnam on the 18th of August.


Should any of your members wish to join me, they may contact me via email at  kevinferwin@yahoo.com.au or on my mobile 0412873271. To view the good work the AVVRG is doing in Vietnam please go to our website at www.avvrg.org


I respectfully ask you to disseminate this information amongst your members.


Thank you,


Kevin Erwin

President
Australian Veterans Vietnam Reconstruction Group


 

 

Flow Chart.

 

Peter Holmes has sent us an interesting flow chart – you can see it HERE   (It requires Powerpoint)

 

COS??

 

 

Dick Harcourt noticed this and thought we’d be interested. He says:

 

“Anyone thinking about going to the Beijing Olympics???  You might think twice about flying on a Chinese carrier or at least take a second look at the engines before you get on.


A pilot for a Chinese carrier submitted an amended flight plan and asked for a clearance to land at FRA (Frankfurt, Germany) for an unscheduled refuelling stop.


The reason soon became apparent to the German ground crew: Apparently on previous flights, the number 3 engine had been shutdown because of excessive vibration. However, it had apparently been no problem for the tough maintenance guys back in China. COS the brute, that’ll fix it.


This is a 4-engine aircraft and to get it ready for its next flight, the Chinese air crew’s solution was to just not plan on using the No. 3 engine and to take some sturdy straps and wrap them around two of the fan blades and the structures behind, thus stopping any unwanted wind-milling and associated uncomfortable vibration caused by the suboptimal fan condition.


Notice that the straps are seat-belts! After the 'repairs,' these crazy Chinese pilots went into the wild blue yonder on another revenue-making flight on only three engines!?


Because of the performance reduction, (not too mention a significant increase in drag) fuel consumption increased and they got a bit low on fuel. The closest airport was Frankfurt and they landed for a quick top-up.


That's when the problems started: The Germans, who are kind of picky about maintenance, inspected the malfunctioning engine and immediately grounded the aircraft.


Besides the use of seat-belts, notice the appalling condition of the fan blades. The airline operator had to send a chunk of cash type money to get the first engine replaced (took about 10 days). The repair contractor decided to do some impromptu inspection work on the other engines, none of which looked all that great either.

 

The result: A total of 3 engines were eventually changed on this aircraft before it was permitted to fly again.”

 

(And we know of a pilot who, back in 1970, U/S’d a C130A because the broom was missing………..tb)

 

 

Opinions expressed in this Magazine, unless marked otherwise, are entirely those of the writer, Trevor Benneworth. This newsletter is not affiliated with, nor does it maintain to be associated with any other organization. We warmly welcome your input, and should you have an opinion contrary to, or perhaps you agree with any article published here, please express your thoughts to us in writing, and we will gladly publish them.

Stand by your beds! 

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