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Post by cheetah on May 16, 2020 13:52:41 GMT
So many memories. Victoria Falls and the forest growing opposite fed by the spray. Walked through the forest and enjoyed the moisture but can't remember the name of this woody bit?? Took an Apache ride from Sprayview Airport over the Falls managing quite a few what I thought were good photos..Location of photos now uncertain, but wonderful views as we orbitted the Falls. Well recall the huge railway bridge linking Rhodesia and Zambia with the train halted half way across due to political, military or economic reasons. I am going back to 1972!! The Viscount proved a wonderful aeroplane thanks to her large windows and comfort. Flew on Air Malawi Viscount from Blantyre to Salisbury. Escaped Rhodesia on a TAP 707 to Lisbon via lovely Luanda, Angola. Flying across Africa by Viscount remains very memorable amid the hundreds of log book entries..many of which involved 350 or above where the views are usually a little less exciting. Happy days.. My most vivid memory of visiting Victoria Falls was videoing a troop of baboons destroying the visitors information board. I heard a hiss and snarl, lowered the camera and saw two large males bearing their teeth a few feet from me. I shouted to the small group who'd been with me (including my dear Wife), only to discover they'd all legged it without warning me. I walked slowly away, not daring to turn my back on the b++++rs. Sad to see how little water is passing over the Falls now.
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Post by cheetah on May 16, 2020 14:20:57 GMT
Rhodesia/Zimbabwe has always been a great country for flying, with gin clear sky most of the time. Back in the 1970's I was based in South Africa organizing air freight into the region. There was a trade embargo on Rhodesia at the time so Waybills/Manifests for shipments there were cut with JNB as the destination, but there would be unscheduled (fuel critical) stop in SAY where a large number of pallets were offloaded. In later years I would hire an aircraft from the flying club at Charles Prince (the GA airfield at Harare) and fly to places like Kariba, Marondera, etc. This was nearly always in Z-TWO, a decrepit old C172, with about the only working instrument being the compass. One time I commented how clean it appeared, and said look they have even blacked the nose wheel tyre, but was told that was not polish but engine oil and that there was a 2 ltr can in the back for topping-up before I returned. I believe in 1972 you would not have got a 707 (or DC8) out of Blantyre as the runway was too-narrow for underslung 4 engine jets, but of course it didn't effect the good old VC10.
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Post by PB on May 16, 2020 18:39:29 GMT
Rhodesia/Zimbabwe has always been a great country for flying, with gin clear sky most of the time. Back in the 1970's I was based in South Africa organizing air freight into the region. There was a trade embargo on Rhodesia at the time so Waybills/Manifests for shipments there were cut with JNB as the destination, but there would be unscheduled (fuel critical) stop in SAY where a large number of pallets were offloaded. In later years I would hire an aircraft from the flying club at Charles Prince (the GA airfield at Harare) and fly to places like Kariba, Marondera, etc. This was nearly always in Z-TWO, a decrepit old C172, with about the only working instrument being the compass. One time I commented how clean it appeared, and said look they have even blacked the nose wheel tyre, but was told that was not polish but engine oil and that there was a 2 ltr can in the back for topping-up before I returned. I believe in 1972 you would not have got a 707 (or DC8) out of Blantyre as the runway was too-narrow for underslung 4 engine jets, but of course it didn't effect the good old VC10. VC10, Blantyre, Piece of cake!! Happy days!
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Post by rocky14 on May 18, 2020 9:17:42 GMT
Camus' 'The Plague' is very apposite to life in the pandemic; it is also pertinent in describing the insidious contagion of despotism. Blackbushe could be the main character!
Not 'All Quiet on The Western Front' is good news. The Eastern Front is a dangerous place - Stay Alert!
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Post by PB on May 18, 2020 9:57:58 GMT
East or west, both make consuming editorial fodder...the Eastern front has long been associated with the theatre of conflict, more ways (theatres) than one... I haven't read Camus, maybe a little too apposite for those of a nervous disposition in the summer of '20?
Staying alert until the bitter end as instructed!
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Post by rocky14 on May 20, 2020 10:21:59 GMT
Cessna 310 G-BBIM: what a header! My favourite light twin.
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Post by PB on May 21, 2020 8:43:47 GMT
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Post by rocky14 on May 21, 2020 10:51:35 GMT
I am loath to express, in decent vocabulary, my thoughts re the last sixty years! But, since we are in sloganville these days 'Hangars' sounds apt.
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Post by PB on May 21, 2020 19:19:46 GMT
Thanks for your response to POTD's request for responses! Dear Rocky 14 what would we do without you!! Considering the sixty years elapsed since Blackbushe lost her hangars, Control Tower, and most everything else I have a feeling it's not Blackbushe who should have lost her 'hangars'..if you'll forgive the spelling depending on the attachment you may feel toward the word's appropriate application. The whole past six decades have indeed been nuts..
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Post by PB on May 22, 2020 17:00:14 GMT
Happily our photo technology glitch has been fixed and today's POTD has acquired a photo!!
Greetings to all our POTD followers!!!
PB
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