the World Heritage listed island's main industry tourism which is very controlled. Those of you
from the UK may remember some years ago a British Navy type 42 destroyer the Nottingham
had a little bingle with a rock off the east coast of the island in 2002. So back on topic we see
quite a lot of variety being a great refuelling spot in the middle of the Tasman for aeroplanes
transiting between NZ and Oz.
This PAC XL750 on it’s way from New Guinea to New Zealand, Lord Howe direct
to New Zealand I think New Plymouth with all going to plan a flight time of around
six and a half hours!
This chap came by for fuel last week
Unusual rego on this one in and out briefly, again fuel and go.
F rego she came from Tahiti.
This Cessna 337F a mature old girl according to the net she was manufactered in
France in 1971!
A couple of oldies copied from slides, the Sea Fury and the Cessna Dragonfly
from NZ went to Tasmania for an Aussie version of the reno races!
Couple on there way to NZ via Norfolk the PAC XL750 and the Cheyenne.
Local Regular Passenger Qantas Dash 8 100 climbing out on her way to Sydney.
This Aerospatiale AS.355F1 Squirrel VH-HRU on the island for weed eradication.
Kiwi C130 H
Another oldie ex Alpine Fighter Collections Avenger on her way to a new owner
in Oz, again copied off slides.
And on her way from Oz back to NZ some years later.
My thanks to a spotter who gave me the drum on this one’s visit away for a repaint.
Only the third Dash 8 300 I have seen visit a poor quality image below of the
second one, C-FCPO became ZK-NEA.
This chappie had a hard landing badly damaged wing.
Ouch, don’t think she will be flying home, $$$$$$$.
On her way to China to join the others that are already there.
Some more history, the island was served by Flyingboats for thirty two years,
During this period seven where washed ashore and damaged only two where
lost which is fairly impressive considering the isolated location and the exposed
nature of the lagoon. (Sorry for the quality copies of old slides!)
In 1963 Ansett’s “Pacific Cheaftain” VH-BRE had to overnight due to a storm and
that very storm got hold of her and washed her ashore. As the forecast was for
further bad weather a decision was made to refloat her without a port float and
move her to a more protected location.
Sadly the starboard float collapsed with the wing falling into the rocks, she was
now too badly damaged to be repaired.
She was pulled up onto the beach and striped of all usable items.
Some of the island people actually approached Ansett, wanting to convert the
hull to a unique coffee shop come museum.
Once everything of use was stripped the hull was taken to sea and scuttled.
Seen at Rose Bay, Sydney Harbour not long after she arrived to serve Ansett.
Ex RNZAF NZ 4105, she was christened “Islander” (VH-BRC) with Ansett. She
was converted from a spartan military Sunderland to Sandringham configuration
by the Ansett engineers.
After only one and a half years in service with Ansett”Islander” was washed up
onto the same stretch of beach as her predecessor “pacific Cheaftain.”
Islander had come ashore in fairly calm conditions, she was quickly repaired
and returned to provide faithful service for another eleven years.
Here she is not long before the service came to a sad end in 1974.
A wonderful late war shot of a RAAF PB2B2 “Black Cat” on Lord Howe island.
Love the wear and tear, the crews positions also note the rudder hasn’t been
repainted and the quality of the image.
Another nice shot, from what I can make out the RAAF got 47 of the 67 late
model PB2B2 tall tailed Catalinas manufactured.
More to come..........
my god, what a location!!
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For a wee island, the number of movements and breadth of types is amazing. My wife and I plan to visit that beautiful part of the world one day.
