DC3s used to fly into Garaina once a week when I was there. Angus Hutton, the tea plantation manager made himself a land yacht that he would "sail" down the airstrip, then tow it back behind a motor bike. One day the DC3 flew in and the pilot saw the land yacht. He decided to give it a try, so while the stewardess and passengers waited he went sailing down the airstrip.
@@smeggels Garaina tea was good. Angus Hutton said that shipments of the tea he had sent to the London Tea Market got top prices there. I was in Garaina in 1968. By that time about half of the plantation had been given over to seed production. The tea "bushes" were allowed to grow to their normal height of around 10 metres. The seed was picked and sent off to the highlands and some to northern Queensland to start new plantations. The problem with Garaina was that there was no road access - everything had to be flown in. Sorry, I didn't know a John Niland in PNG. I left in '87.
Thanks Rick. I knew the last manager who left Garina in about 2005. The government never replaced him and it closed shortly after that. Spent many nights there. You still had to fly in from Bulolo or Lae.
@@smeggels I am one of the few who walked it - I was transferred from Morobe patrop post to Garaina Base Camp in '68. I followed the Waria river andtook about 6 days to get there.
Hi could someone confirm for me that when the songs changes to Papua New Guinea - is the pilot Tom Bennett? Grew up in NG from 65 - 72. some great memories captured in this clip.
Pilots in TPNG had a much more laid back approach to their relationship with passengers. A friend told me how returning from Australia the plane she was on had a problem before take off. The passengers were told not to worry, everything would be done to ensure their safety and apologised greatly for the delay. Eventually she got to Moresby and then onto a plane for Kavieng. It had a problem as well. The pilot's comment to the passengers was "Ha ha she won't go!" as he got off the aircraft.
Loving the Papua New Guinea your day has begun song.... It was our morning radio song when I lived in PNG from '68 to '73, as a child I flew on many of these TAA flights between Moresby and Lae and Rabaul and Kieta on Bougainville. We lived in Lae and Bougainville in Arawa.
Great memories!!! Was Traffic Officer based in Rabaul 1968-72. Recognise Geoff Litchfield and Gary Saunders and a few others though the names don´t come to mind! Met Gary many years later in the 90´s when he was an SQ captain! Regards to you all. Harry Harrison
I was pax in the early seventies, no doubt was flown either in the Twin Otter or the Fokker by some of these guys. Much preferred flying on the Twin Otter in and out of Kundiawa, but did a few on 336/337 and 206
Would have been fun. My father worked for Ansett in PNG at that time. Some of the stories are great. They would have been through Kundiawa at some point as they lived in Lae prior to Port Morseby. They would regularly drive from Lae to Goroka and Mt Hagen with friends. We have some interesting slides, photos and video of the area.
Excellent and brave pilots who flew under extreme weather conditions and rugged terrains. We thank you all for the contribution in the growth of the country PNG.
I remember the TV ads promoting holidays in PNG, back when Australia governed that beautiful country. What a pity that self governance resulted in their demise.
I remember the "rock filled" clouds and the Sunbirds were the goods planes weren't they? I remember being on a DC3 from Kieta to Rabaul and they weren't pressurised and there was a small hole at my feet and I could see the tree tops from it. I was terrified the whole trip that I'd be sucked out of the hole, or drop my precious "textas" through the hole and sat with my feet up on the seat the whole way. Of course the DC3 was not pressurised so it wasn't a problem!
DC3s used to fly into Garaina once a week when I was there. Angus Hutton, the tea plantation manager made himself a land yacht that he would "sail" down the airstrip, then tow it back behind a motor bike. One day the DC3 flew in and the pilot saw the land yacht. He decided to give it a try, so while the stewardess and passengers waited he went sailing down the airstrip.
The Tea plantation dosent exist any more, a real shame as the tea was good. Are you any relation to John Niland from Lae?
@@smeggels Garaina tea was good. Angus Hutton said that shipments of the tea he had sent to the London Tea Market got top prices there. I was in Garaina in 1968. By that time about half of the plantation had been given over to seed production. The tea "bushes" were allowed to grow to their normal height of around 10 metres. The seed was picked and sent off to the highlands and some to northern Queensland to start new plantations. The problem with Garaina was that there was no road access - everything had to be flown in. Sorry, I didn't know a John Niland in PNG. I left in '87.
Thanks Rick. I knew the last manager who left Garina in about 2005. The government never replaced him and it closed shortly after that. Spent many nights there. You still had to fly in from Bulolo or Lae.
@@smeggels I am one of the few who walked it - I was transferred from Morobe patrop post to Garaina Base Camp in '68. I followed the Waria river andtook about 6 days to get there.
Hi could someone confirm for me that when the songs changes to Papua New Guinea - is the pilot Tom Bennett?
Grew up in NG from 65 - 72. some great memories captured in this clip.
Pilots in TPNG had a much more laid back approach to their relationship with passengers. A friend told me how returning from Australia the plane she was on had a problem before take off. The passengers were told not to worry, everything would be done to ensure their safety and apologised greatly for the delay. Eventually she got to Moresby and then onto a plane for Kavieng. It had a problem as well. The pilot's comment to the passengers was "Ha ha she won't go!" as he got off the aircraft.
Very well produced video. And wonderful memories for all you ex-TAA pilots.
Easyriderpy (an ex-DCA technician).
Loving the Papua New Guinea your day has begun song.... It was our morning radio song when I lived in PNG from '68 to '73, as a child I flew on many of these TAA flights between Moresby and Lae and Rabaul and Kieta on Bougainville. We lived in Lae and Bougainville in Arawa.
Great memories!!! Was Traffic Officer based in Rabaul 1968-72. Recognise Geoff Litchfield and
Gary Saunders and a few others though the names don´t come to mind! Met Gary many years later in the 90´s when he was an SQ captain! Regards to you all.
Harry Harrison
I was pax in the early seventies, no doubt was flown either in the Twin Otter or the Fokker by some of these guys. Much preferred flying on the Twin Otter in and out of Kundiawa, but did a few on 336/337 and 206
Would have been fun. My father worked for Ansett in PNG at that time. Some of the stories are great. They would have been through Kundiawa at some point as they lived in Lae prior to Port Morseby. They would regularly drive from Lae to Goroka and Mt Hagen with friends. We have some interesting slides, photos and video of the area.
Beautiful. I remember the song playing in the early mornings. Thank you for sharing.
every flight was an adventure in PNG especially landing and taking off from Kundiawa in the mid 60's
Awesome pics! My Dad flew for TAA for 30 years and started out in PNG. He loved this very much, thanks.
As an old flyer..............excellent!
Excellent and brave pilots who flew under extreme weather conditions and rugged terrains. We thank you all for the contribution in the growth of the country PNG.
Great video thanks for posting.
cool i lived in png as a kid in the 70's so this is close to home , cheers mate.
Ah,the memories....thanks bettinalc
I remember the TV ads promoting holidays in PNG, back when Australia governed that beautiful country.
What a pity that self governance resulted in their demise.
WONDERFUL!
My old man was TAA Sunbird DC3 F.O - I am sure the name Tiger rings bells :)
Very nostalgic and enjoyable. Different times then for sure.
Alfagomma (ex-DCA ATC)
I remember the "rock filled" clouds and the Sunbirds were the goods planes weren't they? I remember being on a DC3 from Kieta to Rabaul and they weren't pressurised and there was a small hole at my feet and I could see the tree tops from it. I was terrified the whole trip that I'd be sucked out of the hole, or drop my precious "textas" through the hole and sat with my feet up on the seat the whole way. Of course the DC3 was not pressurised so it wasn't a problem!
New bob well.