Registrations from the 70's

[ddevos]

Hi Ernie, you know what bugs me about this aircraft? Looking at your avatar, this aircraft certainly seems to have had a far better looking colour scheme in those days. I just don't understand why people do this kind of thing, The current colour scheme certainly looks like it belongs back in the 60's or 70's. Not that it matters anymore anyway, if it ever gets to be revived again it will have to be repainted. I have seen cases where people paint a really good looking plane in a different scheme (not a company related scheme) and I can only wonder why. A few days ago I saw a Cessna 150 on TV that used to carry a nice paint job that is now all white.

I'm just wondering why this aircraft is standing in this condition in Zimbabwe with its ZS registration? Could it have been damaged beyond economical repair or did its owner have financial issues? So sad.

[ERNIE]

Hi Ernie, you know what bugs me about this aircraft? Looking at your avatar, this aircraft certainly seems to have had a far better looking colour scheme in those days. I just don't understand why people do this kind of thing, The current colour scheme certainly looks like it belongs back in the 60's or 70's. Not that it matters anymore anyway, if it ever gets to be revived again it will have to be repainted. I have seen cases where people paint a really good looking plane in a different scheme (not a company related scheme) and I can only wonder why. A few days ago I saw a Cessna 150 on TV that used to carry a nice paint job that is now all white.

I'm just wondering why this aircraft is standing in this condition in Zimbabwe with its ZS registration? Could it have been damaged beyond economical repair or did its owner have financial issues? So sad.

Hi Dirk
Yes it is a crappy makeover and certainly does'nt do it any favours. You can actually see a bit of the original blue striping on the fuselage, just behind the back window and under the rear of the nacelle. Now the reason for it's demise, I am told by a person who operates from Chares Prince at Harare, is that the owners refused to carry out the fitting of over the shoulder harness which became mandatory. (having stopped flying 30 years ago , I personally am not aware of the requirement). DCA obviously withdrew it's licence to fly and grounded it. Having stood there for ages, it was impounded by the Zimbabwean Authorities for overstaying , en kyk hoe lyk sy nou !!!
Can you believe it. I am told that the fitting of the required harness would not have cost an arm and a leg.
Just a bit of history on CTC , she was bought new and flown out of the States by her new owner , a Construction Company owner, accompanied by his wife and a Ferry Pilot. Seats were removed and long range tanks fitted for the flight. He used it personally, until he took delivery of the first Lear Jet in RSA. Incidentally, this as far as I know was also the first Commander in RSA. What a beaut she was. Cheers and thanks again for the "chat"
ERNIE

[AC6T]

ZS-RAL
ZS-DLG

6T

[james]

Ernie, This is what it looked like when I owned it 1980 after it was traded by Mr Stocks. In the Algoa Flying club there is a nice picture of the cockpit layout.

[ERNIE]

Ernie, This is what it looked like when I owned it 1980 after it was traded by Mr Stocks. In the Algoa Flying club there is a nice picture of the cockpit layout.

Hi james
Thanks for your posting and the picture. Great to see the other side of it again as the only pictures that I have of it, are the Starboard side (my avatar and the derelict one).That extra door for the Pilot made it so easy for entry and exit of the Pilot with Pax, all seated.
How long did you have it and did you do a lot of flying in it in that time. Was it used for business or Private use. I'm sure that you enjoyed flying her. I loved every moment of it.
At the same time as using CTC, I was current on Impala's ( being a member of 5 SQN SAAF Durban ). Although they flew very differently, the approach for.. and landing attitude, were virtually the same, including flying the nosewheel onto the tarmac after touchdown. Greasers were the norm, with the tjip..tjip sound from the tyres the only indication that you had arrived. What a lovely aircraft.
Thanks again for your posting. Cheers
ERNIE.

[james]

Ernie, I will have to revert to logbooks for the times but had the plane for 8 or 10 years and did approx 500 hours in her. Great plane. Enjoyed flying her and Yes, every landing Tjip-Tjip.

[ERNIE]

Ernie, I will have to revert to logbooks for the times but had the plane for 8 or 10 years and did approx 500 hours in her. Great plane. Enjoyed flying her and Yes, every landing Tjip-Tjip.

james, thanks for this and am glad that you enjoyed flying her, as much as I did. Keep well and fly safely. Cheers
ERNIE

[AC6T]

Mr. Stocks had a 690B ZS-KOG which he sold and bought a Cessna SLowtation (Citation)

6T

[ERNIE]

Mr. Stocks had a 690B ZS-KOG which he sold and bought a Cessna SLowtation (Citation)

6T

Hi AC6T
Yes that is correct , to the best of my knowledge. However we are talking about Father and Son here. Hugh was the one who flew CTC to RSA and replaced it with the Lear Jet ZS-SGH. Unfortunately he passed away in 1975. His Son Brian had a Turbo Commander which I think was KOG , replaced with a Citation (reg unknown ) and believe it or not now flies a four seater Sportsman ( I think that is what it is called ). He tells me that he has never enjoyed flying as much as he does now. Low and slow.
ERNIE

[Dawlish]

.

AFAIR COMAVI (SP) were the Rockwell agents at the time.

6T

Comavi was owned by Thor Figenscou and run together with Stacy Constant.

They had stunning offices on the 49th (?) floor of the Carlton Centre. Apart from John Winson, another early Rockwell Commander owner/operator was Dudley Mandy. I think Irving Leibrandt also owned one and, of course, Eskom bought the first 690Bs in the country, amidst some controversy.

Stacy Constant died a few years back. I don't know what happened to Thor Figenscou but I have a feeling he might have left SA for Angola.

[AC6T]

Mr. Stocks had a 690B ZS-KOG which he sold and bought a Cessna SLowtation (Citation)

6T

Hi AC6T
Yes that is correct , to the best of my knowledge. However we are talking about Father and Son here. Hugh was the one who flew CTC to RSA and replaced it with the Lear Jet ZS-SGH. Unfortunately he passed away in 1975. His Son Brian had a Turbo Commander which I think was KOG , replaced with a Citation (reg unknown ) and believe it or not now flies a four seater Sportsman ( I think that is what it is called ). He tells me that he has never enjoyed flying as much as he does now. Low and slow.
ERNIE

Gavin Harrison used to fly KOG and Brian's Citation before he left for 1Time Airlines.

6T

[AC6T]

.

AFAIR COMAVI (SP) were the Rockwell agents at the time.

6T

Comavi was owned by Thor Figenscou and run together with Stacy Constant.

They had stunning offices on the 49th (?) floor of the Carlton Centre. Apart from John Winson, another early Rockwell Commander owner/operator was Dudley Mandy. I think Irving Leibrandt also owned one and, of course, Eskom bought the first 690Bs in the country, amidst some controversy.

Stacy Constant died a few years back. I don't know what happened to Thor Figenscou but I have a feeling he might have left SA for Angola.

The last I heard Thor was in South America, We almost bought a Thrush Commander from him. IIRC Thor left SA for Singapore in the late 70's/early 80's with his 2 commanders a 690 and a 500 (ZS-JRS)

6T

[f2000]

To get back to my original thread I have found from my logbook some more registrations, perhaps some are still around.
ZS-SWA
ZS-SWC
ZS-SWD
ZS-SWE
ZS-SWG
ZS-SWH
ZS-SWI
ZS-SWL
ZS-JBT
ZS -RAN
ZS-KRO
ZS-JJL
ZS-ILB
ZS-HEK
ZS-HHC

[noelotten]

To get back to my original thread I have found from my logbook some more registrations, perhaps some are still around.
ZS-SWA ................ ZS-HHC

What types are you referring to? Aircraft change registrations!

Noel

[Ray W]

To get back to my original thread I have found from my logbook some more registrations, perhaps some are still around.
ZS-SWA
ZS-SWC
ZS-SWD
ZS-SWE
ZS-SWG
ZS-SWH
ZS-SWI
ZS-SWL
ZS-JBT
ZS -RAN
ZS-KRO
ZS-JJL
ZS-ILB
ZS-HEK
ZS-HHC

These, with the excetion of ZS-HHC, all look like Suidwes Lugdiens aircraft. I'd love to know where ZS-ILB is today, she has a special place in my life. Last I heard was she was lying at Mafeking rotting away.