How are our Aussie bros making out?

[BXR12NT]

All ok here ,one of the fires ( known as the Redesdale fire) was Due north of us when it started and with the 100km/hr northerly winds was a cause for concern, we were affected by smoke and ash . until the wind changed to the South , friends have lost homes both there and in Bendigo

To answer Bubba's question about the devistation occurring in the outback , unfortunatley ,no, its the outskirts of Melbourne , most of the towns destroyed were within 70km of the Melbourne CBD so definately not the outback . One fire destroyed homes and took lives in the outer suburbs of the City of Bendigo . I live about 60km from Melbournes centre and one fire was due North , the remainder were Northeast , most were within 3/4 of an hours drive from me.

My policy had been to stay and fight a fire to save the home , but in light of the 200 + deaths that occurred doing just that ( some of whom were at least as well equipped as I am ) I have reviewed the plan and will evacuate at the earliest hint of a fire in my area.

[Guest24]

Glad you have been spared Col. I think your revised plan is the best way to go under the circumstances.

[EZ-RIDER]

+1 Col

I see you used to fly C-130 which model ?

[BXR12NT]

E-Z ,

C130 E ( thats the one in my Avatar ) and C130 H as well as AP3C Orion , I was a Flight Engineer.

Col

[Guest24]

Originally Posted by BXR12NT

E-Z ,

C130 E ( thats the one in my Avatar ) and C130 H as well as AP3C Orion , I was a Flight Engineer.

Col

So you did work for a living huh Col.

[EZ-RIDER]

Originally Posted by BXR12NT

E-Z ,

C130 E ( thats the one in my Avatar ) and C130 H as well as AP3C Orion , I was a Flight Engineer.

Col

I have worked on C-130-B models
then C-130H and Super H
KC-135
H-60's Search and Rescue
J-57
TF-33
T-700
CFM-56

Been a Jet turboprop engine mechanic now for 26 yrs

[lennie]

Hi all,

I am safe as I am Hobart, Tasmania the island state south of Melbourne.

Thanks for checking in on us all.

Pretty sad a lot fo these were delibrately lit.

Latest is they have arrested a couple of people on arson charges.

They are talking about upgrading to manslaughter/murder as well.

Burn them at the stake I say.

Flatbutt,

ty for the PM too.

Take care good friend.

Sick bast**ds.

[EZ-RIDER]

Originally Posted by BXR12NT

E-Z ,

C130 E ( thats the one in my Avatar ) and C130 H as well as AP3C Orion , I was a Flight Engineer.

Col

In the USAFR the Flight Engineer is an NCO

[BXR12NT]

Originally Posted by EZ-RIDER

In the USAFR the Flight Engineer is an NCO

In th RAAF thy are Senior NCO's also. I retired as a Warrant Officer.

By coincedence it was on this day (12 Feb in Aus) 21 years ago that I signed on the dotted line and joined up .

[EZ-RIDER]

My hat is off too you my friend Drink a nice Cold Coopers for me

I am an Art have now 24 yrs Military and 30 civilian, 4 years and 9 months to go then I can Retire

Are the RAAF Flying the new J model
I like the new 8 bladed propeller from Hamilton Sundstrand. they are retro- them on C-130H models

[muzza]

Thanks for your concerns

[EZ-RIDER]

That photo is amazing that he would drink water from a bottle.
Like I said earlier in a post, My thouhts and prayers go out to
all Australians.

My employer (Blundstone Australia) has just donated $170,000 worth of safety footwear to help people get back to their houses and start the clean up.



Notice the mag wheels!

Cheers,

Frank

[signit98]

Man, I remember this $hit from our fires... helping people cleaning up! It makes you ever so sad...

[chewie]

Well, things aren't too flash in terms of fires but the goodwill of the people has been unbelievable - someone said $90,000,000. but then I heard it was $50,000,000. raised - does anyone have a figure?

anyway - it's alot of money and is great.

Heads up for any riders than can get to the following event - details are sketchy, it's all in progress as we speak, so I will update as I know more. Could be the biggest m - bike turnout Victoria has ever seen - which would = lots more moola raised, so get your arse there and at least register!

I will be there for sure.


Pencil in Sunday, April 5
'Monday, 16 February 2009'
A coalition of riding groups, the motorcycle industry and individuals are organising a "Ride for the Hills (Bushfire Victims Relief 2009)" fund-raising effort for victims of the devastating Victorian bushfires, now Australia's worst natural disaster.

The target date is Sunday, April 5, with provisional details as following:

Start: St Kilda, venue TBC
Finish: TBC

After the mass gathering, people may choose to extend their ride - but cruising through the affected areas will be subject to the authorities and personal choice.

More information will be available through BikePoint as it comes to hand.

Also, the domain name http://www.rideforthehills.org.au has been registered. It is intended to set up a website payment gateway for the collection of rider registrations, which will form the main fund-raising element of the event.

[lennie]

ez,

I used to work on the C130s when I was an aprrentice engineer with QANTAS from 1976 to 1980.

Seems so long ago.

[EZ-RIDER]

Originally Posted by lennie

ez,

I used to work on the C130s when I was an aprrentice engineer with QANTAS from 1976 to 1980.

Seems so long ago.

What model of engines were on the aircraft you worked on

I like the latest engines coming out of R&D like the F-22 F119-PW-100 Engine

[EZ-RIDER]

[BXR12NT]

Originally Posted by EZ-RIDER

My hat is off too you my friend Drink a nice Cold Coopers for me

I am an Art have now 24 yrs Military and 30 civilian, 4 years and 9 months to go then I can Retire

Are the RAAF Flying the new J model
I like the new 8 bladed propeller from Hamilton Sundstrand. they are retro- them on C-130H models

EZ , Australia has had 12 C130 J-30 since 2000 , I left the Herc world and went to Orions when they arrived as my Squadron re-equipped with them and there is no engineer on board .. It is a hell of an Aeroplane , 6000 hp an engine . Made my poor old C130E which could only make max torque on a cold day due to the old T56 -a-7 engines seem very under powered .

Our H model Hercs are slowly being retired now as well , they were bulit in 1978 and our 'E's in 1966 . I brought one of the E's back to LM in 1999 , where it was refurbished and now flys for the Pakistani airforce .

As for the 8 bladed prop , I remember seeing something very similar on display at Airlift Rodeo in 1994 , it was held at McChord AFB that year , we were just down the road when the famous B52 crash occurred at Fairchild AFB. I was very impressed by the prop then and can just imagine how it would make a C130 H perform .

I imagine this engine would make a C130 very lively as well.

[Guest24]

That's a very big prop arc, folks.