TO ALL MEMBERS-AND WOULD-BE MEMBERS

During the past three weeks, the CL44 Association has been active in its aim to produce a book highlighting the world of CARGO TRAMPS during the period 1950-1980 and relating the many as-yet untold stories of all of the folks involved in air cargo hauling throughout the world. This will not be restricted to Assn members but to anyone who wishes to recall their own personal tale.
NOW as a result of a visit to California, the idea of CARGO TRAMPS has received the interest of a film company who foresee it being of appeal to the tv channel DISCOVERY.
Already, a pilot trailer has been shot in Hollywood (yes Hollywood!) and right now, our task is to attract as many contributors as possible-either in the UK or the USA

So please do get in touch with us - we can't promise you a leading role (unless you look like Lassie) ! sorry

The Association-Its members and its future

Despite little or no information regarding the Guppy (CL-44-O C/No 16) being received other than our own regular viewings which reveal that nothing has changed since the aircraft was alleged to have been sold by Bournemouth Airport Ltd, we will continue to monitor the Old Skymonster for signs of life.
Our Re union in May was hugely successful and it was decided that a similar function be held in 2011.
Our next Newsletter, together with photo-pages will be mailed out to all members in July. DO please ensure that your Subs are up to date-if you are unsure as to the due-date, do contact me-or simply, mail a cheque for £10 payable to the CL44 Association to the Chairman's home address.
Please don't forget that we are now looking for material for our new book CARGO TRAMPS
Any aircraft type covering the period 1950-1980.

To all readers:
I am sad to relate that WALLY GIBSON a/c engineer extra-ordinary has passed away. Wally will be remembered simply and purely as a one-off Mr Fix-it. Even thousands of miles from Base and armed only with tool box and the contents of the aircraft hold, Wally was a magician at keeping aircraft flying. Wally's time with Ace Freighters (Constellations) and TMAC (DC-7's and CL44's) was legendary and without a doubt, the world is poorer at his passing.
Anyone wishing to attend his funeral, please do contact me at swingtail44@aol.com
Incidentally-numbers for our re-union have again increased with the registration of the following Tradewinds personnel: Adrian Slegg, John MacDonald and new member Dave Millington.

CALLING ALL UNSUNG HERO'S

OUR CHAIRMAN, VICE CHAIRMAN AND USA MEMBER MARGY BLOOM ARE IN THE EARLY STAGES OF A BOOK TO BE ENTITLED

CARGO TRAMPS

The book will take a behind-the-scenes look at the crews, ground engineers, cargo loaders,operations staff, involved in the sometimes ultra-secret world of cargo hauling in the 50's, 60's 70's and 80's. The book will feature ALL aircraft types-DC-3, Bristol Freighter,Carvair,DC-4-6-7 & 8 - the Britannia, Constellation, 707-and yes-of course, the CL44.

Please let us have your recollections-no matter how or where you were involved.To make contact, send an email to swingtail44@aol.com. All material such as photos, licence copies,manifests, flight plans etc will be returned.



RE-UNION 22ND MAY 2010. Due to an unfortunate cancellation, we do have ONE place available at our re union dinner-if you DO wish to attend, this place is being offered on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVED basis-do please contact swingtail to ensure YOUR bid is the one that gets the seat! SEE YOU AT THE RAF CLUB!

Wonderful to report that the 2010 CL44 Association Re-Union has attracted a record 94 guests! Former crew members, engineers,operations staff together with 'Forty Four' enthusiasts will gather at the RAF club in London.
Indeed we also welcome many new members to the Association who will be renewing acquaintances from the days of Tradewinds and Transglobe, TMAC, AEI, BOAC, Aer Turas, Vic Air Cargo, Affretair, Wrangler Blue Bell and 437(T) Squadron RCAF.

GUPPY

Heard from Bournemouth Airport Limited that the Guppy has been SOLD. No further details were able to be given to me (confidentiality) but I did register our details and my contact number should the new owners wish to get in touch. Speculation is rife of course! Is it a scrap dealer or a museum? Surely no-one else would be interested, would they?

IMPORTANT NOTICE

WOULD ALL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE THAT I CANNOT ACCEPT ANY MORE RE UNION BOOKINGS! 'THE FLIGHT IS FULL' I'M AFRAID. IT IS WONDERFUL THAT SO MANY OF YOU RESPONDED BUT I AM SADDENED THERE MAY BE THOSE WHO COULD NOT BOOK YET. I WILL HOWEVER, OPERATE A 'STAND BY' SYSTEM FOR THOSE WHO WOULD WANT TO BE CONTACTED SHOULD A CANCELLATION OCCUR.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH BY THE USUAL EMAIL ADDRESS.
MALCOLM

HELP NEEDED

CL44 ASSOCIATION CHAIRMAN AND ASSN MEMBER AND AVIATION WRITER (USA BASED) MARGY BLOOM ARE SOLICITING PERSONAL STORIES FROM ASSOCIATION MEMBERS, FOR A PROPOSED BOOK ON WHAT IT WAS REALLY LIKE TO FLY CARGO (DEAD OR ALIVE) DURING THE YEARS 1950 TO THE EIGHTIES. PHOTOS OF CREWS, CARGO'S OR FLIGHT MANIFESTS LOG BOOK ENTRIES, NARRATIONS OF THE MORE 'HAIRY' KIND. WE ARE NOT RESTRICTING OUR TALES TO JUST THE FORTY FOUR. DC-4'S, 6'S 7'S, BUT TO THE INTRODUCTION OF 707'S AND DC-8'S WITH OF COURSE, THOSE LINES THAT FLEW THE ELECTRA, THE VISCOUNT, THE BELFAST, THE ARGOSY AND THE 727 IN FREIGHT MODE.
DO PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME -ALL MATERIAL WILL BE RETURNED WHEREVER REQUESTED.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

THE 2010 RE-UNION

WOULD ALL MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE ARE NO ROOMS LEFT AT THE RAF CLUB-ALTHOUGH WE DO CONTINUE TO ACCEPT BOOKINGS FOR DINNER (PLEASE NOTE WE HAVE LESS THAN 10 PLACES LEFT) SHOULD YOU WISH TO ATTEND, I REGRET THAT HOTAC WILL BE NEED TO BE 'SELF SOUGHT'. IF YOU ARE A MEMBER OF THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB, THEN YOU MAY RESERVE YOUR OWN ROOM THERE BY WAY OF THAT MEMBERSHIP.
HOPE YOUR WEATHER IS A DARN SIGHT BETTER THAN OUR VARIETY!