The CL44 Association

Update of News

2011-07-18T02:33:00.000-07:00

Any Association member wishing to purchase a copy of the book 'THE CL44 STORY'
should email the Association Chairman asap.

The July Newsletter will be despatched to our 202 members within the next few days and contains the very latest news on the CL44-O at Bournemouth Airport together with several 'never-seen-before photographs of Blue Bell Aviation, Slick Airways and Tradewinds.

Membership remains at £10.00 to UK members and $10 to USA and Canadian Members.

Recent events-July 2011

2011-07-13T05:44:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to the many members who attended the recent re-union in London. One of the highlights was to witness the flypast of the Battle of Britain Flight-did I detect a tear or two as the Lanc, Spit and Hurricane flew over?
The August Newsletter is in the process of being produced and will be mailed out during the first week of August. In the meanwhile, we can report that work does continue on the CL44-O Guppy at Bournemouth (Hurn) Airport. The identity of the chief engineer has been confirmed and the arrival of four Tyne engines has taken place.
Opinions vary as to the future of the aircraft. Is it to re enter commercial service or as commonly thought, be flown to a Museum?
At the same time, it is understood that the same backers have also bought the Shorts Belfast in Cairns. Whilst this is not yet confirmed, our source of information IS close to the action, but anything you can add would be gratefully received.
In the meantime-the Assn Chairman has been invited to attend the 2012 FTLPA re union to be held in Monterey.
Lastly, work on the next book CARGO TRAMPS is going ahead-but we DO need your imput-so lets have those stories!

Re Union 2011

2011-03-31T11:12:00.001-07:00

Members-Guests,
PLEASE note that ALL of the re union places have now been taken.

CL44 2011 RE UNION

2011-03-28T05:19:00.001-07:00

Should you still be deliberating on whether to attend the re union (10th and 11th June) or not, please note that we only have very limited in-house HOTAC available for the Saturday evening.(These are twin-bedded rooms) Similarly, only a very limited number of dinner tickets are left. Should your intention be to attend the formal dinner, PLEASE reserve your place RIGHT NOW. For the informal Friday evening buffet and CL44 display PLUS auction, one or two places DO exist as do one or two in house rooms(Double rooms) HOWEVER-BOTH BOOKING LISTS WILL BE FINALISED AT THE END OF MARCH, so please, do not delay-if you wish to contact me-email me asap at swingtail44@aol.com

2011 RE UNION-THE LATEST

2011-03-06T05:47:00.000-08:00

JUST ONE DAY FOLLOWING THE POSTING OF MY PREVIOUS BLOG, I AM HAPPY TO RECORD THAT I HAVE RECEIVED SEVERAL CALLS FROM MEMBERS WHO WISH TO RESERVE THEIR PLACES AT THE DINNER.
SO MUCH SO THAT I CAN REPORT THAT THE SATURDAY NIGHT FORMAL EVENT IS NOW TOTALLY SUBSCRIBED:PLACES AT THE INFORMAL BUFFET ON THE 10TH JUNE DO REMAIN AVAILABLE THOUGH.
email of course is swingtail44@aol.com

2011 CL44 ASSM RE UNION-AND NEWS

2011-03-05T08:02:00.000-08:00

Do YOU wish to attend the 2011 re union on either (or both), the 10th and 11th June at the Royal Air Force Club London? If you have not yet made a firm-(and paid for) booking, may I ask that you do so asap. At this time, we have vacancies for both events (the Buffet and informal get-together plus display of CL44 material and Auction) and for the Formal Dinner on the 11th .

Rooms within the RAF Club are also available but will not be so after the end of March.

Additionally, our next edition of the Newsletter will contain up to the minute news of the Conroy Guppy (S/N16).

Caption for above "Come back, there ARE still some places left at the re union"

CL44 2011 RE UNION

2011-01-09T09:09:00.000-08:00

OUR 2011 RE UNION WILL BE HELD ON 10TH AND 11TH JUNE AT THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB IN LONDON. OUR GUEST OF HONOUR WILL BE A FORMER FLYING TIGER 'CONNIE' AND 44 CAPTAIN - NOT TO BE MISSED.
BOOKING FORMS FOR THE EVENT (DAY ONE IS OUR BUFFET AND INFORMAL GET TOGETHER WHILST DAY TWO IS THE FORMAL DINNER IN THE BALLROOM) HAVE BEEN SENT TO ALL MEMBERS AND WE SUGGEST THAT IF YOU DO REQUIRE 'HOTAC' AT THE CLUB, YOU RETURN YOUR BOOKING WITHOUT DELAY.
MEANWHILE THE FEB/MARCH EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER WILL CONTAIN MORE DETAILS.
SHOULD YOU REQUIRE A BOOKING FORM, DO PLEASE REQUEST ONE ASAP

TO ALL MEMBERS-AND WOULD-BE MEMBERS

2010-07-18T12:15:00.000-07:00

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

2010-06-07T06:28:00.000-07:00

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.

2010-04-20T09:25:00.000-07:00

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

2010-04-11T00:50:00.000-07:00

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!

2010-03-16T09:43:00.000-07:00

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

2010-02-04T02:47:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-15T08:12:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-10T08:09:00.000-08:00

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

2010-01-07T03:14:00.000-08:00

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!

2010 re union

2009-12-31T03:24:00.000-08:00

To: All members-and potential members.
Please note that since Christmas, I have been 'inundated' with requests for places at the re union. No problem with that,but our allocation of rooms at the RAF CLub is now filled. If you DO want overnight accommodation, the club will do its best to offer an alternative nearby, but it will NOT be in-house.
Happy New Year To All

Pre Christmas Update

2009-12-21T09:01:00.001-08:00

To all of the CL44 Association members, may I on behalf of our two Presidents and my Vice-Chairman extend my warmest Christmas wishes.
The 'Passenger List' for the 2010 re union looks exceedingly healthy and whilst we DO have a few rooms left at the Royal Air Force Club, these are, with the exception of one, single rooms.
If you have the intention of coming to the event (Sat 22nd May) PLEASE do book without delay. Of course, if you do not want HOTAC, then no problem, we have around 18 places available for the informal get together in the Members Bar (4pm onwards) and Dinner (7.30pm).
Next Newsletter will be mailed around the end of January-if you haven't paid your Subs for over 12 months (there are one or two outstanding) do please get in touch.
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE

UPDATE

2009-12-05T09:12:00.000-08:00

2010 Re-Union
If you haven't booked yet-DO PLEASE NOTE that we are still accepting bookings-but rooms at the RAF Club are as scarce as the proverbial-SO DO make sure you get your reservation form in asap.

CL44-O
Looks like the date for the change of ownership may be sooner than we thought. Certainly, news received recently, means that the next Newsletter will be sent to all members in late January 2010.

Has anyone been to Jakarta lately? If so, is the old ex BAYU 44 still in 'one' piece there?

CL44 Association 2010 re-Union

2009-11-10T03:49:00.000-08:00

Reservations for the re-union to be held 22nd May, continue to arrive-today was Tradewinds and Transglobe 'day'-thanks everyone.
This is NOT a SALES pitch-but I do not want anyone disappointed when they apply only to find that all of our rooms quota has been filled. If you DO intend to be at the event, do please apply soon. If you have emailed me to say you will be attending do please forward your booking form with payment for the dinner asap (room charges are paid upon arrival at the Club)
Mike Zoeller and myself are also asking for more 44 'tales from the flightdeck and photos for the March Newsletter.

Mail Strike! What mail strike?

2009-10-30T06:47:00.001-07:00

Update on Re-Union Bookings so far!

WOW! In one word. Thanks to all who have responded with dinner or dinner and HOTAC bookings already. The tickets will be on their way next week.
To those of you who are thinking about it-let me just repeat my previous note about rooms-better you book now than wait only to find 'we ain't got any left'.

Malcolm

Re Union

2009-10-27T05:05:00.000-07:00

Hi everyone-members and visitors. Firstly, as you will have worked out, the picture is that of a Britannia not a 44! As a member of the Britannia Preservation team at Kemble, my job is to arrange group visits to the aircraft which is now gleaming in its former RAF Transport Command livery complete with its original reg of XM496 'Regulus'.Hopefully, the next Newsletter will contain more details of such a visit for us during which a former RAF Britannia Pilot will be on hand to show you around the flight deck.
Thanks to the many of you who have returned your re-union booking forms-do please remember that overnight 'HOTAC' is limited, so the earlier you return your booking form-the better.

Cheers all

Malcolm

Association Update

2009-10-20T06:25:00.001-07:00

To All CL44 Association members.
The November Newsletter is now complete and will be mailed to you all together with the 2010 Re-Union Booking Form, during the next week or so. DO please remember though, that a UK National Postal Strike may affect its prompt delivery.

One of our newest members has embarked upon writing the story of Jack Conroy. Anyone able to assist in this, please do get in touch with me and I will supply further details.

Best regards to all and I DO hope to see you in the RAF CLub on the 22nd May.

ALTERNATE

2009-09-06T12:48:00.001-07:00

As none of us will be clambering aboard a Forty Four over the Battle of Britain Weekend-hows about this for Alternate One?

Kemble Airfield has a two day Battle of Britain Display (19th & 20th September)
The Bristol Britannia-ex RAF Transport Command-ex 99Squadron Lyneham XM496 will be open to receive you. I shall be there both days, so PLEASE do come along.
Gates Open at 9am and the flying starts at 2pm (I believe a Hunter wil be airborne)
When you drive onto Kemble Airfield, you will see a red Hunter-turn right there and hey presto, just around the corner, its us! Do come and see us-the Cafe/Bar called AV8 is close by too!!!!
Malcolm

CANADAIR FORTY FOUR ASSN 2010 RE UNION

2009-08-17T09:11:00.000-07:00

THE DATE AND VENUE OF THE 2010 RE UNION IS NOW FIXED-SATURDAY 22ND MAY AT THE ROYAL AIR FORCE CLUB PICCADILLY LONDON.
RESERVATION FORMS WILL BE MAILED TO ASSOCIATION MEMBERS IN LATE SEPTEMBER BUT IF YOU ARE READING THIS AS A NON-MEMBER AND WOULD LIKE TO ATTEND-NOW'S THE TIME TO REGISTER WITH US-IT MAY PROVE TO BE THE LAST OPPORTUNITY TO SEE SO MANY 'FORTY FOUR' PEOPLE TOGETHER.
DO GET IN TOUCH AND WE'LL DO OUR BEST.

TYNE 515 ENGINES

2009-08-17T09:08:00.000-07:00

To all Association members/non-members world-wide.

CAN ANYONE PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION AS TO THE LOCATION OF ANY TYNE 515 POWER PLANTS?
CONDITION UNIMPORTANT.

THANKS

August 2009 Newsletter

2009-08-09T12:23:00.000-07:00

TO ALL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS:-

FIRSTLY-THE NEWSLETTER WILL BE MAILED OUT TO YOU ALL ON WEDNESDAY 12TH AUGUST.
IT HAS MORE DETAILS OF THE 2010 RE UNION-AND ALSO CONTAINS THE LATEST UP TO DATE NEWS OF THE GUPPY-AND ITS ALL GOOD NEWS TOO-SO IF YOU WANT TO GET THE LATEST-EMAIL ME!
DOES ANYONE KNOW WHERE THERE ARE ANY CL44 PARTS? IF YOU DO, PLEASE GET IN TOUCH ASAP.

PS-WE HAVE OUR FIRST RE UNION BOOKINGS BY THE WAY-AMONGST THEM IS ONE FORMER FLYING TIGER VETERAN-IF YOU WANT TO ENSURE YOUR PLACE AT THE DINNER-LET ME KNOW!

WE HAVE ALSO BEEN ASKED TO CO-OPERATE IN A NEW CL44 DVD THAT IS BEING MADE THIS YEAR-I WILL KEEP YOU POSTED.

CL44 Videos

2009-06-09T13:06:00.000-07:00

I have several copies of the video left on a First Come First Served basis.
£3.00 to inc P&P (UK only)

UPDATE ON THE GUPPY-THE LAST CL44

2009-06-03T06:11:00.000-07:00

I HEARD YESTERDAY FROM NICK LEACH MD OF HEAVYLIFT CARGO AIRLINES IN CAIRNS AUSTRALIA THAT OWNERSHIP OF THE ONE-AND-ONLY GUPPY (C/N 16), HAS PASSED TO BOURNEMOUTH AIRPORT IN HAMPSHIRE UK. THIS IS (ALMOST) CONFIRMED BY BOURNEMOUTH WHOSE INTERPRETATION IS THAT THE AIRCRAFT IS SUBJECT TO LEGAL ACTION DUE TO UNPAID PARKING CHARGES. SHOULD BOURNEMOUTH BE SUCCESSFUL IN ACQUIRING PWNERSHIP, I AM TOLD THAT THEY WILL SEEK THE BEST PRICE POSSIBLE FOR THE AIRCRAFT.
ANYONE, MEMBERS OR NON-MEMBERS, WHO HAVE IDEAS ON HOW WE CAN HELP PRESERVE THIS TRULY ONE-OFF AIRCRAFT, PLEASE DO GET IN TOUCH WITH:- Swingtail44@aol.com

2009-05-31T04:58:00.000-07:00

FOR ASSOCIATION MEMBERS ONLY

FOR SALE: HISTORICAL AVIATION BOOK

'FILTON AND THE FLYING MACHINE'(Published in 1995)
Compiled by Malcolm Hall
Wonderful historical pictorial record of the Filton site
£5.00 plus Postage

Members must be 'current'
Contact-Swingtail44@aol.com

CL44 ASSOCIATION-MEMBERSHIP

2009-05-24T06:03:00.000-07:00

2010 WILL SEE THE FINAL RE UNION-AND THE DISOLVEMENT OF THE FORTY FOUR ASSOCIATION.
DO NOT MISS THIS UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY TO MEET UP WITH 44CREW MEMBERS FROM SUCH EVOCATIVE AIRLINES SUCH AS THE FLYING TIGER LINE, SLICK AIRWAYS, TRANSMERIDIAN AIR CARGO, ROYAL CANADIAN AIR FORCE (437 YUKON SQND) TRANSGLOBE, TRADEWINDS, TRANSVALAIR, AER TURAS, CYPRUS AIRWAYS, UNITED AFRICAN AIRLINES, AFFRETAIR, CARGOLUX AND MANY OTHERS.
IF YOU WISH TO JOIN THE ASSOCIATION-GET IN TOUCH WITHOUT DELAY
swingtail44@aol.com

44 Nostalgia (it ain't what it used to be)

2009-05-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

Journey Log Book for CL44-J now sold and collected.
Ops Manual (Heavylift) Bid stands at £20
Canadair Parts Manual Bid Stands at £10
Prop Overhaul Manual Bid Stands at £10
Main Gear Overhaul Manual Bid Stands at £10

We will NOT post them-too darned heavy I'm afraid

Newsletter is in the mail-look out for some great Transvalair Photos

ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP

2009-05-20T00:38:00.000-07:00

We are almost ready to publish the newsletter-but we realise that one or two of you may not receive it! This is due solely to the fact that you may not have paid your 2009 subscription! So please, get in touch with our Treasurer and ensure that your subs ARE paid. No subs-no re union!
The aircraft journey book for the CL44-J is still under offer from one of our members-it has until this weekend to attract further bids-if not-its on its way to the lucky lad in Ireland!!!!!!
The Parts Manual/Heavylift Ops manuals are still here-a non-member has bid for them but needs to collect them asap.

Cheers all

CL44-J Log Book

2009-05-18T06:26:00.000-07:00

One member has bid for the log book (+ one non-member)

FOR SALE-MEMBERS ONLY

2009-05-17T01:06:00.001-07:00

I have a (battered) piece of 44 nostalgia that may be of interest to members.
ONE CL44 JOURNEY LOG BOOK-AIRCRAFT No 35-CL44-J REG 5A-DGJ AND 9Q-CQS
Dated: 15/01/1980 The first entry is pre dated and is 08/9/1979 A test flt for UAA with Capt J.P. Graf, F/O Lattman and F/E Grienenberger.
Thereafter, the pages show all flts made from Tripoli and feature Capts such as Jim White, Jock Hutchinson, Colin Rhenius, J.J. Vivien, Mike Savill, Brian Williams, etc etc. F/O's include Mike Quinn, Keith Huggett, Tony DeJesus. F/E's inc Sammy Samuels, Mal Granville.Many other familiar names also appear.
If anyone IS interested in acquiring this unique reminder-Lets open the bidding at £10.00 plus postage.All bids to swingtail44@aol.com

2009-05-16T03:18:00.000-07:00

The contents of the forthcoming Newsletter have been listed below together with their authors:-

Nick Newell (Canada) Ref his father Fred who designed the 44's swingttail hinges.
Flt Engr Jim Townsend-ex Rhodesia
Details of our new member-Alan Clare
Flt Engr Bryan Grace (BOAC)-and the 'Posh' Britannia
Michael Zoeller-'Intraco'
F/O Ian Runnalls-Transglobe-Late Again

A major Article on Transvalair

'Swiss Co-Pilots' by Capt Phil Brown

Watch out for this film-details from Elgen Long (FTL)

Major photo Album

Should be in your mail box by the end of June everyone!

Any more articles on 44's for the next edition???????

Malcolm

Summer Newsletter

2009-05-08T00:49:00.000-07:00

Many thanks to those members who sent us material and photos for the Summer edition-we are now also working on some CL44 slides in the hope that we can produce a CD for members to buy -we'll keep you posted on that.

We seem to have 'mislaid' the following members-any ideas anyone?

Caroline Atkinson (Tradewinds) Malcolm Coates (Transglobe/Tradewinds) Richard Hart (TMAC).

2010 re union

2009-05-05T00:43:00.000-07:00

The 2010 Re Union IS now booked and 35 rooms at the Royal Air Force Club in Piccadilly London are reserved (20 doubles plus 15 singles). Please make a note of the date which is

SATURDAY 22ND MAY

The next edition of the Newsletter will be ready for distribution at the end of June. If you have omitted to send us your 2009 membership subscription-you won't receive it!

We have created something of a bumper issue featuring Transvalair (the Swiss Cargo Carrier)
Thanks to Markus Seiler for the photos used in that article and to Phil Brown, Mal Granville, both

DON'T MISS IT

2009-03-06T02:47:00.000-08:00

Despite recent rumours of my demise ( I had a bad car smash last week), I AM working on:-
1. The next Newsletter (due out in late March)
2. The 2010 re union.
With regard to the 2010 re union, the Committee's aim is to attract a FULL HOUSE-that means 140 of us sitting down together.
No reason why we cannot make that target-we have an adequate and enthusiastic membership well in excess of that number and we do have enough time to get you all organised into attending.

Thanks to Jeff Seideman (Flying Tiger Line) Malcolm Granville (TMAC, Transvalair, UAA) Bob Morgan (Slick Airways) and others for articles for the Newsletter-and one of Mike Zoeller's photos this time round will be a nose-mounted Tyne engine-with one of our Assocation members (F/Eng Bryan Grace-BOAC) on board.
All worth the £10 annual Membership fee we think.

Thanks to all of you you sent best wishes to Di and myself.

CL44 Association Happenings

2009-03-02T09:22:00.000-08:00

We do hope to have the next edition of the Newsletter 'in the mail' to you all in late March or early April. However, it is NOT too late to let us have YOUR recollections of a particular flight or 44 colleague. DO please note that the Newsletter will be MAILED to you all-it will not appear on the website.
I just heard from Don Young (former Transmeridian Air Cargo Manager in Hong Kong). He's fit and well and is in touch with former Flying Tigers CL44 pilot Luis Salazar who is now living in Florida. This gives me an opportunity to mention that we do have lots of USA members from the days of Flying Tigers, Seaboard & Western-as it was initally before becoming Seaboard World, Slick Airways plus of course, latter days operators of the 'Forty Four' such as Wrangler/Blue Bell and AEI(Aeron).

2009-02-27T06:39:00.000-08:00

The 2010 CL44 Association Re-union has now been booked at the RAF Club 126 Piccadilly London for SATURDAY 22ND MAY 2010. All Association members are invited and reservation details will be included in the Winter edition of the Newsletter.
The next Newsletter is now scheduled for mailing in 6-8 weeks time. Mike Zoeller has produced another fine 'Photopage' and thanks to several members for their contributions.
May I take this opportunity to remind everyone that 2009 MEMBERSHIP FEES are now overdue. Payment should now be made to our UK Treasurer or to our USA President if you are in the USA or Canada. Further details from swingtail44@aol.com.
WE ARE ALWAYS ON THE LOOK OUT FOR CL44 PHOTOS AND ARTICLES

Looking for Ron Pickler

2009-02-10T07:51:00.001-08:00

We are trying to locate one of our Assn members Mr Ron Pickler in Canada-can anyone help or tell him to contact the Association Chairman-thank you

UPDATES

2009-02-08T03:42:00.000-08:00

TO ALL MEMBERS:
WE NEED YOUR COMMENTS, ARTICLES, PHOTOGRAPHS ETC FOR THE JUNE EDITION
MIKE ZOELLER WILL BE PRODUCING A 'SPECIAL' PHOTO SECTION AND WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE MANY ORIGINAL 44 SNAPS THAT WE HAVEN'T SEEN YET, SO PLEASE-LET'S HAVE 'EM.

Latest CL44 News

2009-02-06T13:24:00.000-08:00

To all CL44 Association Members.

Right now -things are happening- News of the Scrapping of a CL44-D4 in BZV seems to have aroused many of you-non-member Mike Snow has let us have amended details of the aircraft in question (thanx Mike-good to hear from you)
We are in discussion with an aviation Society hoping that its plans to have the Guppy flight deck section can be advanced andour Association Treasurer just wishes to remind everyone that 2009 membership dues are awaited!!

Our blueprint right now is to hold the next re-union in London in the Spring of 2010-so do please let us have YOUR membership fees so that your eligibility to that p*** up is guaranteed

Swingtail Newsletter PDF Archive

2009-02-06T09:25:00.000-08:00

1999
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2002
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2004
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(Other Months to come as not originally pdfs)

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2006
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2007
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2008
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Test

2009-01-25T10:46:00.000-08:00

Just a test to see if everything is OK.

Steve (webmaster)