POPPA ZULU here.
Learned how to fly the Wong way.
Hanger boy for Central Airways 1961.
Ex 201 CENTER 0 SQN RCAC Kawthra Sq. toronto.
Soloed on 16 th birthday
Got my PPL 17 birthday.
Hello, Canada.
I miss you all!
Greetings from NZ
Moderators: North Shore, sky's the limit, sepia, Sulako, lilfssister, I WAS Birddog
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POPPA ZULU
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Heavy Rayn
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Re: Greetings from NZ
Ahh, I remember the Wongs! It's not the same at the Island anymore, indeed, you would not recognize it. General aviation still happens there, but nothing like it used to be!
I think back to a nice day I spent at Ardmore, which I'm sure still bustles with GA, much more so than the Island!
I think back to a nice day I spent at Ardmore, which I'm sure still bustles with GA, much more so than the Island!
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POPPA ZULU
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POPPA ZULU
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Re: Greetings from NZ
Hi PilotDAR,
YUP, Bob and Tommy Wong and nephew Tony.
I first met Bob Wong when I delivered the Toronto Star to his house on Ventor Rd. East York.
Being the hanger boy for Central Airways after school and weekends was awsum.
Put 34 aircraft in the hanger every night.
Vertical prop meant fuel up first, then hanger time.
Ardmore Airfield is slowly getting surrounded by the growing Auckland suburbs kinda like Buttonville, I imagine.
YUP, Bob and Tommy Wong and nephew Tony.
I first met Bob Wong when I delivered the Toronto Star to his house on Ventor Rd. East York.
Being the hanger boy for Central Airways after school and weekends was awsum.
Put 34 aircraft in the hanger every night.
Vertical prop meant fuel up first, then hanger time.
Ardmore Airfield is slowly getting surrounded by the growing Auckland suburbs kinda like Buttonville, I imagine.
Last edited by POPPA ZULU on Tue Nov 21, 2023 9:20 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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New Antique Pilot
- Rank 2
- Posts: 63
- Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 10:13 am
Re: Greetings from NZ
Are you chaps aware of the recent barn find that was reported in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix newspaper? This is a homebuilt kit aircraft called a Pietenpol Sky Scout CF-BAA. The teen aged Wong brothers built this aircraft in their Vancouver apartment before moving on to Toronto. The aircraft is mostly all their sans engine and prop. It had a Model A Ford engine with a rad that severely blocked forward vision.POPPA ZULU wrote: ↑Tue Nov 21, 2023 8:34 pm Hi PilotDAR,
YUP, Bob and Tommy Wong and nephew Tony.
I first met Bob Wong when I delivered the Toronto Star to his house on Ventor Rd. East York.
Being the hanger boy for Central Airways after school and weekends was awsum.
Put 34 aircraft in the hanger every night.
Vertical peop meant fuel up first, then hanger time.
NAP
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POPPA ZULU
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- Posts: 6
- Joined: Mon Nov 20, 2023 4:17 pm
Re: Greetings from NZ
New Antique Pilot,
I heard about the Pientenpol and the Wong Brothers constructing it, but not that it had been found.
I hope it becomes a restored museum piece as it’s historic
I heard about the Pientenpol and the Wong Brothers constructing it, but not that it had been found.
I hope it becomes a restored museum piece as it’s historic
Re: Greetings from NZ
Are you chaps aware of the recent barn find that was reported in the Saskatoon Star Phoenix newspaper? This is a homebuilt kit aircraft called a Pietenpol Sky Scout CF-BAA. The teen aged Wong brothers built this aircraft in their Vancouver apartment before moving on to Toronto. The aircraft is mostly all their sans engine and prop. It had a Model A Ford engine with a rad that severely blocked forward vision.
NAP
[/quote]
https://thestarphoenix.com/feature/an-u ... c-airplane
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albertdesalvo
- Rank 8
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- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:38 pm
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POPPA ZULU
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Re: Greetings from NZ
Hi there Albert, I’m originally an East Yorker too.
Me and my brothers had a monopoly on the newspaper routes.
Had to save up for flying lessons until I got my big break of becoming hanger boy for C.A., Central Airways, alias, the Chinese Airforce.
Fleet Canuck $11.00 per hour, instructor $2.00 per hour.
Made a buck an hour cash, and a buck an hour flying time.
The good old days….
Me and my brothers had a monopoly on the newspaper routes.
Had to save up for flying lessons until I got my big break of becoming hanger boy for C.A., Central Airways, alias, the Chinese Airforce.
Fleet Canuck $11.00 per hour, instructor $2.00 per hour.
Made a buck an hour cash, and a buck an hour flying time.
The good old days….
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albertdesalvo
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- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:38 pm
Re: Greetings from NZ
I was a hopper for the Star when I was 17. Great job, loved it. Used to see Beland Honderich on the dock. He was a hands-on guy.
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POPPA ZULU
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Re: Greetings from NZ
It’s a small world, Albert.
After 200 hours flying time, a motorcycle accident killed my Central Airways job and I drifted away to become a professional commercial photographer.
My love of aviation kept me aircraft oriented.
in the early 80s was the main shooter for air to air work at Canadian Aviation magazine, editor Hugh Whittington.
Here in NZ my main client was Air New Zealand, until I retired.
After 200 hours flying time, a motorcycle accident killed my Central Airways job and I drifted away to become a professional commercial photographer.
My love of aviation kept me aircraft oriented.
in the early 80s was the main shooter for air to air work at Canadian Aviation magazine, editor Hugh Whittington.
Here in NZ my main client was Air New Zealand, until I retired.
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albertdesalvo
- Rank 8
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- Joined: Fri Jul 20, 2007 6:38 pm
Re: Greetings from NZ
Ha ha. Not only did I work for the Star at 17, I had a motorcycle too! Bought it brand new from a dealer on O'Connor.
It sure is a small world. I've been on Ventnor Ave countless times, going to the arena or Cedarvale or whatever, and I know that neighborhood like the back of my hand. I'm from the St. Clair side of the valley.
My mom was good friends with a lady whose husband was an senior instructor at YTZ, initials S.D. they were EY people. Anyway, better not go on, someone is sure to give us shit and say take it private. Enjoyed bumping into you here!
It sure is a small world. I've been on Ventnor Ave countless times, going to the arena or Cedarvale or whatever, and I know that neighborhood like the back of my hand. I'm from the St. Clair side of the valley.
My mom was good friends with a lady whose husband was an senior instructor at YTZ, initials S.D. they were EY people. Anyway, better not go on, someone is sure to give us shit and say take it private. Enjoyed bumping into you here!
