271873PD: VH-RLP Cessna 205 (210-5) of Nor' West Air Taxis Carnarvon at Wittenoom Gorge Airport

Year

1964-1968.

Warnings and disclaimer

Title supplied by cataloguer. This image has been preserved and made available by the Historical Records Rescue Consortium Project supported by Lotterywest. All images may only be reproduced with the acknowledgement: Courtesy of Aerial Surveys Australia. WA mining magnate Lang Hancock discovered Wittenoom Gorge in the early 1930s, and in 1937 commenced mining of blue asbestos. The town of Wittenoom (named after Frank Wittenoom, who was Hancock’s partner in nearby Mulga Downs Station) was established for the mine workers and their families. 150,000 tonnes of asbestos was extracted from the mines between 1937 and 1966, and over 20,000 people worked and lived in the area. Over 3 million tonnes of mine tailings, containing 5% asbestos, were used in the construction of Wittenoom town, the airstrip and facilities. Asbestos releases fibres which can cause potentially fatal health problems. Several hundred people who worked or lived there subsequently died of asbestos-related diseases. Residents were urged to leave the town for health reasons, and by 2006 only eight people remained, despite there being no electricity or government services. In June 2007, the town of Wittenoom was removed from maps, with the site de-gazetted by the government, but still a small number of residents remain. Wittenoom airstrip, which was made using asbestos mine tailings, is located 2km north-east of the town of Wittenoom. A report commissioned by the WA State Government in November 2006 stated that the surface of the airstrip should be ripped to encourage vegetation, and access roads should be closed. On 16 September. 1963, Nor'West Air Taxis Pty. Ltd., founded by pioneering W.A. cattle-mustering pilot John Roulston, commenced operations. It was based at Carnarvon, using Cessna 175 VH-RDU, and was primarily engaged in aerial cattle mustering. Nor'West Air Taxis fleet eventually included: Cessna 182 VH-AEP; Cessna 175 VH-RDU; Cessna 206 VH-PQD; Cessna 205 (210-5) VH-RLP; Cessna 337 VH-DND, and VH-RDY; and Mooney M-20 VH-TMK. On 30 June 1967, Nor'West Air Taxis Pty Ltd was acquired by Simpson Aviation Pty Ltd and renamed Trans-West Air Charter Pty Ltd on the same date. Trans-West had bases at Port Hedland, Carnarvon, and Jandakot, with the latter two sharing Cessna 205 (210-5) VH-RLP. VH-RLP Cessna 205 (210-5) (construction number: 205-0213). Was to be registered in the USA as N8213Z, but registration not taken up. Registered in Australia as VH-RLP to Rex Aviation Ltd on 15 October 1963. Registered VH-RLP to Nor'West Air Taxis Pty Ltd on 3 June 1964. Registered to Trans-West Air Charter Pty. Ltd. 10 October 1967. Registered to C.M. Long, East Malvern, Vic, 5 October 1972. Various owners since then. Cancelled from register 25 September 1979 as withdrawn from use. Returned to register on 4 February 1987 as VH-RLP. Still registered in 2009, now based in Broome, WA. Info supplied by David Eyre (Nor’West Air Taxis and aircraft history courtesy of Fred Niven, via David Eyre) – August 2009.

Subjects

• Airports -- Western Australia -- Photographs.
• Cessna 210 (Airplane) -- Western Australia -- Photographs.
• Cessna aircraft -- Western Australia -- Photographs.
• View more on SLWA catalogue

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