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RAAF Splitty

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57kombi Hannover Elder

2,544 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#153786
I went to a show at a motor museum in Birdwood, it was a rock n roll type show with all vehicles from the 50s to the 70s.
The only VW was a bright yellow RAAF look out splitty with the look-out tower on the top, and 2 sky lights, it was a 67 double door, It was a S.A. reg car and was in very good condition, had been restored. The owner wasnt around so I couldnt get any info, and I forgot to take my camera "sorry".
How many of these are around?

Cheers
DAve

VDUBXTC Tea Bag

3,587 posts · joined Feb 2003 ·

#153878
Would this be the one.
Its 1 of two mobile control towers i know of thats still alive.
This one was restored in darwin.





Jasmine the 75 L Bug
56 oval, 2000 New Beetle

preacherman Officially Full-On Dubber

257 posts · joined Feb 2004 ·

#153884
Hi Dave

I've got one but it does not have the observation tower on top. It has the two large windows however above the cab. I was about to return it to it's original colour of Golden Yellow with White roof however may have to sell it as is due to other commitments. It is currently blue with white roof. the two windows are really great as they let so much light in and as mine are slightly tinted i have not gotten too hot even on the hottest of W.A days.

Mine has a twin port 1600 motor and is a 1965 build. I drove it everywhere over this weekend with a lot of admiring looks.

I'm not sure if they all have double barn doors but mine has
and it is double skinned at the bottom. that may too be requisite due to having double barn doors.

Good to know that there are others on the road. YEH

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#153899
following courtesy of <Penguin> via email to me..
Makes interesting reading..

"but apprently we had a few types in
service. There were container vans, the Air traffic control vans, and the
last (which is what I think you were asking abt) were used to spot for
falling army paras (dirt darts). These were some of the responses I have so
far:

> I can remember in the late 70's early 80's at WLM and Butterworth we used
> the "Whippy vans" as flight line vehicles. They had a large square type
> box on the back large enough to stand up in. Mainly used by the RADTECHS.
> Gearboxes were so loose you could change gears without using the clutch.
> Also had to be VERY careful not to roll them.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Duncan, Ken MR
> Posted At: Tuesday, 23 March 2004 14:27
> Posted To: Aerial Activities
> Conversation: Question - Sort of historical flying
> Subject: Question - Sort of historical flying
>
>
>
> AMB had a coupla Kombi special vehicles, though they were pretty much out
> of use in the late 70's/early 80's when I saw them. One was a refrigerated
> van for moving rations the other was a mobile control tower which was air
> conditioned. This is possibly the one of which you speak. They (the MT
> fitters) used to keep them functioning/serviced but I never saw them
> actually used.
>
> KD

AND

Conversation: Question - Sort of historical flying
> Subject: VW Combis
>
> I hate to admit it but I remeber these things, They were used aa a Mobile
> Aicraft Monitoring Vehicle (MAMV), a sort of mobile control tower. Someone
> would sit an a stool under the bubble and keep an eye on various aircraft
> and give direction over the radio if needed. There was an airconditioner
> that hung off the back to keep the inside cool.
>
> Imagine sitting out on the edge of the strip at Pearce under the summer
> sun in a hot house.
>
> These thing were usually used on Training Bases (ie 1FTS and 2FTS) by the
> Duty Instructor to help out the students.
>
> One of these Kombis was done up at Pearce many years ago (1980ish) and
> took part in a Variety club bash.

StenGuns Veteran Volks Folk

2,147 posts · joined Mar 2004 ·

#153900
following courtesy of <Penguin> via email to me..
Makes interesting reading..

"but apprently we had a few types in
service. There were container vans, the Air traffic control vans, and the
last (which is what I think you were asking abt) were used to spot for
falling army paras (dirt darts). These were some of the responses I have so
far:

> I can remember in the late 70's early 80's at WLM and Butterworth we used
> the "Whippy vans" as flight line vehicles. They had a large square type
> box on the back large enough to stand up in. Mainly used by the RADTECHS.
> Gearboxes were so loose you could change gears without using the clutch.
> Also had to be VERY careful not to roll them.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Duncan, Ken MR
> Posted At: Tuesday, 23 March 2004 14:27
> Posted To: Aerial Activities
> Conversation: Question - Sort of historical flying
> Subject: Question - Sort of historical flying
>
>
>
> AMB had a coupla Kombi special vehicles, though they were pretty much out
> of use in the late 70's/early 80's when I saw them. One was a refrigerated
> van for moving rations the other was a mobile control tower which was air
> conditioned. This is possibly the one of which you speak. They (the MT
> fitters) used to keep them functioning/serviced but I never saw them
> actually used.
>
> KD

AND

Conversation: Question - Sort of historical flying
> Subject: VW Combis
>
> I hate to admit it but I remeber these things, They were used aa a Mobile
> Aicraft Monitoring Vehicle (MAMV), a sort of mobile control tower. Someone
> would sit an a stool under the bubble and keep an eye on various aircraft
> and give direction over the radio if needed. There was an airconditioner
> that hung off the back to keep the inside cool.
>
> Imagine sitting out on the edge of the strip at Pearce under the summer
> sun in a hot house.
>
> These thing were usually used on Training Bases (ie 1FTS and 2FTS) by the
> Duty Instructor to help out the students.
>
> One of these Kombis was done up at Pearce many years ago (1980ish) and
> took part in a Variety club bash.

57kombi Hannover Elder

2,544 posts · joined Aug 2002 ·

#153973
VW0064.
Thats the one, it now has S.A. plates,

Cheers
Dave

nbturbo Veteran Volks Folk

2,171 posts · joined Dec 2002 ·

#154014
Dave-I have seen that Bus a couple of times at Parafield airport.I drop in there occasionally.I have had every nut and bolt and all brackets and catches cad plated at Tenix Aviation in there for my Oval resto.