The Helicopter Money Shot
Sometimes being one of the few serious photographers in town can be beneficial in unusual ways. Let’s back up a few days before we came to Cairns to take care of Eunie’s health problem. I got a call from Heli Niugini management and my friend Monty Armstrong asking if I could go out for a ride to take some promotional shots for them. I didn’t even have to think about it. It’s a no-brainer. A free helicopter ride over Paradise? What kind of an idiot would turn that down?
While I was waiting for them to prepare the two Bell Jet Rangers which would be required for the mission, I caught some of the technical guys installing a new transmission in a Huey. Nothing gets off the ground without these fellows’ careful scrutiny:
You’re looking right down the business end of the engine where that big round pipe is.
While cruising around, I got this great shot of our house:
That’s Faded Glory there at the dock.
Here is a very nice shot of Coronation Drive, the golf course and the island chain reaching up the coast. We do nearly all of our dives in the area covered by this shot:
You can barely see the Coastwatchers Monumtent at the distant end of the golf course just where Dallman Passage starts.
In case you can’t see it in the shot above, here is a pretty close-up of it:
To the left is the Coastwatcher Hotel, known by locals as “Coasties”, of course.
I was happy with a free ride for taking the photos, but the particular view needed – The Money Shot – was of a Heli Niugini machine placed just so in the frame with a nice tropical paradise scene in the background. This proved to be the one:
It’s going on a two metre long billboard along with promotional text and the company logo.
I was happy to provide this service in exchange for the rare opportunity to get some great shots of my own, which I will be showing over the next week or so.
Naturally, the uncertainty concerning the cause underlying Eunie’s illness has us in a delicate psychological condition. Personally, if given free reign and no responsibility, I’d hide under the covers and sleep. This is not going to do any good for either of us.
So, for the first time since I started Madang – Ples Bilong Mi, it is therapy for me. I hope it doesn’t get too weird.
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Hi Jan
Best to Eunice from me. Love the haircut.
The Jetrangers are actually B407s. Look the same but 20cm wider for those with a fuller figure, lots more power and all new mechanicals and rotor.
Fabulous aerial shots Jan. I love the one of Coronation Drive. It reminded me of the lovely song called “Madang” by Demas Saul. You can really see those islands in a line.
“Ol ailan in lain i go, na mekim yu e hamamas tru, em i beautiful Madang.”
It’s strange, Ali, that I don’t ever remember hearing that song. I have to admit that I’m not a big fan of local music. It seems to have pretty much one tune and one beat. However, those are certainly beautiful words.
Hi Monty. Thanks for the info about the Bell. The news about Eunie’s condition is not good. Email me about it and I’ll give you a cell phone number you can call. I know that she will want to talk to you and Meri.
The shot of the dock makes me home sick.
Brings back memorizes.
What Grace says, I’m a big fan of helicopter rides and aerial photography, so it was sweet to see these pretty pictures. Thanks MadDog.
And Ali, that does sound like a beautiful Island song, thanks also.
Hi Jan
Well the shots from the air don’t make Madang ( the would-be), tropical paradise look too bad.
Sorry to learn of the health problems of the good lady wife, hope that in Cairns all can be fixed up.
Cheers
Colin
ex-Pindiu/Finschhafen 63/69
We will rally the prayer warriors here on behalf of both of you!!
Alicia and John, we know that we can count on you for that. I can’t even imagine how many people are praying for Eunie now. It is a comfort.
Hi, Colin. It’s strange how Madang looks better from the air than it does from the ground. I guess it’s because you can’t see how it’s decaying. We couldn’t be in a better place than Cairns for Eunie’s treatment and recovery. The facilities are as good as anywhere and we have a terrific network of friends here.
Steve B – thanks for chiming in. My pleasure to to bring them to you. Check out the Madang Club in “Two Helicopters”.
Yes, Gracie. And very pleasant ones, at that. Bless you, my love, for all you have meant to us for these many decades.