Aerial application of unground rock phosphate.
Photograph courtesy of John Burrow, Perth
Details not remembered but almost certainly Dollar Helicopter Services who were the main aerial fertilising contrators at this period. A large portion of their ground team members and pilots were of New Zealander origin. The Aerospatiale Lama could well be that registered as G-BCPA built in 1973. The red and yellow colours are unmistakable and a dollar ($) symbol can just be made out on the door of the Unimog vehicle.
The loading site is perfect for helicopters as the ground drops away in front and saves the pilot having to lift vertically to get going.
John comments ‘My undying memory of the Kiwi’s doing the ground work was in Balquidder when I was ‘accosted’ by hillwalkers who had the misfortune of not seeing my signs and had been ‘sprayed’ with unground rock phosphate. They were not best pleased and had remonstrated with the ground crew, only to be told by one wag that it was “Its okay, we’re just disposing of low grade nuclear waste!”
A great image. Does anyone recognise the location?
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Groups: Aircraft in Forestry Work, Forestry Areas, Forestry in Action