Browse our Photo Galleries
Contributions are welcome and may be used in our quarterly journal. Please include date (approximate is fine), names and place. Permission to use photographs should be obtained from the authors or check with PNGAA. Following any approval to re-use photographs, both the photographer and PNGAA need acknowledging.
The history of aviation from the early 1930's to before independence in 1975 in PNG. As seen through the eyes of Derek Crisp, Charles Gray, Dennis Gray, William Gray and Graham Syphers. These galleries explore the planes, the places and the identities of the times - truly a historical record.
DEREK (JOS) ELWYN CRISP (14 June 1901 - 13 February 1942)
Pre-war New Guinea Pilot - Derek (Jos) Elwyn Crisp
Jos flew for WR Carpenter's & Co. Salamaua from the early 1930's and died February 1942 when flying evacuees out of Papua New Guinea as a result of the invasion of New Guinea by the Japanese during World War ll. At that time he had been commissioned as a pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force. David Montgomery received Jos’ photo album, log books, press cuttings and a copy of the" New Guinea Diary" from his Mother who was Jos’ sister.
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David originally compiled this series as a Powerpoint presentation and has kindly agreed to allow PNGAA to publish the series as separate slides on its web site. The captions to the photos are, in the main, those recorded by Jos Crisp. Some of the slides contain explanatory notations or minor editorial corrections - these are encased in square brackets or shown in italics.
Pre-war New Guinea Pilot - Derek (Jos) Elwyn Crisp
Jos flew for WR Carpenter's & Co. Salamaua from the early 1930's and died February 1942 when flying evacuees out of Papua New Guinea as a result of the invasion of New Guinea by the Japanese during World War ll. At that time he had been commissioned as a pilot in the Royal Australian Air Force. David Montgomery received Jos’ photo album, log books, press cuttings and a copy of the" New Guinea Diary" from his Mother who was Jos’ sister.
............
David originally compiled this series as a Powerpoint presentation and has kindly agreed to allow PNGAA to publish the series as separate slides on its web site. The captions to the photos are, in the main, those recorded by Jos Crisp. Some of the slides contain explanatory notations or minor editorial corrections - these are encased in square brackets or shown in italics.
Papua New Guinea was a very different place before Independence. A story as told by Graham Sphyers
Here is the final part of a personal reminiscence and quick look by one Australian expat living in New Guinea, pre Independence. I had a total of sixteen years flying in PNG.The years 1966 to 1975 were by far the best and most satisfying.
TPNG. Prior to Independence 1975.
In my personal reminiscences in the article, Old New Guinea Photographs, Part Two, I said this was the final part. Anyone who has drank beer with a Territorian (the New Guinea or the Northern type) knows that the last one is not necessarily so. So, by popular demand, with many nostalgia buffs coming out of the woodwork, here is Part Three. No. 3 is not so personal. These lapun (old) TPNG buffs are from all walks of life. Kiaps, nurses, pilots, flight hostesses, aircraft engineers, former plantation owners, bag snatchers (some now airline managers), school teachers, ex missionaries, miners, crocodile shooters and various business people.
Being accused of living in the past is pekpek bilong bulmakau. This sentiment is from those who were not there. Being proud of one’s achievements, of working hard, enjoying life in a wild and beautiful country known as the Land of the Unexpected, being part of adventures, meeting great characters, observing history, seeing unusual sights aplenty, experiencing danger, helping the natives advance into the 20th century, appreciating their differences and general good nature - was a unique experience - not easily forgotten.
Even dealing with the thieves (stilman) and the more serious criminals (raskols) was something that most expatriates took in their stride (with some ingenious innovations and remedies). Raskols have now upped the ante to include armed robbery and frequent murder.
I have been encouraged by the response of many TPNG expatriates who were aviators, some that I have not seen for 45 years (there are no good-byes in flying). They recalled their TPNG time with sincere appreciation, flying around the highlands and islands in foul weather, being allowed an amazing amount of freedom to do what is best, with common sense – at such a young age. They all loved the old TPNG days. They furnished me with some of their old coloured slides and Kodachrome photographs to use. I greatly appreciate this courtesy. Their names appear on the credits, the rest are my own photos. Some of these old time bush pilots now have a lot of flight time in Boeing 747s and many are retired. They still fondly remember their TPNG Cessna 185 days.
So, from one (of the many) who has had the privilege and pleasure of flying some wonderful characters from TPNG’s history around the skies of Papua and New Guinea – one who has frightened the best and highest ranking – I ask you to enjoy another trip back to taim bipor. For those not in the loop, this means Time before Independence.
Graham Syphers
In my personal reminiscences in the article, Old New Guinea Photographs, Part Two, I said this was the final part. Anyone who has drank beer with a Territorian (the New Guinea or the Northern type) knows that the last one is not necessarily so. So, by popular demand, with many nostalgia buffs coming out of the woodwork, here is Part Three. No. 3 is not so personal. These lapun (old) TPNG buffs are from all walks of life. Kiaps, nurses, pilots, flight hostesses, aircraft engineers, former plantation owners, bag snatchers (some now airline managers), school teachers, ex missionaries, miners, crocodile shooters and various business people.
Being accused of living in the past is pekpek bilong bulmakau. This sentiment is from those who were not there. Being proud of one’s achievements, of working hard, enjoying life in a wild and beautiful country known as the Land of the Unexpected, being part of adventures, meeting great characters, observing history, seeing unusual sights aplenty, experiencing danger, helping the natives advance into the 20th century, appreciating their differences and general good nature - was a unique experience - not easily forgotten.
Even dealing with the thieves (stilman) and the more serious criminals (raskols) was something that most expatriates took in their stride (with some ingenious innovations and remedies). Raskols have now upped the ante to include armed robbery and frequent murder.
I have been encouraged by the response of many TPNG expatriates who were aviators, some that I have not seen for 45 years (there are no good-byes in flying). They recalled their TPNG time with sincere appreciation, flying around the highlands and islands in foul weather, being allowed an amazing amount of freedom to do what is best, with common sense – at such a young age. They all loved the old TPNG days. They furnished me with some of their old coloured slides and Kodachrome photographs to use. I greatly appreciate this courtesy. Their names appear on the credits, the rest are my own photos. Some of these old time bush pilots now have a lot of flight time in Boeing 747s and many are retired. They still fondly remember their TPNG Cessna 185 days.
So, from one (of the many) who has had the privilege and pleasure of flying some wonderful characters from TPNG’s history around the skies of Papua and New Guinea – one who has frightened the best and highest ranking – I ask you to enjoy another trip back to taim bipor. For those not in the loop, this means Time before Independence.
Graham Syphers
Dennis Gray's contribution is a compilation of photographs taken by his Uncle, Bill Gray (circa 1935-41),
his father, Charles Gray (circa 1940-41), and himself during 1969-73.
It is a wonderful collection of aviation history in PNG,
combined with a cross section depicting living in PNG during these periods.
his father, Charles Gray (circa 1940-41), and himself during 1969-73.
It is a wonderful collection of aviation history in PNG,
combined with a cross section depicting living in PNG during these periods.
