Air boat a blast from the past

RALPH'S RAMBLES
By Councillor Ralph Blyth

G’day. Over the years those who know me have heard me mention ‒ probably more than a couple of times ‒ an airboat that my father Jim Blyth built while he was working at Oenpelli (today called Gunbalanya) in the late 1940s.

I looked high and low and humbugged anybody who might have seen a photo of proof.

Life went on for a bit, and a few years ago I saw a picture hanging up in an office in Gunbalanya, so I started humbugging again.

My father’s sister, who lived in Melbourne before passing away a couple of years ago, sent through three pictures of it.

They were put away for safe keeping and only found recently while packing up to move house. On a bit of paper with the pictures was the following:

“Jim’s flat bottom boat known as the ‘flying drip tray was powered by a ? Gypsy Moth engine. With Ralph Barton’s also at Oenpelli help cut from an old wreck - ? war time. It was mounted on the back of the boat. Anybody with little knowledge ? a new chap could have had his head cut off said Jim.”

A mate Mike Owens and I often discussed how and where to find out more information. Mike made comment when interviewed by ABC Radio during Gunbalanya 100-year celebrations.

I am hoping a reader of The Wire might have a bit more information on the boat.

I am not sure how long it was operating but apparently the Government wanted their “engine” back, so the “flying drip tray” minus the engine ended its days as a dumb barge.