GPA wanted in Australia to build Half-Safe Replica

[Mike K]

Originally Posted by lynx42

A couple of stills from the Pathe film clip.

Not much free board.

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With Elinore and Ben in Melbourne at the bow of Half-Safe.

Regards Rick.

They are both smiling for the camera so at least they were still on speaking terms , she must have cleared off just after this movie was done. Apparently she never remarried and she never spoke of the trip to anyone Mike

[Jan Thompson]

A GPA has been sourced and the owner is looking for internal photos to complete the interior. If anyone has some please email them to me: kveinc@optusnet.com.au

I have a few and I am sure there must be others out there.

[Jan Thompson]

Half-Safe is ready to sail.

Is there anyone out there who would be able to assist with the following:

Craig Olsen has provided the following update: You may be aware that I have been doing my GPA project as a re-enactment of the Half Safe odyssey. Channel 7 has filmed during 3 days as my GPA has been put together over the last few months. You are probably aware also, that its taken up a most of my spare time. The project is coming to a completion with the final filming in a week or two. This filming will take place off Barrenjoey Heads, possibly on Sunday 14th August, and will go to air soon after the Olympics. I am mechanically challenged, so I am after a co-driver with jeep mechanical wherewith all (preferably GPA experience) to be a back up to get the GPA running if something stalls us. We will have the company of a Ch 7 boat which is doing some filming.

We have built a cabin and an extended bow that fits on to the GPA to replicate Half Safe and of course to help with the GPAs low free board. The cabin has 2 hatches for entry and escape – just like Half Safe. It is planned that the GPA will be launched inside Barrenjoey Heads and then sail through the heads for some breathtaking aerial shots of the vastness of the ocean compared to the tiny GPA.
The trip is for the adventurous and if conditions are adverse, the trip will be postponed as it is safety first of course.

[Jan Thompson]

I had a report from Craig this morning and he has organised a mechanic and another person who is very familiar with GPA's to join him on Sunday. I plan to go and have a look so will post some photos on here after Sunday.

[Jan Thompson]

After reading reports from people who were negative about this project all I can say it has been a great success and will be seen in Sept or October on Channel 7. The program is called Sunday Night. The film crew have been over to the United States and interviewed one of the passengers, went across to the Guildford Grammar School in Perth and drove the original Half Safe and have watched Craig modify the GPA. This afternoon Alex Cullen, the reporter drove the replica into Pittwater and we were able to go out on a boat and watch the entire filming process during the afternoon. Rob, the mechanic did an amazing job to get the vehicle running well and any problems that arose today were quickly sorted out. A Maritime boat came over and checked out what was happening and I ended up being able to have a ride in the water.

I have posted some photos and we should see the vehicle at Corowa in March 2017.

[Jan Thompson]

Here are some more photos of the replica Half Safe

[Hanno Spoelstra]

Great to see that a GPA owner was found willing to convert his prized posession for this venture. I hope to see the documentary one day!