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Post by corsair67 on Jun 6, 2009 1:41:17 GMT 12
Love that last selection of shots too, Obiwan.
I still remember the noise as the Mirages pulled up into a steep climb after their last fly past, followed shortly after by the two Skyhawks - which had no hope of catching the Mirages! ;D
If my memory serves me right, Harvard NZ1015 was flown by John Bates, and the Jag was driven by Ray Archibald.
Dave, I'd forgotten that it wasn't really a runway at Wigram, but in fact only a taxiway.
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Post by obiwan27 on Jun 6, 2009 10:01:25 GMT 12
I've been thinking that this airshow may have in fact been in the summer of 1982 as I think it may have been after the Falklands conflict. Anyone know for sure? Any how I think I agree that those were some of the classic days of airshows in NZ. I wish I had a video camera back then but I'd just started working and this was my first time at an airshow with my SLR camera and zoom lense. Maybe Al should make the Bristol Freighter available at Omaka for forum members as a Photographic platform..... More pics to follow.....
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Post by shamus on Jun 6, 2009 10:21:56 GMT 12
Hi Corsair 67. You mentioned that Ray Archibald drove the Jaguar. Did you know that he was also a pilot during the war and flew Vincents in No 22 Army Co-op. Sqn. at Norwood.
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Post by camtech on Jun 6, 2009 10:35:48 GMT 12
Two dates could be 5 December 1981 or 4 December 1982 - both "Wings and Wheels" events. I would have to go back through my files to confirm which one.
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Post by baz62 on Jun 6, 2009 11:49:34 GMT 12
The shot with the Avenger in the background is 1981 as that is when she had the engine failure. And the Freighter is parked nose into the runway/taxiway which makes it 1982! (Always check with the older wiser older brother obiwan)
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Post by corsair67 on Jun 6, 2009 12:20:51 GMT 12
It was the 5th December 1981 - I have newspaper clippings from the Christcurch Star (or Press) about the event. Am I right in thinking that was the only Wings and Wheels show held on that side of the airfield?
Shamus, I knew that Ray was a pilot during the war, but I didn't know that he flew Vincents. I'd only ever heard/read about his Corsair and Mustang exploits.
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Post by camtech on Jun 6, 2009 14:55:48 GMT 12
Checking back in some old Wings magazines, the race between 1015 and the jag occurred during the 1981 show. Reports on the two shows do not mention the Mirages. See Wings Feb 82 and Feb 83
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 7, 2009 14:08:35 GMT 12
I knew Ray Archibald had flown P-40's, Corsairs and Mustangs but was not aware that he'd also flown the mighty Vinnie too. Even more respect for him now. That must have been quite a lark flying around the Canterbury Plains hunting for army guys to punce on.
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Post by obiwan27 on Jun 13, 2009 15:35:48 GMT 12
Hi folks, well I've had a dig through some more pics. These are my oldest pics aside from a few that relate to the 1973 Wigram Airshow and I'll post those on the thread for that under the 'Airshows' thread. Firstly here is a picture taken about 1972 or 73 of the Mk XVI Spitfire outside the Brevet Club near Christchurch International Airport. As you all know the aircraft is now safely housed in the RNZAF Museum. Back in the day I remember attending many a Battle of Britain Day parade as an ATC cadet and admiring the Spitfire and its instrument panel that was on display inside the Brevet Club entrance. On some particularly strong Nor' West days the propeller used to spin furiously as if the aircraft was in flight. That was back in the day before there was a significant Warbirds community in NZ, so it was quite a sight....  Next is the Harvard used as a 'Gate Guardian' outside Wigram. Yes folks it used to be positioned on the opposite side of the entrance, why it was shifted I have no idea.....  Next a Safe Air Bristol Frightener (lol) taken in 1977 at Harewood. Living in the suburb of Burnside while growing up my brother and I were subjected to many aircraft flying over out house, especially on a Nor' West day. These aircraft ranged from Viscounts, to Friendships, to 737's, 748's, Bristol Freighters etc etc and the occasional run out to the airport to do do some 'plane watching' was always a highly enjoyable experience.  Lastly two pictures of a NAC 737 on the day of my first ever air experience flight as an ATC cadet. It was I think my first flight in a jet powered aircraft having had the thrill of my first ever flight in a Friendship some 2 or 3 years earlier....   |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 13, 2009 17:21:59 GMT 12
Interesting old photos there obi. On some particularly strong Nor' West days the propeller used to spin furiously as if the aircraft was in flight. Good grief. I've never heard of a gate guard that has a free-wheeling propellor, it sounds rather dangerous. However with the replica there now perhaps they could do the same thing and hook it up to the mains and generate some electricity off it. Apparently they have shifted the road entrance, but I can't really see it myself when I've been there. All I know is when we put it back up in 1993 after it's repaint it was on the original side. it shifted after then. |
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Post by baz62 on Jun 14, 2009 11:29:54 GMT 12
I'm not sure about the Nor'West days but the Spitfire had a Merlin block with crankshaft(but no conrods,pistons or Cylinder heads..............anyone know for sure?)
The crankshaft had been welded to prevent rotation of the prop but in 1974 there was a big storm and the weld broke. I have a newspaper clipping of her with the prop spinning away as if the engine was running!! Now if I only knew where it was..........
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Post by Damon on Jun 14, 2009 11:51:24 GMT 12
As I understand it.The Harvard gate guardian was shifted to the other side ,so as the on coming traffic could see the Harvard /Museum entrance better as the came along the road.Since it was most likely that people were coming from the cities' centre and not from the other way.
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Post by obiwan27 on Jun 14, 2009 20:53:36 GMT 12
OK everyone some more pics for you. Firstly the Spitfire again a year or so before it was taken down for moulds to be taken for the fibreglass replica to be made and it's eventual restoration and display in the RNZAF Museum. I think it used to be taken down every few years and repainted by the Air NZ guys up the road......  Next the Wigram Gate Guardian before repaint  and after repaint....  NZ1015 in 7 Hangar with Red Checkers cowls  Same again with standard cowls Ohakea Airshow in 1981?   Devon taxying on last day of operational service April 1980  Flypast of F27 and Devons April 1980  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 14, 2009 21:22:15 GMT 12
That last photo is a neat shot, never to be repeated in NZ I'd think.
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Post by obiwan27 on Jun 14, 2009 21:45:37 GMT 12
Yep I'd say you'd be right there Dave!!
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Post by b10m on Jun 15, 2009 10:48:30 GMT 12
Or anywhere.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jun 19, 2009 21:35:50 GMT 12
I'm a bit slow and only just caught up with this thread! Great photos and history for a big Skyhawk and Wigram fan! Many thanks.
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Post by obiwan27 on Jun 19, 2009 21:45:48 GMT 12
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Post by obiwan27 on Jul 8, 2009 11:13:54 GMT 12
Greetings again everyone. If you refer to earlier parts of this thread about what happened to the Spitfire when it was mounted outside the Brevet Club during typical Canterbury Nor' West days, I offer the following, published in 'The Press' sometime between 1979 and 1983 I'd say......  |
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Post by b10m on Nov 25, 2009 20:30:27 GMT 12
Would you like to see some more?  ? Firstly these were taken at an Airshow at Archerfield around I would say 94ish Guido Zucolli's Fiat cr39? ?  HARS Neptune  Hawker Hunter x Singapore AF (One of several that had been imported into Aussie)  A DC4 that has been langishing at Archerfield for quite a while now (It is still here, that photo taken 94)  Barry Hemples AN2 (Barry since deceased result of a flying accident)  x Vietnam Cessna  MIG 15 again Barry Hemple  These at W.O.W. 94 Is'nt that Hurricane just the most graceful thing.        And just because it is so graceful here it is again.  |
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