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Post by McFly on Aug 9, 2011 19:08:36 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 9, 2011 21:05:02 GMT 12
Cool. Maybe he's making and advert to attract tourists to the musuem during the World Cup?
I think it is great that we have such a high profile and good celebrity in NZ who is so interested in the history of our Air Force and old aeroplanes and is always keen to promote it to the public.
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Post by baz62 on Aug 10, 2011 17:39:12 GMT 12
Ah he knows quality when he sees it and posed with the Avenger. ;D
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Post by haughtney1 on Aug 10, 2011 17:53:20 GMT 12
Mayby I'm getting mean spirited in my old age...
I look at this and see a rugby player (Superb open side..All Black Capt..Role model..etc) standing in front of some historic aircraft.
Its sad that in order to highlight the very real sacrfices and professionalism of service personell, we have to use a rugby player to do it.
I know that comes across as a bit mean, and I know Richie has a profile in the NZ public minds, but I just look at this and think...is this the best we can do?
Sorry to be an old grump by the way..not my intention, I have HUGE admiration for Richie McCaw for the work he does, and the example he sets. :-)
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 10, 2011 20:03:57 GMT 12
I'm hearing you haughtney. I thought the same thing. We aren't all rugby nuts. But here, we are all aviation nuts.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 10, 2011 21:23:39 GMT 12
He is a warbird pilot, a huge devotee of aviation, an RNZAF officer, and he uses his international status and fame to promote aviation in the media when he can. He is also the proud grandson of an RNZAF fighter ace, and seems to have a huge interest and respect in the history of the RNZAF.
He is not just a rugby player being paid to pretend to like something to promote it (like Dan Carter's undies and heatpumps!).
And right now due to the World Cup he is man of the hour, hugely recognisable for leading the world's top team into our own NZ-hosted tournament. Gee, why not use him for some promotional material. Where is the problem?
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 10, 2011 21:24:53 GMT 12
No problem, just an observation.
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Post by haughtney1 on Aug 10, 2011 22:03:24 GMT 12
Told you Dave, I think I'm turning into a grumpy old git :-)
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Post by guest on Aug 10, 2011 22:13:19 GMT 12
He is a warbird pilot, a huge devotee of aviation, an RNZAF officer, and he uses his international status and fame to promote aviation in the media when he can. He is also the proud grandson of an RNZAF fighter ace, and seems to have a huge interest and respect in the history of the RNZAF. He is not just a rugby player being paid to pretend to like something to promote it (like Dan Carter's undies and heatpumps!). And right now due to the World Cup he is man of the hour, hugely recognisable for leading the world's top team into our own NZ-hosted tournament. Gee, why not use him for some promotional material. Where is the problem? And he is part of the leadership module for all those going through leadership training in the RNZAF, hence the squadron leader bit. So, if this is RNZAF, I think that it will have very little to do with RWC but Richie promoting the air force in some way |
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Post by 30sqnatc on Aug 10, 2011 22:25:50 GMT 12
Your all wrong, he's just eyeing up another job in case they loose the big one  |
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Post by corsair67 on Aug 10, 2011 22:43:24 GMT 12
Mayby I'm getting mean spirited in my old age... I look at this and see a rugby player (Superb open side..All Black Capt..Role model..etc) standing in front of some historic aircraft. Its sad that in order to highlight the very real sacrfices and professionalism of service personell, we have to use a rugby player to do it. I know that comes across as a bit mean, and I know Richie has a profile in the NZ public minds, but I just look at this and think...is this the best we can do? Sorry to be an old grump by the way..not my intention, I have HUGE admiration for Richie McCaw for the work he does, and the example he sets. :-) I'm sorry if this offends all the bum-sniffer (rugby) fans, but I have to agree with Haughtney on this one. As I have said before, I personally believe making McCaw an honorary Squadron Leader is an insult to all those who have worked long and hard to get to that position in the RNZAF during it's 74 years of existence. To my mind, someone like Sqdn Ldr Jim Jennings has given more to the RNZAF during his 50+ years of service, than a figurehead like McCaw will ever be able to. Plus, Sqdn Ldr Jennings has made huge sacrifices in his career to stay where he wanted to in the RNZAF, which is a fine example of someone who should be held up as role model to all current and future RNZAF personnel. Yes, I expect that I will get caned for this opinion, and I'm sure McCaw is a nice bloke, etc, etc - but I think it really is a sad state of affairs when the RNZAF needs to use a sports celebrity to bring it a bit of publicity. On a lighter note, how did the W.O. of the RNZAF let them get away with taking a photo of McCaw with his hands in his pockets??? ;D |
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Post by Chris F on Aug 11, 2011 12:01:44 GMT 12
McCaw is a top bloke and I think he is an "outstanding" role model to our kids who want to play rugby or pursue a military career.
When the NZRU was re-signing the likes of McCaw and Carter and SBW,McCaw was the only one who said straight up that he would never have considered an overseas offer no matter how big the offer as he honoured wearing the AB jersey and Crusader one more than anything else.
This in my mind sets a fantastic example to future generations and the current one that money does not buy everything and some people put the value of their country ahead of their own personal gain.
McCaws actions speak volumes of what this country really needs.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Aug 11, 2011 13:15:30 GMT 12
Your all wrong, he's just eyeing up another job in case they loose the big one Yeah we need some new "young" guides at the Museum! The current average age must be about 70! |
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Post by obiwan27 on Aug 12, 2011 21:20:29 GMT 12
Good to see that you are leading the way in trying to bring down that average age Don ;-)
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Post by aeromedia on Aug 14, 2011 6:52:13 GMT 12
With no disrespect to Sqn Leader Jim Jennings, he's never going to connect in a nano-second with the general public, the way someone like Richie will and does. Just a plain fact of life.
Every ad campaign (if thats what it is going to be) needs a hook, and RM is the man to make that instant connection. Also, aviation over its many facets, gliding, military, warbird, GA is very fortunate to have an ambassador of his calibre.
And eveything Dave says.
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waimo
Flight Sergeant
Posts: 27
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Post by waimo on Aug 14, 2011 9:20:18 GMT 12
the knockers on the the subject here need to have a look at the contribution the McCaw family have made to aviation.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 14, 2011 12:06:32 GMT 12
Hear, Hear Waimo!
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Post by obiwan27 on Aug 14, 2011 12:12:01 GMT 12
Apart from some sexy new helicopters and in the absence of an Air Combat Wing/Squadron, having the current All Blacks captain doing some PR work can't be all bad as a recruiting exercise for the present day RNZAF.
Perhaps it doesn't sit well with other folk as "back in my day..." and that is fair comment. It's also notable that back in 'those' days we did have the attraction of flying/working on fast jets as a key ingredient for recruitment.
Whatever works, in my opinion.
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Post by corsair67 on Aug 15, 2011 21:39:17 GMT 12
Still, you have to admit that it is pretty sad when an air force has to resort to using a celebrity to try and encourage young people to join up. When I was at school, I recall that it was the fact that there were plenty of different aircraft that one could work on, in or around, the chance of overseas travel, a great lifestyle, great friendships, and a job for life, that were the tools used to encourage young people to sign up. I know that the world has changed since 1980, but some of those things are still important to "Generation Y" too. I also think more work needs to be done on creating transferable skills, where what you learn in the RNZAF can, in many cases, be credited as a civilian qualification. And really, how many young people are honestly going to join the RNZAF because Ritchie McCaw was featured as a recruitment tool? I can imagine the look you'd might get from an RNZAF recruiter if you told them that McCaw was the sole reason you wanted to join up!  |
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Post by phil on Aug 15, 2011 21:52:56 GMT 12
His association with the RNZAF isn't for recruiting.
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