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Post by phil on Jul 22, 2007 9:55:54 GMT 12
Plans are afoot to have a new gate guard at Ohakea, you guessed it - 'TA-4K' NZ6257.
I'm not sure if it will go ahead, but it might be getting a new paint job and a concrete pad to sit on. I've no idea on time frame though.
The Vampire is still sitting in pieces in AMS, and I don't know if it is at all salvageable for anything.
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Post by FlyNavy on Jul 22, 2007 10:20:25 GMT 12
AND please please please please please send back NZ6255 (former TA4G 880) to the FAAM at NAS Nowra - tah. :-)
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 22, 2007 11:43:22 GMT 12
That would certainly be a logical choice for the relocation of NZ6257, but I wonder if people further up the ladder will allow it to happen?
I mean, weren't there some issues/objections raised about even displaying images of the ACF on a large banner outside Ohakea, Phil?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 22, 2007 11:46:23 GMT 12
What happened to the Vampire? Last I heard it was under restoration and was to include lots of fibreglass to replace the wood for longer term outdoor exposure. I hope it can be reassembled in some form and not scrapped.
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Post by phil on Jul 22, 2007 12:52:08 GMT 12
The Vampire is still in pieces in AMS hangar. It has been there for years now.
I have been told by two sources involved with the project to put 57 at the gate that the move has came from the BC.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 22, 2007 14:43:30 GMT 12
Replacing the Vampire with the Skyhawk makes sense as at least half of the RNZAF will remember the A-4's in service, whereas very few will have an emotional connection with the Vampire's service. So it will mean a lot to those on the base, and to many of those in the upper reaches of the heirachy.
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Post by greaneyr on Jul 22, 2007 17:28:55 GMT 12
Replacing the Vampire with the Skyhawk makes sense as at least half of the RNZAF will remember the A-4's in service, whereas very few will have an emotional connection with the Vampire's service. So it will mean a lot to those on the base, and to many of those in the upper reaches of the heirachy. Exactly Dave. Plus, it's both sad and ironic that in todays day and age, you have to travel a lot further to see a flying A4 than you do to see a flying Vampire. It's one of many examples where an aircraft that stopped flying regular service in New Zealand long ago is easier to see flying than one that stopped flying not so long ago. Eg, show me a flying example in New Zealand of the following: A4 HS 748 Bandeirante Andover Strikemaster I'm sure there are plenty of others to add to this list. In my opinion, we get a little too obsessed with '50+ years ago' and quite often forget about '10+ years ago' when it comes to aviation history. The warbirds movement has no shortage of WWI and WWII aircraft which are great for those who remember them to reminisce, but a lot of us who weren't around at the time those aircraft graced the skies don't have much to reminisce over. Most the aircraft that have been taken out of regular service in my lifetime are not flying in any shape or form in New Zealand, sadly. So I say go ahead and put the A4 up - it might actually start to show people that the last 50 years IS worth remembering and is by no means 'last week' anymore. |
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jul 23, 2007 15:21:35 GMT 12
That would be a good place for '57 until such time as a better home can be found for it (preferably on public display indoors). Hopefully the Vampire also gets restored back to static display condition. I thought a new forward fuselage sub-frame was being built for it by Martin Engineering in Palmerston North? A mold had been taken for a new fiberglass fuselage some time ago too. Sounds like it just needs some keen "helpers" to get things moving again?
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