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Post by nuuumannn on Nov 4, 2014 18:53:16 GMT 12
In the November issue of New Zealand Aviation News is an article about the Ardmore forum meet held in September written by Nicholas MacIndoe, featuring pictures of Dave and assorted members attending the talks, as well as others. This one was also included.  I have to say and I don't mean to harp on about it, but, to add to other comments about that day; it sure was terrific and is great to see that Alan and Jim got their flights in the Spitty. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 4, 2014 20:45:20 GMT 12
Thanks for mentioning this. I meant to myself but forgot. Big thanks to Nick McIndoe (Spitfire14) for covering the event and giving us some excellent publicity.
It's a funny thing really, when I first came up with the idea of having a forum meet, I think it was 2007, it was basically because at the time there were five or six members around Cambridge and Hamilton and I thought we could have a little gathering, cup of tea and some biccies, and a natter. As soon as I suggested it though we had people booking flights from Christchurch and others like Simon Gault and Chris Bromley saying they'll bring down the Thunder Mustang, and it simply escalated! Now virtually every year since and on occasions twice a year we've held big meets in Cambridge, Dairy Flat, Ardmore and Ohakea. It's become a phenomena in its own right without that ever really meaning to happen. And haven't we had some damned good speakers over the years? I don't think we'll ever top the look on EVERYONE"S face though when I had quietly arranged for Jerry Yagen to come to the 2012 event. That was perfect!
As next February marks ten years of the forum, 2015 will have to have a pretty special event. Or three... We are working on a few ideas right now and we hope to have something informal at Masterton in January, something maybe bigger at Omaka at Easter, and maybe, just maybe, something further north (Cambridge or Auckland, or maybe even Tauranga) later in the year. So please let the ideas start rolling in everyone.
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Post by nuuumannn on Nov 5, 2014 10:39:53 GMT 12
Yes, Dave, good to see the forum getting a bit more publicity in the press. NZAvNews has run a few articles on the forum and I've had the odd chat with John King about it. It's a fantastic resource with some great knowledge here and deserves the publicity.
An informal meet at Omaka during the airshow sounds like a good idea. I remember when I used to live in the UK, some of the aeroplane magazines used to organise outings at different venues, Duxford was the most popular. I went to a few of these - Mick Oakey of Aeroplane was particularly good at this sort of thing and I remember going on a look around the Blenheim after it crashed and a visit to the ARCO hangars there. Key Publishing (FlyPast) used to organise photo days at North Weald, which were enormously popular and became a thing in their own right to look forward to. The point is, what about something along the lines of visits and tours of the restoration facilities at Ardmore, or MoTAT with talks and tours by volunteers? Or a trip around the hangars at Omaka to look at the secrets hidden in them? Get Graham and Jane O on board and lunch at the AHC, with Gav providing photo coverage... Just an idea.
Nick, I'm sorry for spelling your name wrong!
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Post by ZacYates on Nov 5, 2014 10:46:47 GMT 12
For a "Northern" event may I suggest Tauranga? Simply because I haven't been to their museum yet :-D
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Post by nuuumannn on Nov 5, 2014 11:05:06 GMT 12
Tauranga would be brilliant. The museum is terrific and the guys are very friendly and receptive to enthusiasts. Met Bryan Cox there once; he was giving tours and I got him to sign a copy of his book I had bought for my dad.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 5, 2014 18:14:23 GMT 12
I am sure we can arrange all sorts of things given time. I've thought in the past it would be good to have a MOTAT meet with full behind the scenes tour or guided tour. We have some great members here who are very involved there so maybe that's a thought for the future.
And yes I'd really like to have a forum meet at Classic Flyers Museum if they'll have us. It's a great museum and their cafe is the best museum cafe around too!
Keep the ideas flowing.
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Post by spitfire14 on Nov 5, 2014 19:22:59 GMT 12
No need to apologise nuuumannn, I didn't even notice  But thank you!! Nick. |
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 5, 2014 20:14:55 GMT 12
With the Director of Motat now aboard as an LAC I think MOTAT is a must , Norm McElvie on restoration , a look inside the Solent , a tour of the Lancaster and tea and bikkies in the crew room. There is even a dedicated lecture room available with wide screen facilities. And for the tradies , a bit of rivetng on the Lodestar during lunch.
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Post by suthg on Nov 5, 2014 20:34:02 GMT 12
The poor old Lodestar is definitely in need of some additional Aluminium sheets - a few holes in the surface due to caustic corrosion - fertilizer and moisture have taken their toll! On the upper surfaces, she just needs a rub down! A fabulous place to consume some time, many thanks to Peter and to Jonathon Pote - the tall one, who took us under his wing on a Wednesday recently, a fab look around, especially into the clean old Lancaster.
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But thank you!!
