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Post by komata on Jan 2, 2015 20:03:47 GMT 12
Seen on Wednesday 24 December 2014 at 1238, a low wing piston-engined monoplane, travelling very quickly on a Nth-Sth track to the west of Cambrige (Monovale side), at approx 1500 ft. As it was silhouetted against the clouds and I saw it 'after' it had flown past and was disappearing into the distance, the colour is not known, although it may have possibly been silver.
The same aircraft returned at 1308 on 2 January 2015, following essentially the same course (but reversed), although somewhat closer to Leamington this time, and again at roughly the same height.
No idea what it was and initially, on the 'South-bound' run and due to its speed and sound, I thought it may have been a Bonanza, but after seeing it on the return am now not sure. As the engine note was not 'Merlin-ish', but due to its speed, I'm now wondering whether it was actually a Thunder Mustang.
Did anyone else see it, and, if so, what was it? Rego?
Thanks in advance.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 2, 2015 20:44:03 GMT 12
I saw it both times too, and I'm certain it was a P-51D Mustang. I assume it had to be ZK-TAF. It wasn't ZK-TMG as I don't believe it's flying again yet, and also on both occasions when I saw this one it looked silver. It also had the unmistakable Merlin sound.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 2, 2015 20:46:14 GMT 12
I actually wondered on the 24th if it was repositioning to Masterton for the airshow in a few weeks, so was surprised to see it heading back north.
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Post by Bruce on Jan 2, 2015 22:15:15 GMT 12
I heard it today too. I was too late to see it clearly, but I don't think it was a Mustang. It was more a "Big 6 Cylinder" sort of sound, without the Mustang's supercharger note. From a far distance it looked more like a GA machine - low wing (not Cessna) with fairly steep dihedral. I Initially thought it was a Furio or Falco, but a Bonanza would also be realistic.
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Post by komata on Jan 3, 2015 5:43:20 GMT 12
Thanks folks; nice to know I wan't the only one to see / hear it.
Bruce, your ''Big 6-cylinder' description' is an apt one; a Packard Merlin it wasn't, yet it was certainly going very rapidly, hence my 'Bonanza' thought.
Anyone else?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 3, 2015 10:48:12 GMT 12
Weird as it was shaped like a Mustang and sounded like one to me. Plus is was silver.
Maybe it's the ghost Mustang we saw a few months back??
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Post by Bruce on Jan 3, 2015 13:19:44 GMT 12
The other possibility is John Shuttleworth's Mazda Rotary - Powered Titan Mustang from Matamata. That has quite a growl to it...
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Post by hardyakka on Jan 4, 2015 12:49:44 GMT 12
There is a Beech Baron that has been operating out of Hamilton lately. The sound and speed might be a match. However, that's a twin and no-one has mentioned two engines. ZK-SEB.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2015 15:02:14 GMT 12
It was certainly single engined and Mustang shaped, and moving quick. I still reckon it was a P-51D that I saw, though if anyone can prove that wrong I'd be happy to hear from them.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2015 15:04:57 GMT 12
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Post by komata on Jan 4, 2015 18:38:43 GMT 12
This is becoming 'annoying'!! Seen at approx' 1400 (although the exctt ime wasn't noted), a P-51 heading east ex Hamilton? Dave you may have heard / seen it (he says hopefully). No way of contacting Hamilton 'Tower (unlike the old days) to verify / obtain rego' / details - only a recorded message from the Hamilton International Airport Company!!! Aaaargh! Definitely a 'lost opportunity'.
It was NOT the same aircraft as yesterday...
Details anyone?
BTW, what IS the Hamilton 'Tower ph. no.- or is that now 'restricted information'?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2015 23:04:14 GMT 12
Yep, I heard it, and thought 'There goes that Merlin again'. I was indoors though today so never saw it this time. Sounded pretty much identical to me from where I was.
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Post by suthg on Jan 5, 2015 6:39:49 GMT 12
Why not discuss with Ardmore or NZ Warbirds? Seems to be a few puzzles...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 5, 2015 9:22:42 GMT 12
I have already made that approach Graeme, awaiting a reply.
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Post by The Red Baron on Jan 5, 2015 15:25:29 GMT 12
It was probably just a Fletcher with a good tailwind....  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 5, 2015 17:59:12 GMT 12
Dream on RB, it wasn't that noisy  I consulted Paul Johnson of Warbirds and he has made a good point. On December 24th the Mustang ZK-TAF was at Ardmore performing for Trevor Bland's funeral. I note Komata recorded the time that day we saw a Mustang over Cambridge as 12.38pm. What time was the Mustang displaying at Ardmore? And did it land immediately or go off on a southern trip? |
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Jan 5, 2015 18:12:45 GMT 12
Don't think it would have been TAF if you saw it today or yesterday? I've been on the ground or on the Ardmore traffic frequency almost all day yesterday and today and didn't see/hear TAF move? The funeral flight didn't go any further from Ardmore than the Hunua area as far as I know. (was there for that one too)
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 5, 2015 18:13:19 GMT 12
It did its pass at 14:45, and landed shortly after (quickly enough for one of my Harvard shots to be framed by its prop blades at 14:50).
Possibly a pre-event warm-up?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 5, 2015 18:31:11 GMT 12
Thanks Errol and Leo.
I have just heard further from Paul who checked with Cam of the hangar crew, and it turns out ZK-TAF has not flown again since the 24th of December.
Strange...
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Post by htbrst on Jan 6, 2015 6:39:17 GMT 12
"Pretty sure" I saw an RNZAF T-6 out and about on the morning of the 24th down here heading North-East (I'm halfway between Woodville and Mangatainoka in Tararua/Northern Wairarapa - they often use a bridge near my house as a nav point). Perhaps it headed up that way?
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