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Post by ErrolC on Oct 11, 2015 20:43:19 GMT 12
Last weekend I managed to tag some aviation onto my work visit to Melbourne. First up, an unexpected afternoon off work saw me off to the Shrine of Remembrance. As I approached, I spotted a blimp - bonus aviation content!  Airship from Shrine by Errol Cavit, on Flickr  Veiw from Shrine by Errol Cavit, on Flickr The Shrine itself makes a strong statement.  Shrine steps by Errol Cavit, on Flickr A few more photos inside at www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/albums/72157657372311944Next day I was off to Brisbane, staying with Rhi and Dave of Canvas WingsThey regularly have C-17s over their house, approaching RAAF Amberley, so I had more bonus aviation content from their back steps! Then it was an early start (fortunately I had stayed on NZ time), a quick stop for breakfast pies (kangeroo, yum!), and a 90 minute drive north to Archer Falls airfield, "between Woodford and Kilcoy in the beautiful Sunshine Coast hinterland". The local rural fire service were on the gate (the Fly-in benefits them), and we staked out a prime viewing spot - camp chairs in front of a big truck, partway up the slope, about mid-point of the runway. The airfield is owned by Ron Field, and his Murphy Renegade Spirit was waiting for friends:  Ron Field's Renegade by Errol Cavit, on Flickr We didn't have long to wait, the headline act soon appeared, from TAVAS's Caboolture base:  Fokker Triplane & Pietenpol arrive by Errol Cavit, on Flickr More as the lurgy I picked up on too much time in airliners allows! |
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 14, 2015 19:44:21 GMT 12
The Fokker Dr.I replica VH-FXP was built in the USA in 1980, and has a Lycoming engine.  Triplane waiting by Errol Cavit, on Flickr The Pietenpol Air Camper was designed by Bernard Pietenpol, "Father of home built aircraft" in the late 1920s. 19-3542 (it's on the RA-Aus register) has a Subaru engine.  Pietenpol on tour by Errol Cavit, on Flickr As you can see, it we had perfect clear skies, and lovely scenery. Various types flew in, giving me some much-needed camera practice, and adding to the atmosphere. Then we got a pair of lovely surprises, that are what you always hope for at a country fly-in. Not a Tiger Moth, I thought, not quite right. Gipsy Moth I think? Great!  DH 60M Metal Moth "Golden Quest" by Errol Cavit, on Flickr Actually a DH 60M, commonly called a Metal Moth (due to metal fuselage stringers). VH-UMK is UK-built example from 1929, with a Gipsy I engine. And was accompanied by a new type for me:  Leopard leaps! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr DH 85 Leopard Moth. With a Gipsy Major up front, VH-UUL seats three. As we were thanking our lucky stars, an expected arrival by more mundane means: Eindecker!  Eindecker via truck by Errol Cavit, on Flickr |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 14, 2015 21:57:20 GMT 12
Great stuff!
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Post by ZacYates on Oct 15, 2015 10:31:19 GMT 12
Seconded! Lovely photos of lovely aeroplanes in a lovely spot. Thanks, Errol!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 15, 2015 18:45:35 GMT 12
Great to see a DH60 in the air.
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 15, 2015 19:34:51 GMT 12
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Post by planemike on Oct 15, 2015 20:29:29 GMT 12
"""Actually a DH 60M, commonly called a Metal Moth (due to metal fuselage stringers). VH-UMK is UK-built example from 1929, with a Gypsy I engine."""
GIPSY engine............please !!!! (Sorry to be a pedant !!) Great photos....
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 15, 2015 20:48:48 GMT 12
"""Actually a DH 60M, commonly called a Metal Moth (due to metal fuselage stringers). VH-UMK is UK-built example from 1929, with a Gypsy I engine.""" GIPSY engine............please !!!! (Sorry to be a pedant !!) Great photos.... Thanks, fixed! Although it does appear to be an American-built example ;-) |
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Post by planemike on Oct 16, 2015 0:49:20 GMT 12
Oh, that explains everything......!!! They speak another language which has little to do with English....!!!
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 17, 2015 17:45:53 GMT 12
As Dave and Rhi know the TAVAS people they were happy to have us help out with the unload This is Dave, starting with the small stuff  Dave has a tail to tell by Errol Cavit, on Flickr I ended up being one of the wheel-rollers - Rhi minded the big cameras that Dave and I had. This was a bit nerve-raking, I concentrated on keeping at the same speed as the other side. The people at the tail probably made it a lot more controlled than it felt at the time! The ramps were good solid planks, with angled metal strips at the ends.  Fokker E.III unload by Rhi Patrick, on Flickr The wings slot in through flaps in the front fuselage (which took a little bit of wriggling about) ...  Tab 1 into Slot A - Fokker assembly by Errol Cavit, on Flickr then are wire-braced.  String it up! Fokker assembly by Errol Cavit, on Flickr When the Moth and Leopard Moth departed, they did a circuit together:  Moth, Tripe & Leopard Moth by Errol Cavit, on Flickr then the Moth with Triplane  DH 60M Moth and Triplane by Errol Cavit, on Flickr and finally the Triplane did a nice flat display nearby (and high - I was using full 1.5 x 400mm zoom)  Fokker Triplane cavorts by Errol Cavit, on Flickr |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 17, 2015 20:44:37 GMT 12
Great stuff!
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Post by baz62 on Oct 18, 2015 9:30:59 GMT 12
Great photos Errol and niceto seeing you getting hands on, not something enthusiasts get to do everyday but when you do it really gives you some great memories. Looks like great weather but bet it was hot eh?
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 18, 2015 18:44:39 GMT 12
Great photos Errol and niceto seeing you getting hands on, not something enthusiasts get to do everyday but when you do it really gives you some great memories. Looks like great weather but bet it was hot eh? Fairly warm, about 30deg, but dry. There was quite a bit of shade set up, plenty of water etc. |
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Post by baz62 on Oct 18, 2015 21:39:38 GMT 12
Yep 30 that'll do, no hotter please  |
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 25, 2015 15:35:44 GMT 12
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 20, 2016 16:56:49 GMT 12
Slow as a toad I know, but that Moth VH-UMK is a 'rebuild' (probably from very minor parts) of ZK-ADF, which crashed at Te Aroha in 1934.
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Post by planewriting on Oct 20, 2016 18:49:24 GMT 12
"Slow as a toad" maybe Peter but very timely all the same. It just so happens I was proof reading an article covering that very accident in 1934. In is planned to be covered in the next "Aero Historian" issue of the Aviation Historical Society of New Zealand where the details of the accident are covered in more depth.
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