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Post by komata on Nov 7, 2015 17:01:57 GMT 12
According to a schedule published on the facebook page of 'Armistice in Cambridge' (those organising the annual commemoration of the end of WWI), at 1310 on 7 November 2015 there was to be an 'Air Display - Mustangs'. So I waited in anticipation (as one does) expecting to hear the sound of a Packard Merlin (or, if not a Merlin then perhaps at least a V-12 of some sort) as a 'Mustang' appeared from 'somewhere'.
Yet 1310 arrived - and went, as did 1330 and even 1345... The 'silence' was deafening. I checked this site to see if something had been cancelled (without success BTW), and (in desperation) even checked Fr24 'just in case' yet, nowt!!!
Did I miss something, and if so, what?
Thanks.
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Post by keroburner on Nov 7, 2015 17:20:30 GMT 12
Pretty sure I had a spitfire head over my place about that time tracking north back to Ardmore. Not sure where it came from but down your way someplace perhaps?
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Post by komata on Nov 7, 2015 17:26:40 GMT 12
Thanks KB- if it was transitting or on a holding pattern then it was remarkably silent - especially as in past years the aircraft involved have tended to track across from Hamilton before starting their run along the lake from either end.
All I heard was Starlings (which are not exactly in the same league).
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Post by suthg on Nov 7, 2015 18:09:29 GMT 12
Plenty of planes flying and landing at Raglan Black Sands Fly-in all day today. Over 100 private planes - huge variety including a couple of token Warbirds - a Chippy and a YAK 52!! Hmmm - we didn't see or hear a V12 either... but plenty of flat fours, a flat six and a radial!!
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WillM
Flying Officer
Posts: 56 
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Post by WillM on Nov 8, 2015 16:29:49 GMT 12
Mustangs did display at Armistice, but not the Mustang. The two T-51 Mustangs did short routine just consisting of a flew low passes - so no merlin engines unfortunately. The Storch also made two appearances during the day.
I think the Stearman were supposed to do some flypasts today?
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Post by Bruce on Nov 8, 2015 17:56:17 GMT 12
oooh... exciting!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 9, 2015 16:20:51 GMT 12
There is no real air display at the event any more. They get homebuilds/kit planes to fly a few circles at height and if you're lucky do a loop.
It's not like the days when we were booking the likes of the P-40, Mustang, DC-3, Tiger Moth, Pitts Special, etc, etc and making it a desirable event to go to for aviation fans (as well as telling the relevant history of those warbirds to our military history.) The entire event has been taken in a different, lower interest, direction sadly. I have not been involved for some time and didn't have any desire to even attend this year. I made the right decision, Black Sands was epic by comparison.
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Post by suthg on Nov 9, 2015 18:47:23 GMT 12
Even last year there was a lot of heavy metal missing on the ground (or was it the year before?) And probably no NZ Military support because of Exercise Southern Katipo on at the same time. IIRC some of the regulars could not afford the $2500 of transport the shift per vehicle for their heavy gear - viz T34, 8 wheel & tracked amphibs, even a centurion has visited from Huntly before when the Armistice celebration was located in town. In the past, the military transporters were busy for a whole day shifting heavies around. Not only that, but there had been a naval presence there with a Seasprite SH-2 on static display but none last time I went. Then there was the military aviation presence, ex WWII plus some modern aircraft too usually with at least a P-3 Orion flypast at a good pace!! Then there were the aerobatic routines including ZK-BEN flown by Dave Phillips and of course who could forget Noel Kruse in the Pit Special S-2. Other planes I mentioned above supporting were the L-4 Grasshopper piper Cub doing an amazing routine plus the aerial chases by a P-40 and a P-51D Mustang, plus as Dave has mentioned, the ubiquitous C-47 flyby and performing regional tour flights as well. Many thanks to your past efforts Dave, establishing these other aviator visitors, the schedules and making the Armistice day celebrations so memorable in the past.
I am so glad I made the right choice this year!!!
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Post by komata on Nov 11, 2015 6:21:33 GMT 12
WilM
Thanks for the info (and apologies for the delay in replying). So, not North American, but 'only' Titan, which would explain why the 'sigh of a Merlin' was conspicuous in abstentia. No sign of a Stearman on Sunday either.
One can but hope that next year things might be different, but I'm not holding my breath against the possibility.
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WillM
Flying Officer
Posts: 56
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Post by WillM on Nov 12, 2015 19:48:13 GMT 12
No worries komata.
Shame the Stearman didn't flypast. So you missed nothing exciting.
I'm not holding my breath either. Shame really, but still, we find 1 day is worthwhile (for photography interests rather than aviation).
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 12, 2015 21:06:00 GMT 12
Mun said she saw three biplanes over the Cenotaph at 11am in town. I assume that was the Boeing-Stearmans again
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Post by ZacYates on Nov 13, 2015 7:25:30 GMT 12
A friend went up to compete in the model show, I txtd to ask yesterday how it was:
"Models were excellent, show wasn't !!"
To be fair, though, if he was still living in England he'd probably have spent that weekend at Telford, and nothing can compare to that!!!
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