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Post by Naki on Feb 25, 2017 7:26:04 GMT 12
I'm here. No traffic issues for me
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Post by sykoticnz on Feb 25, 2017 8:14:10 GMT 12
Anyone used the on site parking yet? Did that flow in ok?
When I received my sticker I didn't get any maps and I'm struggling to find any information. Did I miss something?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 25, 2017 8:41:53 GMT 12
I see on the Facebook page people were being told to tip out their water bottles at the gate - despite it not saying anywhere in the airshow rules hat you couldn't bring in water. What the hell? In fact the Facebook posts have been telling people to bring water!!
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Post by Naki on Feb 25, 2017 9:01:46 GMT 12
I see on the Facebook page people were being told to tip out their water bottles at the gate - despite it not saying anywhere in the airshow rules hat you couldn't bring in water. What the hell? In fact the Facebook posts have been telling people to bring water!! Didn't need to tip out our water
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 25, 2017 9:20:55 GMT 12
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Feb 25, 2017 10:38:03 GMT 12
After finishing a 12 hour night shift in Palmerston North I was a bit worried about getting stuck in traffic on the way back home to Ohakea but the traffic flowed nicely and my 'resident' sticker worked a charm. Watching from my deck at the moment but have a ticket for Sunday to get up close.
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Post by atea on Feb 25, 2017 12:01:54 GMT 12
Watching the F16 thinking what could have been............
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Feb 25, 2017 12:42:42 GMT 12
Atea, the discussion at my place as well while watching it do its thing.
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Post by nige on Feb 25, 2017 15:41:37 GMT 12
Anyone used the on site parking yet? Did that flow in ok? When I received my sticker I didn't get any maps and I'm struggling to find any information. Did I miss something? Hi, see www.airtattoo.mil.nz/useful-documents/ for maps etc.
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 25, 2017 15:47:10 GMT 12
Bloody good day! Bit of cloud at the end meant Black Falcons changed to a low display while forming up, which left a bit of a gap. Infrastructure pretty good, minor glitches that I saw easy to sort. C-17 takeoff flic.kr/p/RbD5Xn
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Post by nige on Feb 25, 2017 15:51:28 GMT 12
I see on the Facebook page people were being told to tip out their water bottles at the gate - despite it not saying anywhere in the airshow rules hat you couldn't bring in water. What the hell? In fact the Facebook posts have been telling people to bring water!! Hi Dave that seems strange, when we walked in thru the gates they were asking/checking for alcohol (water was ok). There is a water tanker on base for people to refill water bottles (as well as the usual food/drink stalls). A lot of people took umbrellas and those half shelter tents and the official's didn't bat an eyelid (didn't bring ours as from reading the Facebook pages prior, people were suggesting not to) but boy was it hot in the sun! Anyway a great airshow, drive in was ok this time (left Palmy "late' ...9.15am, arrived at Ohakea within 20 minutes i.e. no traffic issues at that time but coming from Palmy we were redirected around the backroads and didn't get onto base until 10am due to traffic understandably slowing down prior to parking... but still a better experience than 2012). Lots of aircraft and fast jets, the F-16 performance was excellent, walking around the static displays it was great to see lots and lots of visiting aircrew from the US, Singapore, Australia etc, standing next to their aircraft (or in the crowd) talking to the crowd, hope they get well looked after by their RNZAF hosts tonight!
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 25, 2017 17:16:33 GMT 12
I am so jealous. Sitting here in Sydney with rain showers..... reminds me of Masterton last weekend. Hope that everything goes really well. Those F.16 guys... andf I am sure that they are the boys from Misawa,had a ball in Townsville and it showed in therir performance. Can anyone tell me who the demo pilot was? They took 13 refuels to get from Japan to Oz
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 25, 2017 17:17:46 GMT 12
Never used a laptop before and I can say it shows
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 25, 2017 17:29:12 GMT 12
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Post by atea on Feb 25, 2017 18:07:29 GMT 12
Major Richard Smeeding was the F16 Pilot. There is a video of him speaking on the RNZAF Facebook Page.
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Post by baileyt on Feb 25, 2017 18:15:38 GMT 12
If only we had those F-16s in RNZAF colours out there today.
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Post by saratoga on Feb 25, 2017 19:54:14 GMT 12
I thought an excellent display by the (admittedly) unencumbered Lightweight F-16. Not too sure about the over enthusiastic sales pitch/commentary, but if that is all we have to endure to see these aircraft locally,i'll bear it. Watching the crew on the ground, they had a sort of 'Blue Angels' routine with the ground/start up checks. Very happy they didn't show us the lethal side of the F-16!. A400 was nice to see,interesting line up of possible/likely future RNZAF lifters(C-130J/A400/CN235) No traffic worries coming from Wellington,the new expressway was good(though not long enough!),at the gate only stopped if you had glass bottles...FoxtonFizz onsite however was selling in glass bottles....
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Feb 25, 2017 19:57:45 GMT 12
LOVE the Devon and Harvards!!
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Post by ZacYates on Feb 25, 2017 19:57:47 GMT 12
I used the Bulls park and ride - no signage as it was 6am, but a fantastic way to do it. Stress free and minimal wait times.
Speaking of which. I was in the bunch who arrived before the gates opened. Unfortunately the ticket scanners weren't in place until 7.15, which caused some to be upset. I didn't mind, because it was only 7.15! I did tip out my water because others said they were told to. I also threw away my bottle because I couldn't find the water tanker until lunchtime! That was on me, I just didn't see it.
I swear I saw mention of sunscreen stations on the Facebook page, but for the life of me I couldn't find a single one or even someone selling it (normally not a problem but this smart boy accidentally left his in Hawera).
Anyway, what a great day! I took advantage of the early start by taking the cargo plane tours and thanking the foreign crews for coming (as well as taking some merchandise from them. Speaking of which, I don't think Glen Turner knew who I was when I told him I helped out by buying a Mosquito pin and a 75Sqn patch!) Some fantastic displays - Kiwi Thunder made me very proud of the RNZAF, it was great to see the CASA fly, the scenarios were well done, Sean's Spitfire display was lyrical, the Devon looked amazing....
But that F-16 display. Man. I've never seen or heard* anything like it. Breathtaking. Just amazing. You Sunday folk are in for a real treat! And it was kinda weird simply seeing one at Ohakea, and seeing it in front of the familiar buildings there. I almost pinched myself.
I did take some photos, they're uploading now so I'll post some when I can.
I really hope there's more good weather tomorrow for you.
*I see saratoga posted and mentioned something to do with this. I enjoyed the C-17 commentator but the F-16 guy was everything I've heard about USAF commentators. It was hilarious though!
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Post by saratoga on Feb 25, 2017 19:59:33 GMT 12
St.John first aid stations had sunscreen.
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