|
Post by camtech on Mar 4, 2018 21:14:36 GMT 12
Ahha now I know who jumped over the fence as I walked past.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 4, 2018 22:01:20 GMT 12
Wow what a great day today was. Thanks to all the excellent guest speakers and organisers who helped make the event such a great success. It was superb to see some old friends and to meet some new ones. Thanks to all who came along. Now time for a rest.
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on Mar 5, 2018 11:51:41 GMT 12
Dave, thanks for a fantastic day out, and thanks to the Classic Flyers team for being so accommodating and hospitable (the eggy things and the slices in particular were delicious, and the coffee facilities much appreciated when I arrived). I was able to put a few usernames to faces and catch up with a couple other friends too. It was a long day, as WONZ meets always are for me thanks to travel, but completely worth it! The speakers were all excellent and each had fascinating things to say. I have a couple of books to buy in the future and a few things to read up about online after listening to the talks. It was also great to have a close-up look at Avenger Three-Nine. The work the team is doing is fantastic, and the aircraft itself is a sitting contradiction: parts of the structure have been badly eaten away, yet other parts have paint and labels as they left the factory without any degradation save some dust. It's a strange machine but it was wonderful to have a decent inspection. I took a few photos to share with my grandfather on Facebook. In addition I was able to grab a ride with WONZer avenger, aka Roger Dalziell who was one of the morning speakers. He was wonderful company and I was able to learn a lot more about his career after the Avenger target tug days. Thanks again, Roger, for being so generous with your car and your memories. Although a long day with an hour and a quarter drive each end*clears throat politely*
|
|
|
Post by camtech on Mar 5, 2018 13:29:46 GMT 12
Should have mentioned that we had a reunion of the AHSNZ Auckland branch of the 60s and 70s at the forum. Peter Lewis, Peter Layne, David Aichison and myself (Les Billcliff). I believe all of us have been on national committee at some stage and Peter Layne still is.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 5, 2018 18:55:21 GMT 12
Here are some photos I took at the event, sorry some are not so sharp, the room was a little dark for my camera's liking and I should have used the flash from the beginning. I'm sure a few others took photos so I am looking forward to seeing more from them. Andrew Gormlie, CEO of Classic Flyers, talking about the amazing latest happenings and plans for the museum. Des Underwood gave a terrific talk on his days as an RNZAF engineer and Engineering Officer, including the recovery of a crashed Iroquois from the edge of a chasm on top of Mount Cook, and his involvement as a team leader in the Project Kahu A-4K Skyhawk upgrades Roger Dalziel talkign about his days as a pilot in the RNZAF during the late 1950's flying the No. 42 Squadron Grumman Avengers. The National Treasure himself, Bryan Cox, who talked about regaining his licence, and also flying aerobatics, and he screened a most amusing film of himself flying aerobatics with TV host Phil Keoghan. Matt McLaughlin reading from his fantastic book "Flying The Knife Edge" Group Captain John Mathewson (retired) talking about flying the A-4K Skyhawks, and using hem as a weapons system, pre and post Kahu. Wing Commander Brett Mashall from the Air Force Museum of New Zealand talking about the museum Arthur Gatland talking about flying the Hunter, Harrier and Hawk in the RAF, plus a lot of his other amazing life achievements. What a fantastic group of speakers it was, all of them.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 5, 2018 19:02:44 GMT 12
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 5, 2018 23:13:27 GMT 12
Funny anecdote. When the event finished, the cafe and museum had closed and all access doors to airside were locked. Whoops.... I ended up jumping the fence to get to my airplane. No authorities showed up so I think I got away with it. Admittedly I was wearing a hi-vis, and therefore indistinguishable from an authorised person... I did the same, presumably prior to your escapade. No doubt they were still trying to look for me. My passenger David A was a bit more cunning, and sweet-talked the cafe staff into opening a door.
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on Mar 6, 2018 7:45:41 GMT 12
Unfortunately I didn't spot the Sabre until we were heading in for the afternoon session, so I didn't get a decent look. But from my brief glance she looks fantastic in person!
|
|