Post by Bruce on Sept 20, 2008 23:52:44 GMT 12
I went on a trip today with a Kids youth club I'm involved with, to Rotorua. whilst There we took on trip on a "Duck" - actually a 1944 ex US Marines DUKW amphibious assault vehicle. Rotorua Duck tours currently have 2 of these vehicles in service with a third under restoration. Unfortunately for thier current tourist operations they have been modified from the original military fit (They have to meet both Maritime and road transport regs!) and the original GMC petrol engines have been replaced by modern diesels running biofuel. The driver was the Brother in law of one of our leaders and a special trip was arranged. We headed up to the Blue Lake, and just kept on driving down the boat ramp. Whilst on the water we all had a go driving it, which is quite tricky as the revs are limited to 2000 and the water rudder becomes very heavy as power comes on. The torque of the prop also tends to turn the machine unless an appropriate amount of rudder is added as power comes on. Not a startling performer, but still a lot of fun!
This is the beast out of the water at Blue lake (there is a compulsary weed check after using the lake)
One has to say that it is UGLY! especially with the modified cabin area.
Blue lake was like a millpond:
Our little group at Blue Lake - everyone was issued with duckbill - shaped "quackers" which we were getting pretty sick of hearing by the end of the day !
Inside the Duck heading back to Rotorua - note all the Lifejackets as required, and the modern seating arrangements.
The other thing of interest at Blue Lake, but which unfortunately was too far away to photographe, was a helicopter longlining logs out of the steep country between the blue and Green lakes. It appeared to be a Kaman K-Max, but I wasnt aware ther was one operating in the country at the moment. Looked Really good as the line was probaly 200ft or so, but the load was being accurately picked up and moved with a great deal of skill.
We had a great trip to Rotorua, which also included the 3D maze near the airport and a wander around the mud pools in Kuirau park. Great weather too - an absolute quacker!
This is the beast out of the water at Blue lake (there is a compulsary weed check after using the lake)
One has to say that it is UGLY! especially with the modified cabin area.
Blue lake was like a millpond:
Our little group at Blue Lake - everyone was issued with duckbill - shaped "quackers" which we were getting pretty sick of hearing by the end of the day !
Inside the Duck heading back to Rotorua - note all the Lifejackets as required, and the modern seating arrangements.
The other thing of interest at Blue Lake, but which unfortunately was too far away to photographe, was a helicopter longlining logs out of the steep country between the blue and Green lakes. It appeared to be a Kaman K-Max, but I wasnt aware ther was one operating in the country at the moment. Looked Really good as the line was probaly 200ft or so, but the load was being accurately picked up and moved with a great deal of skill.
We had a great trip to Rotorua, which also included the 3D maze near the airport and a wander around the mud pools in Kuirau park. Great weather too - an absolute quacker!
