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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2009 12:44:23 GMT 12
I was just sitting at my computer, typing away on a letter when there was an unusual buzzing noise outside, which seemed to be increasing. Recognising that it was several aircraft I ran outside just in time to see the Red Checkers display team flying in a loose vic formation right above my house! I mean, right over, nice and low, like a special personal flypast. And the leader was fully inverted, with his canopy facing me. He may have even seen me run out onto the back lawn but probably not.
They then tracked round to port and did two loops over near the Waikato River, I'd estimate, then they tracked back across in front of me towards Roto-o-Rangi and did two more loops. These were obviously warm ups for their display.
They then headed off towards Lake Karapiro where they are right now doing their full display, for the Maadi Cup week (NZ secondary schools rowing competitions which runs for a week every year and is apparently the biggest sporting competition in the southern hemisphere I was told the other day.)
It was probably 100% co-incidence that the nice low formation with inverted leader was right over my house, but I feel so privileged to have had this happen. I love the Red Checkers team, they're very special and I always try to get to see them when I can, as they're the best we have in my opinion. I really enjoyed compiling the history of the team for my two part article last year. I this little flypast was quite special to me.
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Post by FlyNavy on Apr 3, 2009 12:49:21 GMT 12
Maybe they know where you live Dave? ;D Just kiddin'. Sounds like a nice experience for sure.
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Post by Tonys18 on Apr 3, 2009 12:52:28 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2009 12:52:34 GMT 12
They just finished the display and then I watched them fly over to Cambridge and do a flyover in formation there. It's really nice to think the town got remembered. Thanks chaps!!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2009 12:55:08 GMT 12
Yes Tony, that's them. The RNZAF's Red Checker display team. The sisth team member in your photo must be waiting at the airport as a spare.
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Post by yak2 on Apr 3, 2009 13:00:39 GMT 12
That's neat Dave. Reminded me of a time around 15 years ago. A couple of us were at the near deserted old Casey airfield on a quiet Sunday arvo when the Roulettes flew over and proceeded to do a full-on display. Probably warming up in preparation for an event somewhere in the metro area, but we sure appreciated our personal air show.  |
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Post by Tonys18 on Apr 3, 2009 13:07:51 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2009 13:31:17 GMT 12
Those first two photos in your last post Tony are great shots despite the distance.
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Post by Tonys18 on Apr 3, 2009 13:52:14 GMT 12
Thanks Dave! I would give you 1 karma but I got to give it to another person! ;D
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Post by phil on Apr 3, 2009 15:21:19 GMT 12
I wondered where they were off to.
I'm fortunate that my office is right by the end of the flight line at Ohakea, near the end of 09, so it's actually past the 'crowd line' when they are doing their practices and we get some fantastic displays.
Lately it's been from the Spitfire as well as the checkers.
And they pay me to be there!
(if you look in Gavin Conroys pics of various aircraft at Ohakea from the other week, you can see my office in the background - the red brick single story building with the old weather radar out the front).
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Post by Tonys18 on Apr 3, 2009 16:34:43 GMT 12
Lucky bugger! ;D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2009 17:23:00 GMT 12
Neat shots Ian, I like the one of them fanning out with Mount Maungatautari in the background especially. Pity it's not high res, but I'm sure the video is neat anyway.
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Apr 3, 2009 18:06:24 GMT 12
I was just sitting at my computer, typing away on a letter when there was an unusual buzzing noise outside, which seemed to be increasing. Recognising that it was several aircraft I ran outside just in time to see the Red Checkers display team flying in a loose vic formation right above my house! I mean, right over, nice and low, like a special personal flypast. And the leader was fully inverted, with his canopy facing me. He may have even seen me run out onto the back lawn but probably not. They then tracked round to port and did two loops over near the Waikato River, I'd estimate, then they tracked back across in front of me towards Roto-o-Rangi and did two more loops. These were obviously warm ups for their display. They then headed off towards Lake Karapiro where they are right now doing their full display, for the Maadi Cup week (NZ secondary schools rowing competitions which runs for a week every year and is apparently the biggest sporting competition in the southern hemisphere I was told the other day.) It was probably 100% co-incidence that the nice low formation with inverted leader was right over my house, but I feel so privileged to have had this happen. I love the Red Checkers team, they're very special and I always try to get to see them when I can, as they're the best we have in my opinion. I really enjoyed compiling the history of the team for my two part article last year. I this little flypast was quite special to me. That must have looked great Dave, especially with Macka inverted. |
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Post by Bruce on Apr 3, 2009 18:14:51 GMT 12
There was a P3K Orion cruise over just before 6pm too, heading toward Karapiro - Did one of the skiffs set off thier emergency beacon?  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2009 18:19:56 GMT 12
I never even heard the Orion.
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Post by 30sqnatc on Apr 3, 2009 21:01:36 GMT 12
There was a P3K Orion cruise over just before 6pm too, heading toward Karapiro - Did one of the skiffs set off thier emergency beacon? Got to get the 'successful search' stats up. Much easier if your searching in a lake  Then again if it not a kiwi in the lead at the end of the V8 race, the leader may be going to have a mavrick experience  |
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