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Post by bell407 on Mar 18, 2011 17:08:48 GMT 12
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Post by bell407 on Feb 28, 2011 10:51:06 GMT 12
I hope so, I’d much rather see the Thunder Birds and Blue Angels then another round of privately owned Harvards again, don't get me wrong, I love the old birds and think it should be a national priority to keep them in the air and get more into airworthy status, but nothing beats modern, currently active military jets, especially being in New Zealand where we are denied proper military aircraft, I love the C130's and all, and nothing beats a good old Huey, but when that Aussie F18 was here, every eye was turned skyward, every jaw was dropped and once it landed, everyone went home.
As awesome as the old birds are, they do get a bit boring, we need, want and must have fast, loud, kick ass jet fighters, the more modern and exotic the better.
Growing up in South Africa with an uncle in the SAAF flying Harvards and going to the air shows where 50 Harvards come over in formation is nothing short of a spiritual experience, but when the Mirages took to the skies, that was it, the high speed Mirage F1 fast over the flight line popping flares as it goes by, the noise, the heat and the excitement, kind of like a Formula 1 race being compared to some old blokes racing golf carts, obviously the F1 race is the crowd pleaser, WE NEED JETS.
I’ve been lucky enough to be at a huge air show in South Africa, they a Flanker, Mig 29 Mirage 2000 a whole bunch of air refuelling tankers, Hercs and the big ass C5 Galaxy there, the US had some F16’s an F15E and some others, the high light was the Red Arrows, they were amazing, indescribable really, all my 8 year old, plane crazy son gets to see is what we see at Ardmore every Sunday, the same old Harvards flying slowly around the airfield, then came the F111 and the F18 and he was blown away, as good as they are, the Harvards and the Vampire and L39 cannot ever measure up to the Red Arrows, Blue Angles, Thunder Birds or any other military team, the noise, the speed and the precision of a military team can’t be matched by a civilian team, at least not here, there isn’t enough money for civvies to get that good.
Please don’t take this as war birds bashing thread, it is not, I love them all, I really do, and I’m happy that these people with the kind of money to own and fly these aircraft are nice enough to choose to do so, they can spend their money on anything, I’m just happy they choose to own Harvards and L39’s and the like and even happier that they choose to show them off from time to time.
But lets get real, the chance of having some of the most prestigious display teams and some of the most exotic and desirable military aircraft in the World, of the type and scale one would normally have to go to the USA or to Farnborough to see, come here to little old New Zealand could quite possibly be a once in a life time event and unless one can afford to go to those big shows, (Not cheap for a small family to get air tickets, air show tickets and food and accommodation) it will be the only time most people get to see the aircraft they once only saw as plastic model kits they built as kids, up close and in the flesh so to speak.
Sorry if this was a bit long and come off like I hate War Birds and NZ in general, I was just telling someone here about what could be the most epic air show in NZ history and how I hoped we’d see the US demo teams or any other teams and some nice modern military jets and they turned all green on me and started that we don’t need and should not encourage the war mongering US to come here with their stuff and that New Zealand was a peaceful country and needs nothing more at air shows then the war birds, so I am a bit heated as I write this, so I apologise in advance if I cause any offence to any one.
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Post by bell407 on Jan 21, 2011 7:52:15 GMT 12
Just read about this today, it was a Bell 206 Jet Ranger with suspected engine failure according to the Herald, not too often that you hear of a turbine flaming out.
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Post by bell407 on Dec 4, 2010 15:11:26 GMT 12
So are criminals not targeting police, but the civilian owners of the helicopters that the police rent for a while in the hope that the operators will no longer allow the police to use their helicopters?
How obsurd, that law abiding people are scard of criminals, it used to be the other way around, crims would do anyting to stay out of sight of both police and civilian, but then again, non police were encouraged to help fight crime, not cower with their tails between their legs, noa days, if you so much as punch a criminals lights out you're in deeper crap then the criminal is.
If they don't already, why don't the police buy their own helo's, I'm sure they can have the ex airforce Huey's or by some 500's, do they own that dark blue Squirrel in Auckland?
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Post by bell407 on Nov 19, 2010 19:54:40 GMT 12
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Post by bell407 on Nov 7, 2010 22:26:43 GMT 12
Thanks, there are usually five in that hangar, but HMJ was away. The two on the left are 206 Jetranger and the two on the right are 206L Longrangers.
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Post by bell407 on Nov 7, 2010 20:14:34 GMT 12
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Post by bell407 on Jul 2, 2010 15:36:51 GMT 12
Hi all.
Good thing I called Whenuapai first, I've just gotten off the phone with them and they told me that there would not be an open day in March of next year (Didn't say if there would be one at any other time during the year)because they are doing extensive work on the runway, (I wonder if they are strengthening / extending it for potential future increased large aircraft (B52) visits).
I phoned Ohakea and was told that there are no planned open days yet for next year so far either.
War Birds over Wanaka is only a every other year isn't it? and there was already one this year, so I don't think there will be anything in 2011, I think that rules out any major air shows / open days that I can think of where there may have been a B52 visit, at least for the 1st half of 2011 anyway.
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Post by bell407 on Jul 1, 2010 22:21:34 GMT 12
Well, not too much news at all, first I decided to call AFB Whenuapai to make sure there was indeed going to be an open day / air show, I ran out of time to so so at work, but I tried twice and each time the phone for the public relations officer rang to a stop with no answer.
My plan is to call the RNZAF to confirmthey are having a show and that they haven't already contacted the US in relation to said show, then, depending on what they say, I'll call the US Defence attache in WLG and see what I can do from there, see if he has any specific ways to request, I printed and filled out the request form posted earlier, but I might redo it once I speak to the guy.
I'll let you all know whay, if anything is said in both calls, hopefully tomorrow.
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Post by bell407 on Jun 29, 2010 21:40:54 GMT 12
Pitty about the Red arrows then, I know the USAF Thunderbirds were in Aussie not too long ago, maybe we can get them over.
Thanks for the links to the USAF forms, I'll fill one out and see what the reply is, I'll also try send an email to someone in the air force and might CC a local politition in, they might bite at the idea and you never know, all it might take is an informal " Hey mate, mind sending some toys over in March, we wouldn't be offended if you did" from one politisio to another.
Here to wishful thinking, you never know if you don't ask hey?
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Post by bell407 on Jun 29, 2010 16:27:58 GMT 12
Sorry, meant to mention, this bloke siad while speaking with the Aussie pilots that he got the impression that the Rhino's would be here in place of F111's, I still don't know how much of what this bloke says I can beleive, I don't know him that well, more of an aquantance, but I do know for a fact he got to the airport and got into the tower, other people who I know were taken along with him.
Still, I hope like mad we at least get some currently serving fast jet out here again, will be a let down if we don't afer the legacy Hornets were here last year.
I've never seen the Grippen, geot out of SA before they arrived I think NZ would do well to get 12 Rafials, those little jets are faster, carry more and have greater range then the F18F does.
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Post by bell407 on Jun 29, 2010 15:14:25 GMT 12
Well, in that case I'll request it, I'll give them a call and see what is required, ask if they can send some Eagles over and mayby an F22 or 2. they brought their C17 to officially participate in last years open day, so I don't see why they can't bring over some other USAF toys too.
I'm going to email our air force and the US people tonight, I'll also try my luck with the Red Arrows, they flew to South Africa in 1995 I don't see why they can't come here too, no harm in asking.
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Post by bell407 on Jun 29, 2010 0:31:39 GMT 12
Hi all, names Jason, just wrote an intro in the introductions area.
I was told today by a bloke who was connected enough to get into the tower at AKL Intl to see the RAAF F18F's and the C17 and tanker arrive a month or so ago, he claims he was able to speak to the Aussie pilots as well, anyway.
He was telling me today that for the Whenuapai open day next year, there are rumours that the USAF will have a slightly larger presence here then in 2009 because they will be playing in Nth Aussie with the RAAF at the same time and have said they'll bring some more toys over and possibly a flypast of a B52.
Before I wet myself with excitment and anticipation, has anyone heard anuthing along these lines or is it possible this bloke is talking BS?
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Post by bell407 on Jun 29, 2010 0:22:13 GMT 12
What is your name? Jason
Where are you from? South Africa, came to NZ in 1996 and been in AKL since.
How old are you? 31
What is your main interest in aviation? Is it historic? Airlines? Military... Military and civvie helicopters
Tell us about your background in aviation. Are you just an enthusiast or have you got more hands on experience? Are you a pilot? Do you have an Air Force Background? Or a civil aviation background? I started my CPL in the late 90's, only got about 60 hrs and then my son was born and since then, time, money and priorities have gone out the window, now I have to lose some fat and I'd like to give it a go again.
Do you belong to any aviation groups, like the NZ Warbirds, RNZAF Association, Royal Aeronautical Society or CAF, etc? Not yet
Are you an aircraft modeller? (Scale or R/C) I've been knwn to bash some plastic, paint and glue together, have about 12 completed models here including a nice big Huey and Bell 206 Jet Ranger (The 206 is in Civvie colors)!
What are your favourite aviation books? Almost anything to do with the F14 Tomcat, I kinda like the new Super Bugs as well, so will start getting some books on those too.
What are your favourite aviation films or TV programmes? Speed and Angels, VF 213 and VF31 final cruise DVD's, TOMCAT farwell DVD and NAS Oceana 2006 TOMCATS final air show DVD.
Do you frequent other aviation forums? Used to visit some helicopter forums in anticipation of a 1st division lotto win, still waiting on that win though.
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