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Post by oj on Dec 21, 2009 21:33:44 GMT 12
My elder brother was based at Ohakea at the time, and I was fortunate to to be taken to see the Vulcan under repair in the hangar (No. 2 Hangar) whilst still a schoolboy visiting him during holidays; a great thrill! I remember him describing how, when the aircraft was made ready to tow it from the grass where it had landed, the Army Scammel brought on base for the purpose was not up to the task, and the aircraft was eventually moved to the hangar by being towed by one of the RNZAF Leyland Hippo tankers. Perhaps Shamus or Glycol could comment on that? OJ
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Post by oj on Dec 12, 2009 20:44:48 GMT 12
A significant number were shipped in crates to the UK distributor, Glosair Ltd. Probably about 10 or 12. They were etch-primed and painted in grey undercoat. The Engineers Union were in dispute with AESL at the time, as the staff did not want to join the union, so the Union indicated it might be unfortunate for AESL if one or two crates met with an accident on the Auckland wharves! OJ
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Post by oj on Dec 11, 2009 20:48:44 GMT 12
The 310 HP Geared one was powered by a Lycoming IGSO-480. Someone cooked it (maybe even siezed it) on a ground test run, I think on the Aero Engine Services Ltd. test trailer. So it only had a very short life. The IGSO-480 and its bigger brother the IGSO-540, were both used extensively in the Piaggio P166 "pig pusher". These engines had an unusual Low-tension ignition system, with the magnetos and distributor system all being at only a few hundred volts, with individual HT coils for each spark plug. It was developed for high-altitude flying conditions to counter the distributor HT flash-over that used to occur due to the greater ionisation characteristics of the thin upper atmosphere in conventional magnetos. There was a considerable weight penalty in having the LTsystem, as the twelve individual HT coils, clamping brackets and associated LT wiring weighed more than a normal HT system. The whole concept was wasted on a Fletcher and the LT magnetos were temperamental. I think they got sucked-in with that particular spec of engine, but there may not have been any other suitable engine available at the time. OJ
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Post by oj on Oct 13, 2009 20:43:10 GMT 12
Incidentally, I have a pdf (only 644kb) of the original 8 page CT4 brochure from circa 1972, from which the above illustration was taken. If any member would like a copy please email me by direct request and I will flick it to you. OJ
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Post by oj on Oct 13, 2009 20:34:53 GMT 12
The tip tanks were only fitted to DGY, more for marketing purposes than real use (though they may have been semi-functional at some time). The wing hard-points were fitted to DGY and to the 14 "Swiss" (Rhodesian-destined) aircraft. That sale was subsequently stymied by the NZ Govt and the 14 were purchased by the RAAF. After being in storage for many months in their shipping crates, they were quite extensively reworked and re-wired to suit the RAAF CT4A spec. The hard-points and associated wiring remained in the structure but were never used to my knowledge. OJ
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Post by oj on Sept 2, 2009 22:36:16 GMT 12
Well, if was 4 piston engines that would make it one of the original Globemasters, also a possibility. They were certainly still in service then. In fact two old Globemasters brought out President Johnsons motorcade to Ohakea in 1966, and prior to that Globemasters had been at Ohakea from time to time. Someone needs to check the archives of the local Napier newspaper at the time, otherwise we will not be able to sleep until we are certain .... OJ
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Post by oj on Sept 1, 2009 21:20:44 GMT 12
Actually I am having second thoughts about this JATO take-off now. It might have been the Deep Freeze R4D that was also there. I might have been seeing double because of the free beer! Did it have two engines or four? I should have closed one eye. Anyway, it was not the Hastings. Someone else must have been there and can tell us what they saw? OJ
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Post by oj on Sept 1, 2009 21:13:06 GMT 12
I was at the Napier show (serving at Ohakea at the time). The word went around base that the RAF Brittania was going there and anyone could go as a passenger. It was over-subscribed. The overflow (myself included) had the option of going over in one of our DC3's, which we did. The DC3 left early and we were at Napier all day. The Brittania could not land, so only did a gentle handling display (being fully laden) and then back to Ohakea (probably some scenics on the way). Anyway, those of us that went on the DC3 had to wear uniform. This was a huge advantage. We were at Napier long before the air show began, so went into town for a beer (11 o'clock opening in those days). We did not have to buy any. The locals kept shouting us wherever we went. Then we went back to the airport about 2 pm to watch the air display. It was very good. Then we went back on the Dak at the end. Most of us slept all the way back to base (I wonder why?). I reckon we had more fun than those that went on the Brittania; they did not see the air display or get any free beer! Oh, I almost forgot! The JATO take-off was a Deep Freeze C130, definitely. OJ
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Post by oj on Aug 1, 2009 16:58:59 GMT 12
Shorty, I recall the Huey Cobra being demonstrated in Hamilton in about 1968 or 1969. I was working at Aero Engine Services at the time. The Cobra was brought to NZ to drum up more political and technical support for the US Vietnam war. The quite extensive flying demonstration took place opposite the James Aviation and AES hangars on the eastern side of Hamilton airfield, mainly parallel with the JAL taxiway and Airport Road, and also over the adjacent Lochiel Golf course and Waikato river. The operation, along with Iroquois and Sioux, was more or less "hosted" by JAL and AES who were starting to get more involved with miltary contract work. This display was seen by most of the staff of JAL and AES, but was probably not evident from the eastern part of the airfield other than the tower. The ground "base" during the visit was the JAL taxiway and I am pretty sure we did hangar them overnight in Hamilton. Perhaps another reader might recall that? My elder brother has 8mm colour film of the display he took on the day. If he has digitised it, there might be a chance to see this some time; I will enquire. OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 26, 2009 10:08:28 GMT 12
Yes, not Ohakea those shots. The hangar layout is not right for Ohakea. Some shots of the two Victors at Ohakea in 1964 will be put up here imminently. OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 23, 2009 22:36:16 GMT 12
As I said on July 12 above, I have some photos of the Victors at Ohakea in 1964 but I need to email them to someone else to load to the forum, as I do not have the means. Any volunteer can email me and tell me what scanned configuration and size you would like and whether in jpg or pdf or whatever ..... Any chance? OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 22, 2009 21:13:33 GMT 12
Excellent report Dave. Fascinating. Keep typing! OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 14, 2009 22:54:49 GMT 12
Whoops! Discovered Captain Cook is ZK-AYG (didn't read the photo above thoroughly enough. OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 14, 2009 22:50:38 GMT 12
Thanks Martin, That helped with some. I still have photos of two not on your list named "Captain Cook" and "Malborough" without any Merchant pre-fix and unknown registrations. I suppose (from your list) that nose marking R-K is ZK-CRK "Merchant Islander"? Still don't know what nose marking "O" belongs to. Anyone else? OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 12, 2009 22:28:34 GMT 12
Sorry, That was probably 1964 the two Victors were at Ohakea. I did not have dates on the prints. OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 12, 2009 22:23:34 GMT 12
There were two Victors at Ohakea in 1963 when there was also a big airshow/open day (the same time we had three F105D Thunderchiefs there). I have some photos that I might put up when I get to know the system a bit better! Or, Dave, can I email them to you to put up? OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 12, 2009 22:09:27 GMT 12
Guys, I was at the 1958 Ohakea show and took notes. I have a strong recollection of the day, but do not recall any "mystery" aircraft of the description given either. Dave, where can we view the list that Shorty provided to you? OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 12, 2009 21:24:05 GMT 12
Can someone please point me to a list of SAFE AIR B170 Registrations, Ship Names and nose-letter markings. I have several photos from 1962 to offer, but having difficulty matching regos to nose markings and names. For example, Nose-marking "O". Is that ZK-BYO or ZK-CAO or what? Also, none of my photos have double letters on the nose like your R-K above. Can someone explain that? Thanks. OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 10, 2009 23:06:52 GMT 12
Can we start a thread for Reflex 2 1963? Or tell me where it is? The Army Engineers built the strip at Rangitaiki, south-east of Taupo and the RNZAF operated Harvard, Vampire, B170's and even a Hastings from the war games strip in October 1963. A lot of Ohakea personnel were part of it. So far I have only been able to buy a few RNZAF photos from the RNZAF Museum, Wigram (those that appeared in news releases at the time). There were no aerial shots at all, so one cannot guage today what the full extent of the activity was back then. Anyone got any personal photos from Reflex 2, 1963? OJ
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Post by oj on Jul 10, 2009 22:23:17 GMT 12
Re the PL12 in Spain. Why didn't you buy the Catalina that is in the background? OJ
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