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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 10, 2009 13:48:06 GMT 12
Chuck in some Kiwi wine and I reckon you've got a deal.
I still remember when I first heard about the F-16 deal. Got most excited at the increase in capability this was to bring. Ah well.
Is it worth considering anything Russian or should we not go there? Probably not as interchangeable with the RAAF, Yanks etc?
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 10, 2009 11:54:22 GMT 12
Great pics, Bearcat.
Have you ever come across Roy Watson who wrote about his Tiger Moth rebuilding and racing experiences as well as propliner and 707 freighter flying in Africa (Bush Pilots Do It In Fours)?
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 10, 2009 11:47:25 GMT 12
You're a clever so and so, Gavin! Stunning aircraft.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 10, 2009 11:44:08 GMT 12
Awesome bit of gear. Did you see the Gladiator and Beaufighter?
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 10, 2009 11:40:46 GMT 12
Here's to his 99th birthday! Looks like he had an interesting career.
Like the bit about the Mustangs escorting bombers on night raids. Methinks the journo got a bit muddled when bomber escort jobs were mentioned ... but that's just me being an anorak.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 10, 2009 11:25:51 GMT 12
Stop it, Dave! Good thing I have a birthday coming up.
Another personal story - as opposed to the 'big picture' books like Buffaloes and Hurricanes over Singapore, Bloody Shambles etc - is Terence Kelly's Hurricane Over The Jungle. Written by an RAF pilot so another angle again.
Am enjoying looking into Singapore again as one of my favourite pilots, Bert Wipiti, was part of it all.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 10, 2009 10:34:01 GMT 12
Hi Alan, your post is making me wish the book turns up this morning but I think I have at least a week to wait yet.
I have Buffaloes over Singapore as well but have yet to read it. Was considering reading it next but it might get bumped for Last Stand. I'm looking forward to comparing the two and it'll be good to see the much-maligned Buffalo doing some good. There's also a hard-to-get book on the RAAF units* but its title escapes me at the moment.
Will have to invest in Hurricanes over Singpore as well.
*I think it was War Without Glory by J D Balfe.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 10, 2009 10:20:39 GMT 12
MiG-29 might convince the govt they need a strike force ... or not.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 10, 2009 10:12:08 GMT 12
Single seat Hawks have been sold to Malaysia, Oman and Indonesia. The Hawk 200 ws discounted by the RNZAF when they were looking at F-16s becaue of range/payload and performance issues..the Skyhawks were better. Thanks Paul, I'm remembering more about the Hawk 200 now. Haven't kept up with modern military stuff for a while - ages in fact given how long since NZ considered the F-16s. I do like the idea of an RAAF Hawk unit being based in NZ as a lead-in for the RNZAF but, of course, that is a commitment to the Hawk. F/A-18s - secondhand Australian ones or new ones? Is there such a thing as a cheap Super Hornet? Silly question! Is the Tornado too much? Ooh, I like the T-50. A modern, very new, take on the Hawk idea.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 23:48:42 GMT 12
Kermit Weeks was in attendance (was it 2006? or 2004?) and while being interviewed in the commentary bus, stated he'd love to be able to fly his B-17 to New Zealand to display it at a future Warbirds Over Wanaka if a sponser could be found. Know anyone with really deep and really well-stacked pockets? Yep, Kermit Weeks. Can't even begin to think of an active warbird that hasn't been seen in NZ yet. While it's still looking like a while till I get to my first Wanaka, it is intriguing. I'm guessing an A-26 has flown there before?
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 23:26:15 GMT 12
Hmm, well that kills that then ... not that Oz or NZ are averse to operating older designs but I think the cost of maintenance would be prohibitive given talk of secondhand aircraft.
BAe Hawk? Cheaper option, capable of a range of missions from training upwards. Has the single-seater been sold to anyone? Again, though, a 30+ year old design but adaptable.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 21:50:18 GMT 12
Sea Harrier FA2's were built from 1993 to 1999 so although not new, they would still be pretty young airframe wise. That's better than I expected, Bruce. Betterer and betterer. ;D
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 19:35:36 GMT 12
Hi all Haven't found this on here yet so apologies if it's already been posted. A good mate of mine - writer and commercial pilot for an international carrier - is putting together a charity flight next year to celebrate 100 years of powered flight in Australia and raise money for the Flying Doctors. Some of you no doubt know Owen better than me or at least know of his writing for the likes of Australian Aviation. He is keeping things up to date on this website: thereandback.com.au/The plan is to be able to track the flight through the website and also read his comments as he progresses. Hope this is of interest. Andy
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 19:28:25 GMT 12
they're no longer predicting when it will fly because it keeps extending. Sounds like a normal project to me. 90% done with 90% of the work to go! All in good time. Will be as good as seeing a new Spitfire flying.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 19:19:07 GMT 12
I was thinking the same thing, Bruce. Not sure how old they are but then the Skyhawks were more than capable. Versatile and proven design ... and way cool.
Only weakness I can think of is the USMC AV-8Bs in the first Gulf War were found to be a bit susceptible to ground fire due to the mid-fuselage mounted engine.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 17:09:48 GMT 12
Just ordered the book through an Australian seller who has just updated my order with "flying the book in from the UK". Thanks for helping spend my money, guys! :-D
Seriously, looking forward to the read. Might not have come across it if it hadn't been discussed here.
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 9, 2009 12:49:03 GMT 12
A large proportion of the Weeks collection was damaged in '92 and I think the Sunderland fortunately missed all of that - or did she get damaged by another hurricane (Katrina?)? I believe she hasn't flown for a few years now but is rolled in and out of one of the Fantasy of Flight hangars for a bit of sun quite regularly. Great that she is under cover for the most part but recent visitors have reported she is looking a bit worn (PPrune forum).
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 8, 2009 23:09:53 GMT 12
Wow, I don't even remember hearing about that. Lucky people. Bloody ultralights. ;-)
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 7, 2009 22:04:05 GMT 12
You're right, Dave, I misread part of your original post anyway. I was jumping the gun a little bit but 5 Sqn was first posted overseas to Bougainville in November 1944 and remained there to the end of the war. This would certainly rule out Guadalcanal but not necessarily the others (detachments perhaps)?
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 7, 2009 17:19:17 GMT 12
Phenomenal photos. IIRC, the Boomerangs belong to 5 Sqn RAAF.
Knowing the Boomers are on Bougainville is a great timestamp - late 1944 at the earliest.
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