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Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 22, 2009 19:12:33 GMT 12
I have the idea that the WAW Fletchers were named after local rivers. ZK-BHT "Waingawa" was white with red trim. Seen here at Masterton 1955/56  ZK-DZL was registered to Rangitiki Air Services Ltd., Taihape during its three year life. Rangitiki was part of the Harding family business group, so it is likely that this Fletcher could have been used by WAW during busy periods. |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 22, 2009 19:30:45 GMT 12
ZK-CYN "Retaruke" Stratford 2Sep1981, white and red.   |
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Post by ZacYates on Mar 22, 2009 19:51:08 GMT 12
Again, you continue to amaze! Thanks so much Peter! For the moment this research is aiding "repaints" for aircraft in Microsoft Flight Simulator:    So far I have six aircraft, and now will get to work on the seventh - CYN! Thanks again! So...EGM and BHC are now the only nameless ones on my list... |
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Mar 22, 2009 21:21:52 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2009 21:43:20 GMT 12
Is the excellent Wanganui Aero Works four-ship display team still active? I haven't seen them in years.
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Post by ZacYates on Mar 23, 2009 6:04:33 GMT 12
There was a three-ship for many years, initially Don Judd, MacKay George and Richmond Harding (as pictured in my avatar). As far as I know the last display was around 2006, team being Richmond, John, and Bruce Harding. I think new owners Ravensdown didn't see the team as a vital part of the company's operations, unfortunately.  Of course! How on earth did I miss that one?! Thanks PG! So that just leaves EGM... |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 23, 2009 9:16:49 GMT 12
When I have seen the team in the early 1990's they had four aircraft, three Fletchers doing formation work as you mention, and a fourth being a red Cresco soloist. Maybe they dropped the solo Cresco from the line up?
What a shame Ravensdown don't back the team, they were the only thing that sparked any interest for me in Fletchers and Crescoes till people started talking about them on this forum. I think the team was a great representative of the company, showing off the skill of the pilots and the abilities of the aircraft. To me, knowing little about ag aviation, that team made WAW stand out above all other ag operators.
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Post by ZacYates on Mar 23, 2009 16:08:49 GMT 12
Interesting, I'd not heard of that line-up! Luckily Don Judd's still working with us, so I may just ask him about that...and see if he has any photos! Yeah, I'm quite disappointed too, but perhaps in "these tough economic times" it wouldn't be wise to start them up again! Plus, Richmond "Ditch" Harding, leader of the team, is no longer with the company, and I'm not sure who else would be qualified to fly in such a team. We can dream though  ANYWAYS, here's my name list: BHC - Turakina BHE - Rangitikei BHJ - Ruamahanga BHM - Wanganui BHT - Waingawa BHZ - Tauwharenikau BIL - Rangitikei and Patea...? If someone could explain, I'd appreciate it  BIT - Ongarue BOA - Hautapu CMK - Mangamuka CRF - Waitara CYN - Retaruke CZA - Makokomiko DJE - Makakaho DJD - Kakahi CMK 2 - Mangamahu III DZL - ? DZN - Makauiti EGK - Mangawhero EGM - ? EGY - Wanganui II EMC - Timuhanga EHX - Tapuiwahine CLI - Whakapapa |
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Post by hairy on Mar 23, 2009 19:05:13 GMT 12
Is the excellent Wanganui Aero Works four-ship display team still active? I haven't seen them in years. I saw them do a mini display for Ravensdown over Lake Rotorua in July '07. It's a pity they're not active anymore, they put on one of the most entertaining acts at air pageants ( just for you Dave) that I have seen.   |
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Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 23, 2009 21:36:08 GMT 12
Fletcher Fu-24-950 ZK-EGM "Mangakowhai" At Wanganui 1996   I'd be interested in seeing a photo of ZK-DZL if anyone has one. |
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Post by ZacYates on Mar 24, 2009 6:15:37 GMT 12
Thanks a million Peter! Now, whats the pilot's name on EGM? Richard.....someone....will ask around at work.
I, too, would dearly love to see DZL.
I was told yesterday - after scrounging around looking for Fletcher bits - that at least one of our Fletchers was trialled in a yellow and blue scheme, similar to that worn by JetRanger HTM. Does anyone have images of this one? It was, according to one of the blokes, possibly EGK. A different take on WAW.
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Post by ZacYates on Mar 24, 2009 18:34:52 GMT 12
Had a chat with John Harding today - his Cresco's in for a check - and he's going to see if he has any shots of DZL at home  |
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Post by Dave.K on Mar 29, 2009 19:42:32 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Mar 29, 2009 20:05:47 GMT 12
Could very well have been the Wanganui Aero Club's 50th birthday bash in 1979....I'll mention it to some of the blokes at work, thanks for the pics! The building at right in your first shot is the WAW engineering hangar, where I'm off to work in the AM! Interesting to see how things have changed...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 29, 2009 22:39:43 GMT 12
That looks like it was a very spectacular display, the noise alone must have been deafening as well as the sight of ten Fletchers wing-tip to wing-tip with "smoke" on!
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Apr 5, 2009 10:03:39 GMT 12
Bit of a rough picture but it shows BIL in the green scheme.  |
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Post by ZacYates on Apr 5, 2009 14:32:40 GMT 12
That wouldn't be from "The Superpilots" by any chance? I had it out again recently from the local library, all the engineering staff have had a turn to watch it  |
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Apr 5, 2009 20:12:02 GMT 12
Nope,the WAW video...  |
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Post by ZacYates on Apr 6, 2009 17:32:13 GMT 12
Ooooooh! Now that's something I really should try and get, cheers PG!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 6, 2009 17:48:32 GMT 12
You used to be able to get that video at the Warehouse. Not sure if Wanganui is big enough to have a Warehouse? but worth a look if you have one.
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