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Post by davel on Feb 20, 2012 23:43:45 GMT 12
Last year I went to the Abbotsford International Airshow, one of the biggest airshows in Canada. Honestly I was disappointed when comparing it to the last Whenuapai show. I don't think we fully appreciate the fantastic displays the RNZAF crews put on. The 757 display wows crowds everywhere it goes. Our helicopter crews put on far better displays than anything I saw the Americans or Canadians do at Abbotsford. Also the NZ warbirds pilots show off their aircraft far more impressively than their Canadian counterparts.
I wish I could be in NZ for this Airshow!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 20, 2012 23:54:34 GMT 12
Well said McMaster and Dave, and I hear over and over from people how much better, closer, lower and fuller the NZ airshows are compared to overseas.
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 21, 2012 0:15:25 GMT 12
No denying that the display pilots do a good job here. Once again Wanaka get's heaps of praise for the same reason.
I do appreciate what Dave and McMaster have said also. Yes the display will be interesting, hopefully for the general public and enthusiasts alike. I have actually cracked a smile in thinking that I will not be alone in missing it. Neither of them are attending either.
Wanaka airshow is being promoted as part of the 75th Anniversary celebrations and has a good representation of current RNZAF aircraft on show.
We all know the Hercules displays go down very well there.
What are the chances of the CN235 featuring ?
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 21, 2012 6:21:10 GMT 12
In geographic reality New Zealand really is at the arse end of the world; and I for one would hate to consider the huge logisitical nightmare it is for any foreign air force to bring their aircraft all the way to Ohakea for a one day air show. Even for the USAF to bring three F-16s, two F-22s and a C-17 out to Avalon from Japan and Korea in 2011 required the support of at least three (maybe four?) tankers and at least one other C-17 or a C-5 to carry all the support equipment and consumables to last a week - and Australia's geographically only in the lower colon region! ;D The Plane Crazy Down Under podcast talked to the USAF about the logistics involved in getting to Avalon. Minute 44 of Day 6 of their Avalon podcasts. www.planecrazydownunder.com/2011/03/01/avalonquickcasts/ |
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Post by flight98 on Feb 21, 2012 8:29:14 GMT 12
To be honest, I don't really care what turns up from overseas as I'm proud of our airforce and it's heritage. Sure, some more fast jets would be cool, but I looking forward to seeing the warbirds more.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 21, 2012 8:45:48 GMT 12
I couldn't agree more flight98.
It was an exciting prospect as an added extra when we were told F-22 Raptors were coming, but that was bullshit so nay matter. It'll still be a good show regardless.
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Post by efliernz on Feb 21, 2012 10:58:19 GMT 12
Our biggest problem in NZ is that we are spoilt with the quality of airshow displays. In the US... yes, there were 50 mustangs at Oshkosh. They took off, did a circuit not below 300' and landed.
We get to see aircraft presented / displayed in a way that astounds most of the world. Keith Skilling in the Corsair curving around the crowd at little old Masterton (and Omaka) at 20'... it is quite simply the best you will see in the world.
On my way back from Omaka on Bluebridge, I had lunch with Kermit Weeks and his "rag n tube Mtce lead" (whose name I have forgotten - sorry) and we talked about his NZ experience. He commented that the WW1 sequesnce with so many in the air was in many ways "too much" for him. To be part of it left him speechless! The standard of display in both flightmanship and the ability of pilots to present their craft for the public was the best he had seen... period.
Kiwis... we don't know how lucky we are...
As for the 75th - let us celebrate our proud history. It is more than just an airshow.
I am lucky that my dad (now 85 years old) who joined the Royal Navy in '39 has shared many of his experiences from the North Sea and Atlantic. He has also chosen not to share a lot... those moments when he goes quiet...
He recounts seeing the torpedo bombers flying past in the begining (into wind, going so slow that you could have shot the pilot with a rifle). Let us celebrate our history - whether we see fast jets or not. That isn't what it is all about in my mind.
Pete
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 21, 2012 11:07:21 GMT 12
Well said Pete.
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Post by typerated on Feb 21, 2012 11:16:55 GMT 12
"It's here that you will see military and civilian aircraft from around the world in one spectacular event on show for the public" says the website
Well not really, or so it seems from the latest list.
Still it is a half decent show and probably as good as can be expected in this day and age.
For those that think Wanaka will be a better show - there is very little difference in either list at the moment. I Imagine there will be more machines at Ohakea both flying and static. Perhaps Wanaka is a better location but then again you look into the sun most of the day.
For those that think that NZ shows are better flown and flown closer to the crowd than foreign shows - well it depends. Certainly the big military shows have a flightline that is a long way away these days.
But as for comparing like with like - the warbird/ historic shows in the UK are second to none.
Yes they are flown close to the crowd and often in large formations. Yes they are very well flown.
As an example the 16 ship Spitfire seqeunce at the Duxford BoB show in 2010 was out of this world.
Having been to 100s of airshows around the world in the last 30 years I can say that NZ warbirds do very good displays but it is also very naive to think they are the best in the world!
The RNZAF also do a great job of making their mundane machinery interesting but in the end it is pretty mundane watching the same stuff time after time.
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Post by Naki on Feb 21, 2012 12:03:53 GMT 12
How much more could you expect at a RNZAF Air Show? Maybe if we were still an ANZUS member we could expect an expanded USAF presence with F-15s, 16s or F-22s, but even then their air show funding has been cut back for this year.
RAF? Apart from the Harrier at the '92 Expo when did they last have fast jets here? They are always bring in the bigger iron. The RAF is shadow of its former self as well with no strategic bombers.
RAAF - to the average Joe punter there is not a lot of difference between a F-18A and F-18F. ..and there are no more F-111s.
Other Air Forces..apart from the RCAF, name one that isn't appearing at this Air Show that has appeared at past Shows?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 21, 2012 12:10:20 GMT 12
And there's no RAAF Caribous now either which were always a welcome airshow act from across the Tasman Sea in the past.
The list says RAAF Hornet, I have heard it's a four-ship. Can anyone confirm?
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Post by typerated on Feb 21, 2012 13:03:01 GMT 12
No, but if a 4 ship comes over we may get the 4 ship and the solo displays.
I really enjoy both. The solo display is (or was a couple of years ago) as good as almost anything to seen in europe.
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Post by vs on Feb 21, 2012 13:47:11 GMT 12
I agree, we are very lucky in New Zealand when it comes to quality. Reno, the aeroplanes are a long way away...little dots!
I think it would be cool to see some formations with warbirds and their modern equivalent...King Air and Devon? Avro 504, Tigermoth and CT4? P3 and PBY? C47 and C130...just an idea
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Post by typerated on Feb 21, 2012 13:58:33 GMT 12
"The Royal Australian Air Force F-18s will provide some spectacular fighter jet flying displays" from the press release
reads as plural to me
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2012 20:21:58 GMT 12
Just booked my tickets and accommodation for it! ;D I'm am looking forward to it sooo much  $10 was really cheap I thought, definitely get our moneys worth haha |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 21, 2012 20:56:18 GMT 12
Do we have to pre-book tickets into the gate or are there gate sales? Better check I guess.
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Post by luke6745 on Feb 21, 2012 23:31:19 GMT 12
Do we have to pre-book tickets into the gate or are there gate sales? Better check I guess. According to the RNZAF website there are limited cash sales at the gate. |
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Post by mcmaster on Feb 22, 2012 13:30:50 GMT 12
Australian Aviation magazine is talking about F-18 flight demonstrationS i.e. plural again. So could be the 4 ship only or for max value ... the 4 .. plus the solo.
There certainly was as RAAF solo pilot doing the rounds late last year ie at the November Temora show. One thing they might do however is due to Wanaka a week later just send the sqn for an exercise covering both shows and not have the solo.
I dont think the RAAF contribution to Wanaka has been confirmed yet? so then again maybe they won't be at Wanaka and will put all RAAF efforts for Ohakea. late thought..maybe Amberley will do Wanaka with Rhinos... ;D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 22, 2012 14:38:11 GMT 12
Are the Rhino versions any more impressive at an air display than the old ones? Or are they much on a par?
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betsy46
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 85
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Post by betsy46 on Feb 22, 2012 15:10:12 GMT 12
The RNZAF prefer that tickets are bought on line - events.co.nz.
Also....The DC-3 is still full, however we are chartering a Trislander to accompany the DC-3 for 14 other pax. Anyone on the waiting list - please email Jessica on flydc3@paradise.net.nz. $295 plus $$$ for the airshow ticket. I am buying all the tickets, and will hand them to you at check in.
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$10 was really cheap I thought, definitely get our moneys worth haha 
