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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 26, 2011 20:54:06 GMT 12
Yes the Dakota flight is an excelent experience and highly recommended. But of course at 11.00am we'll be at Don's place. maybe the Dakota crew can do a flypast for us at Don's?
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Post by Kereru on Mar 26, 2011 21:04:09 GMT 12
Hope the weather improves? Keep in mind if you have spare time Auckland is also an option especially in the afternoon to see the Emirates arrivals. Two 773s and the A380. The new western motorway is brilliant just stay off it at peak times when folk are going home. I can get from Ardmore to Domestic Terminal at Auckland in less than 20 minutes with out speeding. Ask Gavin and it is quite an experience when traveling along Puhinui Road and the A380 comes right along beside you just a few feet away on final. Again ask Gavin as we struck it one day there. Have fun guys. Check www.aucklandairport.co.nz/FlightInformation/InternationalArrivalsAndDepartures.aspx?leg=ACheers |
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Post by baz62 on Mar 27, 2011 9:46:43 GMT 12
Don't forget.......PHOTOS! (And yes Skyhawkdon, obiwan27 and myself will be armed for photo taking when we visit the Ashburton lads next Sunday  ) |
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Post by fwx on Mar 27, 2011 14:05:47 GMT 12
What a fascinating visit with the Subritzky family, many thanks to them, fantastically hospitable, complete with tea and scones! A privilege to see the passion and workmanship, and to hear some of the fascinating stories behind the 'planes. And great to meet so many of the forum-ites, including founder Dave. Must be first back to my computer, so will just post a few pics since others more knowledgeable than me will want to put theirs up. The magnificent, awesome Vickers Vincent:    |
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Post by ErrolC on Mar 27, 2011 15:08:02 GMT 12
What a fascinating visit with the Subritzky family, many thanks to them, fantastically hospitable, complete with tea and scones! A privilege to see the passion and workmanship, and to hear some of the fascinating stories behind the 'planes. And great to meet so many of the forum-ites, including founder Dave. Must be first back to my computer, so will just post a few pics since others more knowledgeable than me will want to put theirs up. Ditto!  Don, with Meteor and Vincent behind by errolgc, on Flickr  Tea and scones under Meteor and Vincent by errolgc, on Flickr  Hinds under restoraton by errolgc, on Flickr  Dave in heaven! by errolgc, on Flickr  Kestrels on Hind airframes by errolgc, on Flickr  Telling tales with Wasp and Anson by errolgc, on Flickr |
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Post by baz62 on Mar 27, 2011 15:36:29 GMT 12
Sweet sweet photos! Man I am soooo jealous, what an amazing collection. And that Vincent is a tall beast in the flesh isn't it?
So Ashburton didn't have the first Meteor in New Zealand then! Is that a NF11? Can't wait to see some more photos!! Thanks for sharing them guys! ;D
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Post by stu on Mar 27, 2011 15:36:41 GMT 12
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Post by raymond on Mar 27, 2011 15:51:27 GMT 12
What a great morning and some great stories from Don as well!!
Well worth the trip, interesting to see part of a fairey battle.
Thanks Don
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Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 27, 2011 16:14:11 GMT 12
Add my thanks to the list. Fascinating. A good turnout for a group of blokes as well!  |
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Post by trx850 on Mar 27, 2011 16:22:49 GMT 12
One very interesting way to spend a Sunday! Great also to be able to put faces with names from the forum. A big thanks to Dave for arranging it all, and Don and family for having us. Still working my way through over 200 pics I took today, but here's a few of mine.  Our host Don and Damon.  The rear of the Oxford.  The first of the Hinds in the sheds.  The nose of the Vincent.  The Vincent's fuselage.  Anson nose.  Tea and scones!  Tea and scones II. The balance of mine were detail pics to be used for modelling reference which will be posted later. Cheers, Pete M. ;D |
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Post by fwx on Mar 27, 2011 16:54:34 GMT 12
Can't wait to see this one fly:   |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 27, 2011 17:45:24 GMT 12
I'd like to pass on my personal thanks To Don, Steve and the Subritzky family for an excellent day out, and also to Jim Mungall (Shamus) and Bill Billings for their part in this enjoyable day. Thanks also to the other forum members who came along, it was good to meet a few new faces and catch up with a load of old friends.
I am so happy to have seen the current status of the Vickers Vincent, a hearty congratulations to you Steve for the work on this project so far, it is just superb. You're ressurecting a vital piece of history, and it is just wonderful to see one in the flesh like this. I think others will agree with me that it changes the perception somewhat to see an actual tangible aircraft as compared to looking at the photos, being able to walk under it and look up at it, etc. I am thoroughly pleased to hear today and also read here so many compliments for the Vincent, I think we have converted a few former non-believers to realising it was an awesome beast.
I want to thank Jim for his very interesting details on the Vincent and the Hind too, I found it all most fascinating, and I am especially grateful to you for pointing out the commonly held view that the Vincent and Vildebeest tails were different is wrong, and that only the first twelve Vildes for the RNZAF had the different tail - and the way they are different - that was a revelation that blows a longheld myth I've picked up in books, websites and also from WWII veterans, and now I can fix that in my book text. Much appreciated.
Thanks too for the coffee and lovely scones. I hope others added to the koha jar we started. As I said to Errol as I sipped my cuppa and stared at the Vilde, that was the best tearoom in the world.
Lastly, to Don, thanks for the great stories. My favourites were the stories about Keith MacDonald.
I may post some photos soon too if you're not all sick of them.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 27, 2011 18:05:37 GMT 12
For those wondering, from left to right are: Zac Yates Chris Newey (fwx) Jim Mungall (Shamus) down the front John Halton (johnh) behind Jim Ralph Starck Me (with my shirt hanging out!!) Errol Cavit (ErrolC) at back in orange ?? (Raymond's son?) Damon Edwards (Damon) down the front in red Steve Subritzky (trying to hide) Don Subritzky Raymond? - sorry i never got a chance to meet you Keith Bunyan (kb) Dave Atchinson (northcro) Pete Mossong (trx850) Stu Russell (Stu) Young master Hart - sorry I have forgotten your name  Peter Lewis (flyernzl) Phillip Hart (Phillip) |
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Post by kb on Mar 27, 2011 18:08:10 GMT 12
My thanks to Don, Steve and family. Steve, you astounded me. I leave you alone for a few years and you not only produce a partner but also a lovely child. I can't wait to meet your partner! Hey all. Steve is also a pretty good modeller and good to hear that Don is starting to get into that again. Pity about the scale Steve.  And I saw what I assume is a Trumpeter 1/32 E.E. Lightning. Great day. I missed the koha but will make it up when you all come for dinner.  |
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Post by Andy Wright on Mar 27, 2011 18:41:59 GMT 12
Bloody hell, does this qualify as the greatest thread ever? Surely it must!
The photos from the hangar are beyond anything I could have imagined. I knew there were treasures there but...
Thanks to everyone for posting the magic pics.
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Post by agalbraith on Mar 27, 2011 18:45:20 GMT 12
Awesome photo's guys....................boy I wish I could have been there with you all!
Those guys are awesome arent they.
The Vincent looks a lot further on from when I last saw her, magnificent with a coat of paint
Thanks again for the photo's they are fantastic
Cheers
Anthony
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Post by baz62 on Mar 27, 2011 18:50:18 GMT 12
I think this hangar must rank up there with John Smith's collection! I hope I get the opportunity to visit one day! And Dave come on! How could we ever get sick of photos!!!! Post post POST!!!! ;D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 27, 2011 19:15:12 GMT 12
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Post by corsair67 on Mar 27, 2011 19:20:39 GMT 12
When you see the photos of that particular collection of aircraft, it makes you very grateful that their are people like the Subritzky's (and everyone else who has had a part in the recovery & restoration histories of all the aircraft in the collection) who have the foresight and the passion to preserve these aircraft. The Hind and Vincent are looking fantastic, and the thought of one day being able to see a Hind flying in New Zealand one day, sends shivers up my spine. Seeing the Vincent up on its wheels makes you realise how 'tiny' they really were!  I bet there were a few of you who had trouble sleeping last night, in anticipation of what you were going to see today. ;D Great photos everyone, and thanks for sharing them with us. |
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Post by stu on Mar 27, 2011 19:54:38 GMT 12
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)
And I saw what I assume is a Trumpeter 1/32 E.E. Lightning.
