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Post by Deleted on May 7, 2011 11:43:35 GMT 12
The next NZ Warbirds Open Day is on June 5th. Planning is well underway for this event, something slightly different is planned for the afternoon (2.15pm) practice display, and a departure from our normal practice displays.  |
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Post by Darren Masters on May 7, 2011 12:32:27 GMT 12
Fingers crossed I'm not working for this one...
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 7, 2011 12:54:05 GMT 12
This is an important event to turn up to and support as it is raising funds for the NZ Warbirds Visitors Centre.
We hope to have a bit of a forum meet for this one. I hope i can get up to it.
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Post by lesterpk on May 7, 2011 14:28:31 GMT 12
Hmmm, I think it might be time for the 3yr old plane fanatic to attend his first warbirds show.
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Post by Darren Masters on May 7, 2011 18:03:01 GMT 12
This is an important event to turn up to and support as it is raising funds for the NZ Warbirds Visitors Centre. We hope to have a bit of a forum meet for this one. I hope i can get up to it. I hope so too Dave. Mate, still waiting for a swap for my shift for the 14th May. Should not take long and I will take the appropriate action  |
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Post by philip on May 7, 2011 19:10:34 GMT 12
I'm on volunteer duty there that day. Should be a great event.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on May 7, 2011 20:13:39 GMT 12
I'll definitely be there, possibly working at the aero club but otherwise just as a spectator.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 7, 2011 20:27:25 GMT 12
John Kelly of NZ Warbirds is hoping some more forum members may be able to volunteer to help out on the day. If you can assist please contact John on johnkelly@xtra.co.nz
Also if you have a vintage car or military vehicle they would like to have it on ground display if possible.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 1, 2011 19:32:56 GMT 12
Just a reminder to all that this is happening this weekend.
I was hoping to get up there for this and have a bit of a meet up with forumites, and my best mate is also keen to go too, but we are both very short on money for the gas, so I don't think we will be able to get there. Bugger it. I hope everyone has a great day though.
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Post by Darren Masters on Jun 5, 2011 18:12:08 GMT 12
Dropped in after my Gold Coast flights today. Good to see forum members around  I was blown away by how many people were there. Unfortunately missed the displays (apart from a quick Mustang display) but there was plenty of aircraft around. Looks like they had quite a few joy flights operating through the day (sorry I missed some of these too). I'm sure more forum members will provide further information/pics. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 5, 2011 18:57:30 GMT 12
I have been wondering how this went, the weather looked like it was going to be rubbish last night but hopefully it cleared up for Ardmore today like it did here. I'm sorry I missed it, but these things happen. Good to hear there was a good turn out Darren.
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Post by Darren Masters on Jun 5, 2011 20:35:19 GMT 12
I have been wondering how this went, the weather looked like it was going to be rubbish last night but hopefully it cleared up for Ardmore today like it did here. I'm sorry I missed it, but these things happen. Good to hear there was a good turn out Darren. Dave, the boys asked me how it was across the Tasman and back today also. Answer was smooth as silk. Ardmore was much the same. Not much wind at all when I was there. If I had not been working I would have gladly brought you and stayed with a mate in Cambridge the night. Was not going to call sick on a long weekend Hopefully some of the guys post some pics. Mate, honest, the crowd was phenomenal. The young, the elderly. You name it. Planes (and more planes), bikes, cars. Westpac helicopter display, St John display, Fire Service displays. I'm sure alot of work went into it. Ralph was saying they were overwhelmed by the turn-out. We were reminiscing on your forum meet too the other month and how much we all enjoyed that |
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Post by Kereru on Jun 5, 2011 20:44:55 GMT 12
Great pity you missed it Dave an awesome show and day all round. Best crowd I have seen there in years. Many thanks to all those taking part and special thanks to Mark, Ralph and the team of volunteers. Just one shot tonight and there will be more to follow.  Cheers |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 5, 2011 21:14:01 GMT 12
Great stuff, and that's a wonderful photo there Colin.
Yes I think these Open Days have been gaining in popularity and I think it would be great if they can continue regularly, it's all great for warbird aviation.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Jun 5, 2011 21:18:38 GMT 12
Was a great day, and I agree with Colin definitely the biggest turn out I've seen there for an open day in a long time. Weather was looking a bit dodgy early in the morning but cleared up in time for the air displays and it was actually quite hot down on the southeast apron in the afternoon!
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Jun 5, 2011 21:51:44 GMT 12
Awesome display by Dave Brown in the Strikemaster at Ardmore today. Also saw what I reckon was the best Messenger display I have seen, Doug keeps on getting better and better in the Spitfire, great day and thanks to all involved.  Simon's display today was brilliant!!!  Was a pleasure watching Geoff run up the DC-3 today.  Andrew gives a wave to the guys in the tower during his display.  The crowd watch Frank Parker's Kittyhawk display.  |
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Post by hardyakka on Jun 5, 2011 22:56:43 GMT 12
Great photos there, Gavin. I'm sure Andrew will like his close-up...
I can even see myself and my mate Tony standing in the crowd shot!
It was a good day. Well done to Warbirds!
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Post by Kereru on Jun 6, 2011 8:41:43 GMT 12
Great pics Gavin and it was an awesome location for spotting. Couple of Harvard shots.   Cheers |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 6, 2011 9:07:39 GMT 12
Great photos Gavin and Colin, unfortunately I was so busy I did't get an opputunity to photograph much
On Saturday we didn't think the open day would go ahead, a small group of volunteers worked in the pouring rain getting the ground ops set up and we were all soake dto the skin inspite of wet weather gear. We were back at Ardmore at 0700 and with a few gaps in the cloud base we decided to go ahead and the day just got better.
The crowd attendance was amazing and overwhelmed our food vendors, I felt sorry for those standing in the long lines waitaing for food, the pizza guys had to send out for more supplies as did the fire brigade bbq. We had great support fro the Fire Brigade and Westpac Rescue Helicopter who had one of their helicopters there as well as their flight simulator. We had vintage cars, a display of minis plus jeeps etc.
The morning dipslay had the MX2, Thunder Mustang, Strikemaster and Harvard 92, The afternoon display consisted of the Miles doing A recce over the field the paratroops dropped from the DC3 with the Harvards attacking the field with the ME 108 and then the allies coming with the P40 and Spitfire.
I went up in the Catalina and the 6 Harvards formed up on us as went out over the gulf to disperse Steve Roberts ashes, Steve was a Warbirds Stalwart and he passed in March, I'm not sure if it happened but the Harvards were to do a "Missing Man Flypast" before we came in to honour Steve.
It was a great day for Warbirds and a great event for the crowd, the decision to hold it on a holiday weekend certainly had its plusses.
I certainly enjoyed the beer in the Warbirds bar after we had broken down and stored away the ground ops gear.
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Post by Kereru on Jun 6, 2011 9:36:35 GMT 12
Thanks Ralph and all you guys and gals did an awesome job well done. Couple of Harvards taking off.  Cheers |
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I was blown away by how many people were there. Unfortunately missed the displays (apart from a quick Mustang display) but there was plenty of aircraft around. Looks like they had quite a few joy flights operating through the day (sorry I missed some of these too). I'm sure more forum members will provide further information/pics.
