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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2005 17:16:24 GMT 12
On a recent trip up that way I was surprised, in fact blown away, to see that the surrounding area has hardly changed at all since I was living at Whenuapai and Hobsonville in 1989-91. It's still out in the countryside and clean and green by all accounts. I was sure it would have been totally ruined by now like Albany has (a tiny country village when i lived in Auckland, now a scumhole industrial cuty full of retail boxes!!!)
Although I'm not a fan of living in Auckland I love Hobby, and I'd hate to see it turned into a housing estate. It should become a park and stay as is as a big green open space.
Oh, the one big difference, what the heck is that MASSIVE building on Hobby? It dwarves the hangars! Is that the 'supposed' yacht factory that doesn't produce yachts?? Or is that militatry (SAS?). Or, another thought, is that the studio used for Narnia which was made at Hobby?
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Post by corsair67 on Dec 21, 2005 17:53:14 GMT 12
How far is Hobsonville from Whenuapai? I've never been to JAFAtown, but I have always been led to believe that they are only a few kms apart.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2005 17:57:55 GMT 12
6 kms apart
Never been to Auckland? It's really not as bad as you'd imagine
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Post by corsair67 on Dec 21, 2005 18:15:26 GMT 12
I've been told it's actually quite nice too; it's just that I have this picture built up in my head that Auckland's like "Once Were Warriors" with a bridge and tower in the middle! But, then it can't be any worse than Sydney when the Lebs and the Maroubra Boys clash at the 'nulla! Plus, I find it really hard to forgive Auckland for hogging the Ranfurly Shield for so long in the 1980s, when Canterbury could have hogging it for longer instead! ;D After seeing all the pictures on this forum, I'm hoping to get up to Auckland next year to see MoTaT's aircraft collection. When is the Mossie due to be finished?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2005 18:23:56 GMT 12
Once were Warriors? No, that's only the first hour driving in from the south. it hten gets a bit better. Some of the North Shore is stunning. Queen Street is a filthy scumhole these days, with tramps sleeping on the footpaths though. Never used to be like that when i lived there. Everything has Asian writing too, can't read a thing in Auckland!
Re the Mossie, I don't think anything in their collection has a due date to be finished, just it'll be finished when it's finished. Judging by what I saw, about a year's work might do it (they only restore on Wednesdays!)
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Post by corsair67 on Dec 21, 2005 18:29:16 GMT 12
Sounds like some parts of Sydney, or Christchurch for that matter! ;D
Are the restoration areas of Motat open for public viewing?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2005 18:41:06 GMT 12
Rock up on a Wednesday and you can wander through the restoration shop and chat to the old guys in the team. On other days it's hit and miss as to whether anyone's there, and the ladies on the door won't leave their post to take you through, so best to pre-arrange with someone to meet and guide you if you cannot make a Weds. They will do that if you ask nicely and someone is free.
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Post by atcassidy_30hobby on Dec 21, 2005 18:45:35 GMT 12
Auckland's great. Hobby sucks, we go there for shooting. It could not compare with my beloved Whenuapai, but they're making it into an airport (from what has been shared with me) so we havn't completly lost it.
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Post by atcassidy_30hobby on Dec 21, 2005 18:47:14 GMT 12
I probably only dislike Hobsonville because our sqn isn't based there, and the puddle pirates are (sorry seamen fans) I can help but wonder where we will have to move if the next owners do not sign the land off to our sqn.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2005 19:45:00 GMT 12
Your squadron should form itself into a tribe, then you'll be gifted the land by the Government!
Hobsonville rocked when it was an Air Force base. It had the best Mess in the RNZAf - the food was restaurant quality because they were cooking for much less people, whereas bigger bases the food was just near edible (and was usually all gone when you got there if the Snotgobblers were on base!!!)
Plus Hobbyhad a great bar, great scenery, and Wocka Wockas to watch. I used to spend Saturdays on hobby wharf fishing with my mates. Very happy memories of that place, such a gentle, laid back lifestyle there. At 1TTS we had 1hr 40mins for lunch, because some of the instructors wanted to go for a run AND have lunch, so they convinced us to come to class 40 minutes earlier. The only glidetime I ever experienced in the RNZAF.
Does anyone who served there know what happened to Old Jock and his cat? He was one heck of a character. I'd expect both are long since gone to the parade ground in the sky.
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Post by dpdouglas on Dec 22, 2005 1:40:58 GMT 12
Hobsonville still has an excellent mess. Barracks are ok condition, some suprises in some of the rooms, e.g. NZarmy DPMs.
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Post by rnzafhusband on Dec 22, 2005 7:55:10 GMT 12
Hi guys, My fiance is officer aircrew on 5Sqn and we live on Hobsonville. The base news that I have seen states that Hobsonville is now no longer owned by the RNZAF/MOD. It is now owned by Housing New Zealand, and starting in 2007 the base will be converted to meet unspecified HNZ requirements. All RNZAF personnel will be asked to move out of the houses on base. There is a plan in place to build new state houses and other community facilities on the site. The RNZAF will move its current security gate position to a new position closer to the old SAS compound and this will be the last area of the base occupied by the airfoirce before vacating entirely. Although the base infrastructure is becoming derelict, it is still a absolutely tragic end to a base with a long and proud military tradition.
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Post by corsair67 on Dec 22, 2005 10:55:52 GMT 12
That's just great: the Govt is going to build another potential slum at Hobsonville. That's a really good use for the land, isn't it. Good work, you idiots!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 22, 2005 13:16:51 GMT 12
That is really bad news, but I had half-expected it. What a waste.
What happened about the report a few years ago that found the land unfit for human habitation due to all the pollution the RNZAF had done over the years? Was it all cleaned up? Or is HNZ sweeping that one under the carpet?
It's already proven to be a great place for a film studio with Narnia, why not capitalise on that and keep a studio going, thus keeping the film industry going, jobs flowing and money rolling in which could help upkeep other HNZ homes. But I guess they'll have to build houses for refugees and immigrants somewhere...
I'd love to get a chance to wander round one more time on that base and photograph all the historic buildings on my old home. I wish I'd done that at Wigram before it was destroyed.
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Post by dpdouglas on Dec 22, 2005 13:28:15 GMT 12
Oh my gosh!!!! Where are they going to hold the annual Air Force challenge? or what about the RNZAF and NZ police Childrens Christmas party? What about Scruffs Dog show? aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah Whats going to happen to Junior leaders and Senior leaders courses? Whats going to happen to the Cadet Forces HQ?
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Post by rnzafhusband on Dec 23, 2005 7:56:35 GMT 12
I would'nt panic, DPD, most likely you will be relocated to Base Whenuapai. As you would have already noticed, Base Hobsonvile's Chapel was cut up and moved last week by a building transport firm...I heard it may have been taken to Papakura Army Camp?
No idea on the pollution issue Dave....I can only say what has been told to us as tenants int he houses. It is all very up in the air as to what will happen to the base. Someone knows ...but the information stream is a mere trickle...hence this leads to widespread rumours and gossip. I do know that HNZ is now the "landlord" of all the houses on base though.
I could possibly photograph buildings for you Dave...let me know what ones?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 23, 2005 11:54:17 GMT 12
Thanks Andrew. I'd be interested in any photos of buildings or general scenes before it's all demolished. Anything you can produce would be excellent
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Post by rnzafhusband on Jan 13, 2006 6:57:35 GMT 12
Hi again Dave,
I have just bought a Canon 350D SLR so I'll be taking some photos of the base and surrounds over the coming weeks. Whats the best way to get the images to you? I would assume a CDROM in the post would be best as the image files are 3MB at least in unedited form.
Let me know how you want the pics delivered and also if you have any particular buildings you want pictures of.
Cheers mate, Andrew
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 13, 2006 10:46:40 GMT 12
Hi Andrew,
Thanks mate, I'll PM you
Dave
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