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Post by mcmaster on Nov 29, 2006 22:11:09 GMT 12
The 1st F18s were delivered to the RAAF in mid 1985 so the 87 show with the Gold A4 (thanks Dave) might have been their first appearance in NZ. Corsair, I was at that show you mentioned at Willi when the Hornet and Mirage did a display to show differences in performance . They took off at the same time and the hornet went vertical - the mirage went - horizontal then up a bit. They then did a turning exercise, the hornet completed 360 before the mirage was 180! For mine the mirage was much better to watch at night as the afterburner flame was as long as the plane. Also on hot days when loaded up the mirage used all the runway and you wondered if it would get airborne at all.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 29, 2006 22:44:31 GMT 12
Are any RAAF Mirages still flying, like those in the R&D unit or in a historic flight? I've never seen one in the flesh.
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Post by steve on Nov 29, 2006 23:16:20 GMT 12
.I remember an 1983 airshow because my wife was in hospital having my second son who was born that year...Mindyou I have attended all airshows at whenuapai and maybe the f18s were at the 1985 show. ..whats the chance of the yanks and brits coming back here for next year show i wonder..? not holding my breath!
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Post by mcmaster on Nov 30, 2006 0:42:48 GMT 12
Some of the RAAf mirages are still flying but you'd have to go to Pakistan to see them. I dont think any of the ones left in Aust are being brought up to flying condition - pity.
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Post by Bruce on Nov 30, 2006 7:39:57 GMT 12
I remember that Whenuapai Mirage display - there was one late in the day against a darkening sky and the afterburner looked really impressive. The tailpipe on a Mirage looks massive compared to the F18s when lit up!. Maybe inferior to the F18, but a sharp delta looks the part. The Aussies lost a Mirage in NZ at some stage, the fin of one is on display outside the RNZAF Museum Ohakea.
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Post by corsair67 on Nov 30, 2006 10:43:39 GMT 12
The Mirage IIIO was certainly a show stealer, and is sorely missed on the airshow circuit nowadays. Maybe we'll see one flying at Temora again someday?  ?  |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 30, 2006 12:33:46 GMT 12
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 30, 2006 19:45:49 GMT 12
The RAAF Mirage contingent at the Auckland International Airport opening in 1966 have been mentioned. There were 4 present - A3-23, 24, 25 & 27 As far as I know, all four of these survived their RAAF service and went to Pakistan. All photos taken 30/1/1966, from my notes at the time colours were natural metal and black trim, all with 75 squadron. These aircraft were only a few months old at that time.     |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 30, 2006 20:07:39 GMT 12
Great shots there Peter.
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Post by Kereru on Nov 30, 2006 20:47:22 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 30, 2006 21:18:10 GMT 12
Colin, those two 1966 colour shots are really good. Fantastic pieces of history there.
Never having set eyes on a Mirage, and always thinking they looked really ugly (like most french planes), this thread is starting to turn me around. I think I'm gaining quite an appreciation for the Mirage now, and I wish I'd been able to see one display. Too late now I guess.
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Post by mcmaster on Nov 30, 2006 21:49:09 GMT 12
thanks for sharing those great shots peter.
you can tell they are new, covers on everything, bit like when you get a new car. After a while they are left out in the baking sun in Malaysia at RAAF Butterworth with no protection at all! For most of the time in RAAF service we had 2 frontline squadrons based in SE Asia 3sqn and 75sqn, and one sqn in aust, 77 sqn. The other mainalnd based unit, 76 sqn was disbanded in the 70's to save money.
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Post by corsair67 on Dec 1, 2006 15:27:01 GMT 12
Fantastic photos, Peter. I've noticed that the Mirages have a small Kiwi painted on the forward fuselage, I guess you don't recall what they were about?
They don't appear to be zaps.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 1, 2006 15:35:59 GMT 12
Well spotted Craig. I wonder if it was a standard thing marking the airport opening?
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Post by phil82 on Dec 1, 2006 15:48:41 GMT 12
How low can you go and survive?
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Post by corsair67 on Dec 1, 2006 16:12:53 GMT 12
Yep, pretty good considering I've just come back from a liquid lunch! ;D
They look like some sort of commemorative marking, don't they - maybe "first Mirage visit to NZ" or something like that?
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