Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 20, 2006 20:55:26 GMT 12
It is interesting reading old copies of NZ Wings magazine from the early 1970's to see several references to the RNZAF seemingly in crisis. I'd always thought that decade was meant to be a good one for the RNZAF, but not so by several reports.
The Red Checkers was canned for the 1973 and 1974 seasons except for one (maybe a few) performances due to the oil crisis.
Then the RNZAF stopped going to public displays. The team was supposed to be back by 1975 but despite being advertised and on the front cover of the RNZAC Air Pageant's programme at Tauranga in 1975, the Checkers failed to show. The Minister of of Civil Aviation, Dr Martyn Finlay who was present had to explain to the disappointed crowd that economic reasons had seen the team's display cancelled.
That was the end of the team till it was revived in 1981 with the Airtrainers.
Tauranga did get a Hercules and a Skyhawk solo display that year, but an airshow in Dunedin for the RNZAC was the subject of much scathing comment in Wings due to the RNZAF's refusal to turn up with anything. They could not afford to.
It must ahve been rotten in those days with no warbirds and no RNZAF participation. Just boring Cessnas and Pipers, etc like any normal day at an aerodrome.
So even today with the lack of strike wing and other difficulties we should appreciate the wonderful effort our RNZAF does put on for places like Wanaka, Omaka, Tauranga, Ardmore, etc when they have air displays.
Does anyone remember (Phil82?) what the mood was like in those days in the service? Was it all doom and gloom or was that really only a public perception through the press due to airshow cancellations and no-shows?
The Red Checkers was canned for the 1973 and 1974 seasons except for one (maybe a few) performances due to the oil crisis.
Then the RNZAF stopped going to public displays. The team was supposed to be back by 1975 but despite being advertised and on the front cover of the RNZAC Air Pageant's programme at Tauranga in 1975, the Checkers failed to show. The Minister of of Civil Aviation, Dr Martyn Finlay who was present had to explain to the disappointed crowd that economic reasons had seen the team's display cancelled.
That was the end of the team till it was revived in 1981 with the Airtrainers.
Tauranga did get a Hercules and a Skyhawk solo display that year, but an airshow in Dunedin for the RNZAC was the subject of much scathing comment in Wings due to the RNZAF's refusal to turn up with anything. They could not afford to.
It must ahve been rotten in those days with no warbirds and no RNZAF participation. Just boring Cessnas and Pipers, etc like any normal day at an aerodrome.
So even today with the lack of strike wing and other difficulties we should appreciate the wonderful effort our RNZAF does put on for places like Wanaka, Omaka, Tauranga, Ardmore, etc when they have air displays.
Does anyone remember (Phil82?) what the mood was like in those days in the service? Was it all doom and gloom or was that really only a public perception through the press due to airshow cancellations and no-shows?
