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Post by baz62 on Sept 30, 2012 21:55:07 GMT 12
This thread will be about the group of five from Christchurch (4 forum members with one member's son) who flew up Friday for the weekend at Ardmore. All of us have stories and experiences we would like to share with photos as well. So sit back and hear from myself, Teresa (av8rsm8), Anthony Galbraith (agalbraith) and his son Cameron and Ken (obiwan27). As well as the Ardmore show we will also talk about the forum meet (surely a record for the forum and a credit to Dave Homewood that so many came), a visit to Dairy Flat to see Dave get a well deserved flight in Stan Smith's Dragon and on the Friday night three of us witnessed a night run of two Harvards,the T28 Trojan and the 2 seat Spitfire outside the Warbirds club-rooms!!! Oh and one of the forum members based there (WayneB) bought us free beers!! We all had a wonderful time and were made very welcome by the warbirds members and it was great to catch up with forum members who we only knew on a computer screen as a username. A heartfelt thanks to all the people I had the pleasure to talk to, a thanks to Don Subritzky and his family for allowing it to happen and to feed us all and to Dave Homewood whose hard work has really brought so many like minded people with a passion for aeroplanes both old and new and civil and military, both real and models into one corner of the world and the Internet. Oh and Dave, after seeing the Vincent in person I can see why you love them. They are imposing!! Here we all are at Don Subritzky's aviation treasure house: Left to right: Teresa, me, Ken, Anthony and Cameron  I'm off to bed now I need sleep!! Stay tuned folks more to come! (and i'm sure a few witty comments will be forthcoming regarding certain people!!) EDIT: Frantic txts from Anthony! He's left his soft toy "Puss Puss" at the motel. Well. Not a lot to add to that. ;D |
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Post by obiwan27 on Oct 1, 2012 11:46:04 GMT 12
Our accommodation was modest but only a 10 minute drive from Ardmore. We'll keep that in mind for any future visits. We also had a roomy and comfortable rental to get us around the place.  First stop after we had been done an initial drive by of the airfield and lunch was a visit to the Avspecs hangar. There we could see the guys hard at work getting the aircraft ready for show day.   Those engine cowls are an incredibly snug fit!! We were lucky enough to meet up with forum member Wayne (Not sure of his user name) and got an invite over to the Warbirds clubrooms for some beers. Also we were fortunate enough to witness the night time runs of Warbirds aircraft. Can you pick which is which from the following?   I'm sure you can tell from the glow and shape of the exhaust flame that it's these two aircraft:   Sorry about the picture quality, my camera's just a Sony Cybershot, about 7 years old so nothing too special. Thanks Wayne and all of the Warbirds members for their hospitality during the evening. It was a real added bonus!! The next day was of course superb, but I'll start with something different, as there was so much on display, both aviation and car wise:  Nice to see a Macchi again and the car is powered by a Gypsy Major so I was told. Then of course the 'star' attraction. I knew my camera was not up to the more glamorous airborne shots, so I left mine to taxing and static shots. I did take some video though, that I'll post a little later. The first display slot was unreal, I deliberately did not do any photo taking as I wanted to just experience the moment. I felt very emotional during the display and it was due to I believe a culmination of factors: My first ever 'live' Mosquito display, the first display by the aircraft I've been following the restoration of over the years, the first display of a Mosquito worldwide in 16 years, the first display since they were retired from RNZAF service etc. I also thought of the wartime service by our servicemen and how great it was that we still had a few who were able to witness the occasion. The first pass down the display line, canopy to the crowd reminded me of an article in, I think, Aeroplane magazine on the Aimen prison raid that described the aircraft flying along the road towards the prison with one wing high to avoid the telegraph poles. EDIT: Just like the new forum header that Dave has posted: rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=general&action=display&thread=8670&page=42Like many there, I just had to keep looking over at the aircraft after it landed, as it felt so surreal to witness something in real life that up until then I'd only ever seen on You Tube.  Forum members pop up in all kinds of places - Gavin Conroy, hard at work!!  The Mossie was quite a crowd puller, even when on the ground.  The Mossie was joined by the Anson. So great to see these aircraft together, as they once may have been back in wartime service.   The Mossie though, was the star of the show:    and lastly as my own modest tribute to the veterans, the above in black and white, to commemorate those who flew these aircraft in combat, many never to return. RIP.  A superb and memorable occasion for our little group, thanks to all involved for making it happen :-). Many thanks to Kerry Caryle (fockewulf) for the reccommendation for us to dine at Botany Junction, we all enjoyed a superb meal at the Celcius Restaurant there. |
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Post by obiwan27 on Oct 1, 2012 12:08:35 GMT 12
EDIT: Frantic txts from Anthony! He's left his soft toy "Puss Puss" at the motel. Well. Not a lot to add to that. ;D That's what happens when you are in too much of a hurry to put on your Superman underpants when you get up ;-) |
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Post by baz62 on Oct 1, 2012 13:35:31 GMT 12
EDIT: Frantic txts from Anthony! He's left his soft toy "Puss Puss" at the motel. Well. Not a lot to add to that. ;D That's what happens when you are in too much of a hurry to put on your Superman underpants when you get up ;-) And he's not kidding, I thought they were Cameron's.......but no they were Anthony's. You certainly learn about someone when you stay with them!  Some great photos Ken. Of course I (head plonker) left my camera at the motel!!!!! Oh well at least someone got the night shots! When we were wandering round looking at the cars Teresa got stopped by a chap because of her Bristol hat. he was standing beside his car manufactured by Bristol. And he had the same hat!  Teresa certainly has a few badges on her hat. Funnily enough she now has seen most of the aircraft types depicted fly. Only one I think is a Bristol Freighter although she would have seen one years ago.  By the Avspecs bus they had a few bits of the Mosquito to show what she was like before. To the right is an engine firewall and on the left is the rear bulkhead behind the tailwheel.  This bit is under the cockpit and is where the four cannon barrels go through.  Ok one more photo for now and it has to be the Mosquito! And its the end that bites!  |
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Oct 1, 2012 13:42:48 GMT 12
Geat thread Baz, never got a good chance for a catch up, maybe next time :-)
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Post by baz62 on Oct 1, 2012 14:32:10 GMT 12
Geat thread Baz, never got a good chance for a catch up, maybe next time :-) Hey no worries Gavin we all made a point of not interrupting the working people at the show. Mind you we did manage to sneak up to the Mosquito and into the Avspecs "area" thanks to Anthony knowing Paul and Andy from Avspecs (and Dan of course) so we had a ball. Look forward to your air to air photos later on. Cheers |
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av8rsm8
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 93
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Post by av8rsm8 on Oct 1, 2012 17:57:30 GMT 12
actually we learned a lot about each other on this trip... that Anthony wears Superman undies - I will have to take the boys word for it. I can vouch for Anthony's hot chocolate making skills, Baz never put tiny marshmallows in my drink - think I shall start demanding them. Having young Cameron along provided a moderating effect for the most part, language was kept a little more seemly than usual - and that was just me  If not for the tender ears present I would have been (affectionately) calling Anthony the 'kitchen bitch' all weekend...  |
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Post by baz62 on Oct 1, 2012 18:46:34 GMT 12
"Cooooooeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Chocolate drinks are ready!" goes KB (Kitchen bitch)  Sorry mate could not resist! (And I haven't finished!) This photo shows one side of the forum meet that I really enjoy and thats meeting up with other forum members. Here I am shaking Ray Pichon's hand (he is raymond on here). Ray is ex RNZAF and we actually volunteered together at the RNZAF Museum (as it was then at 7 hangar) during the early 1980s.  Our next favourite activity is taking photos and here I am busily photographing Don's Hind rebuild while being sneakily snapped.  And its amazing what you find tucked away, here's a Merlin!  Spitfire leading edge!  And Jerry Yagen very kindly gave a talk about the Mosquito and his ideas about whats next! No Dave isn't pulling out his wallet its his handy voice recorder..........he's always prepared!  |
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Post by agalbraith on Oct 1, 2012 19:23:06 GMT 12
Hey Baz,Teresa and Ken
What a great trip, I have not long got home and have yet to download all my pics, unpack etc....
I see some secrets have already been uncovered.....cheers for that mate!
Looks like some great pics up already
Will post asap
Cheers
Anthony
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av8rsm8
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 93
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Post by av8rsm8 on Oct 1, 2012 21:21:54 GMT 12
Anthony - I'm sure for our loyal readers the burning question would be...
has Puss Puss been recovered?
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Post by agalbraith on Oct 1, 2012 21:41:39 GMT 12
Ah Teresa, she is enjoying an extended holiday in a plastic bag. Expected eta Wednesday/ Thursday, I hope she is having fun!
Thanks for asking
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Post by baz62 on Oct 2, 2012 10:52:07 GMT 12
Here you go mate, this will make you feel better til PussPuss is back with you! This was ex-RNZAF J5 Auster NZ1702 owned by Stan Smith (who tried to get me to buy it!) that joined the show. We saw her later at Dairy Flat along with Stan's other projects.  |
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av8rsm8
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 93
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Post by av8rsm8 on Oct 2, 2012 22:08:26 GMT 12
one of the five got to sit in the Auster at Stan Smith's...  I rather enjoyed meeting the hangar dogs...  and Baz put some thought into it but finally decided he couldn't smuggle a Gypsy Major onto the plane for the trip home  |
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Post by baz62 on Oct 7, 2012 13:22:40 GMT 12
Yes unfortunately Air New Zealand might have raised an eyebrow if I tried to take a Gipsy major on as "Hand Luggage"! Although years ago they did let me travel with a spinner off a Cherokee! A lot of these photos are taken by Teresa as she seemed to enjoy taking sneaky photos as well as some good ones of various aircraft and aircraft parts! Here I am posing with the Mosquito while the Avspecs team get cracking putting the newly painted engine cowlings on:   Wayneb was there and he said we should go round the back of the hangar and check out the original wing that came with the project. Here Ken and I look at the construction of a Mosquito wing.  Here I have a small piece of fabric so now I can say i have a bit of Mosquito!! Ken appears amused..... And don't worry I didn't tear a big chunk off, it was a bit hanging on for dear life so I have saved it from oblivion!  The wings I'm standing in front of had me scratching my head wondering what they were off, but then i remembered the Sea Fury that was based here got the folding wings off the wreck of the Royal Navy's Sea Fury that landed, so I think these are the outer wing panels.  Here Anthony and I (with Cameron on the left) are chatting to Paul Levitt who worked on the restoration of the Mosquito from the beginning. He was surprised yesterday when he got back to the hangar for a beer to find his father had flown over from France and was there waiting for him!  Now I am asking Teresa to watch our gear as Paul has said come on over and take some closer photos!  Anthony is off! Wait for me!!  Anthony actually supplied some parts (new and unused still in their boxes) for the undercarriage so he deserves some fame! Paparazzi they are everywhere aren't they?  Here Anthony is complaining about the Paparazzi not taking enough photos. OK KB settle down.  Ok Baz here's $50 for the negatives..............silly KB, it's digital dude!  Couldn't resist another shot of me! Aren't I happy? ;D  Here Cameron is trying to see into the cockpit but the Paparazzi strike again..........  here you go Cameron, a young lad and the aircraft he came to see.  I lost Anthony and Cameron while chatting to Graham and Jane Orphan. I mentioned that it would great to see an Oxford next. Graham rolled his eyes and asked "What? A Mosquito and an Anson not enough for you?" Funny man......not. I finally tracked him down and discovered that he had weaseled his way into the Avspecs enclosure! Here he is talking to Andy Hosking of Avspecs. Clutched in Anthony's weasel paw are engine mount bolts for his Auster which Andy had found for him.   After the show we tracked down Damon over by the hangar used for the dinner. Found this snazzy Forum Administrator all dressed up  There was a few aircraft of interest parked around so i had to get a few shots beside them. Mustang NZ2415/TAF  And this next one I had actually flown in! ex-RNZAF Airtourer NZ1762. As an ATC cadet in 1978 I flew in the left seat, even did a bit of dogfighting with another Airtourer.  Thats all for now, I'll post some more later. |
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Post by JDK on Oct 7, 2012 14:35:37 GMT 12
Another 'spot JDK' moment! ;D And more usefully, Paul Levitt, Andy Hosking. HTH! |
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Post by obiwan27 on Oct 7, 2012 15:22:18 GMT 12
"Spot JDK' - sounds like a good subject for a photo orientated new forum thread! lol
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Post by baz62 on Oct 7, 2012 15:38:04 GMT 12
Thanks James I'll edit toot sweet!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Oct 9, 2012 21:19:46 GMT 12
Also, of course, the Auster you spotted on the way into Ardmore on the Friday afternoon.
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Post by baz62 on Oct 10, 2012 11:52:29 GMT 12
Also, of course, the Auster you spotted on the way into Ardmore on the Friday afternoon. Ah yes the car Teresa spied with the "Auster" number plate. Glad it didn't take long to catch up! Clever observant wifey! |
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Post by TS on Oct 10, 2012 13:25:18 GMT 12
Hey Baz you could buy my Personnalised plate if you like??? It doesn't say Auster but it would look good on your car once you are up and running.
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