Tauranga City Airshow

[Deleted]

I love the photo of the Dak! Nice and clean

[komata]

Beautiful photographs. Thank you.

A question: Please, can someone tell me why the P-40 is wearing Sharks teeth when the Australian's never used that marking on their 'Pacific' P-40's, and the reason that an NAC wording appears on a DC3 carrying RNZAF markings?

Thanks.

[ErrolC]

P-40: Because the owner added them - early 2013 I think?

[baz62]

I think the NAC is a nod to the aircraft's previous NAC history. As to the P40 well the owner can paint what he likes on his P40 authentic or not.

[komata]

Errol
Many thanks for the reply.

FWIW, and perhaps I'm wrong, but adding 'sharks teeth' would seem to compromise the whole 'historical accuracy' thing which formed the basis of the restoration; why go to all the trouble of an 'authentic' and intensive restoration to merely throw it away for the sake of meeting movie-fuelled 'public expectations' (ie, that ALL P-40's carried 'Shark-teeth').

As I said, FWIW; no doubt others will disagree.

Again, many thanks.

And the NAC logo on -DAK?

[Dave Homewood]

The current owners of ZK-CAG are not the same owners who originally painted it in its original colours during restoration. It has changed hands since then. Frank and Liz have decided to change the paint scheme, that is their prerogative as they own the aircraft.

Personally I am not a fan of sharks mouths on any aircraft, and I miss the currawong magpie, he was cool.

I might be wrong but I think the NAC logo was added for the company's anniversary and a book launch I believe, which was when the aircraft first switched to the current gorgeous colour scheme. That particular Dakota never served with either the RNZAF nor NAC in real life.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I look forward to the day when the Corsair gets painted into its RNZAF colours, but with Shark's teeth on the underside of the engine cowling....



(sorry....just couldn't resist posting that )

[Peter Lewis]

The NAC marking on ZK-DAK were applied when the aircraft was used for the NZ-wide NZNAC commerative tour a few years ago.

[Peter Lewis]

Due to several visictudes and Acts of God I have, until now, been unable to access and post my own photos from this event.

As I do not want to replicate what others have already posted, I will add photos of those aircraft that I had not actually seen prior to this trip plus a few new variations.

A newy that flew in (from Feilding?) on the Saturday afternoon was Cessna 195 ZK-BEB/2.
This is a recent import, with a Canadian history.



There was a very small lineup of SAA aircraft by the GA hangars on the Saturday, and this included Vans RV7 ZK-WLL. Registered in November 2013 to an Auckland owner. It had gone by show time on Sunday.



Among the fleet of gyrocopters that were active over the weekend, Tirau-based AutoGyro Calidus ZK-DCF/2 was a fairly new addition to the scene.



The L M Harris CASH Aviation Model 3 ZK-LHC is, so we were told, a local variation based on a Lancair fuselage with a modified wing platform. Designed by (you guessed it) L M Harris.

[Dave Homewood]

That's a beautiful shot of the Cessna 195 Peter, it almost looks like a painting.

[Bruce]

at last, some pics of the area near the Top Secret SAA display....

[Peter Lewis]

Stealth Aircraft Activity. Now you see them, now you don't.

[Peter Lewis]

As well as the fleet of active gyros, there was also a static display by marketers of these aircraft.
Prominent on their stand was AutoGyro Cavalon ZK-PJE. Unfortunatly, I was unable to get a people-free photo of this one.



Tauranga-based Murphy SR2500 Super Rebel ZK-MSR is a first of type for this country. Designed as a DH Beaver replacement, you can chuck all your gear in the back and go out to access back country strips.



The eastern-block countries now seem to have a lock on aerobatic aircraft. Yak-55M ZK-YKV has recently moved north from Christchurch.



Aeroprakt A-22LS ZK-LFD is a brand new (registered Jan 2014) aircraft that spent the event on a static display stand.



The RNZAF contribution to the event that comprised a display by seasprite NZ3603, static access through Hercules NZ7001 and Orion NZ4201, and a parked Beech B200 NZ7124. I had not seen this particular King Air in its military makings before.

[Peter Lewis]

As usual with Tauranga, there were a few oddities tucked away in the corners (No, not Avian Adventurers).

Cessna 150D ZK-CGI has had rather an unfortunate life. Intially owned by the Otago aero club, it was stolen from Taieri and flown to Lake Duncan, in Fiordland. The pilot then ditched the aircraft into the lake in an attempt to fake his own death.
The aircraft was recovered by helicopter 18 months later and rebuilt by Southair at Dunedin. After several private owners, I last saw it in 'rotten row' at Milson in 2009.
It has now turned up hung in the ceiling at the Classic flyers museum. Strangely, it is still currently registered to a Wellington owner.



Around in the oddball aircraft hangar I found the Spitfire ultralight ZK-JNM undergoing a repaint. On the Saturday afternoon it bore no visible makings but by Sunday morning at had the serial VN485 applied to the starboard side. This replicates the serial of the Spitfire F. 24 currently on display at Duxford.
This aircraft is currently listed For sale on Trade Me with an asking price of 23K.



The Classic Flyers had their replica P-40 out on display among the crowds. Although not in any way an original, it now does look the part.



A recent appearance outside the museum is the replica Fairey Swordfish that used to be part of the FAA display at MoTAT. I last saw it there in August 2011



Given to Classic Flyers in 2013, it has now been repainted and set up as part of the kids play area at the front of the museum

[Dave Homewood]

Is that the first of the 'common' Cessnas to go into a New Zealand museum?

[Peter Lewis]

I guess so, if you don't count the Agwaggons.

Don't forget that back in the early 60s anyone who suggested that Tiger Moths were worthy of museum status would have caused great mirth.
Todays derided trash is tomorrows treasured gem.

[Dave Homewood]

I wasn't laughing, was just curious. They are an iconic workhorse type, just like a Tiger Moth, Dakota or Toyota Corolla. Preserving one or two is a good idea.

[Peter Lewis]

The accomodation for our stay in Tauranga was at the YHA hostel in Elizabeth Street.

That address rang a bell, and I did some more digging around.

Yes, Elizabeth Street was the address of the original Tauranga airfield, operational from 1932 until 1939.
www.flytac.co.nz/?page_id=74

Note that 'Captain Blake' was presumably Les Brake, well-known owner of Avro 504K ZK-ACN.

The early airfield was tidal, so would have been on the seaward side of Glasgow Street about where the roundabout and expressway bypass are now located



The YHA is the green roofed building at the end of the short accessway leading off Elizabeth Street.
So there we were, staying on the airfield!

Further snooping revealed a plaque recently mounted inside the Tauranga Airport passenger terminal commemorating the activites of Hilda Hewlett, one of the active forces behind the formation of the Tauranga aero club. There is also a conference room in the terminal known as the "Hilda Hewlett Room". Nice to see.



Taking a slow trip home a few days later, we called in to the Waihi Beach airfield.
Normally quite a sleepy place, our peace was disturbed by a Rotax howl.
Sure enough, a Bantam was arriving at the field.



But whats this? Surely it can't be - the passenger - the passenger looks to be a real dog!

Yes that's right folks, it was a real dog.

Apparently dog really enjoys the flying, and has many hours of aerial experience.



We couldn't top that, so that was the end of our trip folks.

Back home to hit the books for my BFR.

[The Red Baron]

Ye old Tauranga Airport.....tides out,so runways open.


photo credit

[FlyingKiwi]

I'm glad CGI has survived, even in a museum, that aeroplane has quite a story to tell...