Avro 626 at Hamilton

[Dave Homewood]

More photos taken from my late Dad's old slides. This was just after the RNZAF restored the Avro 626 to flight and they did a nationwide tour. I think Dad skived off work to go see it at Rukuhia (Hamilton International Airport).

They're lovely shots of a lovely old plane. It is a shame that mechanical problems forced its retirement from the Historic Flight, but it is good that the RNZAF Museum has it in pride of place.

Does anyone know the date that this aircraft visited Hamilton airport? I think it was in 1985. Also, who was the pilot?

[corsair67]

What a beautiful machine. My guess would be that the 626 was probably on tour around 1985; but don't quote me on that. It's so long ago now!

The pilot is Wing Commander John Lanham. He had previously been an A-4K pilot, so I can imagine he would have noticed a distinct difference in performance between those two aircraft!

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Corsair. I knew I recognised the face but couldn't place it. He now flies an L39 and a Polikarpov, and is director of CAA from memory

[corsair67]

Wasn't John also involved with Stuart Tantrum and his replica WW1 Fokker triplane?

[DragonflyDH90]

John is General Manager for the GA section of CAA, he has a fair bit to do with Stuart Tantrum and flies the DR1 (often as the Red Baron - MvR) as well as a selection of other machines (Garth Hogan's P40, Robert Broek's L39 at Wanaka, and the Harvard at Sport Vintage Aviation Society in Masterton.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Ryan. He must have a very interesting logbook!