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Post by johnnyfalcon on Feb 7, 2015 17:42:46 GMT 12
Hi all. Today Baron, my bro, and I spent a relaxed, hot summer's day at Ashburton airfield. I think the foul weather of the previous two days kept numbers down, but there were still some items of interest to me. First up, Graham Bethel's new mount - one very hot (what else?) Glasair 3 one of two attending  Next, at the other end of the spectrum, two Austers (for Baz' benefit). Yes I made the Baron see them These two took off in formation which was neat and tidy  The resident Harrier GR3 and RNZAF Macchi were towed outside  Sadly, the A4, T11, and FB V languished in the dark of the museum. It would have been great to see them parked next to their kin in the sunshine   Further items of interest included the Lincoln Sports, Devon, Meteor, and AMY of course (among others) Please excuse the less-than-sharp images     Harvard 12 is looking sharp in her dayglo  At about 1530 hours we were treated to a fast flyby followed by a missed approach by Brian Hall's Strikemaster out of NZCH (apologies for the poor image quality)  Happiness is: Bacon sammies, Moa lager, blue skies and an airfield with aeroplanes  I hope there are others who can add to this record, as I only had my phone to take these pics with (does that sound weird or am I just old?) |
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 7, 2015 17:47:48 GMT 12
I took a real camera. Rather than bothering to carry it about and to save batteries I stuck it in a Cherokee 140 (a real aeroplane) and sent it off on a cross country. I am looking at how to retrieve it from Waimate now...
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Post by baz62 on Feb 7, 2015 17:54:41 GMT 12
Next, at the other end of the spectrum, two Austers (for Baz' benefit). Yes I made the Baron see them These two took off in formation which was neat and tidy Hmmmmm obviously my invite must have been lost in the post.........................................  Yes the Austers are: on the left Greg MacDonalds and David Duxburys MK5D and Andrew Vincents MK 5C AZF both returning to the skies after completion of some love and attention. (Greg had to wait for nearly 7 years (!!) to get his overhauled Gipsy Major from the rebuilders in Australia while Andrew spent 14 years doing a groundup rebuild of AZF. I hope to be less then both of them..at least as long as it takes the Baron to get his camera back..............  |
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Feb 7, 2015 18:00:43 GMT 12
Great photos - that must definitely be one of the most "unexpected" great collections of aircraft in the country - whenever I plan South Island trips my students always have a bit of a look of incredulity when I tell them there is a Harrier in Ashburton!
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Feb 7, 2015 18:06:53 GMT 12
Next, at the other end of the spectrum, two Austers (for Baz' benefit). Yes I made the Baron see them These two took off in formation which was neat and tidy Hmmmmm obviously my invite must have been lost in the post......................................... Yes the Austers are: on the left Greg MacDonalds and David Duxburys MK5D and Andrew Vincents MK 5C AZF both returning to the skies after completion of some love and attention. (Greg had to wait for nearly 7 years (!!) to get his overhauled Gipsy Major from the rebuilders in Australia while Andrew spent 14 years doing a groundup rebuild of AZF. I hope to be less then both of them..at least as long as it takes the Baron to get his camera back.............. Hey Baz, I think I can explain... er Well, we did talk about you. No, really. Actually, it might have been a cat-fight between the two of you in one car. Still you would have got a real laugh as we watched ZK-CUL happily depart with the Baron's camera on board |
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Post by baz62 on Feb 7, 2015 18:34:37 GMT 12
That's ok, Teresa and I spent part of the afternoon at the Galbraith's so got my Auster fix! Anthony's Auster is coming along nicely and he is waiting for the ANZ Club Cessna to leave in around 4 weeks so he can paint his newly made floorboards, he is currently dismantling the seats (height adjustable........... oh the luxury!) to paint strip.
That Glasair of Graham's looks mean!
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Post by hardyakka on Feb 7, 2015 19:42:31 GMT 12
Great photos - that must definitely be one of the most "unexpected" great collections of aircraft in the country - whenever I plan South Island trips my students always have a bit of a look of incredulity when I tell them there is a Harrier in Ashburton! I was told a story about the Ashburton Harrier that may or not be true. Apparently as it came out of the crate from the RAF it turned out to be virtually flyable. Everyone thought it would be rendered unserviceable (it is a weapon system after all) but an inspection showed it would be reasonably straight forward to get it operating. However, one fateful night, a foreign tourist was camping on the airfield (no, I don't know how he came to be camping there) and was disturbed during the night by the clacking of the Pegasus engine's fan turning in the wind. To silence the noise he tied some nylon straps around the fan blades and pulled them tight to stop the fan windmilling. This damaged the blades such that it would be expensive and basically impossible to repair, grounding the Harrier forever. Has anyone else heard that story? Does it hold any truth? |
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Post by isc on Feb 7, 2015 21:29:31 GMT 12
Sorry that I'v been unable to get to the Ashburton do, used to do it regularly with the Military Vehicle Club, But my mate with the Dodge Weapon Carrier, and Jeep, has given them up, he's well on in his 80s and not keeping too good these days. Maybe next year.
That Glasair really sounds good, it flew over the other day, it was sure going some. isc
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 8, 2015 13:32:53 GMT 12
For NZ Jet. CUL is the blue Cherokee at Waimate. The airfield is 15 Km north of the Waitaki Bridge on SH1. Over the bridge, through Glenavy and carry on for about 14 more clicks. Coincidentally it is the beast I did all my commercial prep and flight test in, back when it was a little newer, but I must say it has not changed much.  Peter loves these weekend stories accompanying his pics. Cheers mate. BTW, I was getting down under the panel to show the owners the inspection just released. Piper SB 1242. system.netsuite.com/core/media/media.nl?id=62675&c=649290&h=3187438551be7d34fe59&_xt=.pdfCUA, CUL, DEI, DEK, EBZ, FSP, DJI, and other real planes at Ashbuton, Johnny F ? He thinks he may have seen DEL there also.. not a bad turnout. The two Tomahawks there would have stolen the show so were kept in their hangars over the weekend activities. |
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Post by baz62 on Feb 8, 2015 21:54:41 GMT 12
CUA, CUL, DEI, DEK, EBZ, FSP, DJI, Since i learned to fly on the 140 I'm biased but I've always enjoyed flying them. Just had a look in my logbook. I knew for sure I had flown CUA(a 140 December 95 and now a Museum piece at Ashburton) but I see DEK (a 140 March 1980) and EBZ (a 181 July 82) all with Canterbury Aero Club. |
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 9, 2015 16:04:08 GMT 12
www.nzcivair.blogspot.co.nz/2015/02/saanz-2014-flyin-at-ashburton-very-new.htmlA photo thread of the day's activities. Those with an A1G1Z1 or possibly a Class 1 medical will be able to make out my camera about to go flying in the very first pic. The light blue Cherokee in the background behind PGB. This would be about the time I am taking the lunchtime order phone call from Johhny F, hmmmm what were the choices again, Moa or Harringtons Wobbly Boot ?   I dunno, how about I run across and head into town with ya's... CUL left early so the cockies could go home and get on with the harvesting. Peas down in yield due to the very dry weather apparently. Oh, and the beer. Well it was one of those days, sun beating down, a little warm and windy. Thirsty weather so it was a box of each after the appetiser of DB Citrus (Lemon).
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mrjohn
Squadron Leader
Posts: 106
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Post by mrjohn on Feb 20, 2015 11:35:50 GMT 12
However, one fateful night, a foreign tourist was camping on the airfield (no, I don't know how he came to be camping there) and was disturbed during the night by the clacking of the Pegasus engine's fan turning in the wind. To silence the noise he tied some nylon straps around the fan blades and pulled them tight to stop the fan windmilling. This damaged the blades such that it would be expensive and basically impossible to repair, grounding the Harrier forever. Has anyone else heard that story? Does it hold any truth? An excellent story and if it is not true it should be  , the GR3 was acquired for display at the Ashburton museum and that is where it should stay. BTW, the version I heard was that a piece of 4 by 2 was poked in to stop the windmilling and this is now the accepted practice to prevent unnecessary wear  when the aircraft is parked outside overnight once every two years or so. |
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Post by komata on Feb 21, 2015 16:40:07 GMT 12
In Photo 1., What is the white high-wing monoplane lurking in the background in front of the hangar? Unfortunately I can't make out its rego' and thee seems to be some image on the fuselage. Info' would be appreciated.
Thanks.
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 21, 2015 16:59:17 GMT 12
High wing, I am good at this stuff. That would be a Cessna !
Johnny F may be just a little better than me however, he still flies Cessna's...
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 21, 2015 17:01:05 GMT 12
Looks to me like ZK-WEN, an Avid Flyer Heavy Hauler Ultralight
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Feb 21, 2015 20:06:20 GMT 12
Looks to me like ZK-WEN, an Avid Flyer Heavy Hauler Ultralight "affirm" Since when did you show any interest in GA aircraft Dave? Especially microlights! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 21, 2015 22:29:55 GMT 12
I didn't, I just blew the photo up and then looked up the rego.
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Feb 22, 2015 9:05:16 GMT 12
Thought so...
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, the GR3 was acquired for display at the Ashburton museum and that is where it should stay. BTW, the version I heard was that a piece of 4 by 2 was poked in to stop the windmilling and this is now the accepted practice to prevent unnecessary wear 
when the aircraft is parked outside overnight once every two years or so.
