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Post by JDK on Jun 22, 2015 19:51:47 GMT 12
I was counting one (1) Kiwi...  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 22, 2015 21:18:41 GMT 12
It probably should be said that the donations can be made by anyone around the world with the right credit card, it's not just a kiwi-only site, so any of our Australian friends who'd like to attend a forum gathering with me can help make it happen.
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Post by shorty on Jun 22, 2015 21:33:29 GMT 12
Better apply for a leave pass in time Dave
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Post by exkiwiforces on Jun 22, 2015 23:07:48 GMT 12
I'll put a few bob in next pay week and will you be coming to the real of part Australia? ie the NT as there are some cool spots history wise around the Darwin area, rural Darwin and further south. If you are planning do to HARS in Sydney let me know as my partners uncle is a member there (I'll get him to act as your guide) also he has his warbird there as well, he is a Vietnam Vet (A NASHO served in Artillery as a FO with 161Bty NZ or was it with one of the NZ Inf Coy's I can't remember now) and his father flew Lac's in the WW2 with a DFC at the end of his tour.
If you are planning a Forum meet somewhere in a captail city I should be able to attend subject to work of course and I have a B scheme to use.
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Post by JDK on Jun 22, 2015 23:30:02 GMT 12
Funny man Shorty.  Thanks 'ex'! Don't think we'll make Darwin this trip, but it'd be great. Currently Melbourne and Canberra are the planned spots, including a forum meet at Temora, and probably Point Cook (Melbourne). Routing through Sydney would be great, I agree, if we have the funds, I'll take another look at it. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 23, 2015 11:42:07 GMT 12
Wow, the response to this has been amazing! Thanks so much to everyone who has contributed, and particularly to Campbellbox and especially to Pete Anderson! Wow!!
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Post by baz62 on Jun 23, 2015 12:34:37 GMT 12
If anyone has a video camera it would be great to see some "live" action and to put faces to names. Sounds like a great trip.
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Post by baronbeeza on Jun 23, 2015 12:58:32 GMT 12
Just a cam ? I thought we would be needing a South Island member to act as a 'neutral', a chaperone of sorts.
Someone has to report back to the Harvard Bar and tell us all about it !
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 23, 2015 13:47:53 GMT 12
I do hope to take a bit of footage Baz, all going well.
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Post by JDK on Jun 23, 2015 14:20:38 GMT 12
The amount we've got proposed, Dave will probably need a train of bearers...
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Post by aeromedia on Jun 23, 2015 17:52:51 GMT 12
I'm picking JDK will have trouble extracting you from the Australian War Memorial Dave. You are in for a mighty treat.
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Post by ErrolC on Jun 23, 2015 18:50:31 GMT 12
As well as a bunch of hard work to be done.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 23, 2015 19:21:45 GMT 12
Thanks for the donation Peter Mac! I am really looking forward to seeing that Lancaster at the AWM, and adding another to my list (I have seen Lancs at MOTAT, Duxford, Hendon and the partial remains at the IWM London so far.)
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Post by JDK on Jun 23, 2015 20:40:54 GMT 12
You've given me a rather neat idea, Peter Mac... I'll discuss it with Dave. And thanks!
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Post by aeromedia on Jun 24, 2015 6:34:23 GMT 12
Errrrrr have I,  ?? Fantastic ! One of the best memories I have is of a tour I organised which included the AWM, and with me was a former RNZAF field mechanic Laurie Cromie who serviced Corsairs. Unbeknown to him, we pulled up under the suspended Zero and presented him with a plaque commemorating his reuniting with the Zero, approx 60 years after he last was present when that very aircraft was surrendered by the Japanese. Magic moment indeed. |
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Post by aeromedia on Jun 24, 2015 6:43:47 GMT 12
Nice to see the initial target has been reached overnight, but is it possible James to extend the target? I'm not sure whether you have a current passport Dave, but there will doubtless be other costs which will add up. We don't want Mr Homewood having to penny-pinch on such an important mission. If he's comfortable and not having to worry about the budget excessively, he can relax and produce better results. Just my two cents.
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jun 24, 2015 8:07:15 GMT 12
Two cents? We don't have such a small denomination anymore...
Good observation though, I concur, better not to penny-pinch when such an effort is being made. For my part, this initiative has to have a positive spin-off for the overall image of Australasian vintage, historic, warbird, sport, GA aviation. Dave is a great ambassador, flag flyer, for us garden-variety enthusiasts.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 24, 2015 9:40:18 GMT 12
WOW!!! I am gobsmacked and amazed at how quickly this has reached the target amount, I seriously thought this would never work when the idea was first put to me! Thanks so much to everyone who has so willingly contributed to the cause. I cannot thank you all enough!
Peter, I seem to recall from when we ran the Spitfire veteran flights fund last year that people were able to donate past the set target amount without any adjustment made to the account settings. If anyone wishes to donate they can always give it a try. If it doesn't work, let me know.
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Post by camtech on Jun 24, 2015 12:17:54 GMT 12
Dave, it could not happen to a more deserving person. I've added my little bit to the pot, and knowing the hidden costs (don't forget travel insurance!!) of overseas travel, am quite happy with the original target being exceeded.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 24, 2015 12:46:01 GMT 12
Thanks very much Les, I appreciate that. And you're right, it's so long since I last went overseas (1996) I had not given travel insurance a thought till now!
Thanks also to Will H and Ken Tod who've also added to the fund. Many thanks guys!
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Thanks 'ex'! Don't think we'll make Darwin this trip, but it'd be great. Currently Melbourne and Canberra are the planned spots, including a forum meet at Temora, and probably Point Cook (Melbourne). Routing through Sydney would be great, I agree, if we have the funds, I'll take another look at it.
?? Fantastic ! One of the best memories I have is of a tour I organised which included the AWM, and with me was a former RNZAF field mechanic Laurie Cromie who serviced Corsairs. Unbeknown to him, we pulled up under the suspended Zero and presented him with a plaque commemorating his reuniting with the Zero, approx 60 years after he last was present when that very aircraft was surrendered by the Japanese. Magic moment indeed.
