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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 17, 2015 13:46:49 GMT 12
This 2015-2016 season The Vintage Aviator will be hosting ‘Flying Weekends’ at Hood Aerodrome in Masterson. It will take place the last Saturday and Sunday of every month from November to April.
This particular one is Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st of January 2016.
The flying weekends are casual so make sure to bring your own seat and refreshments. Tickets are sold $20 for adults and $10 for children. Flying will be scheduled from 10.00am – 12.00pm and 2.00pm to 4.00pm Saturday and Sunday, with a Saturday only option of 6.00pm – 8.00pm if flying that day has been held up with weather. Hangar tours will also be offered outside of flying hours. The guided tours will be $15 for adults and $10 for children.
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Post by ErrolC on Sept 18, 2015 11:59:53 GMT 12
Note that "Auckland" Anniversary Day is Monday the 1st Feb.
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 2, 2015 8:44:35 GMT 12
Have booked airfares for the Sunday - some good prices available today.
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 21, 2016 8:37:34 GMT 12
Thank goodness for Metvuw, if I relied on the ever-pessimistic Metservice, I'd be depressed!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 22, 2016 8:44:37 GMT 12
Sunday you say? That may be my day then as it would be good to catch up.
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 30, 2016 13:02:37 GMT 12
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Post by komata on Jan 30, 2016 16:18:09 GMT 12
ErrolC
'...'So I told him, Snoopy, don't go, Snoopy, don't gooooo.....!!' (With apologies to Wayne and Schuster).
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 30, 2016 16:32:02 GMT 12
Wet there this afternoon.
They got a few aicraft up tho, including the 504 (cheers!)
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Post by delticman on Jan 30, 2016 18:26:38 GMT 12
Twelve of the sixteen aircraft outside flew today. Misty rain came in this afternoon but mostly calm, perhaps like France in the Great War.
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 31, 2016 10:38:15 GMT 12
Gene has taken the Snipe up!
Cloudy, but high enough to not cause problems.
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 31, 2016 20:17:52 GMT 12
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Post by delticman on Jan 31, 2016 20:23:20 GMT 12
The TVAL aircraft will now be tucked up in their respective hangars. Again just about all of the aircraft flew today and the day progressed the sun came out and the wind stayed away.
The silver Snipe took the sky for it's first public display. Jess (FE2) wasn't keen on flying even with many, many swings on the prop it did start this morning. However when it was time to fly in the afternoon, it refused to start. So what does the TVAL team do? Well they just went into the hangar and got the other one and it fired on the forth swing. So it was good to see it fly.
A clutch / or flock of forum members as well as enthusiasts from overseas as well as a Camel builder from France.
Thanks to the staff and pilots who were always chatty and helpful.
Roll on end of February.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2016 7:39:25 GMT 12
A great day full of catch-ups and aeronautical goodness. The rain stayed away, as did the sun....although, to look at my sunburnt shins, you wouldn't think so (ouch!). As delticman said, Jess the night-bomber FE2 had trouble starting on Saturday so they employed a rather modern-day method to warm the engine and oil prior to yesterday's display:  Here's my take on the day, in rough order of when I took the photos:         When the pilots had their lunch spectators were again treated to an escorted flightline walk and talk.  Bevan Dewes ably demonstrated what it takes to get into the FE2. I really enjoyed hearing him talk about the type and hope he gets to fly it someday soon.  As well as Jess, the Fokker E.V also had a temperamental engine which refused to start, so the poor thing was left out in the paddock to think about what it had done. A shame as it's always a treat to see it fly.   Jess did start - to much applause from the crowd - but when they tried again later so she could fly it just wouldn't happen. It's always nice to have a backup! One of the big highlights for me was to see the original Avro 504k ZK-ACU fly twice. Such a pretty machine. Seeking it on the dry grass was really atmospheric for me and a real privilege.  Highlights: comfortable weather, seeing friends, great flying. Seeing the restored original Camel in person (stripy cowl, seen up top) although it didn't fly. Seeing Bevan fly the BE2f - young enough to be a squadron leader in the Great War! - and seeing him fly it in company with the BE2c (early). Seeing the red-nosed Pup fly a cool little display, likewise seeing the Sopwith Triplane perform and show some really cool handling. Lowlights: whilst on the flightline walk hearing the Fokker monoplane behind the group "choof" as though its prop had been turned, seeing a spectator/non-TVAL person walk away from said prop, and then seeing that same person lean on the 504k to make it rock on its gear. I was too shy to say anything but, come on, keep your hands to yourself!!! The flightline walks on the other side of the rope are a really cool feature and I'd hate for them to stop happening because someone wanted to see what would happen. |
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 1, 2016 16:20:56 GMT 12
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Post by baz62 on Feb 1, 2016 19:37:03 GMT 12
Just been looking through your album Errol. You have taken some lovely photos. I really like the fact you have people with the aircraft as sometimes it's nice to see the human part of the machine.
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 2, 2016 21:05:41 GMT 12
Thanks Baz, I try to capture people working with the aircraft - getting into events ASAP and staying late helps. The Night Bomber F.E.2b "Jess" was eased out of the hangar shortly before lunch. After many attempts, and a good breather, she finally fired! Unfortunately was shut down after a bit (crew needed to rig up?), and wouldn't re-start. So the other F.E.2b was taken up instead! "Stand aside!" Spectators move to the side of the apron  TVAL_Jan16_9007flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr  TVAL_Jan16_2008flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr There was much fiddling, applying of squirts, rotating, swinging, calling "1-2-3!"  TVAL_Jan16_2037flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr Success!  TVAL F.E.2b "Jess" finally runs! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2016 15:45:03 GMT 12
Great shots Errol! I'm really glad the first one of the Snipe and pilots turned out - a real classic.
Also - how about that Pup? It flew a great display, and seeing it take off in the traditional way (practically from its parking spot) was brilliant.
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 3, 2016 16:26:06 GMT 12
I have a sequence of the Pup from line-up to lift-off which I will sort later this week.
And a quick vid of the other F.E.2b
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Feb 3, 2016 18:04:21 GMT 12
There was much fiddling, applying of squirts, rotating, swinging, calling "1-2-3!" You calling Gene a squirt? |
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jamo
Warrant Officer
Posts: 43
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Post by jamo on Feb 4, 2016 20:39:41 GMT 12
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