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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 6, 2017 13:41:09 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 6, 2017 13:44:02 GMT 12
I'd love to see this event make a comeback! It featured a bit in Classic Wings Downunder and looked like loads of fun. I wonder if anyone has video? Thanks heaps Justin and Dave for sharing these!
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Post by vultee43 on Jul 8, 2017 0:56:28 GMT 12
Thanks Dave for posting the photos. Skyrace Tasmania was a fantastic if not short lived event with so many aircraft 'crossing the ditch' to Valleyfield in central Tasmania. Valleyfield was a satellite training field during the war for 7EFTS Western Junction. The event began with a round Tasmania air race over two days followed by several days of pylon racing. Classes consisted of CT4, Formula One (cabin single), Beechcraft Bonanza, Piper Aerostar (cabin twin), T6, T28, Unlimited and Jet (World first). The course was laid out Reno style over 26km from memory. The range of aircraft present was incredible for the time. The 1994 and 95 events attracted - CT4, Wirraway, Tigers, Stearmans, T6, T28, Fiat G59, Sea Fury, P51, Spitfire VIII, Boomerang, Strikemaster, JP4 Provost, Grumman Albatross, Mig 15, Iskra, DC3/C47 and even the Southern Cross replica. This combined with many classic and vintage aircraft and a huge complement of GA. The highlight was certainly the trans Tasman dual between Sea Furies and the G59, along with the late Bob Hoovers amazing Aero Commander routine. Those with long memories may remember the globetrotting Albatross that headed to NZ (Wanaka 94?). A nice family holiday I believe.
I will try and post more photos as time permits and may even be able upload some videos.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 8, 2017 11:12:46 GMT 12
Thanks Justin.It would be great to see more photos and any footage you have.
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Post by planecrazy on Jul 11, 2017 17:22:22 GMT 12
No pic’s of the participants in Tasmania but couple of two of that crossed the ditch for the event. The Sea Fury ferried by the then owner Grant Beil and the Cessna Dragonfly, sorry can’t remember who flew her? I do remember the pilot telling me they had to pull out, while leading, mid-race due to a coms failure. The reason a plug came loose. The Dragonfly also used all of the island's 3,000ft runway to land and take off!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 20, 2017 1:10:17 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 20, 2017 1:16:02 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 21, 2017 13:47:56 GMT 12
Dave: if/when you find T-28 shots, one of them crashed with the crew killed on the way home from the event. I think it may have been a Lao-schemed machine. I remember a "STOP PRESS" addendum or caption to a Classic Wings Downunder article on the race mentioning it.
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Post by vultee43 on Jul 22, 2017 0:05:30 GMT 12
Hi Zac. I will send Dave the T28 shots next week. Got some good ones. The T28 that crashed belonged to Don Kendall. Low level aerobatic manoeuvre on take off from Launceston (roll from memory). Very upsetting end to a great week and it certainly shocked all involved. But as the saing goes - there are old pilots and bold pilots.....
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 1, 2017 23:34:43 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 2, 2017 14:49:51 GMT 12
The crash machine Justin and I mentioned was VH-LAO, the first aircraft (410 on the cowling) in Dave's post above. Unfortunately, reading the accident report it seems Justin was right with his "old pilots and bold pilots" comment: www.atsb.gov.au/media/24872/ASOR199500444.pdf
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Post by vultee43 on Aug 2, 2017 21:46:39 GMT 12
It was quite a shock given the professionalism of the pilots and crews involved in the show. There were several other incidents in 94/95 including a Pitts S1 'landing' inverted after a balloon cut and a Cassut running out of go juice and deadsticking into a potato paddock.
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 3, 2017 9:19:25 GMT 12
I remember seeing home video of the Pitts on TV, one of those clip shows that were once all the rage - possibly the one time Chris Sperou's party trick didn't go according to plan?
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Post by vultee43 on Aug 4, 2017 1:24:58 GMT 12
Chris is a top guy and great pilot. The Pitts held together well and just glided to a halt! He got out a bit red faced but had a laugh afterwards. Having flown Pitts I'm sure that's a trick I'd never attempt. May have that on VHS. Try to dig it out when time permits.
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