|
|
Post by haughtney1 on Oct 22, 2017 23:43:46 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by skyhawkdon on Oct 23, 2017 7:00:08 GMT 12
Yes hasn't he done well. All of the Knucks who went to the RAF in 2001 after the ACF was shafted have done exceptionally well for themselves. Here are a few photos of Boomer from his Skyhawk days 2000/2001  OH 01-0719-76 by Don Simms, on Flickr  pilot 1 by Don Simms, on Flickr  OH 01-0796-42 by Don Simms, on Flickr  OH 01-0796-40 by Don Simms, on Flickr  OH 01-0719-48 by Don Simms, on Flickr 16 years on from this photo and Oz is now a Group Captain in the RAAF, Easty a Wing Commander (still flying Hornets) and Simon Rea and Andy Keith have flown in the Red Arrows in the RAF (and Boomer is now the Boss!). |
|
|
|
Post by 11SQNLDR on Oct 23, 2017 23:50:10 GMT 12
Excellent stuff!  Don, do you mind if I pinch a couple of your pics for my Diecast model forum? |
|
|
|
Post by planecrazy on Oct 24, 2017 8:48:06 GMT 12
Nice photos Don, probably not my place to say but it is sad that all that
training and talent has gone elsewhere, wish they had got the F16s.
Wonder if the RNZAF ever get a fast jet element again?
|
|
|
|
Post by flyinkiwi on Oct 24, 2017 9:01:43 GMT 12
What occasion was the cake for in that last photo Don?
|
|
|
|
Post by skyhawkdon on Oct 24, 2017 9:29:56 GMT 12
Excellent stuff! Don, do you mind if I pinch a couple of your pics for my Diecast model forum? No worries, they are all RNZAF Official Photos |
|
|
|
Post by skyhawkdon on Oct 24, 2017 9:31:41 GMT 12
What occasion was the cake for in that last photo Don? It was taken in Perth towards the end of 2001 (2 Sqn's last deployment). I think it was for one of the airframes clocking up 7,000 flying hours but I need to check (might have been 8,000 hours?). |
|
|
|
Post by skyhawkdon on Oct 24, 2017 9:36:17 GMT 12
Nice photos Don, probably not my place to say but it is sad that all that training and talent has gone elsewhere, wish they had got the F16s. Wonder if the RNZAF ever get a fast jet element again? Yes a huge waste, especially when you add all of the groundies into the mix, but NZ's loss was others gain! I think it highly unlikely we will ever have a fast jet element in our Air Force again. It would take a major world conflict and threat to NZ to change the situation. |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 7, 2023 19:19:38 GMT 12
Here is an article from The Press, dated 17th of August 1974, about another Kiwi commanding The Red Arrows. Any idea if Ian Dick is still alive?
Red Arrows again led by N.Z. pilot
(From ZALIA THOMAS, in London)
Two of the proudest parents at the Farnborough Air Show will undoubtedly be Dr R. C. S. Dick, medical superintendent of the Princess Margaret Hospital, Christchurch, and Mrs Dick, who will have an opportunity of seeing the display by the famous Red Arrows led by their son, Squadron Leader Ian Dick.
Although born in Oxford, England, 32-year-old Squadron Leader Dick emigrated with his parents at the age of three and spent his formative years in New Zealand, leaving there in 1960 to join the Royal Air Force. As a qualified flying instructor he flew with the Red Arrows from 1968 to 70 under the leadership of another New Zealander, Squadron Leader Hanna, leaving to become a flight commander with No. 208 Squadron at Bahrein. Later he rejoined the Red Arrows as leader.
In January, 1971, he was awarded the Air Force Cross. At the end of the 1973 season Squadron Leader Dick left the Red Arrows and was attached to the Army headquarters of the 5th Air Portable Brigade at Tidworth. In the 1974 Queen’s Birthday Honours List he was awarded the M.B.E. and rejoined the team as leader in 1974, thus making him the longest-serving member to date.
The squadron leader’s parents were last in England for his wedding in 1969; on this visit it will be the first time that they have seen their 9-month-old grandson.
Plan memorised
At the Central Flying School, Little Rissington, the nine pilots have been putting their 32ft Hawker Siddeley Gnats through a rigorous programme of aerobatics. At speeds of up to 600 m.p.h. and a climbing rate of 9850 ft per minute these tiny planes, flying just 10ft apart, carry out the most intricate manouvres — each sequence being memorised in full by the leader and all formating pilots.
There are three basic displays from which to choose. First, the fine-weather display requiring a cloud base of not less than 4500 ft and good visibility. This allows for the more elaborate set-piece displays.
Second, a display of rolling aerobatics with a cloud base of not less than 2500 ft; and, third, for a cloud base of only 700 ft a restricted display consisting basically of level turns to demonstrate the varied formation patterns.
No verbosity
There is no time for verbosity and the squadron leader’s commands are kept to a bare minimum — “Super Concorde, go,” ’’Smoke on, go; pulling up now, power, pull,” “All aboard.’’
In order to keep in formation the pilot aligns his aircraft with that of the leader, and following the smallest movement on the part of the lead plane, makes his aircraft an extension of the leader’s. This progresses down the line and when the leader begins an aerobatic maneouvre he literally flies the whole team as one. As it is impracticable to train a reserve pilot all members of the team pay particular attention to fitness, and it is an unwritten law that nobody has a drink within 12 hours of flying.
The Red Arrows are supported by a manager, an adjutant, an engineering officer and 28 airmen ground crew. A Hercules carrying spares, servicing equipment and personal kit and 18 of the ground crew follows the Gnats wherever they go.
Spare plane
A spare plane is flown by the team manager; and the engineering officer and nine other ground crew fly in the rear seats of the Gnats during transit flights so that servicing can begin before the support aircraft arrives. On average the team will fly four displays each week. Team members normally serve three years with the Red Arrows and three changes are made each season. As there are always many volunteers for each vacant post selection is something of a problem.
The Red Arrows have made a prolonged tour of the United States and Canada. They would very much like to bring their display to the antipodes but their restricted range would make this out of the question.
|
|
