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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2006 11:13:28 GMT 12
I know that the RNZAF Skyhawks have performed at various Aussie airshows over the years, and Hercs from 40 Sqn and Orions from 5 Sqn have also appeared at British airshows (as have our Strikemasters before delivery).
But where else have the RNZAF performed or participated in airshows? USA? Singapore? Anywhere else outside of NZ?
And when was their first airshow outside of NZ?
Does anyone know?
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Post by phil82 on Jan 28, 2006 11:37:23 GMT 12
Individual RNZAF aircraft have performed at various air shows; RIAT for example, but only when they coincided with the duty of that particular aircraft; participation in Fincastle for example. I recall the Roaring Forties NZ Harvard team performing in Australia once, but though they were all ex-RNZAF pilots, it wasn't strictly speaking an RNZAF participation.
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 28, 2006 21:12:02 GMT 12
Kiwi Blue were in Canberra in August: does that count?  (Are they even RNZAF, or are they in fact Army?) |
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 28, 2006 21:22:02 GMT 12
I've just remembered: the RNZAF sent an Iroqouis over to the UK a couple of times for Helimeet in the mid-late 1980s.
NZ Wings had articles about how well the RNZAF had done.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2006 21:33:34 GMT 12
Yes, our Iroqouis were still going to Helimeets into the 1990's, and winning prizes too (always longest distance travelled).
If you look at the famous footage of the two Mig 29's colliding at Fairford, one lands right net to one of our Hercules! Appaerntly it was a near run thing, the the Herc crew and groundcrew were sitting on its wing watching the show. Could have been very bad for the RNZAF!
Yes, Kiwi Blue Parachute Team is RNZAF, made up from the instructors at the Parachute Training and Support Unit (PTSU) at Whenuapai. Barbie Collins who is often in/leading the Kiwi Blue team was my GSI Cpl at GSTS before remustering to PTSU Instructor.
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 28, 2006 22:29:44 GMT 12
There was a dark-haired woman in the team when they visited Canberra: could that be Ms Collins? I have a photo of them somewhere that I'll post when I find it.
One of the photos in Wings from one of the Helimeets was of the Iroqouis with a bucket full of water suspended from the winch being gently guided through a slalom course of poles, with the aim of not spilling any water or touching any of the poles!
I also seem to remember that the Kiwis also won the Concourse de Elegance (sp) one year for the best maintained and presented helicopter. Is that correct?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2006 22:45:38 GMT 12
That sounds like her. As a GSI, her bark was not as bad as her bite. She came across as being quite, quite evil. She was not a Dorm Cpl, but higher up, in charge of the Flight, so we didn't see her as often as the others, but when we did she was always angry, never really showed a calmer, compassionate side like the others did occasionally. The only time I saw her not angry was on the last day, after we'd just dismissed from Passing Out Parade. Everyone was dispersing to go meet their parents, etc. My parents were inconveniently overseas so I had no need to rush. I saw her standing on the road so went up to her, came to attention. and thanked her for her work in guiding us all through into the RNZAF (tongue firmly in cheek of course). Then I held out my hand and she shook it. She was quite speechless, almost human. The first time she stood in front of me without yelling something nasty and unnecessary. And the first time I did not feel hatred for her. I felt a little morale victory inside as I walked off to meet my sister and Nana.
Yes, 3 Sqn did win that award at Helimeet on at least one occasion.
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 28, 2006 22:52:31 GMT 12
She sounds almost as nice as Frank Sharp's wife! Maybe she's one of those people who believe you can bring out the best in people by screaming at them all the time?
I guess you won't be wanting a framed copy of the photo I took of the Kiwi Blue team then, Dave? ;D
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2006 23:25:43 GMT 12
Kiwi Blue did a jump into Cambridge last November and i hoped she'd be in the team so i could say hello, but she wasn't. She's probably sweet when you're not an AFCDT. I met my old Dorm Corporal again in 2004 and got on with him really well. I thought he was an ogre before too.
These days, I'm told, they're not allowed to be nasty or swear or do anything non-PC to recruits so I guess we saw the last of a dying breed.
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 28, 2006 23:34:54 GMT 12
Aermacchi MB339CB, NZ6463 (I-RAIB) Le Bourget Airshow 1991.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 28, 2006 23:40:38 GMT 12
Did the Canberras, Vampires, Venoms or such like do overseas airshows?
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