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Post by Allan Udy on Jul 11, 2006 9:03:08 GMT 12
Hi All, Things have been a bit quiet on the Classic Fighters website ( www.classicfighters.co.nz) over the past few months, but that's mainly because we've been working away in the background giving the site a major overhaul, both internally and visually. We've got the bulk of that work completed and will now be sending out our email newsletters on a much more frequent and regular basis. These usually contain info about what's happening at Omaka, and what we have in store for Classic Fighters 2007. If anyone (who's not already a subscriber) wants to sign up for the newsletter, please email us at admin@classicfighters.co.nz, and we'll add you to the list. I hope we're going to see all of you at the show next year.  Cheers Allan |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 11, 2006 11:40:37 GMT 12
Thanks Alan. I had a look at the new look site last week and it's a great improvement, well done. I recommend to people to sign up for Alan's great updates, they're always welcome in my inbox.
Can you give us an update on the new Omaka museum, what stage is it at? Any photos of the new building please?
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Post by Allan Udy on Jul 11, 2006 23:09:21 GMT 12
Re: the Avaiation Heritage Centre (museum). I'm not directly involved with the crew handling that side of things here, so I'm not in the loop. However I believe the plan is still to have it open and fully operational before Classic Fighters 2007 -- how much before remains to be seen. May even be late this year. Not sure.
Basically there's a lot of fit out and planning that still needs to be done. Sure it's a long time coming, but at the end of the day it's going to be really worth the wait! :-)
Cheers
Alaln
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 11, 2006 23:36:08 GMT 12
I agree it will be worth it. I'm looking forward to visiting sometime, hopefully next Easter.
It will really put historic Omaka on the map nationlly, more than the airshow has as such, as it'll be a permanent attaction for visitors and not just every two years.
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Post by turboNZ on Jul 31, 2006 14:59:01 GMT 12
Alrighties !!!!!
What is the RAAF aircraft that "may" be there that we haven't seen here in a long time?
My guess is a Caribou but do they still operate them?
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 31, 2006 15:56:35 GMT 12
F/A-18 Hornets? When was the last time they were involved in an airshow in New Zealand?
Turbs, the mighty DHC-4 Caribou is still vibrating it's way through the air in RAAF service because none of the possible replacement aircraft can match the short/rough field performance.
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Post by phil82 on Jul 31, 2006 16:09:41 GMT 12
I've already been beaten to it, but my guess would have been the Caribou.
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Post by turboNZ on Jul 31, 2006 16:31:04 GMT 12
Hmm,...could be either,...but I guess the Caribou is more"classic" than a Hornet  I'd love to see a STOL and a wheelbarrow display of one of those !! (the 'Bou that is!!) |
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 31, 2006 17:07:19 GMT 12
Hey, the Hornet is a classic too - it's been in RAAF service since May 1985! ;D
I love the Caribou, and it'll will be sad to finally see them retired from service; whenever that may be.
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Post by turboNZ on Jul 31, 2006 17:16:49 GMT 12
Do they still do the wheelbarrow display or is that too hard on the nose-gear?
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Post by corsair67 on Jul 31, 2006 17:22:44 GMT 12
I saw them do it at Amberley in 2004, but I don't recall if they did it at Avalon last year. I guess I'd be able to tell you for sure after the ADF Airshow at Richmond.
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Post by turboNZ on Jul 31, 2006 18:18:00 GMT 12
They're an amazing aircraft, cool that a radial (well, 2) is still used in today's armed-forces !!!
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Post by mumbles on Aug 2, 2006 0:05:08 GMT 12
So how come the RAAF is suddenly keen on providing hardware for NZ airshows?
Not that I'm complaining at all.
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Post by corsair67 on Aug 2, 2006 9:41:24 GMT 12
The RAAF does send aircraft (mainly F-111s) across the Tasman to do some mountain flying and low level nav exercises every now and again, so it may have been convenient to schedule an airshow visit during one of these visits. The RNZAF has usually been quite supportive to Australian airshows, especially when 2SQN was over here, so it might be payback for that support?
The Caribous used to visit NZ for an exercise with the Andovers of 42SQN every few years, didn't they?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 2, 2006 13:34:49 GMT 12
We used to get Caribou flying into Wigram every now and then, more regularly than every few years anyway. On one occasion I recall four at once I think it was.
I believe they have the same engines as the Corsair, and so I assume that the original manufacter must still make parts for them after 60+ years?
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Post by phil82 on Aug 2, 2006 14:51:33 GMT 12
Perhaps the Australians , unlike Helengrad, have not lost sight of one of the reasons for having an air force is projection of the national image. NZ gained enormous publicity, and stole the show, at the recent RIAT air show in Englandby displaying two aircraft, a 757 and Orion, which happened to be in the UK at the time.
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Post by corsair67 on Aug 2, 2006 20:26:17 GMT 12
Who needs an airforce when you've got the All Blacks! ;D
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Post by xr6turbo1 on Aug 2, 2006 20:43:53 GMT 12
Just wondering where the info has come from about an RAAF aircraft appearing at the show? I hadnt heard about this and keen to know more  |
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Post by corsair67 on Aug 2, 2006 20:58:06 GMT 12
It's in the latest Classic Fighters e-mail. Contact Allan (see original post in this thread) and he will add you to the e-mail list.
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Post by Bruce on Aug 2, 2006 21:06:21 GMT 12
They just about had Caribou on permanent display at Waihi Beach Airfield a few years back - The Aussies dropped in on a Navex (theres a very good Cafe on the airfield) in in the course of the visit (mid winter) it ended up well and truely bogged down. I think the local territorials came and helped it out in the end, but it stayed a couple of days longer than planned.
A few years later Waihi ended up with another resident piston airlifter when an ex RNZAF Bristol served as a dining room for the cafe for a few years (It is now a very popular motel at the Waitomo Caves). Waihi Beach was known for bad drainage for a while, thankfully it is now much improved (Theres an SAA fly in there this Sunday )
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