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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 5, 2006 13:24:25 GMT 12
I just saw three Yak 52's in very close formation and fairly low level buzz past Cambridge's western outskirts, headed north-east. Cool!
Does anyone know where they were headed? Are they on their way to the Waihi fly-in that Bruce mentioned?
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Post by yak2 on Aug 5, 2006 17:36:41 GMT 12
Wasn't me Dave! But the 'Red Sparrows' are planning some formation work tomorrow arvo over here if the weather holds.
BTW. I was very impressed with footage/pics I saw of the the Yak formation at Wanaka this year. They did a display at the last one I visited in 2002, and that was good. But the extra aircraft this year really makes it something.
Rob
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 5, 2006 18:26:29 GMT 12
The Wanaka display was superb this year, and the commentators from Britain absolutely raved about them - with Jerry Mead who has done the big shows in the UK stating this was the best formation team he'd ever witnessed.
Before the display on the Friday they had only practised togther ten times apparently as a nine-ship. They usually do only five-ships but built it up for Wanaka. Another staggering thing was only two members had been professional pilots, their leader being an ex-RNZAF Skyhawk pilot, but the rest were part timers and were farmers, shop keepers, etc.
I have to say though i did feel very, very uneasy every time they flew over the crowd - I'm amazed this has not been stopped in NZ like elsewhere. It's a great entrance to have nine aircraft in tight formation diving in from behind the crowd, but imagine what could happen!
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Post by yak2 on Aug 5, 2006 19:11:48 GMT 12
Nothing wrong having non-airforce pilots in the team!
Entrance from behind the crowd is certainly impressive with that number of aircraft, but there is a risk. CASA very particular about crowd lines and pointing aircraft at the crowd...only the Roulettes 'get away with it' here.
The sound of 9 Vedeneyev's..........aaaagh!!!!!!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 5, 2006 22:11:32 GMT 12
I never meant there was anything wrong with the pilots not being professionals. It's just here most airshow formation display pilots have a background in either the RNZAF or Air New Zealand/other large airline and they fly all the time. It's unusual and I think it's highly creditable that so many of these people nowadays without that experienceor background still achieve the awesome level they have, on their own time with their own money. It's fantastic. And it's the way of the future as we don't have the RNZAF pilots coming through like we used to. The commentators pretty much thought the same thing, how it was an interesting concept having all these amateur pilots in such a professional looking team.
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Post by xr6turbo1 on Aug 5, 2006 22:53:44 GMT 12
Yip I agree, It is good to see a new breed of pilots coming through.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 6, 2006 10:53:02 GMT 12
Of the current Warbirds 4-ship Harvard display team, only one is former RNZAF, currently with an airline and active helicopter instructor. Two are from an aero club background and the other has an instructing background and is also an airline pilot.
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Post by amitch on Aug 6, 2006 16:17:00 GMT 12
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Post by Peter Lewis on Aug 6, 2006 17:54:46 GMT 12
Lat year I had an attempt at the formation flying caper, and found it a very challenging exercise (ask Joe!). Consequently I am in absolute awe of these guys, who make it look so easy.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Aug 7, 2006 10:34:06 GMT 12
I've seen worse Peter, trust me! Having only been a passenger during formation aerobatics, you can definitely see it's a step up, and certainly not for the feint hearted.  |
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Post by xr6turbo1 on Aug 7, 2006 18:17:17 GMT 12
Yeah I have done a fair bit of back seat stuff as well and totally agree. Its one hell of a view  |
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Post by yak2 on Aug 7, 2006 19:44:24 GMT 12
Sensational pics guys!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 7, 2006 20:48:04 GMT 12
Wow, that's a really nice collection of photos. I never really appreciated the Yak 52 much (as they're not proper warbirds...) till recently but having seen them displayed at Tauranga and Wanaka this year I really appreciate the type now. And they are so colourful and neat!
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Post by yak2 on Aug 7, 2006 22:54:31 GMT 12
Waddya mean Dave, 'not proper warbirds'? Yak 52's are ex-military training aircraft as are Nanchangs. I think it is quite amusing looking at the various websites in the US promoting Nanchangs as genuine warbirds as distinct from Yak 52's, but then call their aircraft Yaks as if that sounds more credible. Guess they both are loosely grouped as warbirds for want of a better name. Once you master how to taxy them both are great aircraft to fly, and a bit more user friendly to operate than a T6 IMO.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 7, 2006 23:12:36 GMT 12
Don't panic, I don't think of Austers and Beavers as proper warbirds either, and I'm still undecided on the replica WWI aircraft that abound these days, but I do still like seeing them at airshows very much. They all have merit in their own way.
I have never heard of the Yak 52's and Nanchangs going into battle (have they?).
Unless you count them as Cold War-birds I suppose.
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Post by amitch on Aug 8, 2006 9:03:14 GMT 12
Don't panic, I don't think of Austers and Beavers as proper warbirds either, and I'm still undecided on the replica WWI aircraft that abound these days, but I do still like seeing them at airshows very much. They all have merit in their own way. I have never heard of the Yak 52's and Nanchangs going into battle (have they?). Unless you count them as Cold War-birds I suppose. They don't have to "have gone to war" to be a warbird, just serving will do it. Thus trainers are warbirds! |
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Post by corsair67 on Aug 8, 2006 9:34:48 GMT 12
The only thing I don't like about the Yak 52 is the undercarriage: it'll be nice when they finish building it! ;D
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Post by yak2 on Aug 8, 2006 17:59:19 GMT 12
Be nice Corsair67. A guy went up to Dick Hourigan once and said he didn't like the paint scheme on his/Judy Pay's Mustang. 'And what colour is yours?' asked Dick. OK, that's being a bit unkind! Just remember,nobody ever gets out of a Yak52 without a smile on their face.
Rob
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Post by corsair67 on Aug 8, 2006 18:10:34 GMT 12
Oh, I'd never turn down the offer of a flight in one! ;D
Why would anyone think that there was anything wrong with Judy and Dick's Mustang: it looks bloody wonderful. It's probably my second favourite Mustang, after Jeff Trappett's beautiful example.
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Post by planeimages on Aug 8, 2006 19:57:46 GMT 12
You mean like these shots of Judy and Dick's Mustang?  The Dick Hourigan/Judy Paye Mustang and a Harvard run up at Tyabb.  The Mustang about to lift off at Tyabb.  Oh, the euphoria of watching a Mustang approach, pass overhead and squeak onto the runway. |
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