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Post by Bruce on Aug 26, 2018 18:20:51 GMT 12
We have had multiple threads about this question, which just end up as mutual ignorance bouncing around in circles, hence all of those threads have been locked until the MoD make an announcement. no point opening a new thread for the same old stuff...
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Post by Bruce on Aug 26, 2018 14:24:32 GMT 12
That thought crossed my mind too Bruce till David pointed out that even in the Pacific the red centres were not eliminated till at least five months after this photo was taken. I wish we had the date of the photo, but No. 14 Squadron's early record keeping was shockingly poor. 5 Months is reasonable if they were planning a revised Pacific Roundel (depending of course on discussions with the other allies in the Pacific and when they were instructed to come up with one). it would be entirely expected that part of the planning and specification process would be to actually get some painted on an aircraft to see what they looked like. once everyone was happy with the proportions the specs would be drawn up and sent to the operational units, and of course those other allies for distribution so they would know what to expect as well. Maybe even accompanied by a photograph of said markings - perhaps an air to air photo sortie with other aircraft for comparison!....
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Post by Bruce on Aug 25, 2018 20:07:08 GMT 12
My totally unfounded speculation is that while planning the change in RNZAF Roundels in the pacific, the top brass in Wellington wanted to know what they looked like in service, perhaps to check their suitability when making up the technical orders. For convenience sake they would want a unit close to Wellington, flying a combat type (since the Rongotai comms flight would have a mix of odd sized roundels, they wouldnt be suitable as test subjects) in which case a Masterton - based P40 would be ideal. The roundels are obviously newly painted (compare to the worn B types on the nearest aircraft)
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Post by Bruce on Aug 23, 2018 14:53:24 GMT 12
Quite a big vessel then - always hard to tell from photos!
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Post by Bruce on Aug 23, 2018 10:33:19 GMT 12
These Offshore support vessels are really well built and equipped with lots of good kit suitable for the role. My only thought was how useable the forward helicopter deck is with the vessel under way. in Oil rig support the ships tend to be static a lot of the time. I hope its big enough for a Seasprite - an A109 shouldn't have a problem, but a Sprite would be useful in the event of a medical evac (always a possibility on a dive vessel...)
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Post by Bruce on Aug 11, 2018 20:44:38 GMT 12
I can make out the runway outline in the GE image - clues are the wiggles in the road and straight treelines:
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Post by Bruce on Aug 10, 2018 19:17:23 GMT 12
The Hurricane is a very early one, in an early - war scheme with no yellow ring on the fuse roundels and no fin flash. Its Authentic for the period.
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Post by Bruce on Aug 7, 2018 10:38:08 GMT 12
It has been restored to operating condition at the specific request of Gina Campbell and Tonya Bern, Donalds next-Of kin. They specifically didnt want the wreck displayed in a cashed condition, and had a specific preference for making it "live". They will be operating it at enough speed to get it on the steps, and only in the calm conditions that suits it, and then only at special events once or twice a year. Having followed the incredible rebuild for many years, this team have a very professional approach and certainly manage the risks carefully.
That said, it is certainly sobering that the World water speed record has a fatality rate of over 80 percent... Frightening.
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Post by Bruce on Aug 5, 2018 20:48:39 GMT 12
Its Ardmore, on the old 07/25 Seal. My pick would be the 1990 air show.
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Post by Bruce on Aug 5, 2018 13:02:22 GMT 12
In the last episode of "Test Pilot" at the graduation there is a comment about "after hearing Steve Moore's stories of early Maori wind tunnels...". I met Steve in Wellington the other day and finally got that story from him! sorry to say, its not suitable for a public forum like this
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Post by Bruce on Aug 3, 2018 18:23:22 GMT 12
My biggest annoyance with UK museums was at the height of summer, during school holidays, most only opened at 10am and closed at 4pm. All those long hours of daylight (up to 10pm!) and you have to cram your travelling and attraction visits into a few hours...
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Post by Bruce on Jul 25, 2018 17:48:39 GMT 12
I hope they have subtitles!
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Post by Bruce on Jul 20, 2018 12:00:46 GMT 12
Needs to have a "model room"... get some of those better models out where they can be enjoyed.
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Post by Bruce on Jul 20, 2018 10:28:26 GMT 12
I remember seeing a reasonable selection of smaller models, as noted, they were pretty average quality. My own collection would probably be a better set than any I've seen in museums. The impression I get is that people "donate" model collections, often from deceased estates, and they arent always high quality and often a very mixed bag of subjects. However, because they have been donated, museums often feel obliged to put them on display.
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Post by Bruce on Jul 16, 2018 15:26:05 GMT 12
Looks like someone sharpened the pencil too much! The Swearingen Merlin does look a bit funny compared to the Metros we are used to!
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MOTAT
Jul 15, 2018 21:59:57 GMT 12
Post by Bruce on Jul 15, 2018 21:59:57 GMT 12
I visited Motat last Sunday and he a quick peek under the scaffold covering of the Solent, It looked like a lot of really productive work going on and I look forward to seeing the aircraft in similar pristine condition to the Sunderland, which looks magnificent.
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Post by Bruce on Jul 13, 2018 17:55:51 GMT 12
Maybe its just the flaps that are different?
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Post by Bruce on Jul 13, 2018 15:31:31 GMT 12
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Post by Bruce on Jul 13, 2018 15:26:00 GMT 12
When I built my 1/72 Lodestar I managed to acquire a Vac Form conversion kit that used the Airfix Hudson wings and tail feathers. Theres a thread about it somewhere on the forum!
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Post by Bruce on Jul 12, 2018 17:51:25 GMT 12
With the requirement for the P 8s to operate off OH operationally the assumption is the WP runway either doesn't have adequate pavement spec or the runway length short. So my query is whether the B757 has similar performance restrictions off WP ? As a guide only since official P8 data not available Standard day dry runway performance B757-200 with RB211 7500 feet at MTOW B737-900ER at 85.0 T CFM56 9500 feet at MTOW. This is not a P8 but has same engines and is closest in weight Add 200-300 feet for wet/hot WP is 2031 M or 6660 feet so still is weight limited for the 757 but not as badly as the smaller aircraft Ohakea should also be weight limited for the P8 or the Aussies are wasting money extending RAAF Edinburgh and Townsville to about 2840 M or 9320 feet. Darwin their other proposed base is OK at 3350 M Of course, if the Transport replacement option includes tanker functionality, it wouldnt be an issue....
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