A slice of history at NZNE

[Adamski]

Last year's event was a "full on" air show. This year was a much smaller affair, but was no less amazing - showing just how privileged we are here in NZ to be able to experience so much aviation history *at first hand* - and actually fly it.

First off, was a Dragon Rapide I didn't even know we had ... a DH-84 ... ferrying batches of six eager passengers around the Dairy Flats skies all day ...









... and a bevy of Tiger Moths, including this 4-seater (!!):







However - the (unexpected) highlight of the day (for BobL and I) was a flight each in a Tiger Moth


... here's BobL at the start of his "Biggles Experience".


I was too blown away (literally!!) to take too many aerial shots.




BobL taxiing back ... I think he'll be smiling for a month.


Yours truly standing in front of the wrong Tiger Moth ... looking windswept, crumpled and worried (but rapturous inside!).


Does anyone know why the RPM gauge is mounted at an angle like that?

All the owners/pilots of these incredible aircraft were there for the pure joy of it - and quite genuinely wanted to share their passion for aviation with anyone and everyone. We must be so grateful that they do. Where else in the world can things be so friendly and informal?

[SeanTK]

Looks like fun!

From my understanding, the RPM gauge is canted so that when you are within the nominal RPM range, the needle is at your 12'oclock. It allows for a faster panel scan and is more readily apparent if something is amiss. Seems to mainly be a British aircraft thing...needles at 12 o'clock indicate normal operation, anything else is off.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (SeanTK @ Feb 12 2012,5:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Looks like fun!

From my understanding, the RPM gauge is canted so that when you are within the nominal RPM range, the needle is at your 12'oclock. It allows for a faster panel scan and is more readily apparent if something is amiss. Seems to mainly be a British aircraft thing...needles at 12 o'clock indicate normal operation, anything else is off.

It certainly was fun!

I was thinking along similar lines about the gauge ... but was guessing. Thanks!

[Naki]

Cool a Tiger Moth flight...you will never forget it!...had one many years ago myself. ZK-APT is a FoxMoth. ZK-AXI is a DH Dragon (no Rapide in Name)..quite different from a Dragon Rapide.

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Naki @ Feb 12 2012,5:53 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Cool a Tiger Moth flight...you will never forget it!...had one many years ago myself. ZK-APT is a FoxMoth. ZK-AXI is a DH Dragon (no Rapide in Name)..quite different from a Dragon Rapide.

Correct on all counts, Paul! The FoxMoth is one of only two in airworthy condition in the world, apparently. I kept hearing the DH-84 being referred to as "The Dragon", but then they kept calling the Moths "Tigers"

[Ian Warren]

COOL photo of you Adam , looks you dress to stand beside your aircraft ... QUIK TV-3 News .. 50 years ago

[BobL]

As Adamski said, I don’t think I will be able to get the smile off my face for a month. Fantastic experience, going for a flight in a tiger moth.

The sad part was, I did not have a camera, as when we got to go for the BIGGLES ride Adamski not only got to wear the leather hat. He also had a pair of flying goggles!!!

Another highlight of the day was when Adamski found what has to be one of the most strange looking aircraft ever made, (PZL-104 Wilga) I think it’s a Polish thing but to Adamski its a thing of beauty

BobL

[Rotordude]

WOW awesome day out there Adam and Bob, thanks for sharing the day with us. Great shots....

As for the RPM gauge, I thought it was because a Scottish company had the panel facure contract, when the mistake was discovered the Scots being of a frugal nature decided that spending the £2.15 to retool was way far to expensive. So too avoid another border war the Brits thought best to let it go

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Rotordude @ Feb 12 2012,8:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

As for the RPM gauge, I thought it was because a Scottish company had the panel facure contract, when the mistake was discovered the Scots being of a frugal nature decided that spending the £2.15 to retool was way far to expensive. So too avoid another border war the Brits thought best to let it go

Could be a viable answer but think it was placement off the gauge so its not confined and free flow as the cable floated in the shuttle many aircraft in the period , structure first gauge second , retooling to drill to change were a gauge sits would have been kids play .

[Adamski]

I like the "re-tool/border war" version though!

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Feb 12 2012,8:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

and free flow as the cable floated in the shuttle many aircraft in the period , structure first gauge second

You've got me playing scrabble with your words Ian any chance of a re-phrase? Your explanation does sound like a winner, if I only knew what it meant

[Ian Warren]

Same sorta thing as a motor bike rev counter cable or closet example , i don't no the structure in behind a moth panel but any moving part from the engine has to float or you get a false reading , the gauge would be standard of the shelf , on the back of the gauge the cable would be outta place , so rotate the gauge till you have free flow movement and is not hindered .

[dbcunnz]

I learnt to fly in a Tiger Moth and at cruising your RPM is 1800 and climbing 2200 RPM so at cruising speed the RPM gauge needle was sitting at 12 oclock

[Ian Warren]

There we go , all we possibly needed , i noticed all early Gloster and Hawker types also had offset gauges RPM gauges and they all rated at different levels , guess off to check the face,s of the gauge and see if they correspond to operation or safe ops levels .

To the engine manuals, this would suggest Doug,s theory with compare all the other possible engine types . Strange design logic , why even clock the gauge ? .

[AdrianPetford]

Thanks for sharing those great shots Adamski. Looks like you had a brilliant day!


Ade

[Splitpin]

Beautiful pics Adam

[Bazza]

QUOTE (Splitpin @ Feb 13 2012,12:13 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Beautiful pics Adam

What he said....nice stuff.

Glad you included a shot with you in it, your avatar one has had me worried for a long time....

[Adamski]

QUOTE (Bazza @ Feb 13 2012,12:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Glad you included a shot with you in it, your avatar one has had me worried for a long time....

Hehe ... as I think I said in another thread somewhere ... I'm getting to look disturbingly like my avatar though

[Splitpin]

QUOTE (Adamski @ Feb 13 2012,12:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hehe ... as I think I said in another thread somewhere ... I'm getting to look disturbingly like my avatar though

I held back on any comments about your pic.....god, it was hard, but i did it.