Posted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:15 pmPosted: Mon Jan 17, 2011 5:22 pmPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 3:58 pm
... last time I went to the Duxford show (albeit ten years ago) they had a formation of *twenty-two* Spits ... so there!!! 
Posted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 6:12 pmPosted: Fri Jan 21, 2011 11:16 pm
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 12:05 amconnor wrote:QUOTE (connor @ Jan 21 2011, 07:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>Well I'm slightly envious, not of the Spitfire's, Mustang's, Corsair's Catalina's etc, we get plenty of those in NZ, but the Eurofighter's, the B-17, and the Red Arrows I would be keen to see.
I still think NZ is pretty well served by old warbirds. They're certainly old "regulars" but the very fact that they're displayed so frequently says a lot. I suppose I'm lucky being in Auckland - there's very often something happening at Ardmore - and the Whenuapai displays have been amazing (and almost free!).
There are the obvious NZ warbirds I know I'll never tire of, but there are others that "grow on you". At first, I thought the P-40 was a bit on the ugly side (compared to a Spit, that is,) but every time I see it, whoever flies it puts on a brilliant display ... yet now think it isn't "ugly" ... it's *mean* ... and looks like a real WARplane. Similarly, I think the Corsair is an odd looking thing - but when you see it in the air, it's unforgettable.
Also - to be honest - I love the genuine "Kiwi"-ness of these shows. They're always low-key and very friendly. The UK shows were OK years ago, but the last few I saw (Duxford apart) were BIG business, with fluffy toys, pink teddy bears, merry-go-rounds, bouncy castles, go-karts - you name it - with either daft music or inane commentary constantly on the tannoy. You couldn't even hear a Concorde go past, let alone a Spitfire ... and they cost a fortune to get in.
Considering the changes to the way these old aircraft have to be insured, we're really *very* lucky to see them flying at all ... yet the list of "flyables" seems to be growing month by month
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 12:18 pmAdamski wrote:QUOTE (Adamski @ Jan 22 2011, 01:05 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I still think NZ is pretty well served by old warbirds. They're certainly old "regulars" but the very fact that they're displayed so frequently says a lot. I suppose I'm lucky being in Auckland - there's very often something happening at Ardmore - and the Whenuapai displays have been amazing (and almost free!).
There are the obvious NZ warbirds I know I'll never tire of, but there are others that "grow on you". At first, I thought the P-40 was a bit on the ugly side (compared to a Spit, that is,
Also - to be honest - I love the genuine "Kiwi"-ness of these shows. They're always low-key and very friendly. The UK shows were OK years ago, but the last few I saw (Duxford apart) were BIG business, with fluffy toys, pink teddy bears, merry-go-rounds, bouncy castles, go-karts - you name it - with either daft music or inane commentary constantly on the tannoy. You couldn't even hear a Concorde go past, let alone a Spitfire ... and they cost a fortune to get in.
Considering the changes to the way these old aircraft have to be insured, we're really *very* lucky to see them flying at all ... yet the list of "flyables" seems to be growing month by month
I agree about the "Kiwi-ness," of our airshows. A lot of the over seas airshow's go something like; take off, downwind flyby, touch and go, downwind flyby, land, and that is the display finished. But you go to Wanaka or Omaka and they have fully re-enacted air to air, air to ground, even ground to air battles.
As for the P-40, it's not as bretty as the spitfire or P-51 but it sure is prettier than a Typhoon!
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:02 pmconnor wrote:QUOTE (connor @ Jan 22 2011, 01:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I agree about the "Kiwi-ness," of our airshows. A lot of the over seas airshow's go something like; take off, downwind flyby, touch and go, downwind flyby, land, and that is the display finished. But you go to Wanaka or Omaka and they have fully re-enacted air to air, air to ground, even ground to air battles.
As for the P-40, it's not as bretty as the spitfire or P-51 but it sure is prettier than a Typhoon!
I've never seen a Typhoon flying, but they certainly are "quirky". Can't wait for our Mossie to get airborne (soon, apparently!!!) ... now *they* really are a treat.
I think also, with all the new regulations, the actual flying takes place so far away from the crowd line that you near 100/100 vision or powerful binoculars to see anything at all. In NZ, the airfields are generally smaller and everything happens a bit nearer.
Occasionally, pilots at Kiwi air shows appear able to "throw caution to the wind" and give us breathtaking displays. At the last Ardmore Pearl Harbour Day show (I think it was) - on a *very* windy/gusty day, when I didn't think anything would fly at all, the Brooker Spit (not Doug flying, I don't think) gave the most awesome display - very low, very fast (usually) and very varied. Probably one of the best Spit displays I've *ever* seen. It just wouldn't have happened in the UK.
When the flight is over, the respective pilot(s) are happy to just chat to anyone around - they don't just disappear into a VIP tent somewhere. I really do like the Kiwi way... we shouldn't take it for granted.
Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 3:50 pmAdamski wrote:QUOTE (Adamski @ Jan 22 2011, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I've never seen a Typhoon flying, but they certainly are "quirky". Can't wait for our Mossie to get airborne (soon, apparently!!!) ... now *they* really are a treat.
They reckon they will début the Mosquito at Omaka on Easter Weekend, hoping to go see it.Adamski wrote:QUOTE (Adamski @ Jan 22 2011, 04:02 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>the Brooker Spit (not Doug flying, I don't think)....
What is the rego is that?
Doug's Spit is (I think):
ZK-WDQ - painted as FL A MH367
I didn't realise it was a twin seat, I haven't seen may of those!
connor wrote:QUOTE (connor @ Jan 22 2011, 05:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>I didn't realise it was a twin seat, I haven't seen may of those!
Probably the best known is the Carolyn Grace one (at Duxford) ... but I think there's definitely at least one other flying around somewhere. I seem to remember an all-green repaint <???>.
I still plan on getting into one of those seats one day, somehow ... but I can't see it happening(we need an emoticon for *weep*!).
You want to buy one?
