NZFF

Dear Auntie Helen,

Bandit here. Your eyes are a lovely shade of red today by the way.

Anyway I want some help to rebuild a hut in the Ruahines, it was burnt down 18 months ago. Any chance I could borrow a helicopter? I've clocked up quite a few hours in Deane B's Huey so we only need the machine, I can do the rest.

Helen that's not very nice language! Besides - hell might just freeze over one day. I only laughed a little at Deane and Hamish's screenshot entries of you.

What's that? I can borrow a chopper and you'll even throw in some Pilots, Loadies and some Army movements assistance. Good on ya mate, you're a good bloke.

Any chance we can discuss our Strike wing? Yes you're right I shouldn't push my luck.

3 Sqdrn arrive


Time for some prefab frames


Winching down to the site


Time for the decking timber


Unhooking another load


Beats carrying it in


My little tent home in the corner behind the pack


The reason for it all. Progress made as at last Friday


Well it took I think 52 loads with the Huey plus a lot of sweat and planning. But that's how I spent the last couple of weeks.

Thanks to the guys and girls of 3 Sqdrn RNZAF and 10 Movement Cpy NZ Army.

Awesome stuff Bandit, what's the hut gonna be used for?

Hey Bandit great pics any idea if it was Tony Budd piloting that beast that day if so hes a good bloke me and my brother and sisters went to school with his younger brothers so got to know him well I remember him dropping his brothers at school in the Iroquois because there was a car accident blocking them from getting out of there road right on SH1 and he was also a big part in the Army/Air Force visiting our local primary school.

Oh how I miss the good ol' days I think the big boss is taking the 222 to my primary at some stage in the next few months so I will surely be jumping in on that flight.

Our old township is a frequent user of ZK-HZQ and ZK-HLN because its smack in the middle of the countys two worst black spots.

SQ350

It's in the Oroua River. Owned by the NZ Deerstalkers Assn (Manawatu Branch) but it is open to the public for trampers as well.

The Iroquois is going back in a couple of weeks to help cart the builders gear and other leftover stuff out.

I hunt with a couple of the aircrew (that's them on the winch) so hope to get some aerial shots of the hut once it's finished.

The rotors really made an awesome sound down in the valley. The depth we had to dig some of the pile holes I'm surprised some VC didn't jump out and start shooting at the Huey.

One of the pilots was a female so I'm picking that wasn't Tony. Sorry forget their names. I might be seeing Hayds or Wing tonight so I'll ask them.

Hmmmm saw an Iroquois fly over at lunch time yesterday it was dead on 12:30 and heading north I heard it a fair way away and thought it was the 222 then when I spotted it I realised it wasnt.

Awesome piccas Bandit, looks like you have been having fun!

What's that? I can borrow a chopper and you'll even throw in some Pilots, Loadies and some Army movements assistance. Good on ya mate, you're a good bloke.

LMAO!

Great pics and a great story Bandit.

Alex

WOW


one just flew straight over our my place just a few minutes ago i could hear it coming from miles away dam i didn't have a camera handy at the time .


awesome pictures there Bandit gee that must of been loud up the valley .when i was camping ,one was flying near by at night and shaked the tent I looked really good all lit up

And I just had 2 hueys fly over my place from Whitford direction towards Whenuapi


* make that 3*

And I just had 2 hueys fly over my place from Whitford direction towards Whenuapi

Yep I heard four of them come over last night, directly over my house in Half Moon Bay (coming from the Whitford direction)

Guess were almost neighbours......

ashton wrote: WOW


one just flew straight over our my place just a few minutes ago

AH HA I thought he was headed in a North East direction I heard it coming then spotted it over head heading North East.

According to da boys we've got 15 of the beasts I think they said.