NZFF

by **HamiltonWest** » Thu Jun 06, 2013 7:24 pm

$1m-per-mission telescope coming

The Hubble space telescope's little brother could be flying in and out of Christchurch for up to 20 years.
The US$1-million-per-mission United States-German flying telescope is due to land for the first time in the city about 6.30pm on July 12.
It will base itself here for about three weeks.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8761...elescope-coming

by **Ian Warren** » Thu Jun 06, 2013 7:57 pm

Thanks for the HU Sean , have to be out there , this aircraft replaced the C141A that was used and a regular visitor to the Antarctic ramp in the mid 1990s , now i wonder if i can get on board this one , back then had few US Navy boys give me a nudge nudge wink .. nothing secret about it .. just a bloody great hole in the side of the aircraft to look into space , same time/period we had ER-2s chasing Concorde .. or measuring the jet flux in the atmosphere approaching Wobblyville to see if it had any impact on the OZONE layers issue back then .

by **HamiltonWest** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 8:48 am

HamiltonWest wrote:
QUOTE (HamiltonWest @ Jun 6 2013,7:24 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
The US$1-million-per-mission United States-German flying telescope is due to land for the first time in the city about 6.30pm on July 12.
It will base itself here for about three weeks.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/8761...elescope-coming

by **Ian Warren** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 9:04 am

Might have to make an appointment and try to get out there on Saturday .

by **gojozoom** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 10:57 am

Shortened jet... It's a gnome with inferiority complex

Dan

by **Ian Warren** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 11:07 am

Dan , was quite nice to see a shortened C-141 in the late 80s to early 90s , this its replacement but when you grow up around Starlifters its just that way you get too admire them , but be good to get out and about and see what this baby looks like without the airline garb all over it .

by **deeknow** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:23 pm

Very cool, man if they do ever let up on budget constraints and open days you guys MUST let us know if one is organised. Be worth a trip down to ChCh I reckon.

by **Ian Warren** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 12:35 pm

Dean open day is almost due , comes with preparation of the summer ICE season , if your planning something of the likes and we find open day times , you could always plan around on it and they are on specific days only Saturday or Sunday, but your more than welcome to stop here for the night when and if required , meet up with the local FS lads .

by **dbcunnz** » Wed Jul 10, 2013 4:55 pm

Qantas use to operate a Boeing 747SP out of Wellington in the early 80s I have done quite a few returns to Brisbane in it in 1981 and 1982

by **HamiltonWest** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:43 am

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/NASA747

by **Ian Warren** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:57 am

When the NASA C141 http://c141heaven.info/dotcom/nasa.php stopped here during the periods , a documentary crew was allowed to shoot and show the operation of the aircraft out of Christchurch - this was show around the time , in around 1986/87 the aircraft was open to the public for a few short hours , they may do the same for the 747 maybe , be a lot different to a C-141 to keep security .

by **Ian Warren** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 11:15 am

Here we go , what the 747SP replaced , Pretty aircraft in its own right , when the last of the Lockheed C141 Starlifters were retired , Templeton primary school put a bid in to have one saved in in Templeton just out Christchurch were the aircraft flew overhead for almost 40 years and they changed from this 'A' model to a final 'C' ,

Christchurch International has changed a hell of a lot since these photos of mid 80 s but they still open this area to Joe public at the beginning of the season .

by **AlisterC** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 9:18 pm

Nice flashback Ian. Thanks for the news, this will be good to see. Look forward to some photos on here.

by **Ian Warren** » Thu Jul 11, 2013 10:37 pm

AlisterC wrote:
QUOTE (AlisterC @ Jul 11 2013,10:18 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Nice flashback Ian. Thanks for the news, this will be good to see. Look forward to some photos on here.

Thanks Matey , you see that little bit of fluff in the top left corner , blurring the photo a smudge .. that was due to the pack opening up on my 1100 when leaving Wanganui in the morning - the main turnoff to Rewithi and my Olympus Trip35 fell off ..

.. good way to date photos

by **ardypilot** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 9:59 am

Resheduled for an 1130 arrival today Christchurch spotters!

by **Ian Warren** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:11 am

Cheers Andy .. better than the Dark .... hour and a bit better get plugged in , hope he tracks over the city then

by **ardypilot** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:32 am

Sorry Ian, I've just been advised it's 1130am tomorrow. SOFIA hasn't left California yet!

by **Ian Warren** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 10:44 am

Trolly wrote:
QUOTE (Trolly @ Jul 12 2013,11:32 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Sorry Ian, I've just been advised it's 1130am tomorrow. SOFIA hasn't left California yet!

Phewy .. 24hours .. i was running around like chicken without a head on

by **dbcunnz** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 2:40 pm

Ian Warren wrote:
QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jul 12 2013,10:44 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Phewy .. 24hours .. i was running around like chicken without a head on

Thats Ian just being normal

by **HamiltonWest** » Fri Jul 12, 2013 3:07 pm

Ian Warren wrote:
QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jul 11 2013,11:15 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>
Here we go , what the 747SP replaced , Pretty aircraft in its own right , when the last of the Lockheed C141 Starlifters were retired , Templeton primary school put a bid in to have one saved in in Templeton just out Christchurch were the aircraft flew overhead for almost 40 years and they changed from this 'A' model to a final 'C' ,

Christchurch International has changed a hell of a lot since these photos of mid 80 s but they still open this area to Joe public at the beginning of the season .

Awesome Pics IAN All Very

I see they posted a pic of the Starlifter on their facebook Yesterday:
SOFIA is prepping for Southern Hemisphere deployment. Our predecessor the Kuiper observed from New Zealand too- and Samoa!
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=577...elevant_count=1

NZFF

NASA 747 To CHCH

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