NZFF

I thought I'd get these in quick before people that can actually take photo in focus, properly exposed and with the aircract not cropped off the edge of the pic get in with their contributions. Suffice to say all my best shots are of stationary aircraft









The Yak-3 was a surprise and a real treat. All the usual stars were there (P-40, Harvards, DC-3, T-28 Trojan, Tiger Moth, L-39, Blunty) ... plus a very proud/sad Skyhawk (non-flying, I have to add ). A great day out, as ever - all for the princely sum of $10. Looking forward to the next show ... with Mossie!

The only down side was that Doug Brooker's Spit had another mis-hap. We don't yet know how/what happened exactly - even though we were only feet away from it at the time. He started up OK using the trolley, but then started moving/taxying instantly - with the trolley still attached. The rather terrified looking bloke on the trolley ad the presence of mind to quickly dive onto the trolley and push it along the ground, so it could follow the Spit without wrenching the cable out. I dare say it could have turned ugly - as it could have gone under tension and twanged back at him.

Doug then restarted the Spit - and all seemed OK (engine not running rough or anything) but then promptly shut down and climbed out :-((

I have picked up any info on it yet, but our *guesses* at the time were:

1) Sticking throttle or the throttle cable problem.
2) The engine "raced" for some reason immediately after start (no idea why it would do this <??> - particularly as it didn't *appear* to be over-revving).
3) Forgot to check the parking brake <???>.

Hopefully the story will come out soon.

It may have been a shame for many people that came specifically to see an airborne Spit but, honestly, there was *so much* to enjoy other than the Spit - and NZ Warbirds should get another hearty pat on the back for an amazingly well organised and highly entertaining day.

Nice pics...I should of made the journey up ...although really want to be up there for that Mosquito! I hope the Spitfire is okay. Its a Yak-3 BTW (normally based at Omaka)

I'm so miserable now after looking at those photos Adam .. no South Island bases left .. the entire whined down .. but for these guys just simply keep my spirits up .. and the regular yearly pic's you do and post just ta really tease me

Naki wrote:

QUOTE (Naki @ Jun 3 2012,11:29 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Nice pics...I should of made the journey up ...although really want to be up there for that Mosquito! I hope the Spitfire is okay. Its a Yak-3 BTW (normally based at Omaka)

Ooops - yes - sorry (now edited).

Loads of people today talking about "Mossie Day".

Adamski wrote:

QUOTE (Adamski @ Jun 4 2012,12:47 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Loads of people today talking about "Mossie Day".

Little can of spray will fix that .. Spray and wipe .. i mean ... whoops bugger

Ian Warren wrote:

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jun 3 2012,11:33 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I'm so miserable now after looking at those photos Adam .. no South Island bases left .. the entire whined down .. but for these guys just simply keep my spirits up .. and the regular yearly pic's you do and post just ta really tease me

You pain is our gain

I have to say I'm not ungrateful or unappreciative of these regular "little" displays - that are always fantastic. Not really being a huge fan of Auckland as a place to live, there have to be *some* compensations!

I'm also lucky living on the N.Shore - only a couple of miles (as drunken the crow flies) from NZWP, so get a fair share of luvverly Hercs and Orions. To think that people in Albany/Greenhithe actually *complain* [sigh]. Let's face it, the airfield/base was there *decades* before the noddy little housing estates. Grrrrrrrrrrrr. Don't get me started.

Not to badly affected anymore .... least we feel virtual turbulence while flying on our PCs .. JUST WISH I HAD AN ADJUST BUTTON .. just seems to be to calm these days .. Southerly come a blowning thru .. hoping for a good shake .. only a good breeze to speed me flight to Foxpine .. OH well maybe tomorrow

The Spitfire had an issue with its brakes right from start up, nothing the pilot could do apart from shut it down.
Bit unfortunate but these lovely old aeroplanes sometimes like to be cranky.
Took very few photos, was good to have a relaxing day, sitting in the pilots seat in the Mossie was pretty cool.
Was hosted by Team AVPSECs, great bunch of lads.

Hell bells .. if forgotten what a good airshow looked like ... Superb pix's

Great pics as usual, Gavin - and great to see the same subjects photographed professionally

Shame about the Spit, but at least it sounds like a relatively minor problem and Doug'll be back in the air with it soon. If you own a toy like that, you'd *want* to be flying it at these sorts of shows, so I expect Doug's disappointment would far outweigh everyone else's.

Great Shots I would have loved to see that!
It's quite odd seeing a Skyhawk sitting on an active apron and not wrapped in an oversized condom. Is it true there's not a chance in hell they will take to the skies privately?

Dan , get a private owner with the dosh and would not be a problem except for the silly rules that stopped the many possible sales .. the avionics suite added during the 'Kahu' upgrade .. and correct me if wrong not allowed to take them out .. typical Govt Cockup !

Last few ground shots from me, good day out.

Ya simply look at that engineering , the casts , bolts .. bugger that .. look at those Wonderful aeroplanes ... I'd love a ride in that Trojan

Pinched Dad's cannon whilst out at Ardy this weekend, didn't really know what I was doing with it but these ones turned out alright.









As always more on my blog page Nice captures Adam and Gavin!

Andy , pleased your dad has an artillery piece .. a Cannon

Hallelua! the Bunty is back in camo...
And I have a working CS Yak-3 at last!
Someone surely must want to paint it with a nice red nose?