Memories of my NZ vacation.

Oldenginerod Sun Jun 25, 2023 4:05 am

I can't find the post right now, but most of you will recall that we had a trip over to New Zealand in February. The timing didn't quite work out to get to the Classic Fighters airshow while we were there. That happened over Easter.
I found this video, just in case you wanted to see what I missed out on. Sad

Oldenginerod Sun Jun 25, 2023 4:11 am

Oh, and here's a picture of Lauder railway station where we stopped for lunch one day, enjoying the balmy NZ summer's day.
(Can't quite see the little cafe in the background).

Looks a little different now that winter has hit.

Ken Cook Sun Jun 25, 2023 5:57 am

The Focke Wulf is just a impressive sight. I never see flying examples of this plane. I believe BMW made the engines for it . It sounded terrific in the video.

Oldenginerod Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:23 am

Ken Cook wrote: The Focke Wulf is just a impressive sight. I never see flying examples of this plane. I believe BMW made the engines for it . It sounded terrific in the video.

For a small country, New Zealand has an amazing number of rare and valuable aircraft. Not only WW2 aircraft but also WW1. They have quite a few flying examples, both original and reproduction. Not many WW1 examples come up on the video, but they're definitely numerous. A couple of years back I went to a major airshow here in AUS and I witnessed a dogfight involving at lease 15 WW1 planes, including quite a few rotary radials.

We have a saying "Punching above their weight". This very much describes New Zealand. For such a small population they do exceptionally well for themselves. They have a number of aircraft restoration companies who restore warbirds for customers all over the world.

Oldenginerod Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:32 am

Ken Cook wrote: The Focke Wulf is just a impressive sight. I never see flying examples of this plane. I believe BMW made the engines for it . It sounded terrific in the video.

Ken. You may want to turn up your speakers for this clip.

Ken Cook Sun Jun 25, 2023 6:54 am

I suppose one has to be a engine nut. There's something about a radial that's winding up in a dive that is just awesome. The whine as it passes and the chugging along when cruising which provides a magical flow.

rsv1cox Sun Jun 25, 2023 7:34 am

Wow Rod, thanks for sharing. Too bad you missed the real thing but the video makes up for it.

I skimmed through much of it but stopped at the high points. The Spitfire, always impressive, the Nieuport 17 with the Lewis MG on top and the WW1 fighter parade, the V2 with it's support structure, the formation flying, the T-28's, and yes that FW-190.

My Aurora SE-5 with the Lewis MG. Crushed by the USPS in transit but the Lewis mostly intact with just a broken off barrel. Wing struts suffered the most.

getback Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:38 am

Thanks , looks like you missed out on some good fun ! Maybe next time ?! Very Happy

706jim Sun Jun 25, 2023 8:59 am

I visited NZ in 1989. Went to a museum in Christchurch (I think) and they confiscated my camera as no pictures were allowed! Good luck with that rule now that cellphones are everywhere. Anyway going back this January for a repeat visit.

KariFS Mon Jun 26, 2023 12:05 pm

Going to get your camera back?

706jim Tue Jun 27, 2023 7:59 am

KariFS wrote:Going to get your camera back?

I should have elaborated: They confiscated all cameras for the duration of your visit, so yes, I got it back.

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Memories of my NZ vacation.

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