Some old Ardmore Airshow pictures

Yes, the Devon was at Woodbourne, one of six they had there then.

I meant the things John thought were mountains in the Ardmore piccies were less than what we’d call hills compared with our ‘real’ mountains, ala Wanaka and all points south. I think the photos may be deceptive, they are not mountains.

Well,I’d like to think we have some mountains here.Ask Mark V .Some nice mountains (alps!) behind his pic’s of TB863 at easter 04.
Any way ,the Devon picture looks like it was taken Blenheim not at Ardmore.

OFMC Fan.

Mountains? In this country they ain’t even hills mate. 🙂

No, definately not USA, it’s Ardmore, South Auckland, New Zealand.

We’re not in….

Judging by the mountains, I take it you don’t mean Ardmore, Oklahoma?

Nice pictures of the Ardmore airshow..any more of the devon behind the Blunty in the last picture

OFMC fan

Sorry, no. I think then (Feb 2004) there were still 4 Devons left at the former 4TTS. In my day (1989) there were six or eight. There were hundreds of trainees then unlike today of course.

I am unsure what became of the others, maybe in another hangar? In 1989 they were mostly in different schemes too, a couple in the latter grey/red scheme of their final service. A couple in varying earlier colours that I no longer recall.

There was one in the lighter blue and white like one of the Warbirds Devons, and maybe one ion grey too like the other Warbirds Devon from vague memory.

This photo here was taken in 1989 by me and shows a darker blue and white scheme. I have no idea if it is the scheme in the photo behind the green/grey Strikemaster.

There were a few INST airframe Devons at Wigram when I was there too, 4 I think, in the grey/red colors – not including the RNZAF museum’s example. So the RNZAF had retained a heap of these things. It wasn’t till Feb 2004 I took the opportunity to climb in one and I was amazed at how tiny and compact they are inside. I’d hate to have gone on a long flight in one.

Nice pictures of the Ardmore airshow..any more of the devon behind the Blunty in the last picture

OFMC fan

Yes I remeber being at WOW ’92 seeing it as well….
Always figured the MB339’s just didn’t have the charm of the Blunties…

Oh, well, they’re all history now.. 🙁

TNZ

And here is one I shot at Woodbourne last year, in totally non-standard scheme. This one is used at the training school for Aircraft Finishers, who were part of the Safety and Surface trade (my trade!!)

I remember when I was in the RNZAF (1989-93) the Strikemaster was at the end of its life and were phased out by 1992. One came to Wigram for 2TTS to fiddle with, and it was so decrepit looking. It had not had its usual repaint because it was not worth it when they were being phased out. A lot of the paint was chipped off and worn. Like a WWII scheme really. They certainly took a lot of punishment and did an awesome display when flown right. Best display I ever saw in one was the Friday of Warbirds over Wanaka 1992, rung out to the max. I believe that was the last official public Blunty display that weekend too.

Well, if it is Blunties you like, here’s a couple I took (with a disposable camera – whoops, that’s a dirty word here isn’t it?) whilst I lived at Whenuapai. They were up from Ohakea on some exercise.

Very nice, Dave.
Also, the old Strikemaster brings back memories….blimmin’ loud they were !!

Cheers