Wanaka Pics # 2

I read somewhere once that Lockheed aircraft have generally had stiffer wings than most other manufacturers which meant that wing life was never as long as say an equivalent Boeing or Convair.
The Electra (turboprop) had problems with wing structures and the A model C130 that went down in US had a single spar wing box as opposed to a 3 spar on later models which may have contributed to the wing failure.

One of the RNZAF Hercules reputedly almost lost its wings over the Pacific when I was in the RNZAF, and as a result it supposedly has a permanent slightly twisted airframe. I think from memory it is ’02.

The incident was supposed to have happened when for some reason all four engines shut down and it went into a spin, maybe even a flat spin. The crew were ready to bail out when the Captain regained power and the engines restarted.

I cannot confirm whether this story is entirely true, but rumours about the incident were going round the RNZAF, as they always do after a serious incident, and I was told it by a couple of good mates on 40 Sqn at the time not fly in that particular one if possible. It doesn’t seem to have fallen out of the sky yet, and I guess the twist may have been taken out by now if it has had a major overhaul.

As for the flexing, as we were told in the Air Force – “If they don’t flex, they break!” Take a look at how much flex is in a 747 wing next time you’re at the airport. The difference in angle between when stationary and when taking off is phenominal.

That tank is awesome, esp if you know it’s origins…:D

There was only one Dr.1 there at the airshow.

With the Scout, that’s the only one I’ve ever seen in the flesh.

I’ll post the Orion, Huey and Herky bird pics tomorrow night.
Might put them in the Military Forum as well….see as they blur between this and that forum….
:rolleyes:

Oh yes, as per usual, the Herk put it a sterling performance.
Amazing how much the wings flex up and down when they do the slam-down touchdown after a tactical approach. Whenever I see that it takes me back to the Herk that crashed over in US that was firebombing and lost it’s wings..:(

More great photos Chris, well done.

The Westland Scout shouldn’t be too rare in NZ. A load of ex-British Army ones were brought in to the country in the mid 1990’s. I don’t know how many fly or what they do, but i think they were going into the logging industry because at the time they were importing loads of ex-military helos for that role. I recall several Mil helicopters (one such crashed pancake style in a high profile fatal accident sadly). And a number of Iroquios too.

There were five Triplanes at Omaka last year, were all five at Wanaka? I’m not sure if Peter built any of them, I think he may have imported a couple though. Not sure on this exactly. Dave M2, do you know? There is more about all the Omaka fighters here, http://www.classicfighters.co.nz/aircraft/aircraft.htm
but it doesn’t say who built the four non-Tantrum examples.

I believe that the Camel is Peter Jackson’s, and the Avro 504K. Is this correct? And he does allegedly own at least some of the Triplanes. Not sure what esle. The Camel and 504 were at Wanaka in February when I was there, tucked up with the Hurricane, P51D and a Chaika in the museum. Lovely to see them all together.

Do post the RNZAF stuff here – they are all historic.

And speaking of Peter Jackson, here is a photo of his tank in Cambridge last November, as promised ages back…

Marvellous photos – thanks for sharing them.

Please keep them coming !!

Thanks for the kind words, Seafuryfan.:)
The enthusiasm I’ve received from my fellow Northern Hemisphere Warbird Fans has just blown me away.

I’m going to have another crack tonight (9.16am here in NZ at the moment) and post my remaining pics.

Should I post the RNZAF pics on the Military Forum ?
The C130, Huey, and Orion are 1960’s vintage so they could go on here….:D

Cheers,
Chris

🙂

Steiglitz and Turbo – boy, what a ding-dong! Never SEEN such enthusiasm! 😀 Great pics Turbo – our rep down under doing us proud.

Love those Russian cabs, and the P40 with dust blowing is excellent!!

Steiglitz – over to you and your arm twisting!

Thanks for the info, OFMC Fan.:)

That problem with the La-9 happened on Saturday but the wee beasty was flying well on Sunday, which as a credit to those that managed to repair her in time.

The Dr1 Triplane was built in the 1980’s by Stu Tantrum. Peter Jackson owns other WW1 type aircraft based at Omaka in Blenheim.

The problem with the LA-9 was the actuator rod on the trim tab on the rudder broke and trim tab departed from rudder. The aircraft landed safely after being checked in the air by Cliff Goldspink in the Hurricane.

Last pic tonight…getting sore fingers…

Really hope you enjoyed these as well.:)
A pleasure being able to share the awesome airshow.

La-9 sorry about the quality..

notice the lean , he was zig-zagging to see forward..

This Dr.1 is one of 5 built by Peter Jackson I believe.
Please correct me if I’m wrong, Dave H..

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Back quarter of said Camel

Camel again..

Do you like my logical order of photos….lol

Even rarer…Westland Scout..

okay,…common to you English people..but VERY rare here in NZ….

Wessex..

Harvard…

note the jeep with soldiers in it in the background….

Yes Arm Waver , the formations by the Yaks and Nan’s were excellent.
The Me-108 was a riot. He stopped next to the grandstand while taxi-ing back and turned the smoke on , choking all the snobby people !!!:p

Another shot of the Camel

PS thanks Stieglitz for the 5’s !!:)

Dr1 and Camel returning..

Agreed Stieglitz.
Very nice job done on it too

Turbo NZ
Nice touch there by the “Me108” puts a smile on people’s faces no doubt.
The formations by the Nan’s and the Yaks were very acurate weren’t they.

More you say ???

Okay ..

Sopwith Camel replica…stunning aircraft with all the smoky weird Rotary engine noises..