The TVAL collection is back in operation, although it only displays at Masterton (there used to also be limited displays at Omaka Airshows). The pilots practice once a month during summer (with limited public viewing), and display bi-annually at the Wings Over Wairarapa airshow. Unfortunately weather prevented any displays for them at the 2023 show. But 2021 was great! Sadly the show will not happen in 2025, due to dealing with a delayed show (due to nearby floods) and a weather-cancelled day.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/albums/72157718464448287

My photos from lst year.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/albums/72177720312353454/

Having previously stood next to both of them separately, the coverage does a poor job of conveying the size of them!

I will see them in a couple of months (assuming the escorted tour takes us there), I’m going down from Auckland as I want to see the 100 years exhibition (and will also visit the Mosquito at Ferrymead).

It is marked as a Coastal command machine. I think it is really mean that it often gets attacked by the ME-108 and shoots it down (as happened with a ME-109 once).

Bombs Gone! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

My flight!

https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/albums/72157714317767218

It’s Beech D18S Ten-Two N43927. Below at Omaka, where it has been used in true-to-life drug-running demo theatre displays.

Beech D18S Ten-Two by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Next Run by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Insulting those that left when the website owners broke it for months with no warning (let alone consultation) or apology seems counter to the objective of encouraging them back? Of course once you have broken a community there is much less reason for people to return, even if the technical side of things was now ‘perfect’.

It appears to be very important to TPM, certainly ever since it has been considered a viable option.

They captured it earlier!

Actually, the half-track (see 2017) is Weta’s, which (along with TVAL) didn’t take part in the 2019 show.