RNZAF Open day - Whenuapai - New Zealand

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StereoImage
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RNZAF Open day - Whenuapai - New Zealand

Post by StereoImage »

Whenuapai Post:

Recently the RNZAF had an Open Day and Airshow at Whenuapai, in Auckland, New Zealand.
I have been to airshows all over the world and this was as enjoyable as any of them! The RNZAF accomplishes a lot of good given its minimal budget, and I am very proud of it! The aviation scene in NZ has some very rare and varied aircraft, in combinations not likely seen elsewhere in the world.



There were very special overseas guests displaying at this years Open Day, the high light of which was surely the F/A-18A from the RAAF in Australia!


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The C-17 is actually a regualr visiter to NZ, since the Air National Guard flies its C-17s and C-130's to Antactica via Christchuch. These are the only US military aircraft allowed within NZ's EEZ, because of its Nuclear Free stance, and the US's 'neither confirm nor deny' stance... As always the C-17 puts on an impressive STOL display.

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The C-130H serves as the strategic airlift workhorse for the RNZAF. These aircraft have been flying for a long time, but are kept in exceptional condition. They will need to be replaced by 2015. A400M I wonder? These aircraft are always exciting to watch, especially when they perform the "Khe-Sanh" approach and STOL displays.

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The RNZAF put on a "Role Demo" Display based on inserting an Army squad by huey and forcing 'Terrorist' forces off the airfield, under the watchful eye of an Orbiting P3. The enemy forces were hillarious with their vehicles and 'rambo' stylings, but they wont be winning any oscars for their acting!

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The UH-1H Iroquois has been in service with the RNZAF since 1966, and is due to be replaced by the much more capable NH-90. However these Vietnam era helicopters still give an impressive display in handling and load capapbility, the highlight this show being the drop of a car onto the airfield. Even from over a hundred meters away you could still feel the 'thud' as the poor vehicle hit the deck...


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The Bell B47G-3B-2 Sioux helicopter is still in service as a training helicopter, and harks back to the days of the late 40's and, of course, Korea and the television series M*A*S*H! These aircraft are being replaced by the AugustWestland A109LUH. There is nowhere else in the world where you can still see the choppers perform close formation aerobatics... Which is apparently something of a task given their unforgiving handling characterstics.

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Fresh from a well received display at the Avalon Airshow in Australia, the RNZAF's Boeing B757 put on an amazing show of its power and handling. Recently upgraded with new avionics,cargo loading door / handling system and upgrade engines, this beautiful aircraft is a pleasure to watch in action.

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The P-3K Orion is widely recognised as one of the best Maritime Patrol Aircraft ever, and one of the longest serving airframes (the Lockheed 188A Electra first flew in 1957!) The RNZAF crews are responsible for saving dozens of lives a year. At this airshow the P-3k dropped rescue packages onto the airfeild

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I remember watching these guys rehearse at Wigram Airfeild in Christchurch as I was a kid... Today the Red Checkers remain one of the best Formation Aerobatic teams in the world. Its a shame they are not deployed overseas more often, they would be a hit at any airshow. They fly the CT-4 Tranier, built in Hamilton NZ by Pacific Aerospace


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This Airshow gave rise to some very interesting and uncommon formations of Aircraft. You wont see this everyday...

Harvards and CT-4's

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Vampire, L39 & C-37 Dragonfly

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King Air and CT-4's

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2 x P-3K's, C-130H & B757

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New Zealand is famous for the huge variety of classic warbirds, and there was an excellent turnout of them at Whenuapai this year.



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The MX-2 gave a spectacular display in extreme aerobatics and energy management. As well as a drag race against a V-8!


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Thats gotta be cold up there...

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There were some very interesting foreign visitors to the Static Display this year.


French CN-235
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MPA Q-300 from Australia

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C-130J from the RAAF

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All in all an awesome day!
"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon"
Napoleon Bonaparte

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Stu
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Re: RNZAF Open day - Whenuapai - New Zealand

Post by Stu »

Woe what a selection :clap:
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Re: RNZAF Open day - Whenuapai - New Zealand

Post by timuss »

Yeah very nice indeed :clap: :clap: :clap:
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Lomcevak26
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Re: RNZAF Open day - Whenuapai - New Zealand

Post by Lomcevak26 »

I don't know whether I've got that many good shots from one season, let alone one airshow! Some really superb images in there!

Have to admit I didn't know the Red Checkers were a nine-ship team - agree with you that it would be good to see them overseas!

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Re: RNZAF Open day - Whenuapai - New Zealand

Post by StereoImage »

Thanks Lomcevak :) Very kind words coming from you!
"A soldier will fight long and hard for a bit of colored ribbon"
Napoleon Bonaparte

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Re: RNZAF Open day - Whenuapai - New Zealand

Post by Lomcevak26 »

StereoImage wrote:Thanks Lomcevak :)


You're welcome.

StereoImage wrote:Very kind words coming from you!


How do you mean? :smile:

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