Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Communal photo threads for specific aircraft types, operators etc.
Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

A couple today Cessna on her way to NZ.
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Always had a soft spot for the CT4 and her predecessor the Air Tourer, on her way
to a new home in Victoria Australia, Keri Keri, Lord Howe Island, Gold Coast.
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I’m guessing the crown necked Kiwi dripping blood, an air force logo?
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farnboroughrob
Posts: 2118
Joined: Fri 05 Jun 2009, 8:31 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by farnboroughrob »

Great to see the Airtourer, very rare in the UK now. Only about a dozen left from the 60's when they were assembled over here. Please keep up with the photos.

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Thanks Rob, didn't know the Airtourer was made in the UK.
I vaguely remember there was nearly a deal done with the
RAF to buy the military version the Air Trainer, fell through
over some politicking from memory?
Last edited by Wbirdnut on Fri 16 Oct 2020, 4:29 am, edited 1 time in total.

farnboroughrob
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Joined: Fri 05 Jun 2009, 8:31 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by farnboroughrob »

If my memory is correct they were assembled from kits by a company called Glos-Air. I guess they must have built about 40 or so in the mid 60's, before my time. Nice aircraft but had problems compeating on price with the American products. Not sure about the RAF deal with the Airtrainer, but guess that was the order won by the Bulldog? Probably lots of political preassure to secure jobs at home back then. Sadly I don't think any Airtrainers have made it to Europe so far?

Wbirdnut
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Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Here’s an oldie, 1996 Mooney sneaked in this arvo, she’s over-nighting so will
try and get the drum? Only the second 'F' registered aeroplane I can remember
going through in 28 years!
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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Another unusual rego just after midday this XL 750 called in for fuel on her
way home to New Guinea after some repairs in New Zealand.
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farnboroughrob
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by farnboroughrob »

Couple of nice catches. F-O registered aircraft are pretty rare, that one is from the Aero Club on New Caladonian thats a long 800 miles of nothing, I guess via Norfolk Island? Rather him than me!

Wbirdnut
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Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Came via Norfolk, went back yesterday direct,
1,350klms or as you say 838 miles over only ocean!

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Britain-Norman BN-2A-26 Islander ex ZK-MCD now VH-IZH today Keri Keri,
New Zealand via Lord Howe Island on to the Gold Coast, Australia then to a
new home in the Torres Straits, Australia.
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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Caught this handsome Conquest this morning, long time UK resident on her
way to a new home in New Zealand. Arrived in Auckland around two hours ago,
Lord Howe Island to Auckland 1,600 odd klms in three and a half hours speedy
and a looker, gotta love that!
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farnboroughrob
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by farnboroughrob »

Love those, saw that several times at Staverton. Thats the great thing about this hobby that aircraft can suddenley( well in a week anyway) go from the UK to the middle of the pacific! It was ex ZK-LIM so assume it will be restored as that?

Wbirdnut
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Couple more from yesterday, couldn’t get any closer to these two as working
at the time, 185 I guess heading to NZ, been a few tail draggers this year!
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The 172 flew LDH to AKL direct around 8 hours flying time, wow that is a long
time over the briny!
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Check the Flightaware link below!
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/VHE ... /YLHI/NZAA

Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Glad everyone's okay the 185 that came through the other day end up on it's roof.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nelson-mail/new ... in-motueka

farnboroughrob
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by farnboroughrob »

Thats such a shame, but Cessns 185 are tough aircraft, they can be rebuilt unlike the humans inside the.

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wallace
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by wallace »

What an interesting set of pictures. very interesting to see what comes through your neck of the woods...or sea.

Keep 'em coming.

Wbirdnut
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Thanks wallace.

Wbirdnut
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Pitts S-2C (VH XSC), this one showed up today, 390 miles from Taree on the east coast
of Australia to Lord Howe Island. Fuel and go to Norfolk Island 557 miles, over water
the whole way!
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farnboroughrob
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by farnboroughrob »

Wbirdnut wrote:Pitts S-2C (VH XSC), this one showed up today, 390 miles from Taree on the east coast
of Australia to Lord Howe Island. Fuel and go to Norfolk Island 557 miles, over water
the whole way!
What ever they were paying him to ferry that, it wasn't enough!

Wbirdnut
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Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Can only come up with five other bi planes that have crossed the Tasman
Sea via Lord Howe Island, I’m pretty sure that’s it!

Francis Chichester in 1931
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Tiger Moth in 1980s?
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AN2 in the 1990s.
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Two Beech Staggerwings in the mid 2000’s.
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Wbirdnut
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Something a little different, an Eagle 150, an unusual Australian design
showed up today landed around 2.30pm local after flying for around 7.5
hours from Auckland New Zealand to Lord Howe Island.
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She has flaps on the canard and the main wing, can land at around 60 knots,
notable feature really small tailplane.
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As I type she is in the air on her way to Coolangatta on Australia’s east coast.
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Wbirdnut
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Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

RAAF C130 came out this evening afternoon touch and goes then some night ops.
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Haven’t seen one for some time, always popular with the locals.
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They always park up have a meal then do some night time touch and goes.
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These photos trick photography camera on a tripod with the aperture open for
a minute or longer, the aircrafts lights paint as they move across the frame.
This last one I did a small zoom to fill in the foreground a little.
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Ewart
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Ewart »

I really like those last two photographs. Cracking angle.

Wbirdnut
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Joined: Wed 16 May 2018, 8:19 am

Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Thanks Ewart, couple of unique machines today, the BK117 has been here a
few times to do weed eradication work.
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We are also very fortunate to have great local and off island medical people
who look after this isolated island community.
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One of the New South Wales air ambulances is named after the island.
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Wbirdnut
Posts: 374
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

1974 model 185 with a Robinson STOL kit, a handsome machine from this angle.
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Flying Lord Howe Island to Christchurch New Zealand tomorrow 1,784klms,
departure time 5.30am, It’ll be an early start for theTasman Sea plane spotter!
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Wbirdnut
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Re: Lord Howe Island (on going diary)

Post by Wbirdnut »

Just back from the Cessna 185 taking off.
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Run up and final mag check.
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Estimate flight time seven and a half hours to Christchurch, distance 1,778klms!
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