This is the place where the majority of the warbird (aircraft that have survived military service) discussions will take place. Specialized forums may be added in the new future
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WIX POST ONE - Operating in exile

Sun Feb 13, 2005 11:22 pm

Well, a certain Mr Parker (Setter) and a certain Mr Patterson (srpatterson) blew into town on Friday and were met by Dave Homewood. Dave then proceeded to give an excellent guided tour of of Aucklands aviation hotspots.
Unfortunately, this crack team of enthusiasts was found on Saturday wandering glassey eyed near a shed on a farm in the middle of nowhere by a reprobate who goes by the name of "hairy", who infiltrated his way into their unit and tagged along for the rest of the weekend, not to mention dinner and drinks on Saturday night. :shock:

The aformentioned "hairy" would now like to take this public opertunity to thank messers Patterson, Parker and Homewood for an excellent and informative time. :D (Sorry about Sunday night I hope you got my message) :oops:

I would also like to thank those who graciously opened their hangers and met with this slowley reddening (lots of sun) group of wandering enthusists. :D

Mon Feb 14, 2005 6:29 am

Hi Hairy,

It was great to have you along mate. I too am very red and sore now, damned sunburn!

For anyone interested I have posted a report onto the Flypast forum of the weekend here
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=38505

Cheers
Dave

Mon Feb 14, 2005 3:21 pm

hi all

See FP is up to the usual tricks .

Having a great time here in NZ - In Wanaka today - Melbourne leg tomorrow - Sincere thanks to Davw and Dave for all their help and company here.

Will Post more when I find a more useable computer.

Regards
John P

Mon Feb 14, 2005 5:47 pm

setter wrote:hi all

See FP is up to the usual tricks .

Having a great time here in NZ - In Wanaka today - Melbourne leg tomorrow - Sincere thanks to Davw and Dave for all their help and company here.

Will Post more when I find a more useable computer.

Regards
John P


Yes, my relaxing Sunday breakfast was disturbed by two gentlemen of somewhat dubious origin who rang me from an Auckland hotel to tell me that it was 10.30 at night there and Kiwi beer was dissapointing but the wine more than made up for it. They apparently knew this because they'd sampled substantial quantities of both product.
After wishing them on their travels and hearing about several museums and restoation facilities they went on their way.
The subject of a Vickers Vincent came up several times and how ****ing big it was and now today I see there's one for sale.
Is it the same aircraft and did a visit from the 2P's (Parker and Patterson) upset the owner so much he decided to quit vintage aviation for good??

Glad you're enjoying it lads.
Best
Andy

Mon Feb 14, 2005 6:24 pm

Hi Andy, the Vincent we visited is not the one for sale.

Big? it no big it @#$%!*& Enormous! :shock:

Mon Feb 14, 2005 6:49 pm

Melbourne was 34+ Deg C yesterday, blue skies and lovely. Today has substituted rain and grey skies in honour or the boys arrival. :D

Tue Feb 15, 2005 2:49 am

A most excellent trip so far. Special thanks to our Kiwi hosts, Dave Homewood, Hairy and Dave McDonald for their welcome company and expert guide skills. I've been relying on the finely honed photographic skills of my traveling companion, Mr. Setter, to document the Antipodean segment of the journey, so my apologies for the poor snaps below. If only Dave's photos on Flypast could be viewed.

Join us next time as Mr. Tweed makes his entrance...stay tuned...

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The Auckland skyline

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The Auckland War Memorial Museum

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Air Chief Marshall Sir Keith Park's uniform and awards

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My First Moa Experience. Taste's like Chicken.

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On our way to the London Bar.

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After the London Bar.

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The Auckland Needle Thingy at Night. No, we didn't bungy jump off the top.

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Dairy Flats Airport

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An A-4 Skyhwak at The R N ZED A F Museum at Christchurch. Who ever heard of zed? Weren't they a band? Zed Lepplin?

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Not as dark as Hendon, with first class displays

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Tue Feb 15, 2005 4:09 am

Steve

A pleasure to meet you ( and John ), I am just sorry you couldn't have spent more time....but hope you can get up Blenheim way in 2006.
Of course after your early morning departure the weather cleared to a beautiful sunny day in Christchurch and upon driving John out to the airport we couldn't but notice that nearly every hotel/motel had a 'Vacancy' sign out ! (had a bit of a hard time finding the boys a room as everything was booked for the flower festival and ...can you believe it...a tractor convention !)

Dave

p.s. 'Zed', as fate would have it, are a Christchurch band who are quite popular and have even had some success in the US..where they call themselves 'Zee' ...as a courtesy for the folks over there that can't speak proper English :lol:

Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:25 am

Great photos Steve. I'm looking forward to many more from yourself, John and others who're on the world tour.

I had never considered before that some may have been reading my many posts on Flypast about the RNZAF as RN Zee AF - that's just silly. Of course it's Zed! :D

I hope Flypast comes up again soon - my thread has many photos and a full report, and I am not writing it all again for here!

I'm very glad you liked the RNZAF Museum. A pity about the Christchurch accommodation - you shouldn't have come during tractor season!

How was Wanaka? Did you get down there ok?

Here are a couple you'll see later on Flypast (hopefully)

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Tue Feb 15, 2005 5:51 am

OK - who's who at the London bar?

Tue Feb 15, 2005 6:00 am

1st photo...Hairy, Dave Homewood, Setter
2nd photo...Hairy, SRP, Dave

Still no word from Setter. My mother's going to be furious if we've lost him.
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