war birds @ wanaka south island new zealand

[Keith Webb]

Originally Posted by Tony Smith

Yes. Ken, I'm already here. It will be good to catch up on Thurs. I know some MLU lurkers who don't post will also be there, perhaps we can convince them to register?

You're having FAR too much fun!

[Tony Smith]

Originally Posted by Keith Webb

You're having FAR too much fun!

You just don't know HOW much, but if you buy the DVD, you might find out!

Ken it was good to finally catch up and have a chat, but the noise of the F1/11 drowned out lots of places in the conversation in the Mess Tent:
Tony: So, Ken, what CMP's are down your way?
Ken: Oh there's lots! There's a Joker over at ....(Swoosh..ROARrrr!!!).. who's giving a few away. His phone number is .... (Fa Swoosh.. ROARrr!!)..
Tony:

[Tony Smith]

The Viet Nam scenario was also good to watch (particularly out on the Gun Line 50m from the Runway!) Note the MLU Lurker on the left of the picture Have you registered yet, Mr B Jnr?

I don't understand how the A37 Dragonfly was able to deliver the Napalm before it even got to the target? Must have a word to the Pyro's.

[Tony Smith]

But for me, one of the REAL highlights of the show was the live firing display by a P40N Kittyhawk. For the FIRST TIME EVER in the world, a Civil owned Warbird was fitted with 6 fully functioning .50cal Browning Machine Guns and made several firing passes (Firing blank rounds, of course! ) As an added bonus, the Aircraft was painted up in Australian Pacific theatre markings, and just like at Milne Bay in 1942, almost as soon as it got off the ground it was firing away, all guns blazing. Despite "only" using blanks, the 6 guns could together manage to chew through 3,600 rounds per minute, and that is a whole lotta .50cal brass falling from the sky! With each one of them catching the sunlight as they tumbled down, it made for a damn fine sight and sound.
There are a couple of Vids of this display on YouTube, but I can't seem to embed them or link them to this post. Just search for Wanaka P40 2008".
Here's some pics of the Plane loading up, not quite "The Whole Nine Yards" (that was the length of Ammunition belt in a P51 Mustang), but quite a sting just the same. The load of ammo for one display cost NZ$2,500! Why worry about fuel costs?

[zemsi]

... here you go, Tony

Video 17sec

Ripper Sound , a pitty they don't do it in Duxford.

The embedded video doesn't work Don't know why.... And utube is very slow from my end of the world...

[zemsi]

... are the F111's from the Aussie or Kiwi Air Force? I was told at VP-Day 2005 in Canberra that the Aussies are the only ones who still operate them

[Stuart Kirkham]

Originally Posted by zemsi

I was told at VP-Day 2005 in Canberra that the Aussies are the only ones who still operate them

Yes zemsi, that is correct. Unfortunately they are to be retired in the near future.