So, to wind up this wee commemoration, my colleagues went home last Thursday in the Dragon. It's a beautiful aeroplane and was a privilege to see it here. The presence of the Dragon at the fuel bowser brought a few rubberneckers, it was good to see interest from the normal airport patronage though. The interior, and saying goodbye to the old fella up the front.
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The heart-shaped instrument panel on the forward bulkhead.
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Time for a few photos of aeroplanes before leaving. This is my friend the editor of the magazine I write for copping some last minute shots for the record.
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Start-up is done the traditional way using the Armstrong method.
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Departure imminent.
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They don't make 'em like this any more - wood panelling and fabric covering evident in this view.
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Holding at the taxiway entrance for permission to cross airside.
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"Clear to cross taxiway Alpha, hold at Alpha Five..."
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"Holding at Alpha Five..."
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"Clear take-off Runway Two Zero..."
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It took them an hour to reach Kapiti in the North Island, which was good timing; on the way down it took the Dragon an hour and a half to get to NSN from Kapiti. Following that, the next stop was New Plymouth for refueling the self-loading cargo...
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I can't see the old fella making that journey again in a hurry, so it was a treasure to see the old girl here as it frequently visited NSN as a scheduled passenger liner. Perhaps I have captured the last departure of the Taniwha from NSN? I suspect so, but I hope not.
Thanks for looking.