Hi Guys, on 1 April, the RNZAF turns 80 and last weekend was a commemorative airshow, which I went to. It was significant for a number of reasons; it was the first time the United States Air Force brought combat aircraft (in the form of two F-16s from Misawa AFB Japan with a KC-135 from Kadena and C-17 from Hickam, Hawaii in support) to New Zealand since the early 1980s for starters. Americans on this forum, while your new president might not be doing much to foster confidence in the USA abroad right now, in the USAF, you have one of the best ambassadors around. All I have to say is "Welcome back! - We missed you!" And judging on the crowd's reaction, I'm not the only one who feels that way.
Pilot giving a love heart to the crowd.
Airbus are attempting to sell the A400M to NZ to replace its C-130Hs, but it didn't fly in the display. I caught it landing the day before.
A couple of other movements in anticipation of the show;
Devon - I had to laugh at an American dude who came all the way over to see the show, he said he'd seen everything present except for "that thing! What the hell is it?" pointing at the Devon!
What would a Kiwi airshow be without a Harvard?
Hercky making smoke;
B200 Kingair that landed on the taxiway!;
The morning of the show proper. KC-135. We got aboard this at the end of the night, which was a treat as it wasn't open to the public during the show.
One of the static stars was this otherwise reclusive JASDF KC-767; these guys don't get this far from Japan that often. It was open to the public all day.
The Japanese love their caricatures; very kawai;
Another static 'darling' was these two Singaporean AF F-15E Strike Eagles; Singapore provided quite a showing at the show, with a C-130 in the static also and crowds of young Singaporean crews wandering about. They want to base their F-15Es in NZ because the airspace is uncluttered. Yes please!
More soon.
Pilot giving a love heart to the crowd.
Airbus are attempting to sell the A400M to NZ to replace its C-130Hs, but it didn't fly in the display. I caught it landing the day before.
A couple of other movements in anticipation of the show;
Devon - I had to laugh at an American dude who came all the way over to see the show, he said he'd seen everything present except for "that thing! What the hell is it?" pointing at the Devon!
What would a Kiwi airshow be without a Harvard?
Hercky making smoke;
B200 Kingair that landed on the taxiway!;
The morning of the show proper. KC-135. We got aboard this at the end of the night, which was a treat as it wasn't open to the public during the show.
One of the static stars was this otherwise reclusive JASDF KC-767; these guys don't get this far from Japan that often. It was open to the public all day.
The Japanese love their caricatures; very kawai;
Another static 'darling' was these two Singaporean AF F-15E Strike Eagles; Singapore provided quite a showing at the show, with a C-130 in the static also and crowds of young Singaporean crews wandering about. They want to base their F-15Es in NZ because the airspace is uncluttered. Yes please!
More soon.