One for my fellow paranoids - Waihopai ECHELON station

[limbimtimwim]

I was looking for the Waihopai station on google maps yesterday, I was
looking because of this article:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/10/14/google_earth_competition_results/

Anyway, I found it:

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=new+zealand&ll=-41.576528,173.738780&spn=0.005284,0.012822&t=h&hl=en

Two odd things about it: Around the Blenhiem region the resolution is
high, higher than the rest of New Zealand by a long way as far as I can
tell anyway. For example, look at Wellington and the best you can make
out is the airport. In contrast; you can see two cars parked in the
Waihopai station car park, trucks on the road. The second odd thing is
if you zoom out a bit (A notch or two) over to the 'left/west' are three
*huge* circles.

Does anyone one have an idea of what these are? Irrigation arms that got too big?

Less interesting, but quite cool is that you can also check out
Woodbourne airbase just to the south west of Blenhiem. There are a
couple of C-130s, maybe a P-3, a prop trainer, and some civvie aircraft
over to the left and maybe the old 'Airforce 1' DC-10 (Is it?)

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=new+zealand&ll=-41.515181,173.872472&spn=0.005457,0.012822&t=h&hl=en

You can also see rows of grapes everywhere.

[DemonWolf]

Those circles are prolly why the resolution is better... someone saw 'em and thought they'd zoooom in? -shrug- Dunno what they are though.. I'm just ramblin

[sAsLEX]

auckland is also in decent resolution for the shore can see my place quite clear, can also see the Navy base clear enough to note the ships that where in that day

can also see the layout of the channel, handy if you ever felt like invading I am sure the states blocks its bases from this close scruitiny

[marty]

the RNZAF operated 2 boeing 727's, both of which were sold off, still flying. the 727 at woodbourne (i think) is used as a training tool only.

they definately weren't 'airforce 1' styles - just a few business class seats, but mostly cattle class, with quick change ability.

[limbimtimwim]

the RNZAF operated 2 boeing 727's, both of which were sold off, still flying. the 727 at woodbourne (i think) is used as a training tool only.
they definately weren't 'airforce 1' styles - just a few business class seats, but mostly cattle class, with quick change ability.Yeah I know, just poking a little fun.

I remember seeing one of those 727's take off from Ohakea once, it left a lovely trail of blake soot.

If my eyesight didn't need correction, I would have joined the AF trying to be a pilot.

I would have loved to have flown those things "TO HELL WITH FUEL ECONOMY" I would have screamed..

[limbimtimwim]

auckland is also in decent resolution for the shore can see my place quite clear, can also see the Navy base clear enough to note the ships that where in that day
can also see the layout of the channel, handy if you ever felt like invading I am sure the states blocks its bases from this close scruitiny Read that register article, there are some pretty cool shots in there.

Seems to be common that armed forces stuff is in high res on that system. I found this way off in the wops of OZ last night too.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=australia&ll=-22.233811,114.088898&spn=0.026983,0.051288&t=k&hl=en

I think this is some AF thing, it's completely deserted.

[marty]

most of the black soot is caused by water/meth injection to get extra thrust. the 72 is a pilots aircraft - clean wing, high thrust/weight.

[sAsLEX]

Read that register article, there are some pretty cool shots in there.

Seems to be common that armed forces stuff is in high res on that system. I found this way off in the wops of OZ last night too.

http://maps.google.com/maps?q=australia&ll=-22.233811,114.088898&spn=0.026983,0.051288&t=k&hl=en

I think this is some AF thing, it's completely deserted.

yeah i did that after, how long is the runway, i know they have spare shuttle landing capable runways somewhere in aus and one on Easter Island as well if the shit hits the fan

[Biff]

Does anyone one have an idea of what these are? Irrigation arms that got too big?

#
I know that the dark circles/shapes you'll see accross certain areas of the UK on Multimap (.com) are in areas where certain types of govt controlled facilities are located.