A sad day at Wigram

[dangerous]

Well... being aviation minded, Wigram has been a homely site and place to go. From being in the ATC #17sq to flying in from Oz and seeing the aerodrome spreading out below the port hills, the sealed air strip spanning across a large feild and the ww2 barracks, hangers and tower standing out like dogs balls.
Wigram has seen a lot of people entertained from aircraft shows to car and bike race meets as far as Im concerned wigram is synonamous with christchurch.

Today is the airshow day commemorating the closure of the airfield thanks to a group of people that didnt want the land when it was a swamp. Only flyers will know what I mean when a DC3 or P51 flys over and the hair on the back of ya neck stands to attention, to sit in my back yard and watch a aerobatic display is very sobering.
Well at the end of the month it will be no more, so I'm kinda saddened by watching all these aircraft going through the passes today knowing that the area I live in will be silenced from such rare aircraft.

[Jantar]

Very sad indeed. I learnt to fly at wigram and have many fond memories of the base. Even a forced run around the perimiter doesn't seem so bad now looking back on it. :oi-grr:

[portokiwi]

:2thumbsup Another ex ATC per:2thumbsup I was 41 sq.
I loved the baggies bar there and the sports bar spent many a night there.
:( Was sad when it closed down.

[Sully60]

I was 22 Sq ATC and did my live and work at Wigram.
Got a ride in a Iroqouis and did maintainence on those and the Bell 47's.(quite the experience for a sixteen year old!)

Even managed to sneek out one night to go see Terminator 2 at the Hornby? theatre. Couldn't do that at Ohakea!

I loved everyday I spent there, especially when the Wellington squadrons came down to play 17 at Rugby, what a one sided affair that was.

'Tis a sad day indeed, sometimes progress isn't neccessarily positive:(

[Pogo2]

Ex ATC here as well (3 Sqn) but I never got to Wigram for a course or anything. Did however go to the Museum - great from memory. My most vivid memory was the verse below a bent (silver?) propellor. Cant remember the exact words but it had a very profound effect on me at the time. Can anyone recall what is said?

"Per Adua Ad Astra"

[Pussy]

I wouldn't mind knowing the figures of how many pilots have been trained at Wigram. I have only visited once.... felt I could spend a week in the museum!

[gatch]

lawl !! atc n00bs :p

I tried my hand in the air force, only lasted 19 months before i was given the boot for being a cunt, but in that time we went to chch to wigram and west melton.

It just about broke my heart to see wigram so deprived of money they had to scavenge left-over aluminium from the other RNZAF bases for simple things like re-skinning the planes they have on display, now you mean to say the whole place is to be shut down ??

good work nz government, bunch of cocks

[gatch]

"Per Adua Ad Astra"

"through struggle to the stars"

[dangerous]

, now you mean to say the whole place is to be shut down ??

good work nz government, bunch of cocks sorta... the musume is staying and the airfields going to become marae, if you know what I mean.

[portokiwi]

does that meen no more bucket racing on the run way???

[Pogo2]

"through struggle to the stars"

Glad to see that 19 months of training did not go to waste?:woohoo:

Try this one

"Nulli Secundus" - hint think green

PS does RAF really mean Real Air Force

[Sully60]

"Per Adua Ad Astra"

I never quite made that rank:crybaby:

[FJRider]

i have visited that place as a kid, watching the motoracing (The PDL Mustang was my favourite) the Lady Wigram Trophy, running Formula 5000 cars...

To flying in and out of there as adult ARMY passenger in various RNZAF aircraft...

A sad day indeed...

[FJRider]

"Per Adua Ad Astra"

Actually ... "Per Ardua Ad Astra"

[cold comfort]

Well... being aviation minded, Wigram has been a homely site and place to go. From being in the ATC #17sq to flying in from Oz and seeing the aerodrome spreading out below the port hills, the sealed air strip spanning across a large feild and the ww2 barracks, hangers and tower standing out like dogs balls.
Wigram has seen a lot of people entertained from aircraft shows to car and bike race meets as far as Im concerned wigram is synonamous with christchurch.

Today is the airshow day commemorating the closure of the airfield thanks to a group of people that didnt want the land when it was a swamp. Only flyers will know what I mean when a DC3 or P51 flys over and the hair on the back of ya neck stands to attention, to sit in my back yard and watch a aerobatic display is very sobering.
Well at the end of the month it will be no more, so I'm kinda saddened by watching all these aircraft going through the passes today knowing that the area I live in will be silenced from such rare aircraft.

Well, i'll be :buggerd: I also was in the ATC, in Nelson (which encouraged me to get a pilots licence) and my son briefly attended at Wigram. I grew up in ChCh and fondly remember the 'Lady Wigram Trophy races" as a kid. The gliding clubs will be gutted and a sad day for aviation enthusiasts all round.

[FJRider]

I never quite made that rank:crybaby:

I made "FIRE crew" in Papakura ....once....

[Sully60]

I made "FIRE crew" in Papakura ....once....

I think I know who may have been responsible for that:whistle:

[gatch]

sorta... the musume is staying and the airfields going to become marae, if you know what I mean.

thats uber gay

[gatch]

Glad to see that 19 months of training did not go to waste?:woohoo:

Try this one

"Nulli Secundus" - hint think green

PS does RAF really mean Real Air Force

nulli secundus would be something like "second to none" ?

lol and yes that's what RAF means, ours should be RNZRF or BF (repair force or beer force), the pome's actually have aircraft that go bang bang bang and make sonic booms from time to time, our's go bang, BANG and then need to find somewhere to land cause another engine has shit itself.

out of 19 months there all i got was liver damage, a bank loan and a sweet uniform i could wear to parties and use to pull girls..

Pogo try this one "dieu et mon droit",
i think thats how it was written

[James Deuce]

I will miss it for a completely different reason.

Look at the list of winners.

The '50s, '60s, and 70s reads like a who's who of Formula 1 racing.

http://www.canterburycarclub.co.nz/extras/Lady_Wigram.php

[Skyryder]

The land at Wigram was 'gifted' to the people of Christchurch and later commandered by the Govt for military purposes. It was because of its unique status that racing and gliding and skydiving was allowed to occur on a military base.

The land should have been gifted back to the people of Christchurch when th Govt had no further use for it but under the agreement with Ngh Tahu govt land was given back by way of treaty issues.

There's a lot of pissed off people in Christchurch becasue of this.


Skyryder.

[Bren]

There's a lot of pissed off people in Christchurch becasue of this.


Skyryder.

Not just in Christchurch my friend, anyone who has any connection at all with Wigram is gonna be pissed off...

The Lady Wigram days were great, the air shows also over CHCH were good too...I am gutted at what has happened.


Fuck it, why dont they give Whenuapai to the Mob!

[nudemetalz]

I'll miss it too :(

All the Wings and Wheels events I went to, I was in the ATC many moons ago also.
Even the bucket racing I did back in '88-'90.
I remember back in 1990 racing my GSX-R400 down the main runway on one of the "bring your road bike" club days.

Memories....now sad ones.

No more P-51, DC-3 and Cat..... sux big time.
Well done NZ Government :bash:

[Pogo2]

nulli secundus would be something like "second to none" ?
Pogo try this one "dieu et mon droit",
i think thats how it was written

Good effort - 'Second to None' Coldstream Guards, Household Division with reference to being the second regiment of the Guards Division "behind" the Grenadier Guards


I think "By god I am right" or if spoke by a W/O "My God I'm right"

My memory is fading faster that I care to remember!

Pogo2
FLTLT Rtd

[Pogo2]

Actually ... "Per Ardua Ad Astra"

A slip of the keyboard.

Well spotted FJR

[Sully60]

I think "By god I am right" or if spoke by a W/O "My God I'm right"

My memory is fading faster that I care to remember!

Pogo2
FLTLT Rtd

Seemed different WO to WO, the version I remember was: "God I'm so right"

Here's a name for the ex ATC peeps:FLT SGT Scotty Mocham(sp) If you've met him you will remember.

[Jantar]

Seemed different WO to WO, the version I remember was: "God I'm so right"

Here's a name for the ex ATC peeps:FLT SGT Scotty Mocham(sp) If you've met him you will remember.Or if its the WO I remember it was "I'm God, so I'm right."

[SARGE]

when they "decommissioned" the USS Greyback off the Phillipine islands it struck home .. i served on that ship for a while ..

also when they shut down part of Parris Island in South Carolina .. i got a jar full of sand from my Platoon area and when they did the same to Subic Bay i had a mate send me a brick from our old barracks


maybe you need to go out there and ask if you can grab yourself a memento of some kind .. doesn't have to be anything valuable.. maybe just a jar of dirt or an old sign


i am a firm believer in "Vibes"



sorta... the musume is staying and the airfields going to become marae, if you know what I mean.



Low Income Housing?

[dangerous]

The land at Wigram was 'gifted' to the people of Christchurch and later commandered by the Govt for military purposes. It was because of its unique status that racing and gliding and skydiving was allowed to occur on a military base.

The land should have been gifted back to the people of Christchurch when th Govt had no further use for it but under the agreement with Ngh Tahu govt land was given back by way of treaty issues.

There's a lot of pissed off people in Christchurch becasue of this.


Skyryder.

didnt want it when it was a bloody swamp did they :calm:


The Orion just flew over with the 757 up its arse, full noise what a sound.

[gatch]

seems to be many different variations here, loosely translated its either "god on my right", or "god and my right"..

but yes, my sq wo said it best "to you little bastards it means 'im god and im right'"

[FJRider]

Or if its the WO I remember it was "I'm God, so I'm right."

I have seen Base Commanders back down to Base Warrant officers...

[FJRider]

Low Income Housing?

Building a housing area ... within 5 km's from the square... low income housing... highly unlikely... watch this space...

[ajturbo]

frig me... i was also in the ATC... in Oamaru....

but i will alway remember bucket racing there... especial when two of my faster racers, over took me ( rear thing back in the day... tui add there..)
one on the left and one on the right... both gave me HEAPS of room... they were neck and neck.. all be it about 20m apart.... going into a hair pin.... these two took the same line.....
yep they crashed into each other hahahahah

i over took them , waving... trying to stay on the bike from laughing so much.....

[portokiwi]

:lol: ATC reunion:lol:

[Pogo2]

The best 18 years of my life, not to mention 2 yrs TF (RNZA) - Papakura transit barrack miss them - Yeah right!

[WarrenW]

I started racing there, and glider flying, shame - gutted etc....

[R6_kid]

My mother served at Wigram back in the day in the 'Womans Air Force' before women were properly integrated into the RNZAF. We visited there in 2001, the DC3 there is the airframe my dad learnt his trade of Aircraft Tech on in the 1970's. My mum was quite upset, seeing all the barracks and other typical air force styled buildings gone, so she's not too happy now that there will be no aviation there at all anymore.

[Swoop]

...........

[Oakie]

didnt want it when it was a bloody swamp did they

I think it would only be polite to return it to them in the swampy manner we found it all those years ago. That's the ethical thing to do when you borrow something isn't it?

[Oakie]

Did they have a Catalina there today? I'm sure one flew over our place at about 6pm.

[cooneyr]

Never been ATC etc but a part time plane nut. Agree that it is a sad day. Obviously don't know what I'm talking about but I watched the P51 do tail stalls and other "manoeuvres" for about 30 mins from home on last Thursday night (over Avonhead way). Love the sound of the Merlin and Griffon.

Cheers R

[dangerous]

Did they have a Catalina there today? I'm sure one flew over our place at about 6pm. Yip its been flying around all week, that and a DC3 in RAF/RNZAF colours and the P51 has been up most days of the week giving flights to those that can aford it LOL

[eelracing]

The best 18 years of my life, not to mention 2 yrs TF (RNZA) - Papakura transit barrack miss them - Yeah right!

I went and had a look at my old Papakura camp while up that way this weekend and sad to say the old place is now an overgrown dump.Its actually not a nice feeling seeing an old stomping ground in that kind of state.

[Ocean1]

Yand the P51 has been up most days of the week giving flights to those that can aford it LOL

Few sounds wobble the collies quite as thoroughly as a full noise low altitude P51 flyover. Just stunning.

[Pussy]

Few sounds wobble the collies quite as thoroughly as a full noise low altitude P51 flyover. Just stunning.

Gotta agree with that! A Packard Merlin driving a dirty big Hamilton Standard.... a VERY sweet sound!

[AllanB]

Noisier than a Harley ho-down in Halswell today!

I've seen plans for lots of new roads there - residential and commercial. Probably the best use for valued land.......... wonder if anyone will want it back in 150 years...........:shutup:

[FJRider]

Gotta agree with that! A Packard Merlin driving a dirty big Hamilton Standard.... a VERY sweet sound!

Imagine being on the recieving end of their guns at the same time...

[Mully Clown]

I spent the day out at the airfield. Very sad to see it go.

Were some good displays to be seen, both static and flying. Would've gone for a fly in the Harvard if I'd had cash on me.

[gammaguy]

as a past member of the Wigram Motor Sports club,and a keen racer on that awesome airfield circuit,I fully lament its closing.

[sAsLEX]

I have seen Base Commanders back down to Base Warrant officers...

Always pick your battles wisely.


Few sounds wobble the collies quite as thoroughly as a full noise low altitude P51 flyover. Just stunning.

Was in Scotland up in Glencoe climbing the side of a hill when an old warbird(sorry not a spotter) came roaring up the valley nice and low, glorious sound!

Then two minutes odd later a modern jet came up the valley as well, lower than the old bird but considerably faster, now that was a sound!


And watching F14s launching off Abraham Lincoln from a mile away was awesome as well...

[dangerous]

Noisier than a Harley ho-down in Halswell today!

I've seen plans for lots of new roads there - residential and commercial. Probably the best use for valued land.......... wonder if anyone will want it back in 150 years...........:shutup:

Yip In Halswell too, the area will me much quiter now even the sound of that anoying cesna the jumpers use will be missed... spose theres always the increasing arse holes boy racers to listen to at midnight.

in 150yrs you reckon the NZ GVT will want the land back... doubt it to many bloody doo gooders about Im afaraid, in 150yrs the GVT wont have any land and we whities will be in the boil up.

[mikeey01]

So the decision to close Wigram was made last year, many people asked why?

Well our local ewi (tribe) (great promoter of racial tension) made the decision because it's theirs!
Under the present legislation they get first offer on all land not being used by the crown or land the crown longer requires.

So Nai Tahu (wankers) jumped at this and stepped in boots and all many years ago, everyone who used Wigram (business) was given a tenant agreement which contained one effective thing, a gagging clause.

A few years roll by...
How do you get rid of leases / tenants over the years? Easy follow history, by putting the rentals & costs up and up to a point where most people / business could not afford nor justify the massive price increase per square metre. Thus most left...
example: plane storage costs, big plane big space, all costs for that floor area are covered and paid for by big plane. park a plane under the wing of big plane the wankers wanted to double dip!
costs to store a plane alone have gone up by 500%.

A few more years roll by, now to mid last year.....
The excuse for development (greed) to the council was "The Airfield has no furture economic use as an airfield" now they'd hiked the prices up so much there's only a hand full of tenants left... great case to present to the council and the council had no choice but to approve the development. (enter gagging clause)
I know of four businesses that did not want it to close, were happy to sign a ten + year agreement, however effectively the tribe were kicking them out.

So is it greed or business sense?
I have recently heard that several developers have been approached to see if they are interested in doing so, developing parts of it, to my knowledge not one of them have responded with an acceptance!
Does this mean it's going to close and they are left with empty paddocks? I fucken hope so!
Soon I would say more cattle and sheep are going to be all over the air field, no one is interested nor has the capital to develop something of this scale at the moment.

Although the local tribe seem to be able to pull out the open cheque book now and then, I think they too are struggling a little for cash flow. (another hand out from government coming perhaps?)

Where's the business sense so far? They had plenty of tenants, easily the most accessible airfield in new zealand, massive potential and served as a great emergency back up for Harewood.
Now they've got no developers to develop the land, surely this now means "No future economic use" surely?

As a regular user of the air field I am saddened by what I have seen and heard from many over the last six plus years, there appears to be NO valid reason to close it, I am also pissed off as it appears to be nothing other than greed! There is no need for more houses at present in Christchurch, Wigram serves as a massive rain soak, think about this one for a second..... where is the water going to go now?

I am aware of an historic places trust application was put in for Wigram, (they do bridges for christ sake why not an air base?) It was swept under the carpet!
Fuck I hope they find bones somewhere on the airfield, something tells me this will be swept under the carpet as well.

There were many tenants on base, paying their leases and rentals whom were happy to stay but none of them can say a thing about it publicly, protest it, nor stop it through the courts.
Of course this all ended back at the council again, meetings took place etc with proof, those Muppets didn't seem to care and after the reception they all received from the council many are certain there will be some holding their hand/s out for a little kick back or back hander?
Of course this goes on in councils, proving it is another matter!

FUCK NAI TAHU, your nothing but a bunch of wankers.
In less than three weeks (apart from a couple of air movements after this date) the silence on base will be deafening, Good bye Wigram!

[JMemonic]

Only flyers will know what I mean when a DC3 or P51 flys over and the hair on the back of ya neck stands to attention, to sit in my back yard and watch a aerobatic display is very sobering.


Why only fliers, try having spent the formative years of you life living in Oaklands, my favourite sound is that of a Harvard going inverted that wind down sound they make just as they invert followed but the wind up sound as the come out.

Sad day indeed but typical of the successive governments strategy's, close what is working and spend even more money to get a lesser field built up to the same standard.

[alley cat]

I west out for a look yest. It was totally awesome.
Fuck the nai tahu.
Ohhhhhhh those yummy planes. sob sob.

[Swoop]

Unfortunately it is not "just Wigram" that has been an issue.
The Royal Navy pottered around the globe and always claimed prime real estate for bases for their ships, which normally got handed onto whatever Banana Republic that country became.
Airfields were a victim of their own success. The transportation they provided caused infrastructure to grow around the field, that also needed housing for the personnel.
Heathrow and Hong Kong are classic examples.
Just watch as Christchurch slowly gets built out...

[dangerous]

FUCK NAI TAHU, your nothing but a bunch of wankers.
In less than three weeks (apart from a couple of air movements after this date) the silence on base will be deafening, Good bye Wigram!

REP REP REP give the man GREEN REP... :scooter:

[Pogo2]

Just saw on the news RNZAF Shelly Bay was officially handed back to the locals.

Although it closed many years ago, its sad to see another one go down the gurgler.

Shelly Bay - an air force base without a runway, just like Te Rapa!

[Sully60]

Just saw on the news RNZAF Shelly Bay was officially handed back to the locals.

Although it closed many years ago, its sad to see another one go down the gurgler.

Shelly Bay - an air force base without a runway, just like Te Rapa!

Ha, ever sailed on HMNZS Irirangi?

[Skyryder]

Ha, ever sailed on HMNZS Irirangi?

Only on the airwaves.


Skyryder

[Sully60]

Only on the airwaves.


Skyryder

You're on to it!
Quite the ironic geographical location though.

[Swoop]

You're on to it!
Quite the ironic geographical location though.
The atmospheric conditions dictated the location.
Shame about the climate:crazy: (handy to the RNZNASC though...)

[speedpro]

In total I probably did a couple of years there, at 2TTS plus a bit of other training. Have done a few laps of the Lady Wigram cct on a GS1000 some of it 2-up after my brother tossed his days old Yam XJ550 on bomb dump corner and wasn't able to take the girly for a ride. I've done a few running laps of the airfield and occasionally taken a short cut straight across when it's cold and foggy. I've crashed my Z1 on the turn up to #2 officers mess, been (permanently)banned from driving or being driven on base after a little problem with police, police dogs, failing to stop, all exits blocked, all duty personnel dragged out of bed incl. the base adj, etc etc. I think my brother Douglas has been banned from driving on Wigram as well, and Te Rapa. He was chasing a rabbit round the rugby field, pissed, on his CB900, at night. The last bucket GP there I was the winner with Ziffle 2nd. My liver seems OK but there are a few brain cells that are struggling. Spending a few nights in the WAAF barracks was always good fun for obvious reasons. Quite surprising how many guys were walking back to barracks in the morning. All good times, playing sport, drinking, fast bikes, chasing women, and mates you can rely on 100%.

I'm sad to see it go, lots of good memories.

[FJRider]

Ha, ever sailed on HMNZS Irirangi?

Its a good run from the bow to the stern :sweatdrop

[dangerous]

Its a good run from the bow to the stern :sweatdrop

What! cape pailiser to cape reinga

[98tls]

Many fond memories of the place when a kid,like you say very sad.

[Daffyd]

I wasn't involved with the ATC or Air Force, but as a kid there was always an annual pilgrimage to the Lady Wigram car racing.

Always involved travelling up on the Friday, staying with an aunt for the three nights and home again on Monday.

I recall the late Ken Wharton with that awesome V16 BRM running out of gas metres from the finish line while well ahead of the opposition and pushing the beast over the line to finish third. He was killed in a horrific crash in a Monza Ferrari at Ardmore the following year.

I still treasure the memories of that place.

[notme]

In case anyone wanted photos.....

Most of these were taken from the comfort of the couch which had been moved outside for the (stunning) weekend. I ventured all the way across the road on the Friday and stood under the Hercules as it did the assault approach then landed......now THAT was a sphincter puckering experience....last photo in this post. NO WAY does a photo do justice to a frickin Herc passing metres above your head. And shit they stop quick, his runout was not even 1/3 the length of the runway!

[notme]

and some more.

[notme]

last one.....

[FJRider]

What! cape pailiser to cape reinga

HMNZS Irirangi is in ...around Waiouru. It is a land based "ship" of navy control. Radio recievers/transmitters for military use... secret squirrel stuff. Entrance to these areas need higher security clearance than I ever achieved...

[98tls]

HMNZS Irirangi is in ...around Waiouru. It is a land based "ship" of navy control. Radio recievers/transmitters for military use... secret squirrel stuff. Entrance to these areas need higher security clearance than I ever achieved... Thats webbed feet for ya.

[dangerous]

HMNZS Irirangi is in ...around Waiouru. It is a land based "ship" of navy control. Radio recievers/transmitters for military use... secret squirrel stuff. Entrance to these areas need higher security clearance than I ever achieved...

I know... and you said
Its a good run from the bow to the stern :sweatdrop

so I said
What! cape pailiser to cape reinga

which in dangerese means the north Is is the ship so cape pailiser must be the stern and cape reinga the bow

[FJRider]

Thats webbed feet for ya.

Nahhh ... it was the six fingers on each hand that did it...

[FJRider]

I know... and you said

so I said

which in dangerese means the north Is is the ship so cape pailiser must be the stern and cape reinga the bow

Whatever... Waiouru is still a silly place to park a ship... where ever the "ends" are...
My only regret was that the Navy chicks there, were too smart to have anything to do with Army grunts... far too smart...or was it my aftershave...???

[Swoop]

My only regret was that the Navy chicks there, were too smart to have anything to do with Army grunts... far too smart...or was it my aftershave...???

Did you manage to meet any "Waiouru Blondes" though??? Baarbra was well known.:buggerd:

[dangerous]

Wigrams ALIVE...

Well theres a faint heart beat and I have no idea what its about, right now the Red Checkers are running through routens smoke included WOW that was a close flyby... choppers have been flying in and out all day and yesterday an Iroquois was buzzing around, sudenly Halswell is alive just like it used to be before bloody Nai Tahu took over :angry:

[notme]

And I don't live across the road anymore, bugger! Did see the DC3 fly over a while ago, and was wondering what that was all about.

[dangerous]

And I don't live across the road anymore, bugger! Did see the DC3 fly over a while ago, and was wondering what that was all about.It often flys in and out of an airfield near Darfield, it has been sitting at Chch inter for the last week or so. Usually bassed in Ashburton I think.

[notme]

It often flys in and out of an airfield near Darfield, it has been sitting at Chch inter for the last week or so. Usually bassed in Ashburton I think.

It's a work of art, innit? I popped out of the garage when I heard it, because straight away I knew it wasn't the usual 737 going over. It pulled some pretty steep turns too - wonder if they were exercising it or just showing sightseers the view?

[jasonu]

The land at Wigram was 'gifted' to the people of Christchurch and later commandered by the Govt for military purposes. It was because of its unique status that racing and gliding and skydiving was allowed to occur on a military base.

The land should have been gifted back to the people of Christchurch when th Govt had no further use for it but under the agreement with Ngh Tahu govt land was given back by way of treaty issues.

There's a lot of pissed off people in Christchurch becasue of this.


Skyryder.

Might have known the bloody maoris had something to do with it! Porbably end up like the Raglan golf course and become a big weedy eyesore.

[fuknKIWI]

I too am ex ATC (school cadets) spent many a day there & fuknLOVED IT.
Sad to see "progress" taking its toll.
Sda to think that NZ is so much a lesser country than the one I knew 20+ years ago.

[Swoop]

Did see the DC3 fly over a while ago, and was wondering what that was all about.
I believe that there is a 70th(75th??) anniversary of the DC3 coming up very soon. Wonder if there is some connection?

[Grubber]

i have visited that place as a kid, watching the motoracing (The PDL Mustang was my favourite) the Lady Wigram Trophy, running Formula 5000 cars...

To flying in and out of there as adult ARMY passenger in various RNZAF aircraft...

A sad day indeed...

My God.....where did you sit? ..I was there too.
Used to love the day at wigram trophy race.
Had a friend (Neil Doyle) who raced Formula 5000 there many times.
PDL Mustang was THE CAR for sure.

[Bald Eagle]

Used to sit in uncles office in one of the hangars ( he was in engineering ) and watch the Lady Wigram motor races

Was there again in '96 training Fire service Recruits for 3 months, will be a shame to see it turned into the Otara of CHCH