Auckland - F18 Arrival [Archive]

R6_kid

19th March 2009, 10:08

For those that are interested an F-18 (possibly a few?) will be arriving in Auckland at 2:30pm TODAY. I'm not sure if they are doing anything special over Auckland, but they will most likely have some fun when they arrive at Whenuapai.

I was fortunate enough to see the USAF C-17 arrive last night, and it would be my guess that you will see/hear the C-17 and F-18's getting some practice in today and/or tomorrow for their displays at Saturdays airshow.

nudemetalz

19th March 2009, 12:18

:(:(:(:weep::weep::weep::crybaby::crybaby: :crybaby:
Would love to see that !!!
Please do pics :)

Brett

19th March 2009, 14:56

Where is the airshow? I would love to go.

del-solider

19th March 2009, 15:09

Where is the airshow? I would love to go.

all the info here:
http://www.airforce.mil.nz/operations/whats-on/airshows-opendays/whenuapai-open-day.htm

firefighter

19th March 2009, 15:11

Where is the airshow? I would love to go.

Fuck , you live in a cave? LOL

R6_kid

19th March 2009, 15:33

Well, i was slightly mis-informed. There was a formation flyover of two orions, the 757 and a hercules, followed by two CT4's coming in from cross country and doing a cool break over after a low pass before joining the circuit to land.

At 3.30 the C17 did a practice run of their display routine. All I can say is HOLY SHIT THAT THING GETS IN THE AIR FAST!

The F18's are due to arrive tonight at 8:20pm, so head down to Whenuapai if you are keen to see them come in. I'll try and take the camera down tonight, but will definitely have it with me on Saturday for the actual Airshow.

Gates open at 9am on Saturday, admission is $5.

EatOrBeEaten

19th March 2009, 15:57

I was fortunate enough to see the USAF C-17 arrive last night, .

I was in Albany when that bird came in. Bloody hell!

See you at the airshow mate :D

Hiflyer

19th March 2009, 16:04

you reckon you'll be able to see much at 8.20? will the light still be ok??

Bend-it

19th March 2009, 16:07

firefighter

19th March 2009, 16:20

None of the planes worth watching are NZ Airforce planes!! Who wants to see a C130, Orion or 757 for goodness' sakes!

That's why they had to get the Aussies, Yanks, New Caledonians etc to turn up, so there would be some interesting planes to see...

How bloody pathetic!

Really? You do realise that the RNZAF aircraft go overseas for american, Australian and many other airshows right? (obviously not)

Also, find me a clip of an aircraft such as this being flown this hard, I bet you can't (JATO not counted).....looks worth watching to me!

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Madness

19th March 2009, 16:29

Really? You do realise that the RNZAF aircraft go overseas for american, Australian and many other airshows right? (obviously not)

Also, find me a clip of an aircraft such as this being flown this hard, I bet you can't (JATO not counted).....looks worth watching to me!

That take-off vid looked as if the pilot had bent over to pick up the CD he just dropped on the floor or summin'. Phwoar!!!

imdying

19th March 2009, 16:34

Wow, they took off and then flew it fast over an airfield... you're right, definitely can't top that.

del-solider

19th March 2009, 16:38

Wow, they took off and then flew it fast over an airfield... you're right, definitely can't top that.

ahahah good ol kiwi biker humor:first:

SARGE

19th March 2009, 16:39

right .. im so there tonight to watch the Super Hornets come in ... i think the Hornet Swarm should make an appearance too ...

Fub@r

19th March 2009, 16:46

Will the F-18's be doing an aerial display on Saturday? Can't see them listed in the events

del-solider

19th March 2009, 16:50

Will the F-18's be doing an aerial display on Saturday? Can't see them listed in the events

Yep they definatly will they the highlight of the show. U sure its not on the program?

Hiflyer

19th March 2009, 17:05

4.05pm-4.20pm - RAAF display featuring:

F/A 18 hornet

EJK

19th March 2009, 17:17

It's not another Honda is it?

firefighter

19th March 2009, 17:49

Wow, they took off and then flew it fast over an airfield... you're right, definitely can't top that.

Did ya miss the near vertical angle it takes? Including the one just as it's lifted off the ground? That's the bit you can't top......you are correct, any plane should be able to take off, and fly fast over an airfield........an F111 can do that too, a bit more extreme than what the C17 will be doing :sleep:

mattian

19th March 2009, 19:01

Holy shit. I heard a low flying fighter jet going overhead this arvo. I thought to myself "that cant be the NZ airforce we dont have any fighter jets anymore. " I ran outside to take a look and couldnt see a thing which pretty much confirms it coz, by the time you hear them they've already gone. I live on the Shore, so must have been heading towards Whenuapai way.

discotex

19th March 2009, 19:18

The bugger flew right over my place at low altitude on it's way into land. Holy fuck they're loud even a subsonic speeds :whistle:

sosman

19th March 2009, 19:38

What!.:gob:....only 5 bucks?....count me in & those vid's looked wicked too!

Laava

19th March 2009, 20:25

Last one I went to a couple of years ago, the 757 was very impressive! I had no idea that it would be that good. IMHO

Dragon

19th March 2009, 20:47

Those vids are old the boeing is way faster now that the engine upgrade has been completed.

R6_kid

20th March 2009, 06:38

The fuckers got delayed by their C130 escort. Yes, the F18s were meant to be escorted by a Herk. Then the C130 wasnt able to come yesterday so they departed an hour early than their planned time. Still got to see them turning in to finals though :niceone:

There aren't many/any other airforces that do heavy formations, and as said, now that the 757 has been strengthened and had a power upgrade it should pretty interesting to see in action.

Swoop

20th March 2009, 07:14

Well...
It was a good night for bike-photography at least...<_<

nudemetalz

20th March 2009, 07:51

Please kill this thread !!!
It's depressing me more and more ....... :(:(

imdying

20th March 2009, 11:19

Did ya miss the near vertical angle it takes? Including the one just as it's lifted off the ground? That's the bit you can't top......you are correct, any plane should be able to take off, and fly fast over an airfield........an F111 can do that too, a bit more extreme than what the C17 will be doing :sleep:Yeah, seen it do it in the flesh too... it's a loooong way from near vertical though. Seen too many cool air show tricks for an unladen passenger jet being abused to impress me. Wait till you see an F15 take off on reheat and do a vertical climb till you can't see it... then you'll know what an impressive climb is.... they're a bigger plane that you think.

To be honest, seeing the SR71 in the flesh, not even moving, was a bigger buzz.

R6_kid

20th March 2009, 14:58

Have you seen a C17 doing STOL? I was fucking amazed. Even if it is unladen it still doesn't quite make sense seeing one lift into the air in a 45deg climb after only rolling a couple of hundred metres.

imdying

20th March 2009, 15:25

Don't know why... have you seen the size of the engines on those things??! I love the way the fair dump those C17s on the deck like a brick and pull them up in no time, very classy :yes:

Morcs

20th March 2009, 15:45

The F-18 is making a shite load of noise over my house as we speak. been constant for about 10 minutes now.

The Pastor

20th March 2009, 16:48

someone lied to me and i missed them >_<

Pogo2

20th March 2009, 18:54

I landed at Whenuapai about 1800 in one of the government aircraft that is going to be on show and the Yaks were doing a practise routine. Going to be a good day tomorrow.

Have fun everyone.

Brett

20th March 2009, 19:17

Fuck , you live in a cave? LOL

Yep, I sure have been the past 2 or so weeks! But fighters are onething worth emerging for, I love them more than bikes....

Swoop

21st March 2009, 16:01

Very noice indeed!

Was hit by the jetblast as the F-18 opened the taps!
Great show.
#1, 2 & 3: C-17.
#4: Suspended load underneath a Huey. Was dropped from several hundred feet up!
#5: C-130 on steep approach to land.
#6: NZ's fourth largest airline.

Swoop

21st March 2009, 16:07

Certainly wouldn't have wanted to have travelled by a 4-wheeled contrivance today...:lol::oi-grr::calm:

Had a long chat with an ex Air Force officer(Retd). Sunderlands up to Singapore, knowledge on TSR2, etc. Darned interesting chap!

#1: After the breakoff, C-130 about to land with 757 turning onto final.
The rest: F-18 Hornet.

The Hornet was so quiet sitting at idle, you could have put a vaccum cleaner in it's place and the noise would have been about the same. Slightly different noise when he twisted the throttle though!

skidMark

21st March 2009, 16:15

Oh god dammit.... now i find the thread... :blank::doh:

skidMark

21st March 2009, 16:17

Yep, I sure have been the past 2 or so weeks! But fighters are onething worth emerging for, I love them more than bikes....

The only thing better than a fighter or just any bike.... is

A FIGHTERED BIKE :niceone:

Gwinch

21st March 2009, 17:07

Went along, took a few pictures. Just some random ones of planes that Swoop hasn't already posted.

Gwinch

21st March 2009, 17:09

... and some more

Indiana_Jones

21st March 2009, 17:17

Wow. So that's what an airforce looks like.

Time we got one here?

-Indy

portokiwi

21st March 2009, 17:24

:eek: I saw them fly over the house many times.
Soooo cool:niceone:

pete376403

21st March 2009, 20:13

Had a long chat with an ex Air Force officer(Retd). Sunderlands up to Singapore, knowledge on TSR2, etc. Darned interesting chap!

I used to work with chap who was a toolmaker on the TSR2 project. I recall him telling me how heartbreaking it was to have to cut up all the jigs and tools they had made when the project was scrapped - a political decision to purchase US built aircraft at a good price, but part of the deal was the TSR2 (Tactical Strike & Reconnaisance) could not go ahead. I believe there was at least one flying prototype.

ManDownUnder

21st March 2009, 20:23

Certainly wouldn't have wanted to have travelled by a 4-wheeled contrivance today...:lol::oi-grr::calm:

2 1/2 hours to leave the air force base... yee fucken har... "parking is free" they said - till you add up the price of fuel...!

Nice to see the FA18 going through it;s paces though- Jesus... I'm in love!

cs363

21st March 2009, 20:36

I used to work with chap who was a toolmaker on the TSR2 project. I recall him telling me how heartbreaking it was to have to cut up all the jigs and tools they had made when the project was scrapped - a political decision to purchase US built aircraft at a good price, but part of the deal was the TSR2 (Tactical Strike & Reconnaisance) could not go ahead. I believe there was at least one flying prototype.

TSR2 - lovely plane, especially given it was designed 50 years ago! I understand there were 2 prototypes that flew before the project was canned, this is a pic of the restored one at Duxford, UK:
http://static.panoramio.com/photos/original/1443688.jpg

For those that are interested here's another pic of the plane flying and another shot of one being cut up :shit: , the 'links' page on this site has some good links to more info :) http://www.stevebroadbent.net/tsr2memories.html

cs363

21st March 2009, 20:37

Swoop

21st March 2009, 20:59

2 1/2 hours to leave the air force base... yee fucken har...
Doh!
I wonder how many attended the show?

After the Hornet touched down (whatever time that was? 4-10??) I pootled back to the motorway and was at home having a cold beer at 4-30!:first:

TSR2 - lovely plane, especially given it was designed 50 years ago! I understand there were 2 prototypes that flew
Unfortunately there was only one that flew. XR219. Several other pre-production airframes were almost ready to fly when the entire programme was murdered.

Fub@r

22nd March 2009, 07:48

2 1/2 hours to leave the air force base... yee fucken har... "parking is free" they said - till you add up the price of fuel...!

Nice to see the FA18 going through it;s paces though- Jesus... I'm in love!

No problem for me on the bike :) I knew the traffic would be crap, always has been when the airshow is on.

So talked the wife out of going and threw my son on the back of the bike :). From Massey it took me 20 minutes each way.

Doh!
I wonder how many attended the show?

They are saying over 50,000

My highlights were the american transport plane..........man that thing can stop when it lands and of course the F18. My wife could hear the F18 from our place in Massey when it was doing its thing.

Was amused standing at the fence and hearing kids asking their parents why NZ doesn't have planes like that and then hearing the parents responses :)

Swoop

22nd March 2009, 09:06

They are saying over 50,000

My highlights were the american transport plane..........man that thing can stop when it lands
Just read that in the Harold as well. Not a bad turnout.

The chap I was talking with, said the C-17 was flown by a female pilot. She certainly knows how to chuck it around the sky!!

Pussy

22nd March 2009, 09:13

Just read that in the Harold as well. Not a bad turnout.

The chap I was talking with, said the C-17 was flown by a female pilot. She certainly knows how to chuck it around the sky!!

I hope she got all the housework done before she went out pissing about in the aeroplane.....

Swoop

22nd March 2009, 09:18

I hope she got all the housework done before she went out pissing about in the aeroplane.....
There were comments being passed around the crowd, when she started reversing the thing...:sweatdrop

gijoe1313

22nd March 2009, 09:47

Cor lumme guv'nor, looks a right stonking day out at the field - would have loved to see the Hornet in action :msn-wink: but doing the Coast to Coast ride (and gijoe1313 being gijoe1313 chose riding as per natural inclination)

Ta muchly for the snappies, 'tis appreciated by those who luvvie these thingagummies and whatnots! :yes:

Now, if only a warthog and a P38 and a Mosquito and a Henkel129 and a corsair and a Mitchell and a .... :innocent:

R6_kid

22nd March 2009, 10:04

A few pics from the day as I saw it.

R6_kid

22nd March 2009, 10:12

And some more for good measure.

BuFfY

22nd March 2009, 12:05

It was a very good day, lovely weather, lots of people, and lovely planes to look at.
What amazed me the most was how the huge planes could take off on such a small run way, and then land on it again! Goshes!

The helicopters were amazing too.

I am very glad we went on the bike, traffic was terrible. Almost as terrible as the lines for the food!!!

paturoa

22nd March 2009, 12:34

The F18 was fecking loud! Brilliant day.

2 1/2 hours to leave the air force base... yee fucken har... "parking is free" they said - till you add up the price of fuel...!

I took the spawn in the cage, and when we went to leave it was just STUPID. Hundreds of cages and nothing moving.

I noticed while waiting in a stationary queue, that someone had pulled one of the plastic traffic barriers apart between the main car park and the "official" area, so they could get a kiddies wheel chair through.

hmmmm

So I drove the cage thru the gap, and left via the official's exit. Took no more than about 5 minutes and that was only at a road intersection.

Brett

22nd March 2009, 12:41

Man, what an awesome day! The C17 really is quite an amazing cargo plane that is for sure, and the F18 is one of the planes I have wanted to see flying all of my life.

Some piccies to come. Unfortuanatly I was a a noob and didnt charge the camera battery before the event and the battery went flat as the F18 came out.

Devil

22nd March 2009, 20:36

2 1/2 hours to leave the air force base... yee fucken har... "parking is free" they said - till you add up the price of fuel...!

Nice to see the FA18 going through it;s paces though- Jesus... I'm in love!

You must have picked the wrong exit, it only took us 1hr 45 to get to the gate. hah. What a nightmare!

Damn good show though. Looking forward to the next one. I love loud things :) Gotta love the F18. Wish the skyhawks were still going :(