Classic Fighters Airshow, Blenheim, Easter Weekend

**nadroj** · 8th April 2007, 16:22

I watched & took a few pics of the Yaks doing their routine practice up here last week. How did it look on show day? It is amazing how much time & effort they put in before they are ready for a public outing.

**SVboy** · 8th April 2007, 17:19

Big ups to FQ and mr S-we had a tricky ride home and I appreciated their support. Night, rain and glare on SH 1 just aint fun. Thanks to the guy on the Honda , I think, who stopped to say Hi at one stage.
Mr S summed it all up with his write up. Never thought I would see 7 Fokker triplanes, a neuport or two and a sopwith camel sharing the same airspace!
Anyway-good trip[mostly!!] and learned heaps.......!

**far queue** · 8th April 2007, 20:12

Originally Posted by nadroj

I watched & took a few pics of the Yaks doing their routine practice up here last week. How did it look on show day?

Missed the Yaks, they were on just before we arrived.

**far queue** · 8th April 2007, 20:15

Here's some pics ...

1. A gaggle of Triplanes
2. and again
3. Triplane
4. Game on ... a Nieuport about to come to a sticky end
5. Pfalz D3
6. Camel

**far queue** · 8th April 2007, 20:17

... and some more ...

7. Corsair
8. Corsair
9. P40
10. Caribou ... note the crew member sitting in the cargo bay waving
11. Obligatory Red Checkers display
12. A pair of these would've been handy for taking out those high beam headlights on the way home.

**miSTa** · 8th April 2007, 20:35

Originally Posted by far queue

Here's some pics ...

1. A gaggle of Triplanes

Wouldn't that be a squadron?

Originally Posted by far queue

... and some more ...

7. Corsair

I like that shot, shame you can't appreciate the speed but it was fast. Like the one of the guy hanging out of the back of the Caribou giving a wave too.

**far queue** · 8th April 2007, 21:24

Originally Posted by Mr Sensible

Wouldn't that be a squadron?

Wanna be picky uh? Well, actually it would be Jasta (or Jagd Staffel if you like), but as there's only 7 and not the full complement I figured gaggle would suffice

Originally Posted by Mr Sensible

I like that shot, shame you can't appreciate the speed but it was fast.

Shame I didn't get one with contrails off the wingtips too, but I had to just put the camera down and enjoy the show at times.

Originally Posted by Mr Sensible

Like the one of the guy hanging out of the back of the Caribou giving a wave too.

That guy's actually a gal

**Hitcher** · 8th April 2007, 22:18

I just love Corsairs, particularly the F4U-1D. Gorgeous!

**SPman** · 10th April 2007, 16:12

Would be nice to see the Corsair back in RNZAF colours (FG1D - virtually the same as a F4U-1D but built by Goodyear)

I used to play fighter pilots in that plane when it was at MOTAT......my favourite WW2 fighter.

Good to see the Pfalz back in the air.

**Scorpygirl** · 10th April 2007, 18:13

Great photos everyone. Makes me envious!!! Still Rhino and I are off to WOW again next year, as the Ulysses AGM is on the weekend before!!! In 2004 one of the commentators described landing a triplane "like trying to land a venetian blind!!!" ROFL! We have called them venetian blinds ever since.

**miSTa** · 10th April 2007, 19:47

Originally Posted by Scorpygirl

Great photos everyone. Makes me envious!!! Still Rhino and I are off to WOW again next year, as the Ulysses AGM is on the weekend before!!! In 2004 one of the commentators described landing a triplane "like trying to land a venetian blind!!!" ROFL! We have called them venetian blinds ever since.

Here's some more I'm pretty sure that the commentators on Saturday said it was the largest number of Fokker triplanes in the air since WW1 - pretty damn impressive! Here's another line up of "venetian blinds" for you...

**far queue** · 10th April 2007, 21:15

Originally Posted by SPman

Would be nice to see the Corsair back in RNZAF colours (FG1D - virtually the same as a F4U-1D but built by Goodyear)

This one is listed in the program as being an FG-1D, but I'm not up with the details on Corsairs sorry ... and yes it would be good to see it in RNZAF colours, especially so as this particular example actually served with the RNZAF.

Originally Posted by SPman

Good to see the Pfalz back in the air.

Apparently this one was used in the movie "Blue Max" and has been repainted to represent that aircraft, but is not actually a genuine WW1 colour scheme - unlike the DR1's which are all authentic copies of Jasta 11 aircraft, and very well done too, when you see them up close.

Originally Posted by Scorpygirl

In 2004 one of the commentators described landing a triplane "like trying to land a venetian blind!!!" ROFL! We have called them venetian blinds ever since.

Venetian blind isn’t a bad description considering a problem they’re known to have – ground looping. With the tail up on take off and landing the full airflow is over the tail surfaces but when the tail drops it’s like closing the blinds and the tail group only sees the prop wash and a lot of turbulence from the wings. If you’ve ever seen genuine movie clips made in WW1 of Triplanes taking off you can see the pilot really working the rudder to keep the plane straight. It’s also a known problem with RC models of them, often cured by fitted a gyro to the rudder. Too much info?

Sorry, I get carried away with my pet subject

Here’s some more Triplane and Corsair pics …