A sad day at Wigram

[Swoop]

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

The atmospheric conditions dictated the location.
Shame about the climate (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

[dangerous]

Its a good run from the bow to the stern

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

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.