Part 1

Thursday 7th Feb was the beginning of the Great Southern Tour about the South Island.

The RAANZ nationals fly-in dates had been changed and there was no way to make it with the new dates so we decided on the Great Southern Tour about the South Island instead it was a hoot.

She was over cast when we left around 0830ish ya could see Whareroa & our Pathfinder Mark in LTH had just left before us advised all good past Waverly.

Aircraft were SSF, JQT, DVZ, SNJ

All taxing for Rwy -09

SSF HEAVY ( ya had to be there)  lined up and we outa here

On the ground at PP chucking some more Gas and a cup of Coffee (thanks Kapiti Aero Club) in before pushing south over Cook Strait to Kaikoura.

JQT looking all sparkly after previous nights polishing.

Don & Gary preparing to board there aircraft for the crossing.

FLT CMNDR Sue preparing to board SSF in suitable Flotation equipment.

Just passing Kapiti Island.

FLT CMNDR Sue looking happy over the water.

Bit overcasty on our way down the coast to Kaikoura.

Yeah Man. South America 6000 miles that way.  Just outa range dammit.

South Island about 4 clicks away probably go there then.

                       Some of the Slip damage from da earthquake.

On the Ground Kaikoura.

Having cup of coffee & deciding where next which turned out to be Rangiora

Big Suckers those Whales.

Susie having a Whale of a time.

Heading back to mount our steeds.

Gary in the RED BARON being DBZ bound Rangiora.

SSF with Susie with her special dismount tool at Rangiora.

Rest of the Team ditto.

Rare Canadian rego'd Helio Courier.

Keep an eye out for Part 2.

A couple weeks ago Keith was down to fly KMM.

Here Wayne doing initial test flying.

KMM has had a top overhaul (although at 900 hours TT should have been full overhaul. but there ya go.) with new top everything & recon'd this and that  a new Super Sonic exhaust which looks real slick runs nicely.

Also has Tail Wheel fitted now rather than the skid.

Although will need an oil cooler in these hot temps. Not doing bottom half may come home to roost as Oil pressure not at optimum although something to sort when back home at Kaipara Flats.

Was gonna make a run for home the weekend of the Thames Wings & Wheels but WX was not conducive to that as we had 25 knots on the nose there & back in SSF.

So waiting for a more perfect day & a real early start.

Mean while over at the Aeroworks Hangar a changing of the guard as LTH returned home from a Tickle and cosmetic enhancement. You will note some changes to the scheme. LTK will head off shortly to somewhere else.

SSF was also out doing her thing..

Sunday 3rd was pretty quiet. It was hot.

Alan & RSR having a moment .....

New Struts on nose gear looking slick

Yours truly in the Stern of RSR about to aviate.

Aircon on on the taxi to 09.

Watch that lil sucker off bush in any wind or no wind it produces epic sink.

That'll be Toko out Easy of SD.

 

Scramble Track South of Eltham at Lowlands

Hawera Field very quiet.

Swimming hole Weir west of Hawera

Opunake

Nice lil Bach on the coast ...

Old Dairy Factory turned in to French Villa

Check out that courtyard.

Our local Oil Rig not doing much.

She's drying out.

No that's not a Swimming Pool.

Yup right place Say's so.

Drains really starting to show themselves been a while.

Watch they don't re launch ya into the air.

Bill & ZZT were in after I left for the Day.

Some Vids 

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