Hello from sunny Blenheim, NZ!

ZuluYankeePapa · 23 June 2007, 01:59 PM

Hi all!

I've only *just* found the Introductions thread, so apologies for not making myself known sooner!

My name's Zac, I'm a 19year-old vintage aviation fanatic who has just moved to the centre of said aviation in New Zealand, Blenheim. Here is home to Omaka Aerodrome, which plays host to the biennial Classic Fighters Marlborough airshow, and the world-class Aviation Heritage Centre. Come visit us sometime! I'd be glad to show you around the AHC, see www.omaka.org.nz .

I'm about to start a major project which will introduce four WW1 Allied scouts to the field - can't say too much at the moment, but when I can I'll be sure to post updates for the curious. I also have been entrusted to take care of a satic Fokker D.VIII replica built for the first airshow, with the ultimate aim of making her taxiable.

I have several WW1 projects in mind for the future, foremost among these being a Sopwith Tabloid and a Sopwith Dove (well, *derived* from a WW1 aeroplane!). If you have any images etc of these, then please pass them on!

I'm not currently a pilot, although I will study toward that upon completion of the Allied scout project. I've been a "warbird" fanatic all my life, and moving here has realised a long-held dream to get involved at long last.

So that's the long and short of it! I'm greatly looking forward to meeting you all and having many a grand debate and info exchange!

Der Grüne Flieger · 23 June 2007, 05:48 PM

Hi Zac,

Welcome to the forum. We have heard much about Omaka this year. One of our forum members, Russell Smith, gave us many great photos of the event.

I look forward to hearing about your upcoming projects.

Regards,
Phil

Russell Smith · 25 June 2007, 04:11 AM

Welcome ZYP. Glad to have you here. As Phil pointed out, I had the great opportunity to see the stunning collection firsthand back in April. I'll probably be there in 2009 also. Hope to see you then.

Russ

Sreiko · 25 June 2007, 04:14 AM

Hello man and be sure that you are find the best aviation forum ever

Maxim08 · 25 June 2007, 07:00 AM

Zac,
Welcome aboard. Glad to see more members from NZ.
Do you work with Marty?
Regards,
John

AAC Cadet Leader · 25 June 2007, 07:23 AM

welcome, young man! we want lots of reports and lots of photos. thanks for bringing youthful enthusiam to us and to ww1 aviation.

ZuluYankeePapa · 26 June 2007, 02:04 AM

Thanks folks! Very happy to be a member, and hoping to contribute a fair bit as time goes by.

Russell, that Pfalz painting you did recently is magnificent! Had I the money to spare, I'd try and get one off you like lightning! Also, let me know closer to the time when/if you're back here for the '09 Classic Fighters. I'd love to show you around and introduce you to some of the folks here!

John - I'm friendly with Marty, but unfortunately don't work with him. Hoping that the chance will present itself soon though!

AAC - Pics? Not a problem! My camera accompanies me on each and every trip out to Omaka, and when my Tabloid project is up and running (I NEED PLANS! Please get in touch!!!) you'll get regular updates!

Kilian · 26 June 2007, 03:11 AM

Hello Zac. I surfed a bit on the museums homepage. Its really a great thing if only it wasnt so far away from me

I better start saving money for a flight to Wellington in 2009

Roadhog · 26 July 2007, 10:04 PM

Dear ZYP, I really can't add anything more to the gang who have already welcomes you. My father fought in Chesty Puller's 1st Marine Regiment in WWII and he was wounded five times fighting the Japanese. Once he was sent to New Zealand for medical care that saved his leg (so he could fight again on Okinawa and invade Japan).

Dad always said that New Zealand was the most beautiful place he had ever seen in his life. Thanks to you and your fellow countryman for everything you did for poor orphan boy from west Texas back in 1944. God bless you sir. VR, Maj. Scott Price, USAR a.k.a. Roadhog

tcrean7828 · 26 July 2007, 11:03 PM

Hi Ya ZYP,

Welcome to the land of "The Aerodrome" where thoughts and ideas from the past come alive, and from those thoughts come ideas and questions, which we try to answer here. So far, the lads in this lot, and lasses must not forget them are probably the brightest that I have come accross in quite some while.

To really get the true feeling of the depth of their knowledge it is like I use to talk to my grandfather (when he was alive) about being in the trenches in WW1 and belonging to the KOSB and being wounded in the hand by his opposite number - a snipper on the Kiser's birthday.

What tails - you could almost smell the feted earth, the smell of gunpowder, etc. but you get the point.

cul

tcrean7828

tom

P.S. trivia questions:
1. Who where the KOSB and what was their motto?
2. When was the Kiser's birthday?
3. Why did most infantry soldiers on the British side sleep with a blanket over their head?

tc