Monday, January 31, 2011
A Spitfire sort of a Day
There was to be a flying display over the harbour by a Spitfire today (Auckland Anniversary Day) at 11:30 am so Julie & I went out to Ardmore on the offchance that we would see Doug Brooker's MH367 (ZK-WDQ/FL-A) take off.
It was pulled out of the hangar by its electric tow wagon.
Doug Brooker climbed in after putting his parachute on. The parachute becomes the seat cushion.
He fired up the engine and taxied to the end of the runway. Unfortunately the wind had got up to gusting 29 knots and he was not prepared to takeoff and risk a dodgy landing as the Spitfires have a narrow and weak undercarriage. There was an earlier incident that caused the insurance company to have a few words to say. The plane is valued at about 3.5 million dollars.
So back he came and we assisted with putting it back in the hangar.
Bit gusty for this Piper Cub!
It was pulled out of the hangar by its electric tow wagon.
Doug Brooker climbed in after putting his parachute on. The parachute becomes the seat cushion.
He fired up the engine and taxied to the end of the runway. Unfortunately the wind had got up to gusting 29 knots and he was not prepared to takeoff and risk a dodgy landing as the Spitfires have a narrow and weak undercarriage. There was an earlier incident that caused the insurance company to have a few words to say. The plane is valued at about 3.5 million dollars.
So back he came and we assisted with putting it back in the hangar.
Bit gusty for this Piper Cub!
