Scottw

Hi all

As coordinator of the "Vietnam Memorial Fly-in" incorporating The "Gathering of the Trojans" I am wishing to seek expressions of interest from any folk who wish to join us here in Toowoomba on MAY 3rd 2009.

These events are being run in conjunction with the David Hack Classic Aircraft and vehicle Meet.

For those not familiar with the David hack Meet it is a unique annual meet where we bring together classic vehicles and aircraft together with the Toowoomba airfield as the venue. The fly-in of the event is generally themed with the theme set out as above. However this year with selected vietnam theme I am also inviting operators of the North American T-28 series aircraft to gather under their own Banner.

If any should know of operators of aircraft that are Viet/Vet aircraft or operate the civillian version/variants, I seek a big favour in letting the operator know of the event.

The aircraft of interest are Birddogs(0-1,L19A), Cessna 0-2(337A/B), cessna 180's, Huey/Iroquois UH-1B/H(Bell 207A/B civi version), Kiowa(Jetranger) Cessna 172H models with Military version being the T-41A Mescalero, which are very rare aircraft to Australia with HARS Group being the only owners of a T-41 Mescalero in AUS that I am aware of. If anyone else is aware of operators with a T-41 please let me know.

I have sent invitations out to many operators who own\operate said veteran aircraft, however I have not sent them to all.

If anyone wishes to join us for that weekend I extend the invitation to do so.

Kindest Regards

Scott

And from what I just heard, one of my images of the Panther Jet is on the front cover current/previous issue of the SAAA Magazine too. As mentioned in my previous missive Mr Gross and his wife are planning on flying the Jet down for the get together. You guys will have to have a sneak peak. Picked up the best homebuilt award at the Festival of Flight last weekend.

Regards

Scott

From what I heard at the weekend you can most likely expect to see a Replica Panther Jet at the SAAA Convention as well.

Scott

Hi all

Adding Interest for the event, we have confirmed two new aircraft in the country will be making their debut at the event-

One aircraft is a Fleet 2 Model aircraft, built and first flown in 1927 and will be flying into the event. Designed and built in the US. Believe first of type in the country and definitely first time ever this type has graced the grass runway of Watts Bridge.

The second type that will be making its debut is a Boeing Stearman. Recently also arriving in the country and now calls Watts airfield home.

hoping for a good turn out. A number of Warbird and Classic types have confirmed attendance, incl. CAC MK.21 Mustang, A rare US Navy L-5E Stinson, 2 x AT-28D5 North American Trojans, plenty of Yakovlev varieties, Nanchang CJ-6A's, Chipmunks and Tiger Moths, a DH-60 Moth, CAC Winjeel, Fairchild Argus, and variuos Auster and Piper Classic varieties.

Added to this are the Replica Warbird types, lots of various sport and homebuilt aircraft types and also not forgetting the the various GA types which also participate in numbers and are great supporters of the event.

I look forward to this event each year as there is also a surprise or two thrown into the mix.

Kindest rEgards

Scott

G'day Robbo

Don't quote me on this, but I think it is 3000ft approx. what will be happening is the fence at the end of rnwy12 threshold will be removed which will give the runway a temporary extension to approx 5000ft. This is done (with council permission as there is an access road for locals through there) to give plenty of room for the Mustang group to conduct adventure flights throughout the weekend. And also allows other larger Warbird types to operate from the strip. Which was the original runway length

The runway is grass over gravel(unsealed)

regards

Scott

G'day Chris

and thanks for the info

G'day aviatrix27

the "cheetah" is more than welcome to attend

G'day Robbo

Watts Bridge airfield was an old RAAF airfield. It was a back up airfield incase Amberely was ever"attacked" during WWII. But now is in the hands of the Watts bridge Memorial Airfield Committee. Even after all the years the airfield was not used, it did not take a lot of work to get the runways and airfield back to servicable condition. Due to the soil type in the area, the RAAF put a lot of work into the runway construction and today is still a great surface (grass/gravel) and drains off water very efficiently. It is located in the Brisbane valley and you can get the history and location of the airfield by visiting the Watts Bridge website- http://www.wattsbridge.com.au

Kindest Regards

Scott

Hi all

Just wondering who maybe coming and joining us for our annual festival of flight out at Watts Bridge airfield this year.

We have a couple of lovely surprises install. Three new antique/classic aircraft fresh into the country will be making their debut at the fly-in. The usual "repeat offenders" will be joining us as well. Expecting a nice turn out.

Regards Scott :D 8)

Thanks for the nice comments

Glenn, it is because of the close housing the residents are wanting to shut down the airport and trying to get it moved out of town due to the "noise". One small thing, is that it was not that many years ago the curent position of the airfield was out of town. But the council voted to keep the airfield where is, infact the runway is being extended, which is great news for enthusiasts like myself, longer runway=larger aircraft.

Regards

Scott

G'day Robbo

Working wonderfully.

Thatis much appreciated. Uploaded an image of a Thorp T-18. Let me know what you think

Kindest Regards

Scott :D 8)

Thanks Robbo

I will keep trying

Thanks again

Scott :D 8)

G'day Chris and Robbo

Yes the images are .jpg. As i have resized through photoshop maybe that might have had something to do with it, but I am not too sure

Robbo, the ones I have uploaded are still in the process line. are you able to have a look at them from your end?

It is good to catch up with what is going on around the country. :D 8)

G'day All

Found the site through Recreational pilot site, G'day Chris. And thought I would join the ranks.

Just thought I would leave a G'day. Also live up here in the Southern QLD area.

Just a small query, having trouble uploading an image, do not really know what I am doing wrong, checked the tutorial and doing what it says but keep getting "image not supported yet" window when processing the image. Any suggestions whatI may have done wrong?

Kindest Regards

Scott