Girls Day

I know,I know it's "GIRLS DAY" or "Hinamatsuri" and you'd think that we would be doing girly type stuff right??........but instead we headed just down the road to RNZAF Base Whenuapai for the once every 2 years open day.....been about 8 years since I last stepped on Defence soil so I have to say I was quite looking forward to it.

The day was a absolute scorcher at 27c with the odd cloud and a light breeze....perfect for watching a air display.

First up was the Navy's Sea Sprite helicopter doing there thing....ever seen helicopters dance???

Followed by a air and ground display from my favourite Aircraft the UH-1H Iroquois.

Now I know it looks just like a normal everyday tanker truck.....but this is one of the refuelling tankers that I used to operate during my 9 years of service to Queen and country blah,blah........the reason this one in particular was so special is that this was the one I managed to jack-knife into a ditch!!!! (That means the trailer swings right around more than 90 degrees and in most case's causes some MAJOR damage.......... for those of you unfamiliar with the term "Jack Knife".....and YES it still bears the scars)

Then there was the huge crowd favourite from the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-111 fighter bombers......during the "Burn off" where the pilot dumps excess fuel and the then it ignites causing this huge flame out the back.

Mana chan commented that it was VERY loud rocket.

The RNAF's Roundel of the Kiwi

An announcement was made and everyone squinted and strained as they stared skyward.............It was such a beautiful day that it just seemed like a good idea to jump out of a perfectly serviceable Aircraft..........The Air force's skydiving team doing there thing,trailing huge plumes of orange smoke and they fell to earth at a amazing almost unbelievable speed and then to aim for AND land a few feet from there target.

Mana getting caught up in the emergency equipment

The recruiters were out there in force and doing there best at encouraging the younger amongst us that there was a great career choice and with a really cool stick on tattoo I guess my daughter was sold on the whole idea..........

Mum and Mana chan relaxing in style in the 757

Its not often you get to see these three different types of aircraft flying in formation together.





So all and all a great family day out......Happy Hinamatsu Mana chan.....