Iroquois, retirement

[mark]

I was lucky enough to get into Enoggera for this great but sad event.The Huey's were A2-310 A2-489 and A2-703.The air to air photo's were done by Jetranger (not really a Kiowa!) A17-037. I have photos of the Huey's (and some video footage of them arriving and departing just do'nt know where to post it?).

P.S Spoke to Loadmaster Sgt Knox...great bloke....said it would'nt "hit home"
until they got back to Oakey for the final time.

Regards Mark

[Luig]

Mark,
IMHO a site like "FileFront" is a good way to post files for download that is semi-private. It will keep your file as .WMV and also because of the ubiiquity of the format today on Utube make your video also .FLV format which will downgrade the quality and also reduce original file size but the original .WMV will still be available in my experience (unlike Utube). Some of my files and videos are at FileFront:
http://hosted.filefront.com/SpazSinbad/

To use FileFront is just a matter of going to:
http://www.filefront.com/ to join up for free. Upload can be odd so take note of their original estimate of upload time.

WMV format is the most efficient for file size and quality. You have not mentioned the format of your video but if it is .MPG then it could be converted by Windows Movie Maker 2 using high quality settings into smaller good quality file. WMM2 is a free download from MS if you don't have it already.
Phil.

This post has been edited by Luig on Sep 24 2007, 05:50 PM

[mark]

Thanks Phil for the info.The files are .avi type so i'll have to do some research.

P.S I downloaded your A-4G files recently..........fantastic.I must be getting old,cause more modern aircraft don't seem as awesome as F-4's,F-8's,A-4's,
Spads (A-1's),Mirage's,Hueys,Herc's,Caribou's the list goes on!

Regrds Mark

[cj0203]

was also lucky to be there. here's a taste!

Attached Image

[Mick Raftery]

Also managed a few shots from Gallipoli Barracks. Great sight and sound despite the circumstances.

Good to meet you Chris and have a yarn. Apologies Mark for not recognising you when I fell off the ladder !

Hoping to post a few thumbnails soon.

Mick

( and yes Chris - they did beat me to the Archerfield re-fueller ! )

[Luig]

Mark,
The .AVI files might be very efficient. AVI used to be the web standard a few years back but then MS improved their .WMV format quality - compared to file size - to probably be the most efficient 'for quality for web distribution' but there are so many variables in all of this I can only generalise. It would be helpful to know the size of the .AVI files you intend to upload.

For example if not too large (how long is a piece of string?) I could download your intial .AVI file and convert it to .WMV if you don't want to do that yourself. If you have Windows XP SP2 then you are entitled to download for free Windows Movie Maker 2 which will give you options to convert your AVI files to likely 'good quality but smaller file sizes'. Only you can know. If you don't like result then upload the .AVIs. Your camera manual should say what type of AVI files they are. I don't have such a thing myself.

I'm always happy to entertain viewers with my PDFs. :-) Thanks.
Phil.

[darren.crick]

Mark,

I havnt met Rob Knox yet, good to see he was happy to have a chat with you...

[Tim D]

Hi Mark,

I'd be happy to host the video files on my website. I've sent you an email.

Regards,
Tim Dwyer

This post has been edited by Tim D on Sep 25 2007, 02:09 AM

[cj0203]

Good to meet you also Mick, i must say the shots i've seen of yours of the Hueys on warbirdz are awesome, great shots mate, you have a gift. I'd love to see the rest. Sad to think there 'll be no more Army Hueys overhead anymore, should've given back to the RAAF!
have a good day buddy.
chris

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[Mick Raftery]

Thanks Chris - nothing too spectacular but I'm reasonably pleased with my amateur record of the farewell flight.

Here's the link to my Photobucket folder for some more shots :-

http://s192.photobucket.com/albums/z232/oldfokker/Huey%20End/?start=all

Having difficulty in posting thumbnail links in the usual manner - like the Hueys I might be getting old and past it !

If you'd like a complimentary PhotoCD with some high-res images send me an email and I'll arrange to snail-mail one.

Good luck with the book !

Cheers

Mick R

oldfokker(remove-this)@ozemail.(and-this)com.au

[darren.crick]

Mick,

we would love to use some in our gallery if that would be ok...

Darren

[cj0203]

hey Mick, would love a cd, your email icon dosent wanna work for me for some reason. cbrosnan1@optusnet.com.au
cheers

This post has been edited by cj0203 on Sep 26 2007, 08:19 PM

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[Mick Raftery]

Darren - no worries, happy to help with gallery images. Feel free to contact me off forum at :-

oldfokker(remove-this-text)@ozemail.com.au

Chris - have sent an email.

Mick

[darren.crick]

thanks, have replied via email Mick...

[pgh]

Sighted in the ARDU today, A2-296 c/w the ARDU logo & A2-484, presumably we will be seeing at least one of these a/c at the open day


PGH

[Rod Farquhar]

A2-484 made a low run past my house yesterday, also I heard on the grapevine that ARDU are keeping 484 and 296 for night vision trials.
Rod.

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[Brendan Cowan]

Looks ike the Iroquios will "Wok-On" for a little longer!

;)

BC

[jeep1943]

I wonder if behind the scenes, it's so a RAAF Unit will be officially the last operator of the type!

[darren.crick]

Yes funny you should mention that, I was warned before the Army's retirement that this would happen and it appears it is so...

[Rod Farquhar]

One of them was in the air yesterday, too far away for a serial though.
Rod.

[Warhawk]

Observation update: One flew a circuit South to North, Bundamba Ipswich tonight about 1910hrs. Then peeled off west over Booval.

Either that, or it was a Kiowa on Steroids,..but no mistaking that grumbled Whoppa Whoppa as opposed to a Bell 206 or a burring Bell 412.

Be still my heart,...given a last chance to hear one.

Sigh

Gordy :D

[cj0203]

I heard that too mate, I'm in silkstone. First i thought it was a Huey, but I'm thinking it might have been a Chinook , similar sound, but just not as loud and cutting as the huey. Who knows, but with the only 2 left at ARDU, it's unlikely they were up here.
cheers
chris

[darren.crick]

Might be the 412 guys...

[mark]

Several weeks ago I mentioned I'd taken some video of the Hueys at Enogerra for
their farewell.I am sorry for the delay but I have finally posted them on the net.I hope you enjoy watching these video's as much as I do.I never get sick of the
sound of a Huey....Enjoy!

Regards Mark

http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/markwr/?action=view&current=HueyArrival.flv

http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/markwr/?action=view&current=HueyWarmUp.flv

http://s83.photobucket.com/albums/j287/markwr/?action=view&current=HueyDeparture.flv

This post has been edited by mark on Nov 6 2007, 09:39 PM

[Warhawk]

Hey Chris,

Tonight again 1848Hrs,........sounds lighter I agree,..but the night before,...one landing light offset port and red and green navlights 1/4 airframe back in centre of "shadow" and with the Lycoming Groan post whokka whokka

Gawd thisa sound funny to read,... :D

Gordy"Your Neighbour"

[cj0203]

Yes, heard that one aswell, maybe it is a Huey. Think there maybe one or 2 "unofficially" flying out of Oakey?
Maybe A2-278? Night vision trials maybe?
Maybe the army can't survive without her!
cheers
chris

[Warhawk]

Great,..I'm not going mad afterall, despite what my lovely Wife says (Often just says "Yes dear") LOL

Gordy

[Mick Raftery]

Just read in Dec AA Mag that ARDU's A2-484 and -296 are due to make their final flighs from Adelaide to Brisbane on Dec 10 and 11.

Seen here at the recent RAAF Edinburgh Dustshow :-




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[Mick Raftery]

And ...




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[cj0203]

Wonder if they'll pass by amberley, home in their 9 squadron days?
chris

[Mick Raftery]

Arrived this morning at Archerfield after a 3 day trip along the scenic route !

Edinburgh - Mt Gambier - Pt Cook - East Sale - Nowra - Williamtown - Coffs Harbour - Archerfield.

A small welcoming crowd, presentations, ground-runs for engine inhibitor and then towed for preparation for storage at Meeandah.

( Didn't stay for lunch, Chris ! )

Some pix :-





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[Mick Raftery]

A2-296

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[Mick Raftery]

A2-484


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[Mick Raftery]

Interesting to note the dual markings on -296.

Looks like the RAAF had the final honour !

Mick

[darren.crick]

RAAF just couldnt help themselves could they??

[Rod Farquhar]

Why not?? they were flying with an Air Force unit (ARDU), besides we had them when it really counted.
Rod. :D

[darren.crick]

I'm not for the Army or RAAF, but I think what they have/are doing is wrong... lets just leave it at that!!!

[cj0203]

Hey Mick, some great shots there, would love to see any more from that day, also would loved to have been there.

I still have to get that cd off to you aswell. Will try to do that this week.

It's a damn shame that there all now officially gone. I really thought they would have kept a couple at least. I think the ADF will realize this in time.

cheers

chris

[Mick Raftery]

Chris - I'll email the fat red fella and get a PhotoCD into your Xmas stocking !

This presentation ( from Army Aviation ! ) to Helitech would look good on your Huey memorabilia wall :-

Mick

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[Mick Raftery]

Some spit and polish on A2-773 for a final bow tonight. Kicking up its skids at the Defence Force Ball at Brisbane's Convention Centre.

Image from Brisbane Times :-




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[evan_sawyer]

A2-455 & A2-915 were both noted at RAAF Wagga open day on 18-10-2009 as instructional airframes.
evan

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[evan_sawyer]

A2-915 at RAAF Wagga 18-10-2009
evan

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[cj0203]

Good to see the old girls still intact. I myself have completed flight screening late last year with a recommendation and will hopefully get a pilot offer shortly! Would love to see these baby's back on line. A man can dream I guess!
Cheers
Chris

[cj0203]

Spotted today, A2-279 at the RAAF Amberley Fire school. It's out on the concrete apron where they do their fire training so tragically I think it's going to get torched for 'training purposes' . Anyone got a flatbed truck and trailer and up for some "BJ and the Bear" action? I will certainly give it a good home!! Can't believe such a perfectly good helicopter has succumb to this.

R.I.P A2-279.

Cheers

Chris

[Martin Edwards]

"Army Iroquois choppers become national treasures"

yeah right!!!


Remember those old photos taken at Oakey and Wagga of fields of Beaufighters, Spitfires and so on?

Will our grand children look at photos of Hueys and Pigs and feel the same as we do?