Off Sydney meet

[birddog114]

Gary and all members,

I have this idea:

We might organize a trip up to Mudgee by flying the Dakota (C47) up and coming back same day, enjoying lunch at some of the wineries, taking photo etc...
Leaving Bankstown Airport in the morning and coming back in the afternoon.
Or
Drive up to Nelson Bay, stop by Williamtown AirForce Base (A small aviation museum) taking photos of the F-18 Hornet + The Hawk taking off & landing from the observation tower, then go to Stockton beach, taking photos the sand dunes, beach etc...many places up there with very good of photo opportunities.
What do you think?

[Onyx]

Please hold it in November... or late October at the earliest. I'd love to join.

[W00DY]

What an amazing idea.....

Birddog do you do the flying???

How many people can a Dakota (C47) carry?

W00DY

[Raydar]

This mite be the one I’ll come down for.
What a brilliant idea
Time to start saving.

Cheers
Ray

[birddog114]

Yes I can fly but not that Dakota (C-47). I used to fly an L-19 Nick name Birddog (Observation and spotter plane and was a FAC = Forward Air Control) in VN War, my call sign was Birddog114, later flew with the Dragonfly A-37 (jet) and Cessna 182 or Huey (UH-1B/C/D/E) rotary wing.
Frank Lowy (Westfield owner has two of Dragonfly A-37, restored from VN War based in Wagga Wagga).

The Dakota can take 30 people and it's famous in the second World War

http://ftp.newave.net.au/~theburfs/dakotaMAIN.html

http://www.aamb.com.au/
The flight is the charter flight from National Dakota Air based at Banstown Airport, they flew to Mudgee every now and then and to other destination also.

[gstark]

OK ...

a couple of questions ...


How much does it cost to charter? I'm presuming that a charter is the way that this would work; please correct me if I'm wrong.

Ground transport in Mudgee (or wherever). If we're going to tour a region, we'd need a coach of some sort, plus, presumably, at least one meal.

I think it's a great idea (and a great way to test the VR functionality in those lenses) but it's important to try to cover all the bases.

[birddog114]

Gary,
Depend on the number of member interesting in this excursion.
Normally National Dakota Air fly to Mudgee every week-end (Good weather) as a winery tour. If there's not enough member on one flight than we do not have to take the whole flight and may sharing with other of their customers.
If I'm not wrong there's a cost around $250- $300, but I'll re-confirm later once I got the solid ideas. These fares including coach, touring and perhaps lunch (to be confirmed).
Let me work with them and come back. By the mean time, I need the solid ideas from everyone that may interested in it.

[Onyx]

Any alternative to a wine tour? I'm afraid my pallette isn't fully up to wine discerning standards... but I'm in (pending date).

[birddog114]

Onyx,
You don't have to drink, wine tasting on the wine tour, just the name they called it but you can enjoy foods, soft drink, juice and clearwater!!!!!!
People sometimes carries home few dozen of good wine on the same trip.
Just an excursion and you'll enjoy it, hopefully!!!!!

[birddog114]

I have done it before.
http://www.discoveryairtours.com.au/tou ... d=25&i=151

I think I can get a good discount for our community, perhaps under $300.00, depend on how many people want to go

[Raydar]

This would be one awesome shoot.

Let us know if there is any discount for groups please birddog.
If so I will be in on this one
If possible can you blokes make it for Nov some time, give me time to get my money situation back up again after getting this flash

Cheers
Ray

[birddog114]

Raydar,
I spoke with Gary earlier about the group discount after had a talk with them (my contact at Discovery Tour Air).
We'll pay $260.00 GST Incl. with all the following: fly up there and return, coach (bus) wine tasting, and very very nice lunch and heap of sceneries for shooting. It's a real relaxing day.
Gary will come back with me later with the date and he'll broadcast over the forum.

[Raydar]

Thanks mate.
I'm in

Cheers
Ray

[birddog114]

Raydar,
Will keep you posted

[Geoff]

I'd be there for sure - sounds awesome..date pending of course! .

[gstark]

Can people tell me what Saturdays in November are NOT suitable ?

Partners etc will, of course, be welcome on this trip, so be sure to canvass their availability.

[Killakoala]

I might not be able to make it as i will be sailing the blue briny deep, leaving on a date to be confirmed in November. I'd hate to say 'I'm in', only to have to cancel later.

So you'll have to count me out for this one.

[Raydar]

I have permission of my wife
So I am 99% shore I’ll be there.
This I am looking forward too.

Any week end in Nov is fine by my Gary.

Cheers
Ray

[birddog114]

Raydar,
Your name is on the manifest

[Raydar]

Be there with bells on mate

Cheers
Ray

[Onyx]

If I don't die or fail to come back to Australia between now and then, I'm in.

[W00DY]

If I'm not wrong there's a cost around $250- $300

I presume this is Per Person... If that's the case then I don't think I will be able to make it as I need to save my $300 for a SB-800 (hurry up Xmas).

Dammm, this sounded awesome as well.

Oh Well, will have to wait until the next local meet (I always seem to be saying that?)

W00DY

[birddog114]

Price per person is $260.00 for the excursion.
Woody, you may save $$$$ for your speedlight, Xmas is just around the corner. I can see Santa Claus, he's trying to sort it out his bag of presents now and there's a SB-800 on his table.
Have you ask someone to clean your chimney yet?

[birddog114]

Gary + all guys of D70 Forum,
Have you make up your mind about the date yet?

[gstark]

November 13 or 27 seems to be acceptable for most people here.

Unfortunately, and for a number of reasons, I'll not be able to make this event, but I will be there in spirit(s).

My personal thinking is probably the 13th will be the better of those two dates, as by the 27th it'll be starting to get quite hot, as well as quite close to the holidays.

[Greg B]

Will you be doing a pickup at Tullamarine?

[birddog114]

Greg,
Yes, but perhaps at Avalon (Geelong) Airshow in Feb. next year. That where we often stopped refresh, refuel and head off to Avalon.

[gstark]

Greg,

You can always take a seat in the smoking section (on the port wing), where the in-flight movie will be "Gone With The Wind".

[Glen]

Great idea BIrddog, I'm keen

[Raydar]

Looks like I'll be sitting on the wing

Cheers
Ray

[birddog114]

Hi all,
I have to get the total number of people, who want to fly up Mudgee for a meet as previously discussed. We have to reserve our seats as well, coz each flight only take 35 people.
Perhaps we'll meet Belle, our 61st member up Mudgee.

[Raydar]

I'm in Birdy!!!!!

Cheers
Ray

[Geoff]

Unfortunately I will be unable to attend as I've started saving my bum off to get somewhere in this silly world of scary things..like real estate! I'm sure u will all have a great time and take HEAPS of photos for the ones left behind to see..thanx for the amazing opportunity tho birdy! Cheers,

Geoff.
http://www.pbase.com/d70geoff

[Matt. K]

Hi Birddog!
Pending the date and no urgent appointment conflicts...count me in.