Before the Public
By September 15 each team member had completed some 20 hours practise and launched out on their first public appearance - the occasion being the Battle of Britain Anniversary that is commemorated throughout New Zealand on the third Sunday of September.
Being a tribute to the feats and achievements of the Royal Air Force and its multi-national compliment in this important aerial battle a fitting part of the 1989 commemorations was a tiki tour by Kiwi Red. Flying in low formation over the lower North Island and upper South Island the team departed home base Ohakea at approximately midday and touched down at Base Woodbourne around 12.40pm in a short deployment to participate in the 50th Anniversary celebrations of the Air Base.
The following day the Base opened it gates to the general public and as well as a variety of static displays a short flying made up the programme of events. Highlight of this was the Kiwi Red routine, commencing with the cardinal arrival and following the ‘high’ show routine to end with the bomb burst.
At the end of the month, on the Sunday 24, it was Base Ohakea's turn to celebrate a 50th birthday. In similar format to the Woodbourne display the Kiwi Red team again presented a short portion of their routine during the flying activities of the open day.
October 4, Kiwi Red, without Reds 2 and 5, transited for an overnight stay at Base Whenuapai giving them their first opportunity to overfly the Mount Smart Stadium the site of two forthcoming appearances in association with the 1990 Commonwealth Games opening and closing ceremonies.
Additional preparations for the display season resulted in Colin Harmsworth, a TVNZ camera technician joining the team for a week in the middle of October providing technical expertise during the fitting of a new camera pod mounting to the Skyhawk. During this period of trials, Reds 3, 5 and 6 assisted with the flying of the formation aerobatics.
Tragedy Strikes
Suddenly - 11:25am Tuesday 24 October 1989 as the team returned from their regular practice session, on this day held over the Raumai Ranges disaster struck.
In their normal airshow finale, the roll under break, Red 4 struck Red 5. With severe damage to the aircraft and trailing the refuelling hose and a plume of smoke from the damaged centre-line air-to-air refuelling store Red 5, in NZ 6211 executed a successful emergency landing. Aware of the population below he had declined to eject, instead dumped fuel and elected to stay with the aircraft.
Recovery for Red 4 was however not possible, resulting in the tragic death of Flying Officer Graham Thomas Carter.
In their normal airshow finale, the roll under break, Red 4 struck Red 5. With severe damage to the aircraft and trailing the refuelling hose and a plume of smoke from the damaged centre-line air-to-air refuelling store Red 5, in NZ 6211 executed a successful emergency landing. Aware of the population below he had declined to eject, instead dumped fuel and elected to stay with the aircraft.
Recovery for Red 4 was however not possible, resulting in the tragic death of Flying Officer Graham Thomas Carter.
The Show Rolls On
In true military professionalism, within two days of the accident the remaining five members were back in the air as an RNZAF Court of Inquiry was convened under Wing Commander Bruce Ferguson. An immediate ban was place on the continued practise or use of the roll-under-break manoeuvre and not withstanding the findings of this military court an announcement made that the 1990 Kiwi Red display schedule was to be maintained.
No sooner airborne when once again the glare of publicity focused on Base Ohakea and the Kiwi Red Aerobatic Team. In what would have normally have passed as a precautionary escorted landing by Red Six following a suspected bird strike on this occasion featured on the television national network news. Returning to base after completing this day’s session the four members of the team performed a brief display for those assemble below.
Within a week fellow squadron member Flying Officer Craig Mitchell was selected to fill the position of Red 4. Protected on this occasion from the blaze of publicity suddenly focused on the team the new member was worked into the team. Initially being made comfortable working in the close proximity demanded by the aerobatic routines in four aircraft formations then the entire six jet routine. Back as a six man team for the first time since the October crash, November 6 also provided a first for Red 4, Flight Lieutenant Mitchell, in being his first performance over home Base Ohakea as a member of the Kiwi Red aerobatic team. Congratulations from fellow team members greeted him following this display.
The training now in full swing continued, Commander Bates building the trust so vital in making team aerobatics work successfully.
On Friday 17 November modifications to the drop tank of the Skyhawk were successfully tested at Base Ohakea. A modification, which would enable the aircraft to fly inverted with the familiar display smoke.
The Motorcycle races at Manfield over the weekend the of the 18th and 19th of November saw the Kiwi Reds airborne over the racetrack on the Sunday with overcast conditions restricting the performance to the flat show. Following this performance, a reception that stunned the pilots of the team. Accepting an invitation to return to the track, the pilots were driven on a lap of honour in the rear of a utility before a cheering crowd.
Friday 30 November Kiwi Red meets the nations press on their home turf with photo opportunities, interviews and presentation of the flying display.
No sooner airborne when once again the glare of publicity focused on Base Ohakea and the Kiwi Red Aerobatic Team. In what would have normally have passed as a precautionary escorted landing by Red Six following a suspected bird strike on this occasion featured on the television national network news. Returning to base after completing this day’s session the four members of the team performed a brief display for those assemble below.
Within a week fellow squadron member Flying Officer Craig Mitchell was selected to fill the position of Red 4. Protected on this occasion from the blaze of publicity suddenly focused on the team the new member was worked into the team. Initially being made comfortable working in the close proximity demanded by the aerobatic routines in four aircraft formations then the entire six jet routine. Back as a six man team for the first time since the October crash, November 6 also provided a first for Red 4, Flight Lieutenant Mitchell, in being his first performance over home Base Ohakea as a member of the Kiwi Red aerobatic team. Congratulations from fellow team members greeted him following this display.
The training now in full swing continued, Commander Bates building the trust so vital in making team aerobatics work successfully.
On Friday 17 November modifications to the drop tank of the Skyhawk were successfully tested at Base Ohakea. A modification, which would enable the aircraft to fly inverted with the familiar display smoke.
The Motorcycle races at Manfield over the weekend the of the 18th and 19th of November saw the Kiwi Reds airborne over the racetrack on the Sunday with overcast conditions restricting the performance to the flat show. Following this performance, a reception that stunned the pilots of the team. Accepting an invitation to return to the track, the pilots were driven on a lap of honour in the rear of a utility before a cheering crowd.
Friday 30 November Kiwi Red meets the nations press on their home turf with photo opportunities, interviews and presentation of the flying display.