Upcoming photoshoot

Hi all,

Just a update - I have a upcoming photoshoot (August - am held up as the R66 is not here yet - arriving at the end of July) for a mate of mine and his awesome Robinson R-Series helicopter fleet.... just a little bit of a rundown on the R-Series:

• R22 Beta II - a 2 seat lightweight utility helicopter, powered by a Lycoming O-360 360 cubic inch aircooled flat four cylinder engine with carburettor fuel delivery
• R44 Raven II - a 4 seat lightweight utility helicopter, powered by a Lycoming IO-540 540 cubic inch aircooled flat six cylinder engine with electronic fuel injection
• R66 Turbine - a 5 seat lightweight utility helicopter, powered by a Rolls-Royce RR300 turbine. The RR300 was specifically designed and built for the R66 Turbine and is a more compact version of the RR250-C20B used in the larger Bell JetRanger

This is basically the main differences between the three helicopters - the outside of the fuselage (with the exception of the R66 Turbine - which has been made wider to fit the extra seat) is the same.... the fronts of all three will be the same as well!

Stay tuned for the first photos of our region's first R66!

Holden Colorado7 LTZ 2.8CTDi Wagon

Last weekend, I was very lucky to be able to have a chance to cast my little beady peepers over the new Holden Colorado7 wagon.... in the top line LTZ specification.

The new Holden Colorado7 LTZ 2.8CTDi Wagon

The Colorado7 LTZ wagon utilises the Colorado LTZ 4WD ute's underframe then Holden simply place a 7 seat wagon body over the top instead of the ute. It also shares the same 2.8 litre CTDi 4 cylinder intercooled turbo diesel engine and 6 speed auto transmission as the ute. The Colorado7 LTZ depicted in these images is in Summit White

Engine bay - the 2.8 CTDi engine is the same as the Colorado 4WD ute

18 inch alloy wheel and Bridgestone Dueler H/T 684II tyre (LTZ spec only - LT has 16 inch alloys)

Technical Specifications on the Colorado7 LTZ - engine: 2.8 litre Duramax 4 cylinder turbo diesel

Type: 2.8 litre DOHC 4 cylinder CRDi 16 valve Duramax Turbo Diesel
Capacity: 2776cc
Compression Ratio: 16:1
Bore x Stroke (mm): 94 x 100
Max. Power (ECE, kW): 132 @ 3800rpm
Max. Torque (ECE, Nm): 470 @ 2000rpm

Transmission Specs - 6 speed automatic:
Ratios (:1): 1st: 4.06, 2nd: 2.37, 3rd: 1.55, 4th: 1.16, 5th: 0.85, 6th: 0.67
Final Drive Ratio (:1): 3.42

Fuel Tank Capacity and Type: 76 litres, diesel

Electronic Stability Control: incorporating Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Traction Control System (TCS)

Brakes:
Type: Front and Rear Disc
Diameter (mm): Front: 300, Rear: 318

Track (front and rear, mm): Front 1570, Rear 1588

Turning Circle (kerb-to-kerb, metres) 11.8

4WD System:
Type: Electronic select, shift-on-the-fly 4x4
Transfer case: 2 speed

Suspension:
Front: Independent, double wishbone coil spring
Rear: 5 link live axle

Steering: Power assisted Rack and pinion

My personal ratings on the Colorado7 LTZ (out of 5):

• Practicality: 5
• Safety: 5
• Ease of entry/exit: 5
• Driveline: 4 - only due to the auto only gearbox option
• Interior layout: 5
• Interior fixtures: 5
• Overall looks: 5

In all, a really nice car - and a practical family wagon

MegaTruckers on DVD

MegaTruckers - from left to right: Dave, Ryan, Jon, Brad and Chris

Thursday April 4, 2013 - keep that date free! Get your butt down to Sanity or JB HiFi and grab yaself a copy of this.... if you order online via Sanity, you will get a signed copy by the bald fella himself!

DVD Synopsis:
Big Trucks, Big Loads, Bigger Egos
In the big country, boss Jon Kelly and his elite team of mighty truckers defy the odds to haul some of the biggest loads you'll ever see. No mission is impossible for the Heavy Haulage Australia drivers and their gleaming chrome machines. When it can't be done, the call the MegaTruckers. Every job is a nail-biting logistical nightmare where anything can go wrong at any time. With big stakes, big loads and even bigger egos, MegaTruckers is the must-see television series for every real-life action fan.

Charlie Landsborough - one month to go

Charlie Landsborough - photo from his Facebook fan page

I'm so looking forward to seeing this Welsh-born Liverpudlian in concert in Dubbo in a bit over a month's time.....

Here are the dates/times and venues for this tour - promoted by Terry Gordon:

Queensland:
Thursday May 2nd - Toowoomba City Golf Club 8pm
Friday May 3rd - Twin City Services Club 8:30pm
Sunday May 5th - Kedron Wavell Services Club 2pm

NSW:
Tuesday May 7th - Grafton Services Club 8pm
Wednesday May 8th - Laurieton Services Club 8pm
Thursday May 9th - West Tamworth Leagues Club 8pm
Friday May 10th - Newcastle West Leagues Club 8pm
Saturday May 11th - Smithfield RSL Club 8:30pm
Sunday May 12th - Burns Club Canberra 2:30pm
Tuesday May 14th - Goulburn Workers Club 8pm
Wednesday May 15th - Young Services Club 8pm
Thursday May 16th - Dubbo RSL Club 8pm (my concert)
Friday May 17th - Albury Commercial Club 7:30pm
Saturday May 18th - Coomealla Club Dareton 8pm

SA:
Sunday May 19th - Renmark Hotel/Motel 3pm
Monday May 20th - SA Salt Church Gawler 8pm
Tuesday May 21st - Victor Harbour Theatre 8pm

Victoria - Leg 1:
Tuesday May 23rd - Warrnambool City Memorial Bowls 8pm
Friday May 24th - Plaza Theatre Kyabram 8pm
Saturday May 25th - Sphinx Hotel Geelong 8pm
Sunday May 26th - Bendigo Club 8pm

Tasmania:
Tuesday May 28th - Burnie Arts Centre 8pm
Wednesday May 29th - Launceston Country Club 8pm
Thursday May 30th - Wrest Point Casino Hobart 8pm

Victoria - Leg 2:
Saturday June 1st - Frankston Art Centre 8:30pm
Sunday June 2nd - West Gippsland Art Centre Warragul 2:30pm

If you can make it, please go support Charlie!