Precision Helicopters Helicopter Joyflight - TCMF 2014

On Saturday, I was fortunate to be able to do a helicopter joyflight - thanks to Precision Helicopters, I am able to present to you this video I did.... it's 12 minutes long as that was how long the flight was....

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!

Remember when your dreams came true???

Do you remember when your first dream came true???

I can actually do that - it was back on July 14, 2012 (to be exact) when I got to meet the most gorgeous and mischevious dolphin at the Pet Porpoise Pool! The dolphin that matches the description I have just given is 7 year old female, Bella - photo of the two of us to come!

For me, it was actually not one but TWO dreams come true: dream 1 was to get the opportunity to interact with a dolphin for the first time, dream two was to actually get the dolphin I had dreamt of doing it with!

Dreams

Who says dreams cannot come true??? I am a fitting example of this - not just once but TWICE in the same day....

3 weeks ago, I was very fortunate to be able to fly up to Coffs Harbour on the mid-north coast of New South Wales, Australia for a four day break.... during this break, I was able to get an amazing opportunity to do something that I will never forget. It was the second day of my four day break which I spent at the Pet Porpoise Pool - during that day, I got to have my dream of getting to interact with a dolphin for the first time come true... that was part one of the dream. The second part of this dream revolves around a certain dolphin in the Pet Porpoise Pool's dolphin family - that dolphin was a 7 year old female named Bella.

Maybe these fine words from English singer-songwriter, Charlie Landsborough, may make you understand what I am saying:

A Dream Or Two

Written and performed by Charlie Landsborough

If ever you're alone
And life becomes
A stone around your neck
And hard times beckon you
In your heart
Always carry a dream or two

Don't let the shadows creep
Into the hope that keeps
All fears at bay
And luck will favor you
In your heart
Always carry a dream or two

A dream is a magic boat
That keeps your soul afloat
A dreams a prayer the angels wrote
And only those with loving hearts can see
So open up your heart and dream with me

I'd gladly throw away
The gift that yesterday has given me
If only I could be with you
In my heart
I still carry a dream or two

A dream is a magic boat
That keeps your soul afloat
A dreams a prayer the angels wrote
And only those with loving hearts can see
So open up your heart and dream with me

I'd gladly throw away
The gift that yesterday has given me
If only I could be with you
In my heart
I still carry a dream or two

In my heart I still carry a dream of you

 

Also these words from Scottish singer, Isla Grant:

A Dream Come True

Written and performed by Isla Grant

CHORUS:
It's a dream come true, standing here, sharing time with you
It's not so very long ago, I thought I'd never see another show
But then I asked my Lord, to give me strength to face the world again
I prayed each night, don't let the music end
It's what I know, it's been my life, it's what I do
Give me hope and make my dreams come true

Every day I ask myself if I am dreaming
In my troubled mind I try to find a meaning
My world is filled with all kinds of confusion
Could this be real or just some sad illusion

Now it's been a long hard mountain for me to climb
Thoughts of giving up has happened many times
But always in my heart I guess I always knew
Without a song for me there's nothing left to do

It's a dream come true, standing here, sharing time with you
It's not so very long ago, I thought I'd never see another show
But then I asked my Lord, to give me strength to face the world again
I prayed each night, don't let the music end
It's what I know, it's been my life, it's what I do
Give me hope and make my dreams come true

INSTRUMENTAL

It's a dream come true, standing here, sharing time with you
It's not so very long ago, I thought I'd never see another show
But then I asked my Lord, to give me strength to face the world again
I prayed each night, don't let the music end
It's what I know, it's been my life, it's what I do
Give me hope and make my dreams come true

 Here's a video from Noel Flynn with the above song in it:

And for those who have not yet seen the photo of me and Bella, here it is:

Dolphin Marine Magic - Pet Porpoise Pool: Shallow Water Dolphin Experience Review

On Saturday July 14, 2012 at 10:40am, I was very fortunate to do a shallow water dolphin experience at Dolphin Marine Magic - Pet Porpoise Pool in Coffs Harbour, NSW, Australia. Here is a review of the experience!

I arrived at Dolphin Marine Magic just after 9am after picking up my wetsuit from Jetty Dive Dive Centre and was lucky to meet up with my two co-participants, 11 year old Bridget and 15 year old Brittany, before the encounter.... we managed to get half an hour of the 10am dolphin show in before we had to head off to the encounter meeting point. We then met up with Amy, the first trainer, who took us through a safety brief before we changed out of our street clothes - I was lucky I decided to keep my wetsuit on under my clothes as it was quicker for me being 5' 11" tall and a bit round in the belly - then we sanitised our hands while waiting for Aaron, the trainer who was taking us into the water. Amy also told us which of the three dolphins we were going to work with - when she said we were working with Bella, I could not contain my excitement... I dreamt of Bella being the dolphin I would be interacting with as it was my first time interacting with a dolphin.

Bella is a 7 year old female inshore Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin born at the Pet Porpoise Pool - she is one of the stars of all the dolphin experiences there. I met up with the other participants, saw half an hour of the first show then went off to the encounter meeting point. We met up with our first trainer, Amy, who told us which of the dolphins we would be working with (as soon as she said Bella's name, I'm standing there thinking, "OMG! Is this for real???" - it was only then I realised my dream was definitely coming true because it was Bella I had dreamt of doing my first ever interaction with!) then gave us a briefing on where we could touch Bella and where we couldn't then it was time to sanitise our hands and wait for Aaron, the other trainer who was to take us through the interaction. We got to spend the most awesome 20 minutes in the water with Bella - got to feed her, tickle her tongue (and see how she would have suckled when she was a baby - the sides of her tongue are feathered and when she loops her tongue into a circle, the feathered edges link together and form a "straw" where she can take milk from Calamity (her mother)), pat and rub her (both on the back and the belly - another totally useless fact: the way to tell the age of a Indo-Pacific Bottlenose Dolphin is to look on their belly - the amount of spots are a indicator of the age.... as Bella is only 7 years old, she still has white patches on her belly... as for her father, Bucky - he is 41 years old and has no white patches left anywhere on his belly), play ball, have a water fight (Aaron sent Bella to me first for my water fight.... I have never laughed so hard in all my life.... I almost fell over), danced with her, heard her sing and got to feel the force with which she can exhale from her blowhole (you definitely don't want to hold your hand any closer than 15cm above her blowhole because if you did, there is a possibility of breaking bones), see her underwater while throwing her a ring and much more... pity it was only 20 minutes... would have loved another 10 minutes.

In all, it was worth it to make new friends - and what wonderful friends they are (Bella, Brittany and Bridget)! A experience I will never forget in a hurry... highly recommended! If you would like to book in for this experience, phone the Pet Porpoise Pool Experiences Bookings department on 66591910 (02 66591910 outside NSW, +61 2 66591910 outside Australia) or 1300KISSES (1300 547737).

Me and Bella hugging during my Shallow Water Dolphin Experience at Dolphin Marine Magic recently

Robinson R44 Raven II VH-RIZ

Robinson R44 Raven II, VH-RIZ - this is the helicopter that made me fall in love with piston engined helicopters

Update - Trip To Coffs Harbour

A update to a earlier post: http://joehuppsrandoms.blogspot.com.au/2012/05/travels-to-coffs-harbour.html

The final countdown is on! 2 weeks to go..... flying out of Dubbo on Friday July 13, 2012 at 0630 on a QantasLink flight (QF2037, de Haviland Canada DHS Dash-8 Q315) with a 4 hour layover in Sydney then onto a Virgin Australia flight (DJ1165, Embraer 190).... will keep you all updated as the countdown enters it's final phase!

Peace out peeps!

Ford FG Falcon XR6 EcoLPi MkII

Ford Falcon FG MkII XR6 EcoLPi

Just a quick post to talk about this car, the new Falcon EcoLPi....

The Falcon EcoLPi is an amazing car - it can prime the LPG system into the rail and have gas at the engine before you can get your bum into the driver's seat.... once it senses a unlock from the keyfob, the priming system starts up, pressurising the liquified gas into the LPG fuel rail and up to the special gas injectors and once this is done, the driver turns the key to Start and the engine will fire right up!

Travels to Coffs Harbour

Coming up in July, I am going to Coffs Harbour on the mid north coast of New South Wales, Australia for a few days break - and this is one of the amazing things I plan on doing!

I had to reschedule my flights back 3 weeks so I could do this - now I am really, REALLY excited!

Scania Coaches

Scania K480EB 6x2*4 TV5594

There's two words that can be used to describe Scania's range of luxury touring coaches: comfort and style. Some have one or the other while others have both - one such model which has both is the K480EB 6x2*4 pictured above!

This K480EB 6x2*4 started it's working life back in 2007 with Australia Wide Coaches wearing SA registration XNU346 then was re-registered TV5594 when based in Alexandria in Sydney - in early 2011, it was transferred to the fleet (as seen here) of Phil and Fiona Langley of Dubbo still registered as TV5594 and is the first 6x2*4 (6 wheels, 2 driven, 4 steering (front and tag axles)) to enter service in Australia.

Coach Comparision - Denning Decker vs Scania K480EB 6x2*4

Scania K480EB 6x2*4 TV5594

This blog entry is a comparision between two coaches in the Langley's Coaches fleet, a Denning Decker (TV5580) and the above coach, a Scania K480EB 6x2*4 (TV5594)

Denning Decker TV5580

First things first: these are two totally different coaches.... the Scania has a 12 litre SCR Euro V engine and a 12 speed Opticruise AMT while the Denning has a Detroit Diesel Series 60 with a Eaton UltraShift Plus AMT.

Driveline:
The Series 60/UltraShift Plus is nowhere near as smooth or easy shifting as the 12 litre Scania/12 speed Opticruise - the UltraShift Plus would not let the Series 60 lug down to 1000rpm and would be changing down a lot higher than the Scania's Opticruise.... the Opticruise would let the Scania's engine lug down to 1000rpm before grabbing a lower gear.... smoothly!

Taronga Western Plains Zoo - Big Cat Encounter

On Tuesday February 14th, I was very lucky to be able to take part in a Big Cat Encounter (Tiger) at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.... I got to feed a tiger and meet the rest of the tiger family... here are some photos from the experience... now they're not the best but then again, these are memories for me!

Me feeding Isha, a 6 year old female Sumatran Tiger

 

Stockton Beach Trip

Here's a very brief photo reveiw of the recent trip myself, my brother and a couple of friends went on recently to Stockton Beach - enjoy!

MV Sygna - a 53000 tonne Norweigian bulk carrier that was shipwrecked on Stockton Beach on May 26, 1974

My brother's 1999 Toyota HiLux 4WD dual cab on our first camp site for the trip

Pristine sands of Stockton Beach - 4WD access only!

An amazing sunrise on the last day of our trip

The ute on the tallest sand dune

Tamboi Queen Cruises - Dolphin Watch Cruise, Tuesday January 3, 2012

Here are some photos from my dolphin watch cruise with Tamboi Queen Cruises - enjoy!

Heading out of Nelson Bay

The only dolphin I was able to photograph - bloody buggers were too fast!

Our captain for this cruise, Captain Harry - seen here manning the waterslide on board the MV Spirit

Our vessel, the MV Spirit - a 18m catamaran with ample viewing opportunities

Movie Review - Dolphin Tale

Cast:
Harry Connick Jr. - Dr. Clay Haskett
Kris Kristofferson - Reed Haskett
Cozi Zuehlsdorff - Hazel Haskett
Nathan Gamble - Sawyer Nelson
Ashley Judd - Lorraine Nelson
Morgan Freeman - Dr. Cameron McCarthy
Austin Stowell - Kyle Connellan
Austin Highsmith - Phoebe
Winter the Dolphin - Herself
_____________________________________________________________________________________
Synopsis:


Swimming free, a young dolphin is caught in a crab trap, severely damaging her tail. She is rescued and  transported to the Clearwater Marine Hospital, where she is named Winter. But her fight for survival has just begun. Losing her tail may cost Winter her life. It will take the expertise of a dedicated marine biologist, the ingenuity of a brilliant prosthetics doctor, and the unwavering devotion of a young boy to bring about a groundbreaking miracle—amiracle that might not only save Winter but could also help thousands of people
around the world.

“Dolphin Tale” is a heartwarming, fun adventure about the healing bonds of family, both human and animal. The real Winter, who plays herself in “Dolphin Tale,” today serves as a symbol of courage and hope to millions of people—especially those facing their own physical challenges—who have been touched by her remarkable story of recovery and rehabilitation.

The film stars Harry Connick, Jr. as Dr. Clay Haskett, who runs the Clearwater Marine Hospital; Ashley Judd as Lorraine Nelson, a single mother; Nathan Gamble as her son, Sawyer, who frees Winter from the trap and forms a unique connection with the dolphin; Cozi Zuehlsdorff as Hazel, Clay’s daughter, who befriends Sawyer; Kris Kristofferson as Clay’s father, Reed; and Oscar® winner Morgan Freeman (“Million Dollar Baby”) as Dr. Cameron McCarthy, who takes on the seemingly impossible task of crafting a prosthetic tail for Winter.

This movie is recommended to all, young and old, who love dolphins! Worth every cent of the ticket - one of the pre-requisites is a packet of tissues.... you will cry at the end!

"The Jesus Nut" by Cal Cazerslit

Enjoy this little tune from Cal Cazerslit - the "Jesus nut" is the nut that holds the top rotor blade assembly to the shaft from the engine to the rotor blades!

Orana Caravan, Camping, 4WD, Fish and Boat Show - 4WD Demo Video

One of many escapades from the abovementioned show - the vehicle in this video is a stock standard Toyota LandCruiser Prado 150 Series GXL turbo diesel auto...... check it out!