Departure fix

In nautical navigation terms, the departure fix is the last terrestrial fix that is taken before commencing a passage out of the sight of land or the reach of radar. In many ways it provides the last known position of the ship prior to venturing out into the open ocean.

After 21 years serving my country, it’s time to set out on a new voyage.

While my job in the Navy has been driving and fighting warships, my passion since I was about 8 years old has been warbirds and classic cars. I have studied them, made plastic models of them, I even own one (a muscle car - not a warbird unfortunately) and increasingly they have been the subjects of my photography. Consequently, when I started to look at options to take a break from service, a friend’s idea of a trip around the world visiting museums and airshows sounded like just the trick.

I have made some lists of everything that I want to see, mapped them out, and have put together some loose schedules to guide my trip. Some of the more significant events included on the lists that I expect to share are:

Airshows: Chino - Wings Tracks & Wheels; Paris Air Show; RIAT; NAS Oceana

Aviation Museums: Too many to even reduce down for this list. Generally, if the museum has WW2 warbirds, and is not too far out of the way, I intend to visit them. Best to look at the schedule to see my intended track.

Air to Air: Aviation Photocrew - Battle of Britain photo flight

Ground to Air: Sidewinder canyon; Mach Loop; Nellis AFB; RAF Lakenheath

Automotive Museums/places: Petersen Automotive Museum; Indianapolis Motor Speedway; Talladega Superspeedway; Imola; Spa-Francorchamps; Ferarri museums in Modena and Maranello

Automotive events: Goodward festival of speed; Formula 1, Indycar, and NASCAR events

Additionally, when I am travelling through Italy, I intend to retrace the footsteps of one of my grandfathers that served in the 2nd NZEF in WW2. I expect to start at Cassino (a very important battlefield for NZers) and then head north as far as Venice.

As I sort out my plans, I intend to update the schedule provided and then use this blog to show some of the highlights as I travel about. I hope that I can take a few people with me vicariously on my journey. Please feel free to subscribe to my Facebook and/or Instagram where more frequent updates will be provided, as well as notifications as I update this blog.