Qld Air Museum Open Cockpit Weekend July 6-7, 2019 Troop Report

[Rebelrach]

ate: Sat and Sun 6-7 July 2019

Venue: Queensland Air Museum, 9 Pathfinders Drive, Caloundra West, Qld

Time: 1000-1500 each day

Mission: Our 7th year to wow the big crowds at the Qld Air Museum’s annual Open Cockpit weekend, their biggest fundraising event of the year. Always a great troop for the aviation enthusiasts amongst us with great photo opportunities as we mingle with the crowd and exhibits. This year we were raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctors Association again.

Trooper Attendance:
SATURDAY
Redback Garrison:
Redav – Death Trooper
Imperial Drone – Gunner
Blue - Navy Trooper
Harves1345 - ISB
Gauge Rage - Swamp Scout
Bailey – ID
 
RL:
Diatium - Rebel Fleet Trooper
Moo - Jedi
Tarleah - Jedi
Rebelrach – Xwing pilot
 
 
Support Crew:
RedSonja
Mykill
Jeadous Teal
Rebelrach – POC
 
SUNDAY
Redback Garrison:
Wrexham – TK
Bailey – ID
Tarleah – TI Reserve
 
RL:
Thrawn – Xwing pilot
Gavin - Xwing pilot
Tarleah – Jedi
 
GA:
Kelz daughter (TI Reserve)
 
Support Crew:
Kelz
Jeadous Teal (RL)
Rebelrach - POC
 
Details:  Our 7th year trooping this great weekend event!  A very wet start to Saturday meant the crowds were very slow to arrive and it was somewhat quiet most of the day. Regardless, troopers wandered amongst the aircraft displays and stopped for photos with the public and museum volunteers, well received as always.  

On the Sunday, part 2 of the mission saw new faces and some first day troopers coming back for more.  Big thanks to Tarleah and Bailey for doing both days. The weather had improved a little but the mud and wet ground remained, the crowds were a little bigger today, but still well over half the size of other years.

GaugeRage was his usual energetic self, he and Redav with his Death Trooper was hugely popular with the crowds. Thanks to Redav that trooped all day Saturday, and really worked hard with the crowds. Diatium tried his hand at the cardboard planes, only to be trumped by the fly boys Gavin and Shaun on Sunday. With no Tie Pilots to challenge them, the skies were clear for take off!   

A few troopers tried out the F-1-11 cockpit, and a new twist in the long running saga of the Young and The Plastic…the star of the show, the flight attendant girlfriend (mannequin) is now behind safety glass, though Wrexham dropped by to say hello.
 
Charity Funds Raised: $65.40 for Royal Flying Doctors

Injuries / Malfunctions: Nil.

Public Incidents: NIL. Though we had a very scared kiddy on Sunday (that’s on you Wrexham). Rach may have taken a slide in the mud, but there were not photos so you can’t prove it!

Mission Status: SUCCESS – as always. The bad weather both days meant crowds were about 1/3 the size of other years and charity donations were way down due to this, and no one seems to carry change around any more.  A HUGE thanks to all the troopers that came a long way to make the weekend so fun, and make a great addition to the event. Needless to say we have a standing invite for next year of course.  

Photos