TEFC - Merlin

Merlin Magic 2010

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 05:36:00 +1000

Yes, I know we haven't have the Merlin for a while now, but I just love the name, because at Coomalie Airfield on a cool moonless night surrounded by history, aircraft, friends, music, food and a warm fire it is hard to say that there isn't a little magic in the air.

We may not have fire breathing dragons, but we do have knights of the air and saints on the ground.

It was great to see 3 gyrocopters participate in the event, the storch was given a showing and a variety of recreational aircraft from MKT and beyond came for the event.

Joe came down for the flight after a blown fuel boost pump fuse almost put paid to our journey down on the Sunday morning. It was Joe's first departure from our new bitumen strip which he celebrated with a big Woohoo! as we took off.

A single trike was heading back in the opposite direction from Coomalie as we headed down with air that was nice and smooth, unlike the gales that had been blowing over previous weeks.

As we turned across the airfield, the DC3 stood out at the end of runway 17. Other aircraft including John in the red drifter were in the circuit and wondered what Darwin tower or Brisbane must make of this activity on 126.7 around Coomalie.

After we had landed and parked up, Joe headed off with Christian, another MKT youngster and they had a great time inspecting the DC3 and sharing stories.

After catching up and looking around at all the aircraft we jumped back in and headed back to MKT. A little more wind this time, but Joe really enjoyed the flight as I did.

A big thank you to all who make this event possible - especially Richard Luxton.

Oh, don't forget to check out the newly manicured cricket pitch in the photo album which dates back to the second world war, complete with with sentinel anthills acting as fielders on the pitch.

See you in 2011.

Merlin Magic 2010

Merlin magic again

Wed, 28 Jul 2010 07:29:00 +1000

Well it is that time of year again. Details are sketchy but looks another wonderful Merlin Magic night will be held on the 7th of August. If there are any further details, please leave a comment.

If you can imagine a darkened moonless night, flames from engines, aircraft converging on a world war II airstrip, campfires, folk songs and good fun then Merlin Magic is the event.

Aerial - Merlin Magic 2009

5 Jul 2009

Not the Merlin Night - this weekend 4/5 July

Tue, 30 Jun 2009 21:14:00 +1000

This was posted under a previous posting but here it is again.

From Steve

The Top End Orienteers will be holding their NT Championships over three days on the weekend of 4 and 5 July. yippee!

What does this have to do with us?

They will be hosted by Richard Luxton at his Coomalie Creek property.

The actual Championship run will be around the property on Sunday morning, 5^th July (up in the hills, etc.)

HOWEVER on the afternoon of Saturday 4^th they plan to have World War 2 historical activities including DC3 rides and Richard is hoping that the Harvard and Tiger Moth will attend.

The water bomber will be there and Richard is hoping that someone will arrive in the Yak, as well as mobs of TEFC aircraft.

In the evening the folk band will perform and there will be a moonlight dinner.

Sound familiar? Yes! It’s the new-look

NOT MERLIN NIGHT!

- with all the old familiar stuff (except the Merlin)

. . . so be there!

Info supplied by Steve Allen, your friendly flyaway organiser

For those at the monthly meeting, Richard Luxton made a welcome guest appearence to let us know about the events going on down at Coomalie Airstrip this weekend.

Coomalie Airstrip and the surrounding area has a rich wartime history.

Have a look at what you can see in the area from the air... the township including the historic railway bridges, the cemetary and snake creek historic war buildings.

Click on the highlighted links above to see what you might see.

Here are some previous entries on the event...

TEFC - Merlin Magic 2008

Jul 10, 2008

photos: 103

TEFC - Merlin Magic at Coomalie

Jun 24, 2006

photos: 62

http://www.xsymetrix.com.au/blog/index.cfm/2006/6/27/Landing-for-the-event

The map below shows how to get to the airstrip via road.

View Coomalie in a larger map