The Russians are not only coming -they've arrived!

The Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre was the venue for the Russian Rugby team's Capping Ceremony.  Fortunately the weather was kind to us so we put the fuselage on display.  It attracted a large amount of attention, one player getting so carried away as to climb into the cockpit before I could say "Nyet!!!".

I'm hovering in the background, trying not to look too concerned! But at least we can now say that our Russian aircraft has had an authentic Russian backside sitting in it!

The light of day

At last our ladies get to see the light of day -not just any day but a great Marlborough day when the Russian Rugby Team are due to get 'capped' (a strange ceremony which probably flummoxed the participants whereby each member is presented with a Rugby World Cup  black cap complete with gold tassle). There's still a lot of work to be done but at least it is looking presentable for the duration of the World Cup, so here they are -enjoy!

And here is her sister 'ship', also in an authentic colour scheme, almost fully completed and ready to go:

The jigsaw starts to get assembled!

The front cowlings are now on, followed by the lacing to keep the top cowl on.  And then the roundels and lettering on the rudder.  In the background is a Morane G being constructed first of all as a display model but ultimately to be a fully fledged flying replica.

No, that is NOT her towel!

The ladies have arrived!

I think I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.