Queensland Air Museum 2 Day Troop
#1
Troop Report 
Date: Sat and Sun 5-6 July 2014

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

Time: 0900-1600 each day

Mission: To add some Star Wars magic to the Air Museum’s annual Open Cockpit weekend, their biggest fundraising event of the year. This is our 2nd invite and joint RL troop, and the organisers love us attending and interacting with the crowds. A Miniature Xwing game was donated by Fast Break Sports Nundah, and we chose to fund raise for the Community Funded Museum.

Trooper Attendance:
SATURDAY
RBG:
Solo – TK
Duck – Tusken Female
Rubber – Tusken / Sandtrooper
Rebelrach - POC
RL:
Rebelrach – Xwing pilot

MM
Baytrooper – Mando
GA:
Maverick (could you get a cooler name for an Air Museum troop?) – Vader
Lauren - Jawa

Support Crew / Guest Trooper Attendance:
TK Ratchett (SSG) – TK
Scoot040 – (RGB) Cadet and road testing pending Reserve Pilot costume
Chookie (SCG cadet) – Wrangling husband and GA’s
Viperscout (RGB) – Wrangling GA jawa
Brock (GA) – Mini GA Vader assistant


SUNDAY
RBG:
Duras – TK
Buzzard – Imperial Officer
Chopper – Tie Pilot
Muppet – Tie Pilot / Gunner
Bigmac – Gunner
Terrafirma – Gunner
Rebelrach - POC
RL:
Gene Neon – Xwing pilot
Thrawn – Rebel Fleet Trooper
Rebelrach – Xwing pilot

GA
Maverick – Vader/Yoda

Support Crew / Guest Trooper Attendance:
TK Ratchett (SSG) – TK
Scoot040 – (RGB) Cadet and road testing pending Reserve Pilot costume
Chookie (SCG cadet) – Wrangling husband and GA’s
Gene E-di (Tatooine Base) Xwing wrangler/photos
Brock (GA) –GA Yoda assistant

Thanks also to: Nate (Muppets son), Robyn and daughters (Choppers family) and Ravyn’s dad for supporting the troopers.

Details: The coded message (an older code but it checked out) went out to Imperials, Rebels and Mandos that at Mos Eisley Spaceport (AKA Qld Air Museum) aircraft were being assembled for the annual inspection, and a Star Wars presence was naturally required to ensure law and order was maintained amongst the mass of Galactic Citizens arriving.

Troopers boarded transports, gunships and speeders, hitting light speed through early morning galactic mist, arriving safely from 8am on Saturday, to observe the local citizens and test out the ‘Old Republic’ aircraft on display, keep galactic order and recruiting new pilots, collecting fines and looking for those missing droids (still).
Troopers were immediately popular with the local inhabitants and themselves awed by the array of old air transportation on display, most with old school jet fuel engines, wheels and something called ‘propellers’. Tie Fighters and Xwings were forgotten as troopers sat in the cockpits of an F-111, Sea Vixen, DC3, Phantom, choppers and even a jeep, made of all sorts of crude matter.

The uneasy truce between Imperials and Rebels remained intact on the Saturday, under Mando and Tusken supervision, with mini Vader making a guest pilot appearance and a cute but pesky jawa attempting to steal some engine components. Simmering tensions erupted into a full scale photoshoot on the Sunday in front of the Caribou and fascinated crowds, with Rebels completely outnumbered by Tie Pilots, gunners and troopers. At one point troopers were distracted skywards as a very familiar looking transport with markings that matched a ship that blasted its way earlier out of Mos Eisley flew off (a chopper flyby), and as well as getting hungry and wanting to head to the Cantina, the battle was forgotten. Yoda also made a popular appearance proving size matters not ...

The combination of the Imperial Propaganda Display table (and raffle), the impressive PR and citizen relations the troopers displayed, the Galactic Academy presence and general awesomeness of the troopers left the local galactic population in awe, many donations were made towards improving the space port, and the Mos Eisely administrators were most pleased with the Star Wars presence, inviting all parties back next year, but with bigger numbers.
Troopers flew in and out over both days, committing many hours to observing the Galactic citizens and questioning them about a suspected Rebel uprising and illegal smuggler runs. Some troopers even found local accommodation within the Space Port overnight, reporting back that ‘Caloundra’ was not, as reported, “a wretched hive of scum and villainy”. While a few lucky troopers were able to test drive the F-111 jet, others waited patiently for the chance on Sunday afternoon after crowds dispersed, but hearing rumours of an increasingly dense asteroid field (traffic jam on the M1), and with troopers having to travel many light years home, the Imperial decision was made to pack up and abandon the space port before the Twin Suns set. Let’s face it, the odds of successfully navigating an asteroid field are 3,720…. to 1.

Charity Funds Raised: $265.30

Injuries / Malfunctions: Terra’s helmet antenna came unstuck when he hit the inside of the chopper roof. Rebelrach has a date with a hot glue gun after losing most of her leg flares.

Public Incidents: NIL. Though 4 small kiddies cried at the Tie Pilots within 10 minutes (at least it wasn’t Duras for a change! LOL) Buzzard left his kids somewhere, still not sure if he remembered to take them home again.

Mission Status: HUGE SUCCESS!!! The clubs have already been invited back next year, and we get to choose the best spot ourselves to set up in. We got a lot of positive feedback and thanks from the organisers, volunteers, vendors and the public. It’s a fun troop, with great photo opportunities with the vintage aircraft, cars and props (engines, missiles, propellers etc). QAM will donate to us for a future raffle prize (at any event we want it for) a museum pack including a tour of the museum and F-111 cockpit.

My personal thanks to Stormraven for organising the event so well, making it easy for me to be POC for the weekend. (He sourced a Miniature Xwing Game, donated from Fast Break Sports Nundah which was very successful, selling 1 ½ books of tickets). Thanks to The Gordon Family for coming up from Northern NSW and trooping the whole weekend. Big thanks to cadet Scoot40 too for coming both full days and learning the ropes.

Thanks to all that drove long distances to troop and those that that brought models to display and leant helmets, it made the table display look awesome. The troopers were at their entertaining best and having pilots there tied in the clubs well. The weekend operated so easily and folk had a great time. Wranglers, spouses, GA kids and support crew were all fantastic. The good natured rivalry between the clubs made for great sport and photos. The weekend was a great combo of trooping, socialising, fundraising and being part of the museum and military exhibits. Perfect sunny Tatooine weather (and nice and cool on Sunday). It’s just a great fun, easy going troop. We hope to make it bigger and better next year too!

Photos:
Table Display
[Image: IMG_4230.jpg]
Duck and Rubber’s Tusken Family
[Image: IMG_4238.jpg]
Mini Vader and his Minions
[Image: IMG_4242.jpg]
Baytrooper ‘Got to the Choppa!’
[Image: IMG_4255.jpg]
Muppet in the pilots seat of the F-111 (Muppets photos)
[Image: DSC02148.jpg]
Muppet and Chopper take the controls of the Caribou

[Image: DSC02211.jpg]
When the Tie Fighters are in the shop….
[Image: DSC02276.jpg]
Buzzard just gets creepy
[Image: IMG_4335.jpg]
Birds Eye View? Pic taken by Buzzard
[Image: IMG_4419.jpg]
Turn and burn Rebelrach!
[Image: IMG_4454.jpg]
Trooper love!
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Buzzard The Flyboy
[Image: IMG_4467.jpg]
Trooper on Guard
[Image: IMG_4474.jpg]
Evacuate the Troops!
[Image: IMG_4491.jpg]

New Job for Duras….Customer Relations
[Image: IMG_4500.jpg]
Reply
#2
Looks like it was another great weekend. Doppeldaumen1 Great to see all the clubs represented. Thanks Rach for taking this over for me Notworthy .
Duty * Honor * Empire



What do you call a stormtrooper who can hit a target?
TIE Pilot Cheeky
Reply
#3
Thanks for the great weekend, we all had a blast. Rebelrach, what a fantastic table display, its was just brilliant. Stormraven and Rebelrach organizing and POC the event everything ran so smoothly.
Ratchet
TK-15378
SOUTHERN CROSS GARRISON 
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#4
Fantastic day with so many cool aircraft to get "hands on"

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#5
Very cool troopers...bummed I missed it!!
Royalguard

Darth "I find your lack of pants disturbing."
BN12GCSN13:DW13:
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#6
Awesome report Rach!
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#7
What a great weekend. So jealous. Stoopid wife getting ready to have a baby!!! This is only getting better and better each year. Hope to make next year.
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#8
Looks like it was so much fun! haha
- ONLY THE DEAD HAVE SEEN THE END OF THE WAR -
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#9
This troop WAS fun. Everyone trooped with great spirit and it was really enjoyable. Thanks again to all that participated, you made it a fantastic weekend. :-)
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#10
great job
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#11
It was an Awesome troop. I signed up as a Redback and was going to take either Sandy or Snowie. When I asked the POC, Rach, which she would prefer, we got chatting as to which is more "Pilot" looking, not that it really matters tho Smile I responded with "Mando". Which was accepted as a good idea. I also wanted to get out in the Mando more as to not have the kit just sit at home and not be trooped in. She ok'd the request and said it would be great to have the Mando there. So that was that. I simply asked and was most definitely accepted and therefore proud to be there as a Mando and help out on the day. Nothing afoot at all. No disrespect Hop, but all I did was ask if it was ok, and it was. A simple action that wielded a happy and fun result Smile I maintained to Rach that I was a guest of the Redbacks and was to listed as so, not a Redback on the day. Had a ball Smile
Td  Snowie  Jawa Still working on   Bobafett 
      FNG
      [Image: gec.png]  
Reply
#12
A Great time was had by all. We all know which ever group we troop as, we all know and luv each other for what we do and what ever kit we dress in. All is ok and sorted and look forward to trooping with all my friends of the 501st, Rebels and Mando's. Soldier on and "The Force is With Us All"............
Td  Snowie  Jawa Still working on   Bobafett 
      FNG
      [Image: gec.png]  
Reply
#13
Looks like it was an awesome Troop, hope to do it next year, good work all
"The Death Star plans are not in the main computer"

[Image: T0ZvRQv.png]

[Image: Eu2xjUD.png]
Reply
#14
And the Mando looks pretty awesome on you Baytrooper. Definantly suited the military craft. The way you wear it would bring Craig pride.
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#15
hey Guys. Bit late but my dad is a volunteer at the museum (He was driving the Jeep ride) and I remember him mentioning the 501 attending and being a huge success. They where very impressed and reckon you made a new fanbase and supporters. well done. hopefully I can now join in next year.
P.S I work at the Wesley hospital so in time I may be able to assist in future if you ever are invited or would like to visit the Kids. (and probably a few adults too!!)
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