C-5M Super Galaxy taking off from RNZAF Base Auckland, 22/08/2025
Posted by minpd@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 38 comments
Posted by minpd@reddit | aviation | View on Reddit | 38 comments
Karmas_burning@reddit
My two favorite big planes are the AN-225 (RIP), the B-52, and the C-5. I was a kid when I saw the AN-225 and actually got to sit in the pilot's chair. It wasn't long after that I saw a C-5. My thoughts today are the same as they were back then. I am always amazed such a big plane gets into the air.
GuidanceNegative8599@reddit
I could be totally wrong but that takeoff looked kinda late, wonder if the pilot did that to give you guys a show. That’s cool
minpd@reddit (OP)
I doubt it was for show, it's probably just the relatively short runway length - 2031m/6665 ft. Someone was spreading a rumor that the crew would leave Whenuapai with a small amount of fuel and stop at Auckland airport to fully refuel because the C5 wouldn't be able to take off otherwise, haha.
llamachef@reddit
Depending on the kind of takeoff they did, they could carry several hours of gas, but probably needed to stop somewhere longer to get enough gas to go oceanic
joshwagstaff13@reddit
The same rumour was spreading at the other end of the runway as well, so you can probably imagine the murmurs in the crowd when it just kept climbing out over Whangaparaoa.
Chaxterium@reddit
I miss the sound of the old engines. So unique.
Porchprophet@reddit
i love the shape of this unit of a bird
Even_Kiwi_1166@reddit
The big one , fits in r/absoluteunits
AbletonUser333@reddit
I grew up next to a large east coast naval base and these things used to take off over our house all the time. The sound was enormous - it would rattle things off shelves at times.
colombian-neck-tie@reddit
New Zealand bought 4 of them to transport sheep to the milking sheds rather than using shepherd’s
AVeryHeavyBurtation@reddit
Shepherd's what?
feint_of_heart@reddit
Yeah, about that...
colombian-neck-tie@reddit
Sorry I meant rams
feint_of_heart@reddit
Obviously you're not a golfer.
BonsaiHI60@reddit
Ooooooh.
ThatDamnRanga@reddit
One of the greatest things about NZ is definitely how small the airport perimeters are, even for military bases. Just a few signs saying 'no stopping, jet wash' or 'no stopping, low flying aircraft'
joshwagstaff13@reddit
Or if you're at the other end of Whenuapai, a low chain-link fence, followed by a higher chain-link fence topped with barbed wire, followed by patrolling RNZAF base security.
53V3N@reddit
Oh lawd, she be rotatin’
Thunderboltpier@reddit
Good thing he didn’t scrape that fence.
SuperZapp@reddit
It isn’t a vodka burner or Aerosucre
Prod_Meteor@reddit
Oohh look Dorothy.. how well 16 public hospitals fly these days.
milgi617@reddit
Remember the peace dividend after the end of the Cold War? Did 100s of hospitals, schools, free tertiary education get done…no - but now we have trillionaires. There is always the money for good public services, the governments we vote for do not want to fund them properly.
cwleveck@reddit
Super? I mean, what makes this one better than the others? I think C-5's are arguably all pretty super. Maybe call the C-5M the Super Duper Galaxy?
tropicsun@reddit
Eight 380 and 747 didn’t have wings like this. Is there a reason?
Tortenthusiast@reddit
the C-5 is for fighting wars and prizes stability and short take offs vs fuel efficiency.
tropicsun@reddit
Eight 380 and 747 didn’t have wings like this. Is there a reason?so this wing style is less efficient?
JaviSATX@reddit
Over 30 years I've been watching fly around my city. I still haven't tired of seeing them. I do miss the old, screaming engines though.
KB346@reddit
r/praisethecameraman
minpd@reddit (OP)
:D cheers, had to try very hard to not cheer and whoop as the beast passed overhead
Imprezzed@reddit
Aluminum clouds doing Galaxy things
SansPoopHole@reddit
That’s a big bird.
Count-per-minute@reddit
That’s a lot of SNAP meals.
aviation-ModTeam@reddit
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Count_Dracula_Jr@reddit
The gear retraction is marvellous
captain_retrolicious@reddit
Beautiful!
atx620@reddit
I always thought it was a myth that those things actually flew
Designer_Buy_1650@reddit
Those boys have a long ride home. Probably a refueling (or two?).
JoaquinAFineline@reddit
That is hugely awesome!!!