Classic Fighters '09 - NZ Air Show

[hairy]

This past Easter weekend was the bi-annual Classic Fighters air show at Omaka air field, Blenheim, NZ.
Unfortunatly I was unable to make it , but below is a link to some awesome photos taken over the course of the weekend.

Enjoy.

http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?bo ... hread=8973

You have got to love the combination of a zoom lens and the "spaghetti break".

And don't forget this was the first air show for the newest airworthy Spitfire, PV270, not to mention the BE2 and Avro 504.

[flyingheritage]

Yet again NZ makes OZ airshow look really um small...

NZ got great scnery and evening light.. and shapes that work well in the last light.

I was hoping to attend a few NZ shows but havent done it yet.
Maybe 2010 i will.

Some superb photography there on the 4 pages.

I note with shock orroor the speaker boxes were imported back from Avalon too... and ruin the crowd line vieww... when will they get rid of these at airshows...

[DB2]

Fantastic link! Thanks for posting. Really brings back the memories of flying around in NZ.

I see a note in the forums that Peter Jackson was filming some of the activity...anyone know what that might be for?

Also, what is the story on the Stuka?

[DaveM2]

Stuka is a 1:1 scale. With some sponsorship available it is hoped to be able to taxi the aircraft in the future.
Full feature on the show, including A2A of the Be-2 and a major feature on the Spitfire with some beautiful A2As as well, will be in the upcoming Classic Wings magazine.

Dave

Only two intact Ju 87s survive. An enterprising team led by Lester Hope decided to do something about this, and put together a quite accurate full scale replica using various types of materials, including parts of donor aircraft and vehicles. The aircraft was near complete when displayed at the 2003 air show; however disaster struck sometime later when a gust of wind saw the Stuka attempt an unauthorized take off-it flipping over on its back which caused substantial damage. It was decided in the lead up to the 2009 that the project would be resurrected; with an even greater attempt at authenticity- a close look will confirm this has been a success! As part of the air shows Italian theme the replica has been finished in the colours of the ‘Picchiatelli’ – an Italian dive bomber group known as the ‘Crazy Drivers.’

[Chris]

COOL!!!!!! I've talked my wife into going to NZ for our thirtieth anniversary next year. Of course we were married in September but I told her the best weather was in April. Oh and By the way there's a really great airshow in Wanaka and since we'd already be there we might as well go. She bought into it. Thats' why we're still together after thirty years. The pics just keep convincing me that I need to go. Thanks again

[DB2]

COOL!!!!!! I've talked my wife into going to NZ for our thirtieth anniversary next year. Of course we were married in September but I told her the best weather was in April. Oh and By the way there's a really great airshow in Wanaka and since we'd already be there we might as well go. She bought into it. Thats' why we're still together after thirty years. The pics just keep convincing me that I need to go. Thanks again

Wanaka is a truly great show, though it seems Classic Fighters is now eclipsing it, especially with the WW1 stuff. (The shows are on alternate years.)

I was privileged to fly the SNJ the first day of Wanaka 2000 (was working in Australia at the time), and had Ray Hanna form up with me in Spitfire TB863 (?), truly one of the highlights so far of my flying career.

While in NZ you should try to arrange a "flying safari"...with a little effort you can rent a 172 or similar with a local "tour" pilot and do some great day trips.

[ColFord]

The photos posted at the linked page above certainly have confirmed my desire to get to Classic Fighters 2011.

I did a trip to Warbirds Over Wanaka in 2004, the last year Ray Hannah and the Breitling Fighters performed there. Made a real aviation holiday of it, taking in as many aviation related sights as possible with the three days of the Wanaka show being the centrepiece (Friday practice, Saturday and Sunday). Saw some amazing sights, did some truly memorable flying and had a fantastic time.

The way Classic Fighters has been growing I've now earmarked it as my 2011 major airshow to attend.

And what's more whilst I keep myself busy with the airplanes, there is lots for the wife to do in the surrounding region with lots of antiques, crafts and wineries to keep her interested as well.

Following link takes you to a report I did way back then. I am certainly looking forward to visiting NZ again for an aviation themed holiday.

http://www.clubhyper.com/reference/warb ... kacf_1.htm

Regards,

[hairy]

I see a note in the forums that Peter Jackson was filming some of the activity...anyone know what that might be for?

Peter was there because he is an ardent WWI aviation fan, he is the driving force behind NZs ever expanding WWI aircraft scene.

We are very, very lucky that he enjoys sharing his toys with others.

For those of you who are wondering, the WWI tank in the pics started life as a Catterpillar D-7, but you would never guess it if you weren't told beforehand.

And for anyone looking to come down for a visit, feel free to look me up.

[Glyn]

I went to Wanaka in 2006 and can heartily recommend it to the afficionados. I had pre-purchased a 'Gold Pass' for the event which allowed me to get to places on the airfield not normally available to the public. If you plan to go, make sure you book early. The nearest accommodation I could find was in Queenstown - which if memory serves was over 60 miles away. That was no hardship as it is a delightful town and the drive to and from was very pleasant.

[Dave Homewood]

For those who have not clicked the link to my forum yet, here's a taster of just some of my photos on that link, and there are many more from other forum members.









































Here is the link again if this has whetted your appetites:
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=airshow&action=display&thread=8973&page=1