Warbirds over Wanaka - Aircraft to display

[DragonflyDH90]

I just wanted to run this past everyone on the forum, after Dave mentioned it to me.

Normally on mention to the organisers at Warbirds of bringing any number if not all of our vintage aircraft across for the show, we get the response of " its a Warbirds show blah blah.....".
Never mind the fact that most of the aircraft we operate have at some time served with the Airforce of either our nation or several others, and also that they represent some of the most significant aircraft in NZ history (Tiger Moth, Fox Moth, Dominie, Dragonfly).
There hasnt even been a Tiger Moth display there for quite a substantial number of years, and if we play the " its a Warbird show" card then there should be Tigers flying (we certainly see enough Harvards blasting around filling the training roll, but conspicuous in its absence is the Tiger).
We are based only a short distance away from Wanaka (50min flight time) and for the price of having our entire fleet for the weekend you would be lucky to cover the cost of bringing one Harvard down from Auckland.

Please dont take this the wrong way, it is not intended as a bleat, and after seeing several airshows in the UK over the last couple of years I still regard this as one of the best shows around, with a very high standard of flying (even considering the every increasing ticket costs here it still doesnt compare to paying 23pounds per day to go to BoB day at Duxford this year.....ouch , luckily I know a few people).

I would appreciate the thoughts of the forumites....

What do you think???

[Bruce]

Yeah, while I love the Heavy metal Warbirds, I think I prefer a mixture of all types of flying, especially the Classic Civil stuff which doesnt get the profile it deserves. Ive seen a lot of warbirds in my time working at Ardmore, and while I will try and get to Wanaka sometime, I'd rather see Omaka or Masterton in some respects as it has a better balance.
Of Course theres always SportAvex in Tauranga (the show I'm involved with) where we are trying to get a mix of all flavours - everyone is welcome - sort of like the EAA Oshkosh show (but a bit smaller Can the Croydon Collection make it to Tauranga? We'd love to see some there!

[DragonflyDH90]

Its a long way to Tauranga, but who knows.
I may be involved in a nationwide book launch and anniversary tour with one of the aircraft in a year or so, I will keep you posted...

[corsair67]

An airshow without a Tiger Moth is like a Pub without Beer!

I think that there is so much emphasis on the 'heavy metal' at airshows because unfortunately "revheads" are taking over the world - they don't want to see the old and slow stuff; they want the old, fast and loud stuff!

I love the heavy metal, but I'd give my left 'Clarkson' to see a Fox Moth.

[Dave Homewood]

My opinion is that it would be fantastic for the Warbirds Over Wanaka to include the more classic aircraft too. The four types you mention are not only classic civil types but also each had very important roles in wartime Air Forces, so I consider them Warbirds.

I'd much prefer to see the old de Havillands than civil helicopters for example. Despite the helicopters having their place, and being important icons in the Wanaka area, they're so commonplace. People all over NZ can see them working anytime. It is not often you get to see a Fox Moth or Dominie in the skies though. In fact, I've never seen a Fox Moth flying, only sitting in the hangar at Wanaka and at Motat.

And if it's the old Warbirds excuse being applied, when was the R22 or Hughes 500 a more important "Warbird" than the Tiger Moth, which trained virtually all the RNZAF's pilots in WWII and for many years afterwards? Or the DH89 - the first type to be deployed operationally in the Pacific by the RNZAF - of course it's a warbird type!

If it were up to me, I'd jump at the chance to have the Mandeville fleet displaying there. The public would love to see them, they're educational, and they'd be jolly nice to see. And the thought of the two Fox Moths together representing their wartime and civil service would be great.