|
|
Post by turboNZ on Feb 21, 2011 20:13:38 GMT 12
I shall be riding down to ChCh on the Guzzi on The Friday morn then riding back up to Omaka Sunday morn to watch the show. Can't wait !!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 24, 2011 10:20:21 GMT 12
CLASSIC FIGHTERS EASTER AIRSHOW – THE BIGGEST AVIATION EVENT IN NZ IN 2011! CLASSIC FIGHTERS – BIG HEAVY TWINS – THE GATHERING OF THE AWESOME FOURSOMEClassic Fighters Airshow this year will be hosting a unique collection of four large twin engined transport aircraft, corralled together at the western end of the airfield. CF’11 organisers are delighted to announce that the only two Douglas DC-3 Dakotas still flying in New Zealand, one from the NZ Warbirds Dakota group in Auckland, and the other from the Southern DC-3 Trust at Ashburton will be at Classic Fighters over the Easter weekend. Both DC-3s will be carrying out scenic flights during the airshow weekend, providing airshow patrons the opportunity to partake in a magical flight back in time aboard one of history's most famous and most loved airliners. Also returning to Omaka will be the magnificent Catalina flying boat sponsored by Catalina Sound wine, for what will be the only major airshow event it will be participating in this year and its first attendance at Classic Fighters since 2007. The distinctive flying boat always proves popular with the airshow crowds. The fourth of the large twins is Omaka’s own resident Bristol Freighter which, after 20 years of resting in silence by the Marlborough Aero Club clubrooms, was brought back to life in 2009 and with both engines once again capable of running, was made to be able to taxi just in time for the airshow. It is understood that this is the only Bristol Freighter left in the world that is still capable of operating even though it no longer flies – or at least, it doesn’t for now! At the 2009 airshow, visitors were surprised when the great transport opened its gaping cargo doors at the front of the aeroplane, and disgorged what appeared to be an endless stream of Vespa motor-scooters which proceeded to scoot all over the airfield. The organisers of Classic Fighters 2011 have something else in mind for this year, but you'll need to be there to see what they have in mind! See all four of these gentle giants come to life at Classic Fighters, this Easter – only at Omaka Graham Orphan cwd@cwd.co.nz   |
|
|
|
Post by Officer Crabtree on Feb 24, 2011 20:32:43 GMT 12
Wonderful! I'm going to try and get on that Dakota.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwitone on Mar 4, 2011 5:56:55 GMT 12
well...I'm coming!....paid the fare last week and got my new kiwi passport today!
all good ay!......very very excited, great to be coming home and fantastic to be taking in Omaka.
getting accreditation sorted and servicing the 300/2.8
Looking forward to meeting the forrumers attending; does anyone know if the pa is full or has contact tel no.
|
|
|
|
Post by obiwan27 on Mar 4, 2011 9:48:17 GMT 12
After everything that has happened in Christchurch in the past week or so I am looking forward so very much to spending a nice holiday up at Omaka for the long weekend. Apart from the obvious appeal of all the aircraft that are due to be down and displaying for the airshow, I'll enjoy checking out all of the different stalls of food, wine and whatever else there is as well.
Having invested in a 3 -Day Gold Pass early in the piece I will be making the most of my investment.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 6, 2011 12:10:29 GMT 12
New Update:
CLASSIC FIGHTERS – SPITFIRES IN STEREO
That most iconic of World War Two fighter aircraft is set to appear at Classic Fighters this coming Easter with not one but TWO of these fabulous Roll-Royce powered thoroughbreds streaking through the skies of Marlborough!
Visitors to the last Classic Fighters airshow in 2009 were thrilled to witness the international debut of the freshly restored Spitfire Mk.IX of Brendon Deere, restored in the markings of the aircraft flown by his famous uncle, and Battle of Britain veteran Al Deere. This year, Classic Fighters patrons will witness another significant debut, that of Doug Brooker’s rare two-seat Spitfire Tr.IX, making its first appearance at a major New Zealand airshow. Doug’s Spitfire has been finished in the colours of an aircraft flown by another famous Kiwi ‘ace’, Colin Grey. If all goes to plan, BOTH Spitfires will fly together for the first time in public during Easter 2011 and visitors to Classic Fighters will be witnesses to this significant event.
Bringing these two aircraft together in the skies over Omaka Airfield will be all the more significant as Alan Deere and Colin Grey were best friends for much of their lives and even served as ‘best men’ at eachother’s weddings, so it will be quite something to reflect on these two great aviators as we witness ‘their’ two Spitfires flying alongside eachother for the first time in over six decades. It is set to be a very touching occasion!
Classic Fighters organizers are thrilled and privileged to be able to debut this pair of significant fighters seen together at last, and only at Omaka!
Graham Orphan
cwd@cwd.co.nz
|
|
|
|
Post by Officer Crabtree on Mar 6, 2011 21:04:33 GMT 12
I am thrilled, do not doubt that, but I personally feel that the Mosquito will overshadow this, as it's my favourite plane. All the same...wow.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2011 0:59:18 GMT 12
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news Jasper, but the Mosquito is now unlikely to be in attendance, due to some complications with the restoration. Like all old aeroplanes that are being rebuilt, you cannot rush it, especially with an aircraft as rare and complex as this, and the golden rule applies that "it will fly when it flies. "
The team are doing their very best but it looks likely that the sourcing of final necessary parts, the completion of the restoration, the painting, the series of engine runs, taxi runs and then air tests will simply not all be possible within the less than two months available. So two Spitfires chasing the Me108 and Fw109 will have to suffice, not to mention all the other attendees that are scheduled to come along.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2011 1:20:05 GMT 12
CLASSIC FIGHTERS EASTER AIRSHOW –
THE BIGGEST AVIATION EVENT IN NZ IN 2011!
THE BIGGEST EVENT OF ANY KIND IN THE TOP OF THE SOUTH…EVER!
CLASSIC FIGHTERS – LIFE IS THE PITTS!
Set to make its first appearance at a major New Zealand airshow next month is this stunning specialist aerobatic aircraft, the Pitts Model 12. The distinctive rakish biplane is the latest in a long line of purpose built stunt planes that date back to the first flight of a ‘Pitts Special’ in 1944.
This new aircraft continues the evolution of that first little stunt biplane and the many upgrades that followed, but the 65 hp engine of the first Pitts has given way to a massive 400 hp Russian built M.14 radial engine which gives this new machine a throaty roar and performance to ‘go up like a skyrocket’!
The Pitts Model 12 was built by Auckland based enthusiast John Eaton who will bring the two seater to Blenheim this Easter with display pilot Richard Hood who has previously ‘wowed’ spectators at earlier Classic Fighters shows with his stunning aerobatic routines.
The Pitts Model 12 wears a distinctive purple and black colour scheme and carries a smoke system that will allow viewers to follow its path as it streaks through the sky in a complex display of aerial choreography, blending ballet with aerobics across the vast blue dance floor above Omaka airfield.
This striking biplane is the first Pitts Model 12 to appear in New Zealand and it is a great privilege for the airshow organizers to be able to host its public debut at a major event – only at Omaka!
|
|
|
|
Post by stu on Mar 7, 2011 9:13:27 GMT 12
CLASSIC FIGHTERS – LIFE IS THE PITTS! Set to make its first appearance at a major New Zealand airshow next month is this stunning specialist aerobatic aircraft, the Pitts Model 12. .....snip...... This striking biplane is the first Pitts Model 12 to appear in New Zealand and it is a great privilege for the airshow organizers to be able to host its public debut at a major event – only at Omaka! Here it is making its public début at a minor event just over a week ago         Cheers, Stu. |
|
|
|
Post by kiwitone on Mar 7, 2011 11:01:55 GMT 12
Hi Dave, Officer Crabtree and I were under the same impression, and equally disappointed I would imagine. Aircraft attending any airshow and flying is never a sure thing, fact of life as far as the Leuchars Airshow here in Scotland, which relys on veteran aircraft flying from southern england and is always weather dependent . Looking back it hasn't been mentioned for a while in the advertising, but we are going to have an amazing airshow in Marborough with or without the Mosquito, Officer Crabtree: Jasper I look forward to your description of this aircraft, when you do see it flying, good luck I will maybe see you there.
tony
|
|
|
|
Post by lumpy on Mar 7, 2011 11:31:12 GMT 12
I believe the Mossie was always going to tight fit , time wise , and the air show organisers have done the right thing a few months ago by announcing that people shouldnt count on it being ready in time ( and it appears it probabally wont be ) .
Personally Im a bit nervous about the FW- 190 ( mostly because thats one I really want to see , and last I heard it wasnt in the country yet ) . It will still be a great show either way .
|
|
|
|
Post by furyfb11 on Mar 7, 2011 13:46:54 GMT 12
I think time is probably running out for the Anson as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by Officer Crabtree on Mar 7, 2011 21:27:03 GMT 12
Ah, a shame...maybe 2013
|
|
|
|
Post by rbwannabe on Mar 8, 2011 16:59:38 GMT 12
For those who witnessed the Model 12 at North Shore and wondered why the smoke was "intermittent", we where having problems with the smoke pump CB popping due to over pressure.
When it was working it worked pretty good!!!!!! But at about 5 - 6 litres per minute, the consumption is a bit high!
It will be fixed for Omaka.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 8, 2011 20:25:00 GMT 12
By the way, any update on the Heydecke V16 Richard?
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Mar 8, 2011 21:21:22 GMT 12
Indeed, what of the Anson and FW-190?
|
|
|
|
Post by hardyakka on Mar 8, 2011 22:13:40 GMT 12
In Stu's photo of the Model 12, the guy sticking his head in the back cockpit looks awfully familiar....
BTW, the fit and finish standards of the aircraft (inside and out) are very, very high. Richard was kind enough to give John Parker and myself a close up look.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2011 23:34:58 GMT 12
I wondered about that Evan, you look like you were being sick? I thought maybe you'd been up for a spin. |
|
|
|
Post by rbwannabe on Mar 9, 2011 16:55:22 GMT 12
As far as I know the Heydecke V16 is still in a hangar at Ardmore, and the owner/builder is overseas.
I have not heard much since the incident.
|
|
