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Post by Brett on Feb 7, 2013 12:18:13 GMT 12
Or perhaps they were asked to withdraw so they wouldn't embarrass the F-22 display team? ;D ;D ;D
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 7, 2013 12:43:56 GMT 12
Official Press Release ... If all goes to plan, the freshly repainted Avenger will make its triumphant arrival at Omaka on the Thursday before Easter, and with the Spitfire alongside as fighter escort! This last sentence would be of more interest if the airfield wasn't out-of-bounds on the Thursday (for understandable reasons). Are there going to be areas around the airfield suitable for photographing arrivals on Thursday? I'd rather not make a plan which is over-ruled by access restrictions outside the airfield. |
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Post by 11SQNLDR on Feb 7, 2013 15:38:40 GMT 12
Fingers crossed that the Mk.XIV makes it, i'm sure someone will be able to report on her progress when next at Ardmore.
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Post by spitfire14 on Feb 7, 2013 16:40:22 GMT 12
No matter what turns upit will be a great show....Classic Fighters always is! Awesome to see the RNZAF committing a strong presence this time. Fingers crossed: I am especially looking forward to seeing NH799 and 'Plonky'....love the Griffon-powered 'Spits'....fast, powerful, maneuvrable, with that sexy long nose and haven't seen 'Plonky' since she returned to New Zealand!  Also the FW-190.....a three Spitfire/FW-190 formation would be a sight to behold.... |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 13, 2013 14:31:54 GMT 12
Press Release: Fighter Flights Available at the Easter Show!At the rapidly looming Classic Fighters Airshow this Easter, there will be a number of WW-II fighter aircraft available to actually fly in yourself. New regulations have made it possible for these aeroplanes to be accessed more readily for people wanting to buy themselves the ultimate adventure flight in some of these iconic aeroplanes. The exact range of machines available could vary, but they could include the American P-51D Mustang and P-40 Kittyhawk and maybe even the inimitable British Spitfire. Other aircraft may include military jets like the BAE Stikemaster and for biplane enthusiasts the big Stearman that can carry two passengers together as well as the pilot, so this offers a great ride for couples (those of average size!). Of course the time the aircraft are available for rides will be limited as it will be outside the actual airshow programme, possibly in the mornings and afternoons of the show, or on the days before or after the event. Rides will therefore be limited so if you’d like to secure your flight of a lifetime, please get in touch with the Omaka AHC at info@omaka.org.nz or call NZ 03 579 1305 to register your desire to fly, and we’ll try to ensure that this special feature of the Classic Fighters event can be made available to you!  |
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Post by Brett on Feb 13, 2013 18:08:51 GMT 12
I'd like an explanation of this:
A new product at the Classic Fighters Airshow this year is the Platinum Pass. This has been created to provide a high-end corporate level hosting opportunity for smaller groups than those catered for at the Corporate Marquee which are designed for 40 people a day. The Platinum Pass is geared to host a round table for 10 under a large umbrella, right in front of the Gold Pass granstand which has been raised even higher this year to accommodate this new product on the fence line. Individual tickets are available.
Does this mean that those who have forked out for a Gold Pass will not be able to get to the fence line, but will be stuck behind tables and umbrellas?
So- no ground-level shots of taxi-ing, re-enactors etc - shots that are available from the general admission area (provided you get there early and defend your spot)?
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 13, 2013 20:00:11 GMT 12
I'd like an explanation of this: ... Does this mean that those who have forked out for a Gold Pass will not be able to get to the fence line, but will be stuck behind tables and umbrellas? So- no ground-level shots of taxi-ing, re-enactors etc - shots that are available from the general admission area (provided you get there early and defend your spot)? It would seem so, but my memory of 2011 is that in practice the area was fairly quickly filled with people grabbing plastic chairs from elsewhere, and defending their spot. Part of the area was reserved (for vets?) I think? I did get a few shots of re-enactors from ground level, I think I did this during lulls in the action. I might have been shoting over the heads of people seated on chairs? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 14, 2013 12:58:02 GMT 12
I approached Graham Orphan with your question, Brett, and this is his reply:
"Hi Dave,
Just checking on the architecture of the site. The Platinum Pass area does not go all the way across the front of the Gold Pass area - not even close. From memory the Gold Pass has a 70m frontage, so about 230 feet. A section of that is always available for Gold Pass folks in wheel chairs etc anyway, but the main point is that there will remain a large vacant fence-line frontage for Gold Pass patrons to gain good access to aircraft movements, re-enactors etc etc.
Just a reminder too that the CF airshow is run by the Classic Fighters Airshow Charitable Trust as a fund-raiser to generate sufficient resource to expand the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. The Trust raised over $3M to build the Stage #1 buildings and infrastructure. The Omaka AHC then opened in 2006 supported further by aircraft, memorabilia and additional funds brought by the 14-18 Heritage Trust to create the amazing WW-I displays in the museum. Again it is the role of the CF Airshow Chartitable Trust to effect the fund raising needed to build Stage #2 of the museum to allow the WW-II stories to be told. With WW-II combat aircraft like the Fw190; Yaks; Anson, Harvard etc and soon, the Spitfire XIVe on the field, visitors are wanting to see these machines, so we are putting a considerable amount of time and effort into bringing that about in the not too distant future. The running of the Classic Fighters Airshow is our chief fund-raiser for this, hence our desire to make it as successful as possible. The Platinum Pass idea is just another way to try to offer more variety of product for visitors whilst increasing the potential funds for the proposed Stage #2 of the museum.
Cheers,
Graham"
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Post by Brett on Feb 14, 2013 17:32:11 GMT 12
Thanks for getting that explanation Dave, but it doesn't make me feel much better.
It sounds like they are extending the Corporate Chalet-style seating into the fenceline area in front of the Gold Pass stand - but with the addition of large umbrellas. There will now be an L-staped area in front of the Gold Pass stands. I can't see how this improves the value I am getting for my Gold Pass, but maybe that's just me.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 14, 2013 18:59:06 GMT 12
I cannot see that a few umbrellas and tables will make any difference when you are seated up high above them. After all the aircraft are not going to be butted up to the front of the Gold/Platinum pass enclosure tucked under the umbrellas. They will be up in the sky, surely.
If it's raising more money for the AHC's next stage then I think this is a great innovation.
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 14, 2013 19:14:09 GMT 12
While being higher (in the stand) will presumably be better for watching/photographing flying aircraft, being at ground level provides a different perspective, especially of ground theatre and taxi-ing aircraft. I spent a large portion of one of the days 2009 on the fence in front of the stand.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 14, 2013 19:23:28 GMT 12
Well you can still do both, so where is the issue?
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Feb 14, 2013 19:37:40 GMT 12
Well you can still do both, so where is the issue? |
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 14, 2013 19:46:13 GMT 12
The effective length of the fenceline (for those not at the new tables, or the area reserved for wheelchairs etc) will be less than previously. While not shoulder-to-shoulder-several-people-deep, this will make it harder to get photos from there, especially if you want to be in the stand at times as well.
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Post by DragonflyDH90 on Feb 14, 2013 19:56:37 GMT 12
Perhaps you had better contact the Classic Fighters Charitable Trust regarding your concerns as paid Gold Pass holders instead of moaning on the forum.
As I see it the vast majority of Gold Pass holders are aircraft enthusiasts such as yourselves that without would have a very empty Gold Pass stand.
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Post by Brett on Feb 16, 2013 15:31:53 GMT 12
Three DR.1s and a Cessna mother hen just flew out over Cook Strait.
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Post by lumpy on Feb 16, 2013 17:29:17 GMT 12
Three DR.1s and a Cessna mother hen just flew out over Cook Strait. Ahh , thought I saw some interesting looking aircraft going into Omaka ( but I dont live close enough to get a good look ) I'm going to withold opinion on the platinum pass area till after the show , however it is the view of the show ( including the ground theatre etc that occours close to the fence ) that makes people buy a gold pass ( not the free tea and coffee ) .It would be a shame to have that interupted by " a large umbrella " . |
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Post by baz62 on Feb 16, 2013 17:59:05 GMT 12
Three DR.1s and a Cessna mother hen just flew out over Cook Strait. Ahh , thought I saw some interesting looking aircraft going into Omaka ( but I dont live close enough to get a good look ) I'm going to withold opinion on the platinum pass area till after the show , however it is the view of the show ( including the ground theatre etc that occours close to the fence ) that makes people buy a gold pass ( not the free tea and coffee ) .It would be a shame to have that interupted by " a large umbrella " . Come on Grant, Gold Pass is all about the beverages and food. Where else can you get some plonker tipping his tomato sauce covered chips on you? ;D |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 16, 2013 19:40:59 GMT 12
It's good to read of the warbird rides. It's great flights like this can now be totally "above board" rather than as cost-sharing, hopefully this means more people getting warbird experiences...and pilots earning more hours!
I doubt very much I can be there but I hope the Spitfires will all be there! I look forward to some great photos, especially with the XIV and FW-190.
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Post by lumpy on Feb 16, 2013 21:46:47 GMT 12
Come on Grant, Gold Pass is all about the beverages and food. Where else can you get some plonker tipping his tomato sauce covered chips on you? ;D True ! Must be my turn to shout the chips this year ( and control the sauce ) ! ;D |
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