The Vintage Aviator's Remembrance 2012 Airshow

[kiwithrottlejockey]

There were 22 WWI-era aeroplanes along the flight-line at Hood today, plus a few later aircraft at the peripheries of the line.

All of the WWI aeroplanes were displayed in the air with the exception of the two Sopwith Pups. It was quite lumpy above about 200 feet so the decision was made to not display the Pups in that turbulence due to their 80hp rotary engines and marginal performance, however the decision wasn't taken until near the end of the display when they were scheduled to be flown.

The real highlights for me were the latest Albatros (flying in formation with TVAL's first Albatros), and the two FE2b in the air together.

Here are some photographs of the newbies along the flight line, including the new Albatros, two Sopwith Pups, the new FE2b and the R.E.8 Harry Tait:

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Here's a series of photographs taken about fifteen minutes before the flying began, showing the flightline and crowd....














I'm still working through my images of the flying display, culling out the rubbish photos, then I'll select some good ones to downsize and eventually post into this thread, hopefully within a day or two.

[Ykato]

[Gavin Conroy]

Was a great day out, well done to everyone involved.

[Brett]

There were 22 WWI-era aeroplanes along the flight-line at Hood today, plus a few later aircraft at the peripheries of the line.

I counted 24, unless you were only talking about the aircraft that flew.

Fokker Dr.I
Fokker Dr.I
Fokker Dr.I
Fokker D.VII
Fokker D.VIII
Fokker D.VIII
Pfalz D.III
Albatros D.Va
Albatros D.Va
Nieuport 11
Bristol F.2b
Sopwith Triplane
Sopwith Camel
Sopwith Pup
Sopwith Pup
F.E.2b
F.E.2b
R.E.8
B.E.2c
B.E.2f
S.E.5a
S.E.5a
S.E.5a
DH.5

Cheers,

Brett

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I did a quick count from the top of one of the grandstands, but it was a bit hard to see some of them because of the way they were parked. They're running out of room along the flight-line.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

[kiwithrottlejockey]

[kiwithrottlejockey]

[Ykato]

Great Pics all very

[Gavin Conroy]

Some very nice shots there.

[aeromedia]

24 WW 1 era aircraft.

I'm trying to think of words that can help me comprehend the reality of what I'm seeing in the pictures above. Nothing is adequate.
Closest I can think of, . . just extremely SURREAL !

Crowd looks very relaxed, . . and plenty of room. If everyone on the planet who WANTED to be there was able, it'd be shoulder to shoulder.

Just stunning ! Thanks for the pics guys.

[Gavin Conroy]

[Dave Homewood]

Fantastic shots guys, what an amazing event. I wish I could have been there.

It's really interesting to see the black night bomber. Paul or anyone else, what is the story behind the Albertross's interesting colour scheme? Pilot, unit, date, etc.

[skyhawkdon]

Incredible line up. Aren't we lucky in NZ!

[Peter Lewis]

I cannot get over how lucky we were with the weather.

Clear but windy on Saturday AM. We called in at the Wellington AC for a weather briefing, and they did a phone call to Masterton for us.
At that stage - 11am - it was marginal wind-wise.
Following aprayer session, it dropped later.
And then today - cloud and rain!

A few from me:



The new FE2B ZK-FEB/2



The new Albatros DVa-1 - ZK-TVE?

[JamesStokes]

Fantastic photos guys! The new machines are excellent, I especially like the colour scheme of the Albatros and FE2b

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Nov 11, 2012 17:46:39 GMT 12 aeromedia said:

24 WW 1 era aircraft.

I'm trying to think of words that can help me comprehend the reality of what I'm seeing in the pictures above. Nothing is adequate.
Closest I can think of, . . just extremely SURREAL !

Crowd looks very relaxed, . . and plenty of room. If everyone on the planet who WANTED to be there was able, it'd be shoulder to shoulder.

Every time I head down the road to Hood for a TVAL airshow, I look at the lineup of WWI-era aeroplanes along the flightline and pinch myself, just to make sure I'm not dreaming. And I'm a local, living less than 3km away from where all those aeroplanes are hangared.

One of the things I absolutely love about TVAL airshows is the relaxed & uncrowded atmosphere. You don't need to guard a spot and you can wander around at will, yet always be able to locate a grandstand seat, or a flightline spot at any time. And the only thing separating the public from the aeroplanes is a piece of white tape.

We are so privileged to have such an amazing collection of aeroplanes in NZ and those of us who live in Wairarapa are especially privilleged.

I've still got plenty of photographs to sort through. I took way too many (as usual). Plus I was trying out a new lens (a bloody heavy one) and I've got rather sore arms today.

[Peter Lewis]

Where elsewhere in the world would you see two airworthy Be-2 in a tailchase?

BE2c-1 ZK-TVA followed by ZK-BFR (ex Norwegian Army Air Force)



The new RE-8 ZK-RES



The Addems-Pfeifer Nieuport XI ZK-NIM has been around for a while but is still a spectacularly nimble performer



Hampshire Aeroplane Pfalz DIII Replica ZK-FLZ

[kiwithrottlejockey]