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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Jan 27, 2015 12:30:57 GMT 12
Less than ten weeks to go....  • Free ferry tickets acquired for myself and one other nominated person plus a car, and booking made — TICK • Ferry tickets for the rest of my party booked & paid for — TICK • Rental car (as second vehicle) to pick up at Picton, booked & paid for — TICK • Accommodation in Picton booked & paid for — TICK • A big stack of Gold Passes purchased & received — TICK • Sunday evening Awards Dinner tickets — NOT ON SALE YET, but will be in two weeks time I think I've basically got things under control....  Roll-on Easter!  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 30, 2015 13:06:44 GMT 12
PRESS RELEASE CLASSIC FIGHTERS 2015SENDING OUT FOR CHINESE!Airshow organisers are expecting a record number of Chinese ex-military aircraft to gather over Easter. The Chinese designed and built Nanchang CJ-6a warbird has enjoyed a successful half century long career in its country of birth, such are the enduring flying qualities of this fine aircraft. Kiwi Nanchang enthusiast Grant 'Muddy' Murdoch announced about 12 months ago that he was planning to try to round up all of the flyable Nanchangs resident in New Zealand. That was a total of six aircraft and Muddy managed to gain the support of all of the owners who agreed to bring their aircraft to Omaka Airfield, Blenheim for the huge 'Classic Fighters' airshow this coming Easter weekend. In the meantime, Muddy has worked hard to complete his own Nanchang restoration with help from JEM Aviation, based at Omaka. This has now been achieved and Muddy's aircraft is a real show-piece, flying beautifully and finished to a far higher standard than those that served with the People's Liberation Army Air Force of China. Not prepared to settle at seven, Muddy has continued the push to gather further Nanchangs with the hope of bringing together more examples of these than have previously been seen flying as civilian 'warbirds' anywhere this side of the Equator. Another locally based Nanchang that has not flown for eight years is now nearing completion and is set to fly again in time for the show, whilst a ninth has just arrived in the country last week for assembly and hopefully certification before the event. And even then there is one more, set to sail within the next two weeks, and which will likely be at the airshow, even if not yet flying on the New Zealand register. That should see an amazing 10 Nanchangs present at Omaka and most definitely a record number of these for a 'downunder' gathering. The airshow organisers are now looking for a suitable company, perhaps a leading Chinese restaurant, that would like to 'own' the China Flight' for the airshow weekend, by assisting with the cost of bringing the aircraft to Marlborough, in exchange for the significant exposure this record gathering will give to that company during the course of the Top of the South's largest event. Organisers are expecting to see over 100 display aircraft at Omaka for the Classic Fighters Airshow this Easter.  Chinese Take-Away! Scott Tudor (with rope) and Jay McIntyre (JEM Aviation owner) guide the recently arrived Nanchang down to Earth after its arrival at the historic Omaka Airfield last week. (GMO)  Still in its transport cradle, the Nanchang is lowered to the ground. (GMO)  Grant 'Muddy' Murdoch's immaculate Nanchang is seen after the completion of its restoration, flying with the rare Omaka based Focke-Wulf Fw190 of WW-II. (GAVIN CONROY)  A hint of things to come. Here we see five Nanchangs captured together at Omaka recently. If all goes to plan this Easter, we will see this number doubled and a Southern Hemisphere record established for the number of these machines gathered together in the one place! (GAVIN CONROY) |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 30, 2015 13:28:08 GMT 12
Very cool! The Changa is a great machine, it's going to be cool to see and hear so many together at once.
I'm excited for future announcements regarding other overseas acts! Great times ahead!
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Post by roaring40s on Feb 1, 2015 11:48:44 GMT 12
Hi All,
Air Chatham's in collaboration with Classic Fighters 2015 are happy to announce their all inclusive day trip from Wellington to Omaka on both Saturday & Sunday over the Easter weekend.
Package is all-inclusive of Return flights Wellington-Omaka, and Gold Pass airshow access.
Package cost is $399 per passenger.
Flights will depart Wellington International in time to arrive Omaka before airshow opens at 0930, and return to Wellington after airshow concludes at 4.30pm.
Please direct all inquiries to dc3charters@airchathams.co.nz
Thanks
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Post by phil82 on Feb 3, 2015 14:25:05 GMT 12
Two booked.A Dak there and back same day seems like the way to go for me. No accommodation, and no rental cars, no ferries, no queues, and a flight in a real aeroplane!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 6, 2015 16:10:22 GMT 12
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2015 17:14:46 GMT 12
I have heard a rumour that there may be some aeroplanes coming from Sweden to
this year's Classic fighters airshow, has anyone heard more?
Dr Evil
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Post by ErrolC on Feb 13, 2015 17:48:33 GMT 12
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Post by Deleted on Feb 14, 2015 18:27:15 GMT 12
Sweden would certainly tie in with my suggestion of the Bleriot as indicated by the poster - I immediately thought of Mikael Carlson's machine, which is always a treat to watch.
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Post by baz62 on Feb 15, 2015 12:59:56 GMT 12
Just been watching this video of Tim Wallis flying off from Wanaka in his MKXVI to meet Mark Hanna flying the MKXIV in for the first time. Love the low pass down the runway. Really liked The XVI with the D-Day stripes too. Fingers crossed we get to see and hear that Griffon powered Spitfire at Omaka.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 15, 2015 15:11:17 GMT 12
Hanna, not Hannah!!
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Post by Brett on Feb 15, 2015 15:11:22 GMT 12
If Mikael Carlson is bringing an aircraft to Classic Fighters, I hope it is his Fokker Dr.I. How long has it been since one of those flew at Omaka? |
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Post by baz62 on Feb 15, 2015 15:59:00 GMT 12
Steady steady I've fixed it! |
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Post by baz62 on Feb 15, 2015 16:00:49 GMT 12
How long has it been since one of those flew at Omaka? Ummmm last weekend? Graham Orphan's Black one.  |
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Post by baz62 on Feb 15, 2015 16:39:17 GMT 12
I have heard the aircraft will be WW2 era.
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Post by rayo on Feb 15, 2015 17:44:23 GMT 12
Fascinating? Does that suggest multiple?? Or more likely it is a Klemm Kl 35.
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 16, 2015 8:25:54 GMT 12
Whatever the guest aircraft is the show will be a beauty.... not long to go now.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 19, 2015 22:58:11 GMT 12
PRESS RELEASE  ALL FIRED UP OVER EASTER!An interesting feature of this year's Classic Fighters Airshow will be the assembly of restored vintage aero-engines, which have been made transportable to allow them to travel on purpose built trailers to attend the airshow. Expected this year are no fewer than FOUR significant period aero engines. Two of these are South Island based, comprising Al Marshall's Bristol Hercules twin-row, sleeve-valve radial built in England (and previously used in Bristol Freighter and Hastings aircraft), and an Armstrong Siddeley Cheetah X, also a British radial, that is stored right here at Omaka Airfield. The Cheetah previously powered Oxford and Anson aircraft during WW-II. From the North Island come the American V-12 Allison engines that are best known to Kiwis and Aussies for their use in the Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk fighters, but also used in the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, and Bell P-39 Airacobra fighters used by American and Australian services in the war in the Pacific. Being seen for the first time is Doug Bell's recently completed Allison V-1710-99 (pictured) which he spent five years breathing life back into in his farm workshop near Gisborne. The engines will all gather in a roped compound set aside for them in front of the main hangar where they will take it in turns to be run from time to time during the airship weekend. As one visitor commented at the last Classic Fighters event, "You never get this close to sound, the smell and the feel and vibration of so much brute-power running through your body - unless of course you were actually flying one of those great aircraft from the war era". Be sure to attend at least one of the engine runs over Easter - you won't be disappointed! Classic Fighters runs for three days, 3rd through to 5th April at Omaka Airfield, Blenheim. Tickets are available at www.classicfighters.co.nz |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 23, 2015 22:30:32 GMT 12
It sure sounds like this is going to be the biggest and busiest Classic Fighters airshow yet! Graham Orphan just sent me the following:
"Food stalls - SOLD OUT - SORRY- Been turning them away for weeks
Wine Stalls and Boutique Beer Stalls - record uptake - SOLD OUT NOW - SORRY.
Trade Stalls - SOLD OUT...BUT....we have opened more space to meet the demand (and still going for now)
Aviation Industry Sites (twice last show's Uptake - no more room now)
Corporate Hosting Marquees - SOLD OUT - SORRY (first time ever)
Platinum Pass Tickets - Saturday - SOLD OUT. Some left for Friday and Sunday.
Pre-sales on General and Gold Pass tickets 'going gangbusters' (Gold Passes at a premium)
Show plane parking space - pretty much all slots gone. Now by application only.
None of this has ever happened before. If you're really keen to get there for any of the above requirements, please contact Jo or Erin on (03) 579 1305 or e-mail as follows.... <jo@omaka.org.nz> or <info@omaka.org.nz>"
AMAZING!!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 23, 2015 22:40:00 GMT 12
The Classic Fighters organisers always try to feature debut aircraft and usually achieve this.
Does anyone know what new aircraft we might see this year, or new colour schemes,
or even new projects in the 'Restoration Row' hangar?
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