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Post by ErrolC on Mar 8, 2015 15:14:24 GMT 12
Wolf, you should check how late you can check in at your accommodation. The Friday evening flying display is followed with a concert, and last time there were really good fireworks after that (not seen that well from the bar, where many forumites were...). Many Picton motels etc allow really late check-in, due to the late ferry from Wellington (gets in 10pm or so?). If you don't want to have to dash off before the events finish, consider going to the Aviation Heritage Centre straight after you arrive (you are driving from Christchurch?), then pop up to Picton to get yourself checked in before going in the Airshow gates in the afternoon.
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Post by phil82 on Mar 8, 2015 18:19:42 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2015 19:35:36 GMT 12
and last time there were really good fireworks after that (not seen that well from the bar, where many forumites were...). We in the bar had an absolutely fantastic view of the fireworks actually Errol. And we had beer! haha Didn't see anything else of the night flying though. I always seem to forget it's happening till I am halfway through several pints and then there's no way I can be rude and leave my mates in the bar. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2015 20:02:34 GMT 12
 FOKKER FRENZY!The organizers of the Classic Fighters Easter 2015 Airshow, are delighted to announce that they will once again be able to host ‘The Magnificent Seven’ flight of Fokker Dr.1 Triplanes at next year’s event. The Triplanes represent a flight from ‘Jasta 11’, the famous Richthofen Squadron, led by The Red Baron himself, Manfred von Richthofen in his distinctive all-red Fokker, until his death in combat on 21st April 1918. The flight of Triplanes form part of the ‘The Vintage Aviator Limited’ fleet of World War One aircraft. When not flying these aircraft are housed at the Aviation Heritage Centre at Omaka and the Hood Aerodrome, Masterton. TVAL General Manager Gene DeMarco has confirmed that the flight of Triplanes will be available again to fly at the Omaka event next Easter. Now there is actually another privately owned Fokker Triplane, newly completed and resident at Omaka that will make its debut at the airshow, so perhaps another record will be broken in terms of Fokker numbers next Easter! This, the largest assembly of Fokker Triplanes seen in the air anywhere in the world since 1918, is unique to the Omaka event.  |
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Post by Radialicious on Mar 8, 2015 20:10:37 GMT 12
#foktagon
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Post by Radialicious on Mar 8, 2015 20:12:44 GMT 12
I've been spending a lot of time at Omaka recently repairing and preparing our beloved Bristol Freighter for a taxiing display during the lunch break. It's exciting to see what is happening in the background as the CF team gear up for what is going to be an amazing show. With regard to the Bristol, I am working hard to having her airside again and able to taxi in front of the lunchtime crowd. A significant amount of time, blood and expletives has gone into the repair of the starboard engine over recent months. For followers of the Bristol Freighter adventure, this engine is well known for being a very smooth running but somewhat unreliable participant since the big awakening back in 2008.
Over the last week or so, our repair plans have been boosted by a significant change of tack that came about during a late night 'discussion' with my Sergeant Major Marty Nicoll. I'll probably draft a new thread for this as if we can pull it off, it will make for an interesting read and this forum is the ideal place to record it.
Again, I'm really looking forward to this show and from what I have seen behind the scenes, visitors are in for a real treat.
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Mar 8, 2015 20:23:56 GMT 12
and last time there were really good fireworks after that (not seen that well from the bar, where many forumites were...). Didn't see anything else of the night flying though. I always seem to forget it's happening till I am halfway through several pints and then there's no way I can be rude and leave my mates in the bar. I get my pints from the bar in the Gold Pass enclosure and drink them in the grandstand, then I don't miss anything....  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2015 21:38:27 GMT 12
Trust you to be practical Bruce   |
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shane
Squadron Leader
Posts: 122
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Post by shane on Mar 8, 2015 23:43:15 GMT 12
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Post by wolfofbadenoch on Mar 9, 2015 0:08:25 GMT 12
Thanks for the suggestions all. Picton is not too far away indeed, having visited it on my last trip. I think we have to check in by 8pm, so I am not sure whether we should duck up to picton and check in, then return to Omaka for the fun, or whether it's best just to go to Omaka and leave there in time to check in. The first course of action might be worth it if there are things worth hanging around in Omaka past 7:30ish, but does involve an extra trip up to Picton (up to picton, check in, back to Omaka, then back to Picton later in the evening..). This is where I am relying on local knowledge !
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Mar 9, 2015 5:52:45 GMT 12
Awesome! Great work, it really looks the part!
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Post by lumpy on Mar 9, 2015 11:31:00 GMT 12
Personally I'd go straight to Picton to check in , then back to Omaka . You wont miss too much Friday morning ( and what you do miss will be on again on Saturday ) . Not sure what the Friday evening program is this year , but the fireworks alone are worth seeing ( and the evening show is not repeated on other days )
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 9, 2015 11:54:40 GMT 12
That's beautiful! Well done that man! Please let us know how the first flight goes.
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Post by baz62 on Mar 9, 2015 14:10:51 GMT 12
Gert and I have been "chatting" via email now and again about his amazing project. Must take up his offer to go out for a look see.
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Post by Gert van Kruiningen on Mar 9, 2015 20:17:00 GMT 12
That's beautiful! Well done that man! Please let us know how the first flight goes. Hi Nuuumann, another 2 or 3 weeks and it should fly. Test flights are organized in Omaka, to get it ready for the show at Easter !! :-) Very exciting |
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Post by baz62 on Mar 9, 2015 21:33:21 GMT 12
Hi Gert! Great progress something else to look forward to at Omaka this year!
Baz
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Post by Gert van Kruiningen on Mar 9, 2015 22:12:50 GMT 12
Yes hopefully it will be ready in time Baz. Looking like it will be, but only just...
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Post by nuuumannn on Mar 10, 2015 5:14:50 GMT 12
Great to hear that Gert; look forward to seeing it at Omaka and best wishes to you.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 10, 2015 10:24:52 GMT 12
Since the news is out of the Bleriot XI replica I have merged that thread into the Classic Fighters thread. It will be great to see this new replica.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 10, 2015 10:43:22 GMT 12
GATSBY GLAMOUR GIRLS ON SHOW - RESTORATION ROW Three very rare and glamorous touring aeroplanes representing the opulence of the upper end of American society in the 1930s are quietly being restored at Omaka and all three will be made available for viewing on the ‘restoration Row’ display in the Marlborough Aero Club’s historic main hangar, itself an artefact from WW-II. The Classic Fighters Airshow always boasts a very full flying programme which means it is a great idea for visitors to plan to arrive early or stay late to take in all of the variety of the non-flying part of the show. There are all of the trade displays, the gournet food and wine stalls (remembering that Marlborough’s is world famous for its award winning wines), classic cars, and of course, the incredible Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre which is an absolute ‘must-see’ for any visitor to Marlborough! And then there is ‘Restoration Row’. This is always a popular display as it provides a taste of future Classic Fighters Airshows as visitors are able to view aircraft being restored now, which may very well be flying by the time of the next show two years later. It also gives a sense of the variety of historic aircraft types being worked on at Omaka, ranging from WW-I fighters through to vintage aeroplanes of the 1930s to the thoroughbred fighters of World War Two. A particularly interesting trio of machines can be found this year in the form of a 1935 Waco UOC, a 1934Fairchild F-24C8c and a slightly later Fairchild F-24W. The Waco, one of just three of that model made, was bought new by the Marlborough Aero Club in 1935 and was the flag-ship of the Club at the time, carrying many local customers between Wellington and Blenheim. It spent over 50 years in Australia in damaged condition, never flying whilst there, and was tracked down and bought by a trio of local enthusiasts who brought it home to once again fly from its original base. These aircraft were the Packards and Cadillacs of the sky in their day, with roomy interiors, leather upholstery, and wind-up windows! Their owners did not wear flying overalls with helmets and goggles but rather, trim suits, trilby hats and spatted shoes! The three aircraft are all owned by Marlborough based enthusiasts, each being rebuilt by different restorers working in adjacent hangars near the AHC. It can be expected that when they are completed (hopefully before the 2017 airshow) the three machines maybe seen carrying out some ‘retro touring’ around the country. Their owners are going to have to look for suitable wardrobes....!  This restored Waco YOC cabin biplane (pronounced Wah-Co), provides an indication of what the Omaka example will look like when completed. |
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