Warbirds Over Wanaka 2016

[Dave Homewood]

Press Release

Flaming Finale
15.2.16

Spectators can enjoy a stunning finale at this Easter’s airshow at Wanaka Airport.

The pyrotechnic team is planning the biggest ‘wall of fire’ display ever seen in New Zealand. The resulting firey explosion will be around 400 metres long and reach 100 metres into the air.

Head Pyrotechnic is Taranaki-based fireman Pete Gallagher. The team have been putting lots of time into preparing for this massive display to end this year’s Wanaka Airshow. The display involves using 800 litres of fuel, around two kilometres of wiring and all seven members of the Pyro team.

Meanwhile, also announced is another first for Warbirds Over Wanaka with a five-ship jet display planned to wow crowds.

Due to the unavailability of some aircraft, the Jet Racing will not go ahead at this year’s Airshow as planned but with a number of jets here, organisers are working on some impressive displays.

Confirmed are two Vampire jets, two Strikemaster jets and an L29 fitted with a Viper engine. The Royal Australian Airforce has confirmed it will be bringing a 3-ship Hawk display team across the Tasman ensuring there will be plenty of jets for visitors to see in action.

[Dave Homewood]

Who from here on the forum is going to Wanaka this Easter?

[Peter Lewis]

I said the fly.

[lesterpk]

Not me, but the Hawks are coming from my Squadron. Yep, the Hawks are going to be making the trek from 79Sqn based at RAAF Pearce in WA.

[skyhawkdon]

I'll be there all three days in the Silver Pass stand.

[Peter Lewis]

Not many huh.

Looks like I'll need to enjoy my Speights alone.

[thebrads]

I'll be there at least one day.
Buchon is in NZ, article in local rag. I haven't figured out how to link to specific issue, but at time of posting wanakamirror.realviewdigital.com/#folio=1 will take you to article

[Dave Homewood]

Well for the handful of forum members who're heading down it looks like you'll have fine weather, if Metvuw's forecast charts are right.

I hope you have a good time and please post lots of photos.

[skyhawkdon]

Yes weather forecast for the show days is looking pretty good but not so good for any participating aircraft planning to transit down there on Wednesday/Thursday. Hopefully they have seen the forecast and are either already down there or heading down tomorrow. We don't need a repeat of 2 years ago!

[nuuumannn]

Gold Pass for three days. In case of rain, I'll be at the bar.

[suthg]

I guess KiwiThrottleJockey KTJ will be there as well. I hope someone can chat to him and cheer him up! Send him my regards. All those heading south etc, enjoy the weekend show!
Graeme

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I'll be arriving in Wanaka sometime on Thursday afternoon and I've got a Gold Pass for all three days.

Going for a splash in Lake Wanaka in the PBY on Sunday morning (a flight being put on at a discounted rate exclusively for Warbirds Over Wanaka Club members).

I'm currently relaxing at Milford Sound (have been here since Saturday afternoon) watching huge waterfalls cascading down the north face of Sheerdown Peak (1878-metres-high) directly across the Cleddau River from the lounge window of the chalet I'm staying in. Water, water everywhere in epic quantities (including in the river which is only 5-6 metres from the deck outside my chalet). Mother nature at her most dramatic best at the moment.

[beagle]

that's a nice looking spot there mate. just need 2 or 3 meters of rain fall over night to make it even more exciting.

[Deleted]

My spy in New Plymouth sent me a text message just before 11am today to advise five Yak-52s had just departed.

[Brett]

Roaring 40's are crossing Cook Strait now.

[Mustang51]

I'll be there arriving Thursday late and departing Monday morn......... in the Gold Pass looking sadly at the red double decker !

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Mar 22, 2016 12:33:35 GMT 12 Mustang51 said:

I'll be there arriving Thursday late and departing Monday morn......... in the Gold Pass looking sadly at the red double decker !

I'll be in the top corner of the gold pass grandstand overlooking the red bus with the usual mob I meet up with at Warbirds Over Wanaka. You're welcome to join us if you wish, Peter. We're all long-term attendees of WOW....I've been to every airshow since 1990 and my friends have been attending since the mid-1990s.

[johnnyfalcon]

Welcome back KTJ - with the usual vigour!! Lookig forward to your pics from the stand

[ErrolC]

WarbirdsNZ
Change of plans, weather coming so pushed on!! #Wanaka @warbirdswanaka

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[11SQNLDR]

Mar 22, 2016 15:29:23 GMT 12 kiwithrottlejockey said:

Mar 22, 2016 12:33:35 GMT 12 Mustang51 said:

I'll be there arriving Thursday late and departing Monday morn......... in the Gold Pass looking sadly at the red double decker !

I'll be in the top corner of the gold pass grandstand overlooking the red bus with the usual mob I meet up with at Warbirds Over Wanaka. You're welcome to join us if you wish, Peter. We're all long-term attendees of WOW....I've been to every airshow since 1990 and my friends have been attending since the mid-1990s.

Welcome back KTJ, it's been a while

That looks like a beaut spot - what's the name of it?