This report has been sent in by Graham Orphan for me to post here:
Well what a great day we had today, with about a dozen and a half vintage / warbird / display aircraft participating in a relaxed BBQ fly-in style day, hosted by the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. Three WW-I machines flew during the day, comprising the Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection's Sopwith Pup, complete with its 1915 Le Rhone rotary engine and the Fokker Triplane and Nieuport N.11, both owned and operated by Classic Wings Magazine. WW-I pilots were Dave Philips, Wayne Tantrum, Ryan Southam and Mark O'Sullivan.
Add to these machines, the Classic Wings Fleet 16B and Stearman, the RFC Tiger Moth, Bill Reid's magnificent Avro Anson Mk.I which flew all day long practicing for future flying events.
The Chariots of Fire Spitfire Mk.XIVe was run up by Jay McIntyre of JEM Aviation, a company which generously sponsors these events with much human and equipment resource. Three Nanchangs participated in the day, including the Wellington based ZK-MAO (ha - clever!) flown from the North Island by David Blair.
Roger Wadham brought his cool Kazakstan-liveried CJ-6a along to take a few friends flying for the day, whilst the RFC syndicate's Nanchang ZK-JQS was airborne for much of the day, along with the same group's Tiger Moth which was seldom on the ground, at least four syndicate members flying the old girl on the day. Mike Nicholls brought Rex Brereton's Harvard along for the day, whilst the magnificent Yakovlev Yak-3 was on static display along with the overhauled Allison V-1710-99 engine, awaiting installation in the locally based syndicate-owned Yak-9V (also being restored by JEM Aviation).
Noel Kruse had his lovely Piel Emeraude parked in the classic line with the Classic Wings Aeronca Champ, and with Noel's Pitts S-2S in which he practiced a most impressive aerobatics demonstration. To further entertain the estimated 350 - 400 members of the public who came to view this relaxed flying day, the resident Bristol Freighter ZK-CPT was started up by Bristol Captain Marty Nicoll, whilst Jay McIntyre gave Mark Oremland's Douglas DC-3 a run before taxiing the grand lady back to her parking area.
It would be fair to say that there was great variety to be viewed by all in attendance. In addition to the foregoing, there were many classics active on the day, including Andy Fairhall's Pietenpol, the MAC Super Cub and many more, some of them engaged in practice runs for next weekend's always stunning 'Healthy Bastard's Bush Flying Champs'. This is run by the Marlborough Aero Club and sponsored by Doctor Dave Baldwin's Bull's Flying Doctor Service. Don't miss this contest - one of our all time favourite flying events! It's a great time to be enjoying aviation here.....Only at Omaka!
Bill Reid with daughter Amelia (left) and friends from the cast of Shortland Street
David Blair, ZK-MAO (Wgtn)
Even the carpark filled with interesting machines, like the 1905 De Dion Bouton.
Mark O'Sullivan returns from a flight in Triplane ZK-FKD
JEM Aviation's Jay McIntyre (at tail) and Roy West prepare to move the CFFC Spitfire.
Mike Nicholls warms up Rex Brereton's Harvard
Noel Kruse's Pitts S-2S flew an amazing sequence of aerobatics on the day, watched by the CFFC Spitfire.
Things go in threes......
Dave Philips was thrilled to have the opportunity to fly the Le Rhone engined Pup.
