Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2018

[joey05]

From Brendons Facebook Page:

Spitfire PV270 and Harvard 37 arrived at Wanaka yesterday. Avenger 18 suffered a hydraulic problem in the cruise near Paraparaumu and had to return to Ohakea. Unfortunately it is not possible to fix the problem in time for the Avenger to make it to Warbirds over Wanaka this year.

This is a great disappointment for the Biggin Hill team as a lot of effort has gone into preparing the aircraft for Wanaka. It's particularly disappointing not to be able to take one of Sir Tim Wallis' original Alpine Fighter Collection aircraft back for the 30th anniversary airshow.

We had planned that all three aircraft (plus RNZAF Historic Flight Harvard 15) would make a refuelling stop at Ashburton. Unfortunately the starting equipment for the Spitfire was on board the Avenger so it was necessary for it to go to Wanaka non stop. As it was Harvard 37 and Harvard 15 refuelled at Ashburton and enjoyed the usual friendly hospitality..

[johnnyfalcon]

Hopefully this is the weather system arriving early with some settled Autumn weather to follow, and hopefully the Vampire doesn't have leaks...

hawea5ab98021f2648 by , on Flickr

[kiwithrottlejockey]

[johnnyfalcon]

Hmmm. My pilot's read of the synoptics is more optimistic than that

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Anybody interested in a post-airshow meet-up at Speight's Ale House in Wanaka for drinks & dinner on Sunday evening? Probably about 7-ish or 7:30pm.

I've got about six people meeting up so far.

I'll phone the Ale House (or possibly visit them in person) late on Thursday afternoon to see if I can book a table, so if you'd like to join us, post a message (or send me a PM) and I'll add it to the likely numbers for when I get in touch with them.

[Richard Wesley]

A friend of mine in Christchurch is reporting F16's on the ground and Vampire in the air.

[obiwan27]

Our aviation team pavement engineers visited Harewood yesterday to 'inspect the pavement' and got permission from the USAF to take some pictures of F16 goodness. Photo copied from 'Plane Crazy People' group on FB.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

An update about Sunday evening at Speight's Ale House.

I phoned them to see what the guts are and they don't take bookings, it's first come, first served.

However, they've made a note that a group of us will be turning up and they said if we arrive by about 7pm, they'll make sure we have a group table by about 7:30pm.

There's eight of us confirmed now, but the Ale House are currently expecting 8-12 people and I've promised to update them if that number is likely to increase.

CLICK HERE to view their food menu (scroll down the page to the dinner section).

And naturally, their beer menu is dominated by Speight's products, as you'd expect with the name of the establishment.

[ErrolC]

I'll be adding photos at flic.kr/s/aHsmd6k3sU


Generated by tools.rackonly.com

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Not far away now.

I'm currently at Wellington Airport at the gate and my flight to Queenstown should be boarding in less than 10 minutes.

I'm anticipating being in Wanaka sometime between 2:30 and 3pm.

[ErrolC]

Have had practices by F-16, Anson, B757 so far. Yak-3s fuelling.

Sent from my TA-1052 using proboards

[Mustang51]

Folks, I am so sad that I shall not be there. Have not missed one for 22 years but simply just cannot afford it and also make the possible three trips to UK this year. Hope that it is clear, blue and 22 with a slight off crowd breeze.

[corsairarm]

All the best guys. Looks like it is going to be a good one this year. In fact I wouldn't have minded going except that my wife and I are going to Hawaii tonight for 10 days. Post photos on the forum so I can keep a track of what is going on.

Cheers

Richard

[ErrolC]

It would help if my (new) phone and camera would talk to each other...
NZDF doing their practice, Seasprite and Hercules so far, Falcons going out.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I made it to Wanaka about 3pm and was considering heading down to the airport after checking in to my accommodation; however several of the other guests (also in town for the airshow, I see them every year when I'm staying at this place) were talking about a few cold ones out on the balcony (which has a glorious view of the town and the lake), so a couple of us walked down the road to the supermarket and stocked up on behalf of everybody, then hauled it all back up here and we're currently sinking plenty of cold ones in the sun. So it will be tomorrow morning when I finally make it out to the airport....no more driving for me today.

[johnnyfalcon]

Surprised you didn't take the train KTJ...

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I did....I caught a train from Masterton to Wellington this morning, then after a leisurely breakfast, I jumped on an Airport Flyer bus to Wellington Airport and flew to Queenstown, then picked up a rental car and drove over to Wanaka. However, the car is parked up for the night, because as well as sinking a few ales and ciders, we've now cracked open a couple of cold bottles of Bollinger. It's going to be one of those nights.

[ErrolC]

Just added a batch of mainly statics
flic.kr/s/aHsmd6k3sU

Jurgis' Juka by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Nice line-up! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Mustang ZK-TAF with an issue by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

[ErrolC]

And time for me to say goodnight - might not post much tomorrow

Harvard NZ1098 leads the flight by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

B757 getting dirty by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Harvards 78 and 53 by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

[kiwithrottlejockey]

The Catalina did three big bounces while alighting on the lake during the lakefront display late afternoon.

When it eventually took-off again about ten minutes later, it appeared to be shedding a lot more water than normal after lift-off.

I hope it hasn't popped any rivets in the hull....I imagine they would have been taking a close look at their keel after landing back at Wanaka Airport.






Prior to the alighting, this was how the Catalina arrived over the lakefront during the display....