Yealands Classic Fighters 2021

[Dave Homewood]

Yealands Classic Fighters 2021

Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim, Marlborough, New Zealand

2nd to 4th of April 2021

BRAND NEW WEBSITE!

We're delighted to be launching with this newsletter, our new website, freshly minted and ready for your enjoyment and reference.
www.classicfighters.co.nz

This great new portal into the Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow includes some clips from the fantastic video footage captured at the time of the 2019 airshow on a gyro-camera fitted to a Squirrel helicopter. This was filmed by Peter Thompson, directed and edited by James Orphan and flown by helicopter operator Toby Reid. If you'd like to see a larger edited section of the production, you can view it here.....

You'll note that most of the aircraft captured here are also Omaka based and typical of what you might see during a visit to this heritage aviation 'mecca'.

SUPER EARLY BIRD TICKET SALES!

So here's the deal you've been waiting for! To kick off the 2021 campaign in style, we're offering a limited number of 'Super-Early-Bird' Gold-Pass tickets for our 20th anniversary airshow. This deal will be available until 31st January so don't muck about. Get yours now while they last. The number of Gold Pass seats is of course limited by the size of the grandstand, so offering a $50 discount for this early ticket purchase is not something we do lightly. We know that many people will already be planning to travel, many as couples, so that's a $100 saving on something you knew you were going to be buying anyway so it's definitely worth doing. Here's the link you want....

www.classicfighters.co.nz/tickets

And while you're at it, we suggest booking your accommodation. There are some suggestions here.... www.marlboroughnz.com

And since you're planning this far out, why not make a proper holiday out of it and take the time to go for a cruise on the Marlborough Sounds, visit some wineries like the world-renowned Yealands Estate which as a pioneer in creative eco-friendly wine production, is a tourist attraction in its own right. See here..www.yealands.co.nz/our-place/come-visit

And then there are cycle tours, numerous museums (including the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre which is why we run the Classic Fighters Airshow), spectacular world-listed nature walks, growers of quality produce, brewers of boutique beer, arts and crafts. You really could spend a lot of time exploring this wonderfully attractive part of New Zealand.

NEW TICKETING PROGRAMME
We're pleased to be announcing our new relationship with the Eventbrite organisation to take our ticketing processes to a new level of management that will help streamline processing at the gate over the airshow weekend, as well as providing comprehensive service and increased options for advanced ticket purchases on line. This organisation has been working with the Classic Fighters team over the past few months to fine tune the ticketing product that we think will best suit our airshow audience.

Here's that link again.. www.classicfighters.co.nz/tickets

[planecrazy]

Wow that clip is so good, emotional, those rear view slow motion shots with the south
island scenery are just awesome, that will sell seats at the show for sure!

[Dave Homewood]

SO WHAT'S BEEN HAPPENING AT OMAKA SINCE THE LAST AIRSHOW?
Well the answer to that is.....heaps! As many of you will know, we pride ourselves on building a strong heritage aviation community and supporting that community in any way we can. This is how Omaka came to be home not just to a collection of old aeroplanes, but a collection of collections of old aircraft operated by many happy owners. Among these are many restoration projects which are progressing all the time, albeit at varying rates of advancement! Between now and Easter 2021, we're expecting to see an unprecedented growth in the number of heritage aircraft coming on line to join the ranks of the overall Omaka flying population of 'show planes'.

WW-II MUSEUM REVAMP


Many of you will have seen the significant developments in the 'Dangerous Skies' hall of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre since you were last on the field, perhaps as the cover story of the last edition of Classic Wings magazine.

Many who attended the show itself will have possibly not seen inside the display since we usually close the WW-II hall due the majority of the aircraft being out on the flight line for the show. However if you are calling through Omaka in between airshow times, you really must treat yourself to a visit to this display.

Our re-vamp was the result of Bill Reid's unique, Anson Mk.I, the only airworthy example in the world, becoming available for adventure flights and therefore, being better suited to having its own hangar. Bill's fabulous new hangar was completed just after mid-year. With the departure of that major display item, the museum board came up with a new mix that would actually increase the number of aircraft displayed whilst also allowing the viewing of Bill Reid's other bomber, the historic Lockheed Hudson NZ2049. This is now a part of a jungle wreck immersion scene which is nothing short of spectacular.



NEW RESIDENT HERITAGE AIRCRAFT AT OMAKA

Every year the number of significant heritage aircraft located at Omaka increases and 2019 was no different. The year saw the first flights of several long term restorations/builds, along with several new arrivals.

NIEUPORT



A long term project that came to fruition in 2019 was the group-owned Nieuport N.16 ZK-XVI. This aircraft took flight in time to join in the festivities at Omaka through the Easter weekend when it flew alongside the resident Nieuport N.II belonging to the Classic Wings collection. There are actually four Nieuport 'V-strutter' biplanes based at Omaka, with a flyable N.24 displayed in the fourth quadrant on the Omaka AHC, and an N.27 displayed in a dramatic tree-bound situation in one of the more memorable dioramas in this amazing display.

FOX MOTH



Arriving in time to be present for the last Easter airshow was the rare de Havilland DH.83c Fox Moth ZK-APT, purchased by Omaka based couple Paul and Pip Hally of PMH Aviation, from good friends Stan and Gilly Smith at North Shore Airfield, Auckland. This is not just an immaculately restored example of the breed, thanks to its restorers' incredible attention to detail, but is also very significant to Omaka having been bought new by the Marlborough Aero Club from the factory in 1947. This beautiful aircraft is available for rides but seats are limited so the message is to book well in advance before you head to Marlborough.

MESSERSCHMITT Bf108



Arriving at Omaka a few days before the Easter airshow on 9th April was this Messerschmitt Bf108 (NORD 1002) for the Classic Wings collection. This Bf108 is a remarkable aeroplane for a range of reasons. The fact that this all metal, 150 mph, four place tourer with its monocoque fuselage construction, cantilevered (and foldable) wings, VP propeller, retractable undercarriage etc made its maiden flight in the first half of 1934, within a month or two of de Havilland's latest gem, the Dragon Rapide airliner, which was an all-wood and fabric, fixed-gear, fixed pitch biplane airliner, very much in keeping with the bulk of British aircraft manufacture of the day. In comparison, the Bf108 must have looked like something out of 'Star Wars'!

This particular Bf108 has a very special story to tell, having been the personal aircraft of former Luftwaffe pilot Hans Stigler, famous for escorting, rather than shooting down, a severely damaged B-17 Flying Fortress and thus saving the lives of its remaining crew. The full story is explained in the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre's 'Dangerous Skies' exhibition, where the Bf108 is displayed.

We hope to have this aircraft flying again before Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow 2021.



YAK-3U 'STEADFAST'

Two locally based owners Mark O'Sullivan, who already bases his Harvard (ex-SAAF 7660) and his C-185 at Omaka and runs the RFC Syndicate (Tiger Moth and Nanchang) and Ronan Harvey who has his Beech 18 and Lake Renegade based at the field, joined forces to capture one of the most outrageous display aircraft ever seen at any flying event anywhere worldwide! For the Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow of 2017, we shipped the R-2000 powered Yak-3U 'Steadfast' from Brisbane, Queensland, across for the airshow. This left a huge impression on all who saw it, including our two local enthusiasts who, when they heard it was coming onto the market, snapped it up for Omaka. The aircraft arrived in September and has been having a few jobs done, like the calendar inspection on the propeller at AirBus, Woodbourne, and the fitting of the ELT - mandatory in New Zealand - along with a few other minor changes the guys wanted. This has largely been carried out at the JEM Aviation 'House of Yaks' and as we go into the new year, we are awaiting the arrival of the CAA team to give their assent to the aircraft joining the NZ register where it will become ZK-YOV.



As many will know, this aircraft is a Reno race veteran as well as being holder of several performance records and it joins NZ's other operational Yak-3, the Allison engined 'Full Noise' so that both of the southern hemisphere's resident Reno Unlimited Gold class race veterans are based on the same airfield, right here at Omaka! In the meantime there are two other WW-II fighter Yaks being worked on at the field. Generally very uncommon, there are but five examples of this series of WW-II era Yak fighter-trainer series aircraft in the southern hemisphere. Four are presently here at Omaka, three of them residents, and the owner of the fifth has recently moved here as well, so the area seems to attract these outstanding machines!

[ErrolC]

SUPER EARLY BIRD TICKET SALES!

So here's the deal you've been waiting for! To kick off the 2021 campaign in style, we're offering a limited number of 'Super-Early-Bird' Gold-Pass tickets for our 20th anniversary airshow. This deal will be available until 31st January so don't muck about. Get yours now while they last. The number of Gold Pass seats is of course limited by the size of the grandstand, so offering a $50 discount for this early ticket purchase is not something we do lightly. We know that many people will already be planning to travel, many as couples, so that's a $100 saving on something you knew you were going to be buying anyway so it's definitely worth doing. Here's the link you want....

www.classicfighters.co.nz/tickets

Reminder, this offer closes tomorrow.

[Deleted]

I only wish I could. I'll be there, and I really hope I can get Gold!

[Dave Homewood]

Here we see two of Omaka's five resident, airworthy WW-II era combat aircraft, the awesome Fock-Wulf Fw190A 'Stahlgewitter' and the Yak-3 'Full Noise', together over White Bluffs, just a few minutes flying from their home base. Gavin Conroy photo.


WELCOME TO YOUR CF'21 AIRSHOW NEWSLETTER!

AUGUST 2020 - 8 MONTHS TO GO
TO YEALANDS CLASSIC FIGHTERS 2021

GREETINGS!

Well there has been so much happening at Omaka in preparation for next year's airshow! Our Covid-19 response has driven a few decisions, not to withdraw or reduce the show but rather, to deliver a truly outstanding event to celebrate our 20th Anniversary! This will feature some new elements that we have not been able to provide previously so we're presenting some of those below to help you make that decision to commit your next Easter to a trip to lovely Marlborough, N.Z.
From now onwards you can expect more regular updates via this portal as things come together at Omaka and beyond as we work towards Yealands Classic Fighters, 2021!

* V-WEAPONS ARE GO!!!


We've been holding off releasing this bit of news but now that we are confident of putting it together, we're delighted to unveil a significant attraction for next year's airshow. This is something that has never been done before at any event, anywhere in the world. So if you never go to another airshow, make sure you don't miss this one as it may be the only time we perform this combination! We plan to present for you, in amongst all of the amazing and unique combinations of heritage and other show aircraft, performances by BOTH the V-1 flying bomb and V-2 rocket, all on one weekend!



You may know that we have our own flying V-1 'doodle-bug' replica that has successfully delighted the Omaka crowds for the last couple of shows. Some years ago, we also built a full size V-2 rocket, complete with its huge launch trailer. We demonstrated this unit in spectacular form at CF'11, but in the following decade, have not repeated the performance. The time is now right to allow you to see both the V-1 and the V-2 performances in one weekend! To get the full value of the display, you really need to attend for the Friday night, and the Saturday and the Sunday. You won't be sorry you did!



We will have updates over the next few months but you should get your Gold Pass TICKETS and your accommodation sorted now, as these are limited resources if you want to have the best experience you can over what is going to be a spectacular weekend!

* OUR EXTRA SPECIAL MISSION FOR THIS YEAR'S AIRSHOW



A new feature at the Yealands Classic Fighters airshow next year will be the opening for the first time ever, of the WW-II 'Dangerous Skies' hall at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. We usually close this hall due to several of the key display aircraft being outside participating in the flying programme. For this event however, our special quest is to raise money from the airshow to support the on-going presentation of the amazing 'Aladdin's Cave' collection of the late John Smith.

Sadly, Mr. Smith passed away during 2019, however the core collection of his aircraft have been placed on long-term loan to Omaka by his family. These aeronautical treasures include the de Havilland Mosquito, the famous P-40N Kittyhawk 'Gloria Lyons' and John's own private aircraft, his time-capsule Tiger Moth (untouched since its last flight over half a century ago). They will be joining the Lockheed Hudson that had earlier been part of the Smith collection and which went on display in its remarkable jungle diorama in late 2019 (above).

This means that for Easter 2021, there will be a once-only unique display compilation inside the WW-II exhibition, specifically to showcase aircraft from the famous and secretive Smith Collection.



We can't guarantee at this time how far their preservation work may have progressed but their display is what we are planning for. In addition you will see the Stuka, the Hurricane replica from 'The Battle of Britain' movie, the Stalingrad immersion experience and possibly other machines yet to be advised. Once again, you're in for a treat but you need to plan well beforehand, how you spend your time. This display will be a unique mix for the five days of Thursday through to Monday before it changes back to the normal display, so put in the thought now as to when during the weekend of airshow magic, you might schedule some time in the 'Dangerous Skies' hall. You won't want to travel all the way to Marlborough and miss this spectacular experience.

* PUTTING ON THE RITZ!



Grab your Gatsby-Glam Glad-rags and cut a dash!



For Classic fighters 2021, we're planning to turn the clock back to the 'Golden Age' of aviation, the magical 1930s which also tended to be the golden age of motor vehicles and personal dress, all reflecting a common thread best described in one ward.....'STYLE'! Here's your chance to immerse yourself in this glamorous period and grab some stylish selfies in front of some epic period vehicles and aircraft.



We will present a previously unseen line-up of Fairchilds, classic Beech 17 (the wonderful Staggerwing) and Beech 18, Ryan ST, Waco ...and that's just from the USA. British machines from the period are also being rounded up to present a wonderful line-up from a time in history when what had been the profoundly antique, was replaced by the glamorous 'swoosh' that saw streamlined styling applied to everything that moved and many things that didn't, but now looked like they did!

[Mustang51]

Way things are going on this side of The Ditch I doubt that the Trans-tasman 'bubble' will be opeational by Easter. Estimating now that Northern Territory border may be closed for 18 months and WA border for 12 months.....

[shorty]

And our borders may still be closed then too, that will do the attendance numbers no favours

[Deleted]

Thanks for sharing the newsletter Dave, I'm hoping to get there at Easter and it's already shaping up to be another great weekend.

[Mustang51]

Lets all keep our collective fingers crossed !

[vultee43]

Tassie travel bubble! No non quarantine cases for 100 days.

[Mustang51]

Don't count your chickens yet..........

[vultee43]

🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔🐔 yeh, too many.

[Mustang51]

Really hope it goes ahead and the "bubble" is in place..... starved of airshow and warbird action this year big time !

[Dave Homewood]

THE JOHN SMITH COLLECTION’S PUBLIC DEBUT SCHEDULED FOR EASTER 2021

Dangerous Skies WW2 Exhibition Hall to host a special preview of key display aircraft

Worldwide public interest has been high since the announcement last month that the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre (OAHC) had been appointed by the family of deceased aviation collector John Smith, to preserve and display three of his key aeroplanes. To satisfy popular demand and raise the money required for the ongoing presentation of the aircraft, a once-only unique display compilation inside the WW2 exhibition will be staged specifically to showcase the famous and secretive Smith Collection from Thursday 01 April to Monday, 05 April 2021.

This group comprises John Smith’s own Tiger Moth ZK-BQB which he flew as his personal aeroplane, P-40 NZ3220, ‘Gloria Lyons’ and the de Havilland Mosquito NZ2336 for which the collection was so well known. They will join a Lockheed Hudson NZ2049, that had previously been a part of the collection and has been on display at Omaka in the Dangerous Skies Exhibition since late 2019.

How far the preservation work may have progressed on the aircraft is unknown at this time, but their display will go ahead as planned for Easter 2021. In addition to this remarkable collection of aircraft, visitors will see the replica Stuka, the Hurricane replica from the 1967 ‘The Battle of Britain’ movie and the immersive Stalingrad experience.

This unique display will be available for viewing for the five days of Thursday through to Monday before changing back to the normal display. During Yealands Classic Fighters, Friday 02 April to Sunday 04 April only air show attendees will have access (by separate admission) to the collection. The general public will have the opportunity to visit on the preceding Thursday and following Monday. “Planning your holidays has never been more important” says Omaka AHC and Yealands Classic Fighters board member, Graham Orphan. “You won’t want to travel all the way to Marlborough and miss this spectacular experience!”.

About Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
Established to provide a world-class destination for the appreciation of historic aircraft and the human stories that emerged through these two great conflicts in the skies, the Omaka AHC opened in 2006 with the Knights of the Sky exhibition, featuring Sir Peter Jackson’s extensive Great War collection of aircraft and rare memorabilia. The calibre of the displays, enhanced by Weta Workshop’s mannequins and sets produced by WingNut Films, launched the Centre to international acclaim. Dangerous Skies, the WWII exhibition opened in 2016 and explores the stories of both male and female aviators. Iconic warbirds are on display including a flyable Spitfire Mk.14 and the Battle for Stalingrad comes to life in an experience which is equally informative, entertaining and heartbreaking.

To learn more visit www.omaka.org.nz or call us at [phone]


Image: Members of the Omaka aviation community prepare the Mosquito for relocation.

Photo credit: Graham Orphan

[ErrolC]

A reminder that if you purchased tickets a while ago and received them from Eventbrite, you should have since got replacements from Humanitix. If you haven't, ask for them to be re-sent. I used the form at events.humanitix.com/yealands-classic-fighters-omaka-2021/contact and they came through the next day.

I'll have my Mum along this time, so there will be less hanging out in the bar from me! Although I'm free Thursday night.

[johnnyfalcon]

Your Mum doesn't drink? I thought all mothers did...

[ErrolC]

Aug 26, 2020 20:17:52 GMT 12 johnnyfalcon said:

Your Mum doesn't drink? I thought all mothers did...

Less, I said, not none. She doesn't have the stamina (any more)!

[colford]

Aug 26, 2020 20:15:36 GMT 12 ErrolC said:

A reminder that if you purchased tickets a while ago and received them from Eventbrite, you should have since got replacements from Humanitix. If you haven't, ask for them to be re-sent. I used the form at events.humanitix.com/yealands-classic-fighters-omaka-2021/contact and they came through the next day.

Thanks for the reminder on the replacement ticketing Errol. I hadn't received anything from the new ticketing people so have also sent a request for tickets to be sent/resent.

I still live in hope that things will have improved enough that those of us across the ditch will be able to get across for Classic Fighters 2021. If a vaccine is available by then, that may assist in opening things up for travellers - "no jab, no fly - jab, you fly".

[Mustang51]

With Flying Legends now gone my chances for an aviation 'fix' are getting smaller........thank you 2020......