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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 20, 2021 16:33:16 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 20, 2021 16:33:26 GMT 12
Merry Christmas and welcome to the first official newsletter of the Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow 2023 campaign. We've been allowing a little time for the dust to settle after having worked for so long to set up the Easter 2021 airshow, and then having to dismantle it, and then of course we worked hard to move the show to September and then had to cancel again and dismantle that event as well. Phew! That really tests the stamina! We have however, tidied everything away in preparation for our Easter 2023 airshow, and we have such a brilliant 'head-start' for that event, that we are now enjoying the options available to us for making it something extra special. It DESERVES to be a show that really 'knocks it out of the park'! FEET ON THE GROUND....
Firstly, I'd like to thank our great friends from Yealands Wines here in Marlborough for their ongoing support of this wonderful Marlborough event. Without them it would be hard for us to have reached this far. To all of our sponsors, thanks so much for sticking with us during this very difficult couple of years. Secondly, thank you to all of you ticket holders who had purchased your Gold Passes and regular tickets for the 2021 event(s) and had the faith to roll over those ticket purchases for the 2023 show. This is hugely appreciated. Thirdly, to all of those who have indicated a desire to buy your 2023 tickets ahead of time in order to help with the foundation building of this landmark event. Thank you so much for your faith in our team and in the unique event which is the Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow. For all of you, we would like to say that you can expect your faith to be rewarded with a unique, world-class, and highly innovative event over Easter 2023! GREAT WAR AVIATION AT CF'23
The aircraft we have most been waiting for to join the collection of resident Omaka based WW-I machines is the Bristol Fighter, ZK-BHS. This should have been flying mid-year, but a recommendation to open up no fewer than 76 holes in the wings to inspect the internals was followed and once these inspections had been carried out and the wings resealed, they started to look like a patchwork quilt! So despite the intention to maintain as much of the 'Hollywood patina' as possible, it really became time to give these wings some fresh paint. This in turn led to a review of the dull looking roundels that the wings were carrying and these have now also been repainted in the richer colours we always wanted. The aircraft really has been lifted markedly since our original plan and we can't wait to start flying her over the summer here at Omaka. The Bristol is one of a number of WW-I aircraft that belong to Omaka based individuals and groups, which are progressing steadily towards joining those that are already in flying condition at the field so you can expect to see a few new Great War participants (and in fact new resident aircraft from all eras) at the 2023 airshow. Here is a preview of a particularly exciting WW-I aircraft project, in the form of John Saunders' SE5a. This completely accurate airframe will be powered by an original WW-I Hispano Suiza V-8 air-cooled aero engine which has already been painstakingly rebuilt here at Omaka. OMAKA'S MOSQUITO COMES TO LIFE  It was a momentous day here at Omaka on Monday, 8th November as the John Smith Mosquito TE910 roared into life for the first time in over half a century! As you will know all too well, this aircraft was recovered from her 'barn-find' home after decades in storage just 14 months ago, when the Smith family placed her into the care of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and into the hands of project leader Al Marshall. Al and his team worked miracles to bring the Mosquito to a carefully considered, balanced display status, but also took the time and care to trial run each of the engines in the test-stand prior to installation. Finally, after months of additional work to prepare for the run, the aircraft was wheeled outside and fired up.....and she ran perfectly! There will be more runs in the future to allow the public a chance to experience this special aeroplane at her best, but these will be limited in number since our first responsibility here is to preserve this very special aircraft to the best of our collective ability. Keep an eye out for releases from the Omaka AHC as to when this might happen next. THE MOTOR POOL! It seems as though there are almost as many heritage motor vehicle initiatives in and around Omaka as there are aircraft! One that was being worked on for the September airshow was John Baker's Canadian CMP 'Quad' truck (known in some parts of the Commonwealth as a 'Blitz wagon'). John's truck had served during WW-II as a radio truck and so this is how he has restored the vehicle. He even has the ZC1 radio and aerials ready to install. The good news is that the truck is now finished and has come up wonderfully well! This is one of a large and growing collection of vehicles of this era that have been drawn to Marlborough in recent years, the owners of which just love sharing them with airshow attendees. In even more exciting news, there is a private collection of half a dozen high quality restored WW-II vehicles gearing up to move to Marlborough in the next few months to be active and participating at the 2023 airshow so we're already getting very excited about this. With so many great old vehicles now based on the airfield itself, we may be hosting a few suitable events to allow some of these to be showcased during the summer months. Watch this space! GATSBY GLAMOUR GROWING AT OMAKA  The long awaited Waco UOC custom cabin restoration being carried out by owners Rex Newman and Jay McIntyre has made some striking advances in recent months. The last survivor of three of this model built in 1935, this example as many of you will know, was bought new by the Marlborough Aero Club right here at Omaka, enjoyed a solid flying career as the 'MAC Flagship' for most of a decade, later being damaged by new owners in the North Island. It then spent half a century stored in various parts of Australia but never flown in that country, before being brought home to her original Omaka residence to be brought back to life. It is an amazing 'prodigal son' story, albeit with wings! The aircraft is nearing completion now after some intensive restoration here on the field, and she is turning into a real eye-catcher, once again wearing the same colours and markings she carried as a new aeroplane. The Waco is one of FOUR significant art-deco aeroplanes due to make their first appearance over Omaka during the next few months. Watch this space! FIGHTER STATION OMAKA - WW-II COMBAT AIRCRAFT PROGRESSING This has been the world's only active representative Yak-9V in recent times, operating in France. The Omaka aircraft will look very similar in configuration to this. When we started the move to create an aviation heritage 'centre of activity' here at Omaka a quarter of a century ago, it would have been hard to imagine a time when we could boast four flyable WW-II fighters and a WW-II bomber resident at the airfield however this is the case now and we could not be happier about that. Most of you will already know that these include two Yak-3s, 'Full Noise' and 'Steadfast'; the Spitfire Mk.XIVe and the Focke Wulf FW190A plus of course the magnificent Avro Anson Mk.I, the world's sole airworthy example. What is a little less well known is that there are another FOUR WW-II fighters under active restoration here at Omaka, along with other WW-II machines of different roles looming and even more fighters waiting in the queue. Activity is presently centred on two more V-12 Yak fighters, along with two Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawks! At JEM Aviation, where the Yak-3M 'Full Noise' was completely rebuilt some years ago, work is happening in parallel on the long-term Yak-9V being restored for our Omaka based syndicate, and on the exciting and very rare Yak-7B, the only example of this attractive, high-back Yak iteration that you're likely to see anywhere in the coming years. This was a more recent arrival from the USA and is being upgraded for its owner, Mike O'Rourke from Tauranga. Both of these aircraft are now structurally advanced but awaiting the building of new engine mounts and once those are done, should both move steadily towards completion. In John Saunders' hangar right next door to the Yak rebuilds at JEM Aviation, the members of 'Team Curtiss' are working their magic. John, Mike Nicholls and their team of supporters, have already performed the sensitive refurbishment of P-40N 'Gloria Lyons', now displayed in the AHC WW-II hall and now have her sister ex-RNZAF P-40 from the John Smith hangar, P-40E 'Bess', under steady rebuild towards a return to flying condition. This is alongside John's own P-40E restoration which has been underway prior to the John Smith aeroplanes arriving and which is now structurally advanced to a very high standard with most items on hand to complete the restoration. According to our figures, current initiatives, including those outlined here, will see the number of WW-II fighters flying in New Zealand, DOUBLE in the next half a decade. That should make the Kiwi warbird scene even more exciting than it already is. Long may it continue! CHRISTMAS GIFT PACKAGES ON SALE NOW! If you are looking for that last minute gift, we have some great deals on merchandise, including 'Supporters Packs' of bundled items from the cancelled 2021 airshow. Check out the gifts at: shop.omaka.org.nz/collections/classic-fighters-merchandiseOr you might wish to purchase tickets to the 2023 Yealands Classic Fighters. We are holding current prices until 28 February 2022, so buy now! www.classicfighters.co.nz/ To all our Yealands Classic Fighters friends, thank you for your support and our very best wishes for fabulous, festive fun over Christmas and a brilliant New Year. Whatever you plan to do or wherever you expect to be, we hope you have a wonderful time, catching up with friends & family, or just chilling out and relaxing. After 2021, that feels more important than ever! For more information and to purchase tickets, please see our website: www.classicfighters.co.nz |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 9, 2022 15:54:30 GMT 12
Well done Gavin!! Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow in safe, new handsMorgane Solignac 11:00, Jun 09 2022  Gavin Conroy, the new director of the Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow, gets the all clear from the show’s outgoing director Graham Orphan, right.
Aviation enthusiast and photographer Gavin Conroy has become the newest organiser of the Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow, replacing Graham Orphan, who has held the post since 2001. Orphan, 65, decided to step down from his role last year after the iconic biennial show was cancelled twice due to Covid restrictions. “I thought we needed to have someone who has got a younger, more energetic outlook directed to the show, and I realised the person I was thinking of was right underneath,” Orphan said. “Gavin has got all the skills, knows all the people we need to talk to. He is more qualified to do this than I ever was.” Conroy has never missed one of the Marlborough air shows in two decades, becoming a member of the committee in 2007, doing and organising flight photos. “I do remember the very first air show in 2001 with all the fighters in, the Hurricane, the Spitfire, the Kittyhawk, the Boomerang from Australia ... it was quite a special show. “I'd love to fly a Mustang or a Spitfire, and the beauty from photography is that I have actually been able to fly in both seven times,” Conroy said. First gaining his pilot’s licence at the age of 16, Conroy moved seriously into aviation photography in 2004, travelling the world but keeping it as a hobby. Specialised in air-to-air photography of legendary and military aircraft, he has published several books on the subject, including “Precious Metal”, and collaborates with Orphan’s magazine Classic Wings.  The biennial Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow takes place every second Easter but was cancelled last year for its 20th anniversary.
Conroy worked in retail for 20 years, managing two businesses. He then took a job with an aircraft restoration and maintenance company next to the Omaka Aerodrome. When Orphan asked him to become the new air show director, he didn't hesitate. “This is a dream job for me, really an extension of so many of the things I have already been doing in vintage and Warbirds aviation. Orphan, who is still a trustee, said he won't be too far away. “I suppose I'll still be upstairs with the microphone in my face, but maybe not worrying as much as I usually do ... “This position is a huge privilege, but it's also a huge responsibility. "The secret is love what you're doing. Enjoy it, go with it,” Orhpan said. Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka will be held over Easter Weekend 2023, from April 7. Tickets are available on the Classic Fighters’ website. www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/300608386/yealands-classic-fighters-airshow-in-safe-new-hands |
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Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2022 21:08:52 GMT 12
Excellent news! Well done Graham for your years of stewardship, and congratulations Gavin on your new role!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2022 11:39:19 GMT 12
Classic Fighters Airshow to Host the Largest Gathering of Waco Biplanes in Australasia
1930’s Designed Art-Deco Aircraft bring the Glamour to Airshow Blenheim, NZ: In a first for Yealands Classic Fighters, five Waco Biplanes, representing potentially the largest gathering of this iconic brand ever assembled in Australasia, will be on the flight line at Omaka this coming Easter! Two are originals built in 1936 and 1941 and imported from the United States. The former is a rare custom cabin biplane, one of only three of the type ever built; bought new by the Marlborough Aero Club and operated from Omaka until 1948. Its restoration by locals Jay McIntyre and Rex Newman is fast nearing completion. The latter, a strikingly red aircraft built in 1941, was imported from the USA earlier this year by North Island-based owner Simon Holdsworth. The remaining three aircraft are classic 1930s Waco designs recreated and returned to production by the Classic Aircraft Corporation/WACO. Self-confessed Waco fanatic Marty Cantlon from Tauranga owns two of these, including a lovely Taper Wing model and will be sharing flying duties with Phil Hooker. Finally, well-known display pilot Keith Skilling, also based in Tauranga, rounds out the five aircraft with his beautiful YMF-5. Newly appointed Classic Fighters Airshow Director Gavin Conroy says, "Since Classic Fighters started in 2001, we have never seen a Waco display at Omaka. Each of these machines is a work of art, so to have five in 2023 will be quite a spectacle". Tickets are available online now. Image: Top – Waco T-10 Taperwing and Bottom Waco YMF-F5C photo credit: Gavin Conroy For more information, please go to www.classicfighters.co.nz/news |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 5, 2022 12:25:35 GMT 12
Incredible. As a kid reading Classic Wings Downunder I saw Australia's first new-build YMF-5 and thought "It'd be cool to see one of those here"...flash forward and I've seen two of them AND the Taperwing fly together, all the while awaiting the cabin machine and now the Otaki-bound(?) example. We live in amazing times!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 24, 2022 19:33:16 GMT 12
Greetings from Team Yealands Classic Fighters 2023!After two false starts in 2021, we are looking forward to bringing back Classic Fighters in 2023 and finally celebrating our 20th Anniversary. Over the next few months, we'll be making aircraft announcements (the latest is a cracker!) and sharing the stories of the people behind the machines and the show. So keep scrolling for news, updates and how you can get involved. Please invite all your friends and family, near and far, to join the birthday celebrations. They say the third time's a charm, so treat yourself and support the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre's most significant fundraiser while having an incredible amount of fun. So go forth and make plans, we can't wait to see you!  Omaka Welcomes the Roaring 40's!
This precision aerobatics team has been seen at air shows across New Zealand and Australia and is always a crowd pleaser. The Roaring Forties referred both to the southern latitude lines of New Zealand and more so to the age of the pilots and their aircraft, both into their forties when the team formed. We can't wait to see them again!  Behind the Machines - Our Volunteers
An incredible amount of work goes into events like Yealands Classic Fighters, most of it by a fantastic bunch of volunteers. Some have been with us since the beginning, and others have joined along the way. All have been indispensable. Thank you for the laughs and your blood, sweat and tears! Our people have made Yealands Classic Fighters what it is today, and if you want to be a part of this iconic event, we would love to hear from you.     a64af6a2-4d99-a473-df1c-54e63bd469e4 by Dave Homewood, on Flickr   
OUR SPONSORS YEALANDS CLASSIC FIGHTERS Easter, 7th-9th April 2023 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 6, 2022 15:14:02 GMT 12
 Counting down to Yealands Classic Fighters 2023 It's hard to believe, but we are less than seven months away from Yealands Classic Fighters 2023! So as we race towards the end of 2022, it's a great feeling to be able to advise that we have a broad selection of aircraft booked and confirmed, including Robert Borrius-Broek's Lockheed Model 12 Electra Junior. This polished beauty is dazzling (literally!) and perfectly fits the 20th Anniversary theme, given the type's appearance at previous shows. To celebrate, every ticket purchased in October 2022 puts you in the draw to win a flight in a vintage bi-plane! We hope this will encourage you to go ahead and commit to a fantastic weekend of flying fun in Marlborough sooner rather than later. So keep reading for even more reasons to join in the action at Yealands Classic Fighters 2023!  Omaka Welcomes the Lockheed 12 Electra Junior! We're excited to confirm this beautiful aircraft will be making its New Zealand airshow debut at Yealands Classic Fighters in 2023! Built in 1937, the aircraft served in the US Army Air Corps from 1939 until 1943, and its civilian history includes a stint in an Angelina Jolie-directed Hollywood movie.  Marlborough Lines Twilight Extreme Marlborough Lines have confirmed that they will continue to sponsor the popular and family-friendly Friday evening extravaganza, the Twilight Extreme Show, not just for 2023 but right through to 2029! A long-term commitment such as this makes it easier to stage a world-class event, and the support of the Marlborough Lines team on the ground coordinating the show's electrical needs is invaluable. Thank you, it is appreciated.  Buy in October for a chance to Fly! Remember, all bookings made in October go into the draw to win a flight in a vintage biplane. Is this a shameless attempt to encourage you to join us for a fantastic weekend sooner rather than later? Yes absolutely! T's&C's
YEALANDS CLASSIC FIGHTERS Easter, 7th-9th April 2023 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 18, 2022 20:24:55 GMT 12
 Season Greetings from Yealands Classic Fighters
Christmas is coming, but we've got Easter 2023 firmly in our sights! Classic Fighters 2023 is only three and a half months away, and we would like to thank everyone who has already purchased tickets to the show. You have been automatically entered into the draw to win a flight in Full Noise, a V-12 Yak 3 fighter plane worth $2500, not once but twice! Don't worry; it's not too late to get in on the action! All tickets bought by 12.59 pm on 31 March 2023 will go into the draw for this fantastic prize. But if you buy before 01 January, we'll double your chances. That's right, easy as clicking on the red button below. Classic Fighters Air Show tickets (from $45 per adult and $10 per child) make excellent Christmas presents; just saying! In the meantime, we wish you and yours a safe and happy holiday season. Please keep scrolling for more Yealands Classic Fighters news.  Omaka Welcomes Betsy the Douglas DC-3
NZ3546, aka Betsy, a 1944 Oklahoma-built Douglas DC-3, is one of only a handful of DC-3s worldwide still certified for civil aviation. In 1987 Betsy began a new life in New Zealand when a group of New Zealand Warbird pilots and friends purchased her. A frequent visitor to Omaka over the years, Betsy and her dedicated crew will offer show attendees the opportunity to enjoy a scenic flight in this iconic aircraft type.
Yak-52 Team back at CF2023! Always a crowd pleaser at Classic Fighters, we're thrilled to be welcoming the New Zealand Yak Formation Aerobatic Team back to Yealands Classic Fighters in 2023. With a maximum speed of 261mph and a climb rate of 1400ft per minute, the Yak-52 is one of the world's most responsive aircraft. Read more here.  Gold Passes Selling Now
For those wanting the best view at Classic Fighters, you can't go past a Gold Pass. The 3-day Gold Pass provides you with; exclusive access to the Gold Pass Marquee, lunch on Saturday and Sunday, reserved car parking, unlimited tea and coffee, a gift bag containing the printed souvenir airshow programme and a selection of quality items, one free admission to the Knights of the Sky exhibition at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre and of course those grandstand views! Seats are limited, so don't delay. Book now.  Win a Fighter Flights Experience!
Don't forget, all bookings made by 12.59 pm on 31 March 2023 go into the draw to win a flight in Full Noise. Book before the New Year and double your chances! Is this another shameless attempt to encourage you to join us for a fantastic weekend sooner rather than later? Yes absolutely! T's&C's       YEALANDS CLASSIC FIGHTERS Easter, 7th-9th April 2023
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Post by Deleted on Dec 19, 2022 16:36:42 GMT 12
See you there - the countdown's getting serious!!
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Post by typerated on Jan 12, 2023 19:17:38 GMT 12
No FW-190 or Spit 14?
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 12, 2023 20:27:59 GMT 12
Just not formally announced yet, they spread them out.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 5, 2023 15:13:34 GMT 12
Happy New Year from Yealands Classic Fighters The countdown is well and truly on, and it's hard to believe that it is already February - only nine more weeks to go! As we write this, the sun is shining in Marlborough, but our thoughts are with those less fortunate in the North Island who has been and continues to be affected by the unprecedented torrential rain. So please take care wherever you may be over this Waitangi Weekend. Thank you again to everyone who has already purchased their tickets. It promises to be an excellent weekend for our 20th Anniversary! One lucky attendee will be flying high in Full Noise but remember, only tickets bought by 11.59 pm on 31 March 2023 will go into the draw to win a joy flight experience valued at $2500! Please keep scrolling for more Yealands Classic Fighters news. Omaka Welcomes the Trojan Pair 2023 will see the Trojan Pair make their Yealands Classic Fighters debut this Easter. Owners Brett Emeny and Peter Vause will put their North American T-28 Trojans through their paces in a display that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat!
Waco UOC & Bristol Fighter First Flights!
January may have been and gone, but the memory of the Waco UOC and the Bristol Fighters' first flights lives on! Waco UOC successfully took to the sky on Jem Aviation's first day back at work, and the Bristol Fighter finished the month off in style. Click to watch the star of the 1981 Charles Bronson movie 'Death Hunt' take off here.  Win a Fighter Flights Experience!
Don't forget, all bookings made by 11.59 pm on 31 March 2023 go into the draw to win a flight in Full Noise. You've got to be in to win! T's&C's |
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Post by typerated on Feb 15, 2023 11:25:40 GMT 12
What's the reason for moving the display line to 30/12?
Looksa very different showground is planned
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 15, 2023 11:33:11 GMT 12
Thanks to houses being built close to the aerodrome.
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Post by typerated on Feb 15, 2023 11:41:18 GMT 12
Thanks for the Heads Up.
Yeah it was inevitable - build houses next to airfield then the airfield becomes less and less viable.
It's a shame as I loved the corner at Omaka - Keith Skilling in the Corsair starting his display from behind your right shoulder - Boom
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Post by typerated on Feb 24, 2023 16:57:21 GMT 12
Just not formally announced yet, they spread them out. Spread out the announcements certainly are Errol! |
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Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2023 10:05:22 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 2, 2023 18:57:42 GMT 12
 One-Day Gold Passes on Sale Now! We've pushed the button, and these are now available to purchase online. One-Day Gold passes are strictly limited, and we highly recommend not leaving these until the last minute. Once they are gone, they are gone! Please remember to read the inclusions as these do differ from the Three Day Gold Passes. Thank you again to everyone who has already purchased their tickets. It promises to be an excellent weekend for our 20th Anniversary! One lucky attendee will be flying high in Full Noise but remember, only tickets bought by 11.59 pm on 31 March 2023 will go into the draw to win a joy flight experience valued at $2500!
 Win a Fighter Flights Experience! Don't forget, all bookings made by 11.59 pm on 31 March 2023 go into the draw to win a flight in Full Noise. You've got to be in to win! T's&C's |
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Post by typerated on Mar 3, 2023 11:06:57 GMT 12
I'm 50:50 whether to go. Hoping a few good participation announcements will twist my hand!
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