Ardmore Airshow 1990

[Dave Homewood]

On the 25th of February 1990 there was an excellent airshow at Ardmore. It was the first proper warbirds airshow i ever went to, and I went along with my Dad.

Though the Harvards were familiar to me from Waikato fly-ins I'd been to, it was the first time I'd ever seen anything like the Mustang, Sea Fury, Venom, Fokker Triplane and SE-5A, and Rusty wingwalking. All stay in my mind vividly. I think the Tiger Moth display team 'Diamond Nine' also flew, and I believe there was RNZAF participation from a Strikemaster, Hercules and Orion? Definately a Blunty anyway.

I also recall seeing John Greenstreet's newly imported T-28, with a boquet of flowers inside to mark his sad death the day before.

One thing really puzzles me though, reading through old Wings mags it says there was RAAF participation too in the preceding adverts. Does anyone know what this was? I've been rackingmy brains and can't think of seeing any RAAF aircraft.

The only RAAF aircraft I've seen ever were the F-111 at Wanaka this year, Caribous at Wigram in 1991-93, and a Hercules at Norfolk Island when I was 9. Has my brain forgotten or blanked out another important sighting? Or did they not turn up?

[Bruce]

I was at that show as well, I think there was a Caribou there - it did the Wheelbarrow trick if I recall. Excellent show - Although there were some rain showers that passed through during the morning. There was also a show at Ardmore about 1987? am I remembering correctly? (that one had Bristol Freighters)

[flyjoe180]

Yep there was a show in 1987, the Golden 50th Anniversary TA4K was there along with a wide assortment of military and civil aircraft from all over NZ.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Bruce. I simply can't recall seeing the Caribou, but must have done. Amazing how you forget certain important details.

One thing I do remember vividly from that airshow was standing watching a parachutist packing his chute on the tarmac in front of a hangar. He was trying to keep people off and as he flicked the canopy over and over I saw gravel stones flying about!! As I had worked in the Whenuapai Parachute Bay, I was well aware of how absolutely stupid this guy was. Not only could the tarmac rip the nylon canopy but there was definately a certain amount of FOD being injested into the pack. I said to Dad that there could be a nasty accident, but luckily for him and us there wasn't on that day. Some civil parachutists are just plain complacent and foolhardy.

By the way, I got that date wrong as they altered it before the event - it was the 4th of March 1990 that it actually took place.