Airshow Commentary

[Dave Homewood]

I'm just rewatching the 2000 Warbirds Over Wanaka DVD. Commentary on the DVD states the following about the Red Checkers:

"The Red Checkers were established back in 1973, and took their name from the distinctive red and white checker pattern on the cowling of the original Harvard aircraft. These days they're flying CT/4E Trainers."

It has a caption showing 'CT4E Trainer' to back it up. Oh dear!!

Now, almost all of that statement is total bull.

And so are many made by airshow commentators at airshows too.

Who do you think are the best commentators at airshows? And who are the worst? And what major gaffs have you heard them say at shows, or like above, on commercial DVD's or videos?

I think Jim Hickey is a great commentator, very relaxed and knowledgable. Same with ian Brodie who did a bit at the last big Wanaka show. they both know their stuff. I enjoyed listening to Jerry mead too, a touch of class from upover, and funny too.

Sir Tim Wallis used to be a very enthusiastic commentator when he wasn't flying, and he really related to the crowd I think.

I hate commentators that crap on and on over the sound of the aircraft through the entire show. I don't pay good money to listen to them. But some do that, and it can be really annoying.

[Bruce]

One of the worst I have heard was at Air Expo 93 at Auckland where the commentator (Bill Mudgeway I think) pointed out the "Visiting US Tristar" taking off, when in fact it was a Kittyhawk air cargo 727! (the Tristar could still be seen parked at the terminal in the distance). Bill did a number of airshows, and tended to irk me somewhat. It was assumed that becuase he was a radio announcer and a PPL he could fill in the quiet bits of the show with intelligent comment. Firstly, that assumption was wrong, secondly, who says the quiet bits need filling in anyway? Another time at SportAvex at Matamata, they were expecting a Schlepev Storch (a scale replica Feisler Storch) to arrive, and Bill kept "building" the crowd for its arrival, unfortunately the aircraft he pointed out was actually a PZL Wilga!. I have to say that Bill has not been the only one to describe a Fletcher as being powered by a Lycoming "Ten dash Seven hundred and twenty" (IO-720) !

[flyjoe180]

The English bloke that come sout for Wanaka (i think?) is good. Agree that Mudgway is a shocker.

[Dave Homewood]

The English bloke is Jerry mead. He was very good, but he has sadly retired now. He has a NZ connection too, his son is a Kiwi.

[magic]

What a shame Jerry Mead has retired he was the best. Ian Brodie is always good very knowledgeable. Jim Hickey has a good personality and love of aviation.

[Radialicious]

I used to love listening to Jack Stafford and his mate whom I can't remember precisely, debating the Typhoon with the Spitfire. They were like todays young hoons debating EVO vs WRX. The crowd loved hearing experienced fact from the horses mouth versus manufactured facts from a microphone. A commentary is necessary for the great number of guests who don't know the nitty-gritty on everything that flies by. Ian and Jim however publicly knew when to put the mic down and let us listen to the music and it was appreciated. That is what I like about the Classic Fighters DVD's. They produced a recording of the event with the option to watch the airshow without commentary. Tim's best commentaries were those where he announced the purchase of (yet) another aircraft. As a 16 year old, I went to Wanaka on a Friendship charter arranged by Ian Brodie. A funny memory of that day was that the boarding call hadn't yet finished before the scrum of enthusiasts had busted the gate down. AirNZ staff were heard to say that if all flights boarded as promptly as ours, the airline business would be a piece of cake. I remember guarding my stake of the fence that day as passionately as a west coast whitebaiter. It was a big day. My memories if the day probably aren't the same as the others but they are.......... The Sea Fury had its second display and lost its accessory drive and finished its display with the most high energy ground loop you have ever seen, Alistair McMillan threw the BN2 Islander around the sky like it was a Mosquito (the other most significant twin in history), the local topdressers tag-teamed to first dump a hopper load of water immediately followed by a load of super into the nor'wester that blew onto the crowd. We all thought it was hilarious that we all looked like we had scurvy after the show as we were covered by a yellow crust. The Mustang and Venom display was still very popular back then too. We all shit our pants when one of the Harvards got 'shot down' and flew down past the terrace for the very first time. 10 years later, dreams and circumstance led me to be on the other side of the fence as part of the airshow. Tim Wallis has a lot to answer for as for the last 20 years, much of the South Island kiwi Easter has involved Wanaka.

If I never fly again, the memory of being in a pilots briefing with both Ray and Mark Hanna is one thing I will remember fondly. I cant help but think that the front row of every airshow pilots briefing in NZ from now on, should have two seats reserved for Ray and Mark. No matter where the NZ airshow scene ends up, they were and still will be, a big part of it. Just my thoughts.....

[Dave Homewood]

Great memories there mate.

Indeed the first time I went to Wanaka and saw the Harvard disappear into the revene with a huge explosion it gave me rather a start too.

Ray and Mark were true heroes of the NZ airshow scene over past years, and I doubt we'll ever see their like again. Also missed, by me at least, is seeing Sir Tim in his Spitfire, and Tom Middleton also in the Spitfire or the P-40. We lived in great times and have cherished memories. Lets hope many more are added to them.

[flyjoe180]

Yeah that ravine is bloody freaky the first time you see an aircraft go below the surface and then a fireball. We've seen some awesome aeroplanes flying at Wanaka, and some great displays by brilliant pilots.