The main reason for this trip was to attend the three day Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow. Sadly, the weather didnt co-operate, and we had some terrible weather. Of the the three days we got one reasonable morning and one reasonable afternoon.
At the start of the day we could "walk the flightline" which allowed us to get up close to the displaying aircraft and chat to some of the pilots. Here are the beautiful Fox Moth ZK-APT, a Chipmunk N861WP, the Waco UOC ZK-AEL and a chinesee Nangchang CJ6 ZK-CVI(that didn't fly).
There was also a large static display which included some STOL aircraft and some amphibians. Super Cub VH-YUP, AAK Hornet ZK-CCM, Lake Buccaneer ZK-EEL and Super Petrel ZK-ESS
One lunchtime I took a walk around the visiting aircraft park where there was a good mix including a Cessna 172 tailwheel conversion ZK-MLY, Aerostar ZK-JOS and a Cessna 206 floatplane ZK-DXC.
But we were all here to see the flying. Mostly low level because on the low cloudbase. There were plenty of russian aircraft here with up to 12 Yak 52s in formation, The only flying Yak 7 ZK-YKB "Liberte" (Which had an issue and didn't fly) along with 2 different versions of the yak 3 one with a V12 engine ZK-VVS "Full Noise", the other with a radial engine ZK-YOV "Steadfast".
Four Aero L-39s put on a great show despite the low cloud.
The prize for the most unusual plane must go to the AgTruck ZK-DMZ. Definately built for function, not for looks!
There were formation displays by a group of De Havilland aircraft , Vampire and Strikemasters and also by Harvards.
Helicopters were not left out, with a good selection flying including a UH-60 Blackhawk ZK-HKU, a UH-12 ZK-HBU and Hughes 520 "Notar" with it's distinctive no tail rotor design.
But what we were really here to see were the warbirds. Spitfire mk9 ZK-SPI, Spitfire PR XI G-PRXI (The NHS spitfire , transported from the UK especially for this airshow), P-51 ZK-BHT and Avenger ZK TBM all put on great solo and group displays.
And, of course, the famous grand finale!
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