This was the first time I've driven myself to a show, traffic wasn't too bad!
The former gate guard Vampire being restored to, I think, a static condition. This was in the paintshop, along with a very nice UH-1H.
The engineering displays were highly informative, with many RNZAF personnel on hand to answer any question. The Macchi behind demonstrates what goes on during overhauls etc. Other displays included practically every engine and transmission component for the Iroquois as well as weapons, bomb disposal equipment etc.
The mighty Pig! Massive crowd gawking at this all day, until it was pulled away to the end of the field and let loose later on...
Nice to see three WW2 fighters on the line, this being P-40N A29-448/ZK-CAG, the former RAAF machine. Sadly this landed before its display (with the ex-RNZAF P-40E) due to mechanical issues.
And this is why I don't do flying shots! Sioux showing off...and about time too! Nice to see two of them strutting their stuff. Chopper_nut aka Nick was drooling over these and their static brethren...."I gotta get me one of those!"
The Herkybird after her very cool display, so close the the crowd that the wingtip was actually DIRECTLY ABOVE US! Talk about up close and personal!
The ever lovely Dak, also close enough to touch. Well, almost.
The Dragonfly, which was hidden away before its display, prompting rumours of a no-show....always a very exciting performer. I want one!
I hate the fact that this was one of the last times we'll get to see the immortal Iroquois in RNZAF service. It was fantastic to see them, each of the four showed off a different role during the display.
The F-111 after its display. Never, ever in my history of airshow-going have I heard such a reception as that for the Pig and her crew.
Pilot "Mero" and nav "Budgie" conducting a Q and A after the show. It was great to chat with these guys and hear the facts and figures of their awesome machine and her display: during their 12 minute display they burned 8 tonnes of fuel, their fastest flyby was around 980km/h, and the dump and burn sees one tonne per minute of fuel go up in flame. One tonne is roughly equivalent to 700 litres! And, Budgie tells us, if they really wanted to, they could coax their bird from Ohakea back home across the Tassie to Amberley in forty minutes!!!!
The Strikemaster, Skyhawk and Macchi in their pen. Lovely to see all three in the same spot, but sad that they couldn't fly.
The supershiny Singaporean Herc. My god, the line went on for so long all day I just enjoyed the outside!
The Historic Flight Harvard, always a stunning perfomer!
Andy Love from JAG Air/Actionflite and the Pitts Special. Andy was great, telling anyone who wanted to know about the various aspects of the truly tiny machine. Look out for Andy and the Pitts at Wanaka this weekend and say hi!
I know, not the best, but they still show some of what was there. Enjoy folks!
