Warbirds On Parade - Ardmore NZ 5 June 2022

[KiwiZac]

Hi all,
I have a few photos to go through but here's a video to whet the appetite: BE.2e, F.2b and Bristol Scout versus Albatros D.Va, Fokker Triplane and Siemens-Schukert D.IV.
https://youtu.be/Yb17Z_xD1tY

[KiwiZac]

Some photos from the hangar the evening before:
DSC_5840 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5841 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5847 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5848 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5855 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5857 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5907 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5904 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

The Siemens-Schukert SS.IV was built in the US by the late Carl Swanson and has a Gnome Mono up front.
DSC_5901 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

This D.Va is Ranger-powered and was built in Canada, however did not fly until after it was imported into New Zealand and some further work was done.
DSC_5889 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5894 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5892 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5884 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5893 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

And finally a look at the fabric on the lower wing from a distance of just under one metre:
DSC_5888 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[KiwiZac]

Warbirds On Parade showcased aircraft from the Great War up to a brand-new Extra aerobat, however here I'll just share the WWI machines.

The Ranger-powered Bristol F.2B is one of several built for the film High Road to China, and is in the colours of noted Kiwi pilot Keith Park.
DSC_5957 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5997 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

DSC_5958 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Ground crew and pilot briefing with NZ Warbirds president Frank Parker at centre - he flew the SS.IV in the display.
DSC_5994 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

This Bristol Scout Model D has a Le Rhone and is owned by Frank Parker.
DSC_5995 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

DSC_5996 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

The all-black Dr.I, which is powered by a Rotec radial, was finished by Graham Orphan and friends at Omaka here in NZ and moved north to become part of the Warbirds fleet a few years ago.
DSC_6089 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_5998 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Albatros away, flown by Rob Silich:
DSC_6110 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6113 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6117 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Unfortunately I don't recall who flew the Biff or Dr.I.
DSC_6114 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Frank gets the Siemens-Schukert ready to go with the aid of wingwalkers Ryan Sheehan (who also propped the beast) and Tracy Dixon:
DSC_6112 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6137 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Tim Sullivan helps keep the tubby fighter on track:
DSC_6139 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Bevan Dewes gets the Scout airborne:
DSC_6115 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6128 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6129 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6132 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6141 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

...and promptly finds Rob in the Albi on his tail!
DSC_6142 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6145 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6146 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6148 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6151 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Graham Woods in the TVAL-built late BE.2c takes things at a slower pace:
DSC_6140 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

...and is joined by Bevan in the Scout, the latter having shaken the Albi.
DSC_6161 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6177 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

The three Allied machines form up for a final flyby:
DSC_6184 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Meantime the Siemens-Schukert took flight and I promptly fell in love with it!
DSC_6154 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6155 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6168 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6169 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6170 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6171 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

A couple of glamour passes by the shiny Albi...
DSC_6165 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6166 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Then the Germans made a final formation pass before everyone was recovered.
DSC_6178 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6188 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6193 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6203 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6191 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6194 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6195 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6196 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6200 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6201 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6202 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6197 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6199 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6205 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6209 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
DSC_6214 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

I had only seen the BE.2c and Dr.I fly before so the Great War machines alone made the trip worth it!

[macsporran]

Superb pictures, Zac, thanks for posting, you lucky b!

How come something as good as this has to be as far away from me as it's possible to be on this Earth!
Sandy

[KiwiZac]

Thank you for the kind words Sandy!

How come something as good as this has to be as far away from me as it's possible to be on this Earth!

Growing up I was envious of the warbird scenes of other countries, but as I've grown older I've come to realise how good we actually have it here. From memory this WW1 collection has been amassed over the last five years or so - it's quite remarkable!

The forecast rain began to threaten the field so the Great War machines were taken inside:
DSC_6263 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Fortunately two of the three one-hour display segments were flown before the rain set in, and the thoughtful team at New Zealand Warbirds took down the rope in front of the birds so attendees could check them out in person. So for your pleasure may I present, in varying levels of detail...I wonder if you can guess which of the sextet is my favourite? 

Bristol F.2B Fighter replica ZK-PRK (ex-N29HC)
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Fokker Dr.I replica ZK-FKD
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Albatros D.Va replica ZK-ARS
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Royal Aircraft Factory BE.2e (The Vintage Aviator BE2e-1) ZK-VCM
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Bristol Scout Model D replica (built by Herb Harkey and ex N5565) ZK-BTL
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Siemens-Schukert D.IV (built by Carl Swanson and ex-N1094G) ZK-SSW
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

Just seeing these magnificent machines together at last - I believe it's the largest number of World War One types ever seen in Auckland skies - was worth the admission. Absolutely fantastic!!

[jeroen_R90S]

Thanks for sharing these!
I've just visited the La Ferte-Alais airshow in early June, just need to sort through all the stuff to get the best pictures and post them here.
My camera is an old Panasonic FZ50 Hybrid type, it has decent zoom but not good enough for the faster aircraft like those from WWII or even jets. 

Jeroen

[pepperman42]

Looks like it was a great day!!

Steve

[KiwiZac]

Looks like it was a great day!!

Even if you just wanted to see the six Great War aircraft it was money well spent! Apparently it was the second-best-patronised open day they've ever had - evidently Kiwis have been wanting to go to an airshow for a while!

I've just visited the La Ferte-Alais airshow in early June

I just saw your post and I'm very excited to go through your album as La Ferte has been on my Must Visit list for many, many years!

[kensar]

Great pictures, Zac.  You're very lucky to be able to attend such an event.

[KiwiZac]

Great pictures, Zac.  You're very lucky to be able to attend such an event.

New Zealand has some pretty cool stuff and I make a conscious effort to remind myself how lucky we are whenever I see these things.