Classic Fighters 2013 airshow, Omaka, Blenheim NZ

[Jamo]

Hi everyone
Some of The Vintage Aviator Ltd's collection were present at this years Classic Fighters airshow although the breeze was a bit much for the light wing loading of the Sopwith Pups and they didn't fly (at least on the Saturday when I was there). All seven Fokker Triplane replicas were up, always an amazing spectacle.





The Fokker DVII replica was there, plus the ubiquitous Sopwith Camel and the replica Bristol F2B (as opposed to the restored original F2B that doesn't leave Hood Aerodrome at Masterton). I didn't take a lot of photos but here are few that may be of interest



This Pup has had quite a few more flights since I last photographed it and the assymetrical exhaust staining uner the lower wing is quite interesting





TVAL had quite a number of WWI vehicles on display, including these folk in period costume who looked splendid:





Not much of a dashboard in the old staff car



Notice the little details like the TVAL crest/logo stamped into the leather map pouches



The Weta movie folk do a great job of the finishing touches



Peter Jackson has two replica WWI tanks, this one lives at Omaka (as opposed to the other one at Hood Aerodrome)



And these look like original WWI artiller pieces. Someone more knowledgeable than me may be able to identify them







There was an old Pierce Arrow truck





And this strange Nash Quad truck





This prop was left over from the 2011 Classic Fighters airshow



Moving off topic, here is about the sexiest biplane you'll see anywhere. Its a Pitts Special, Model 12. A high performance aerobatic biplane designed around the 400hp, Russian-built Vedeneyev M14P/PF engine. This one was built by Aucklander John Eaton and flown by Richard Hood (grandson of George Hood, after whom the airfield at Masterton is named). Richard flies for Airwork NZ Ltd in Auckland and has been five times NZ Unlimited Aerobatic Champion, four times Royal NZ Open Aerobatic Champion and three times Royal NZ Professional Aerobatic Champion.











Reported as the star of the show is this FW190 replica built by Flug Werk and finished in the markings of Maj Eric Rudorffer who was credited with 222 aerial victories



These Yak-3 fighters really impressed the crowd with their zippy performance

[Jamo]

There are more great photos published by one of local media companies here

http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express/news/8490552/Classic-Fighters-photographs

[LindsayT]

In spite of my white-hot jealousy, I'm really glad you posted those, James. I'm so envious.

Lindsay

[Andi Little]

Great shots ... beautiful location. It was just like being there - a little bit anyway!

Seriously - enjoyed them immensely.

[Des]

Thanks James for posting the wonderful photos, there certainly were some beautiful aircraft on display, and the vehicles made a great display as well, i like the Nash Quad Truck, that is a brute of a machine.

Des.

[pepperman42]

I love that gaggle of tripes!!!!!!

Steve

[michael]

Great photos i love the tank and the trucks

michael

[lcarroll]

Once again James, Thanks so much for the "stuff" you share with us here; I'm with Steve, the "gaggle of Tripes" is most impressive, I think I'll add a trip to NZ to my Bucket List!
Cheers,
Lance

[GAJouette]

  James,
Thank you very much for the photos and the local link. Absolutely awesome aircraft in attendants ,I must agree about the Pitts that really is one sexy biplane. I've seen the Pierce Arrow truck before but the Nash Quad is something new to me. Umm would be an excellent scratch build project.
Any idea what type the German Staff is?
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Jamo]

The staff car is a Stoewer

[GAJouette]

  Wheels turning ......Maybe another conversion or scratch built project.
Highest Regards,
Gregory Jouette

[Jamo]

Check out these photos of Gavin Conroy's



























. . . and my favourite



His air to air photography is awesome! Well done Gavin

[pepperman42]

Beautiful work. Love the dusk and back lit shots.

Steve

[petrov27]

Amazing pics - thank you so much for sharing!

Are all of the DrIs part of TVAL? I tried to find some reference to them on the TVAL website but didnt see anything.

[Jamo]

Hi Petrov
Yes all the Fokker DrI replicas are owned and operated by TVAL. Perhaps the reason thy don't feature on their website is that they were not built (or rebuilt) by TVAL and they are not as authentic in their construction (tail wheels, radial engines, instrumentation etc). Four are normally based at Omaka and three at Hood Aerodrome, so its relatively rare to see them all together.

Regards
James