Why not visit to New Zealand and turbo charge your interest in WWI aviation? Particularly for our Aussie members its only a short hop over The Ditch. I get asked occasionally for information about the various airshows and museums so here is a brief summary of what to see when.
Classic Fighters airshowhttp://www.classicfighters.co.nz/
Classic Fighters air show is held at Omaka aerodrome at Blenheim, over three days from Good Friday to Easter Sunday every alternate year (most recently in 2013), and is the major fundraising event for the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
The main show days are Saturday and Sunday, with the programme running from approx.10am – 4.00pm. There is a ‘Twilight Extreme’ show on Friday evening.
Classic Fighters is designed to be more than an airshow, the philosophy being to provide visitors with a weekend of family entertainment in an event that is distinctly different and with a unique Marlborough flavour. Certainly the aviation theme dominates, but the flying is combined with ground theatre, vehicles, pyrotechnics and set pieces.
The RNZAF typically provide aerial displays with the Red Checkers aerobatic team, Seasprite SH-2G, Orion, B757, and recently A109 and NH-90 helicopters, depending on what aircraft are available at the time.
There is some WWI content at Classic Fighters – some of The Vintage Aviator Ltd’s collection aircraft are based at Omaka, some from TVAL’s collection at Hood Aerodrome are transported down from Masterton and some other replicas are also based there.
Heritage Aviation Centrehttp://www.omaka.org.nz/Also located at Omaka Aerodrome, the Aviation Heritage Centre is almost a religious experience for anyone interested in Great War aviation. Stage 1 “Knights of the Sky” (all that is completed to date) occupies some 3,000m2 of purpose-built display area. It comprises one of the world's largest collections of World War 1 aircraft and rare memorabilia, including a mix of dramatically staged static displays created by New Zealand's most respected cinematic and special effects craftsmen (Weta Workshop).
Aircraft on display include Etrich Taube, Morane Saulnier BB, DH2, Fokker EIII, RE8, Breguet XIV A2, an original Thomas Morse Scout, an original Curtiss MF flying boat, reproduction Halberstadt D.IV, SE5A, Albatros CII, Nieuport 27, Siemens Schukert D.IV, four Jasta 11 Fokker Dr.I triplanes, the Pfalz DIII made for the 1960s movie The Blue Max, reproduction Nieuport 24, original US de Havilland DH-4M, original Caproni CA22. Most of the aircraft are either flyable reproductions or restored originals.
You could easily spend half a day or more there. Photography would be greatly assisted by use of a powerful flash as the lighting is ‘mood’ ie dark.
They have an extraordinary collection of original WWI aviation artifacts including Eddie Rickenbacker’s flying suit, Walter von Bulow-Bothkamp's hussar jacket, Friedrich Christiansen's naval dress uniform , Renee Fonck’s dress uniform, General Major Walter Von Eberhardt's uniform jacket (the first Inspekteur der Fliegertruppe, ‘Idflieg’), Clayton Knight's USAS uniform which he wore while flying DH9s while serving with 206 squadron, Austro-Hungarian & Russian uniforms, German flying suit, leather coats and helmets. Also on display is Ernst Udet's Blue Max, Max Immelman's pocket watch and a pennant presented by British airmen, who were prisoners of war, at the funeral of the early German Ace and father of aerial combat, Oswald Boelcke. Herman Goering features as an Ace of the Great War and amongst the collection are his own log books.
The 1:1 scale diorama of Manfred von Richthofen’s crash is really excellent. Displayed alongside is the actual fabric cross, cut from the starboard side of his famous red Triplane and other items salvaged from the aircraft and his own monogrammed handkerchief. Arranged in front of a photograph of Manfred's room, are other objects belonging to the Richthofens, including father Albrecht's dress uniform, the trophy awarded to brother Lothar on being credited with downing Albert Ball and two of the trophy cups Manfred had made to mark his victories. One of these is number 11, commissioned after Manfred shot down and killed Britain's then most highly respected Ace, Lanoe Hawker
Warbirds Over Wanakahttp://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/
The website states this is one of the world's top four Warbird airshows and the largest Warbird Airshow in the Southern Hemisphere with around 84,000 visitors over the three days. It is held every two years over Easter weekend and the next show will be in 2014. Wanaka is located right in the heart of the Southern Lakes district in the lower South Island. The area is internationally renowned for its glaciers and magnificent tramping and climbing, and the snowy peaks of the Southern Alps form a beautiful backdrop to the airshow.
Here is the programme from the 2012 show:
Morning Programme 1000 – 1125
(1000 – 1005) Show Opening – Fighters sweep across the airfield.
(1005 - 1010) Tiger Moth Aerobatics
(1010 – 1025) Topdressers and Helicopters from Rural NZ
(1025 – 1035) Thunder Mustang – Aerobatic Master Chef
(1035 – 1045) High performance aerobatics from the MX 2
(1045 – 1055) Beechcraft T-C6 military trainer from the USA
(1055 – 1110 Harvard (T-6) Display Team – Formation Aerobatics
(1110 – 1115) T-6 Trainers old and new flypast
(1115 – 1125) Spitfire solo display
(1125 - 1230) RNZAF display
The RNZAF band introduced the RNZAF display - including the Kiwi Blue parachute team, the P3 Orion sub hunter and C130 Transport. Helicopters displays included the Iroquois, Sea Sprite and a brand new A109. The display concluded with the Red Checkers Aerobatic Team display.
(1230 – 1240) B777 flyover from Air New Zealand.
(1240 – 1250) Model Aircraft display with Frazer Briggs
(1250 – 1255) Flypast by De Havilland flight
(1255 – 1305) Aerobatic Glider Display
(1305 – 1315) Warhorse Display – Military Re-enactment
(1315 – 1340) WW I fighters battle it out
(1340 – 1350) Two Russian Yak 3 fighters
(1350 – 1415) Pacific Theatre: Two P40 Kittyhawks and the FG-1D Corsair with the TBM Avenger.
(1415 – 1425) Hawker Hunter
(1425 – 1450) European Theatre: Two Spitfires, two Mustangs and the DC 3 Dakota.
(1450 – 1500) Jet Era– Vampire and Strikemaster – with the P51 introducing them
(1500 – 1515) Display by the Vampire, Strikemaster and Albatros L39.
(1520 - 1530) The Grand Finale. The Airfield was attacked by enemy aircraft and the fighters scramble in defence.
(1530 - 1545) Massed Fighter Flypast to honour past and present RNZAF Servicemen and Women
Scheduled for the 2014 event is a special World War I centenary celebration on the Wanaka lakefront on Friday 18th in the afternoon, which will be free for locals and visitors. The aim is to educate new generations about the role aircraft and New Zealand pilots played in the Great War 100 years ago.
Wings Over Wairarapa http://www.wings.org.nz/This airshow is held every two years on the third weekend in January (Wellington Anniversary weekend), with the most recent held in 2013. A wide selection of aircraft are presented. Here is the programme for the 2013 show:
1000-1040 R/C models
1045 P51 & P40 takeoff
1055 Yak 52 takeoff
1100 Heavy metal curtain raiser P-51 & P-40
1105-1115 Round the Pylons Yak 52 Reno-style air race
1115-1215 De Havillands - from DH 5 to Vamplre. Included a Gypsy Moth, Tiger Moth, Dragon, Dominie, Beaver Vampire, Venom and Mosquito
1300 Fast jet formation - a New Zealand first with 6 jets three L39 Albatros, DH Vampires & ex-RNZAF Strikemaster
1310 Spitfires
1320 Cresco and helicopter water bombers
1325 WWI Nieuport 11 vs Pfalz DIII
1335 The world's only flying Avro Anson Mk 7
1340 Harvard formation aerobatics
1400 RNZAF Display: lroquois, A1O9LUH,P-3K2 Orion, Seasprite, Boelng 757
1440 RNZAF Red Checkers aerobatic team
1500 Corsalr & Kittyhawk. These two aircraft, based at Hood aerodrome, are genuine and rare surviving RNZAF aircraft from WWll.
1505 Yak 52 Display
1520 WWI dogfighting between Fokker DrI and British SE5A fighters, Sopwith Camel vs Fokker DVll.
1545 Tora Tora' Alrfield Attack The traditional air show attack on the airfield by six Harvards, defended by the WWll piston fighters while the Warhorses advance in a ground attack, complete with full pyrotechnic special effects.
1600 Salute to the Fallen and our Veterans. Flypast of the WWll piston fighters: Mosquito, Spitfires, P-51
The Vintage Aviator Ltdhttp://thevintageaviator.co.nz/http://www.facebook.com/?sk=nf#!/pages/The-Vintage-Aviator-Collection/130953866975871
TVAL run either two or three airshows each year at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton. One in November on a Saturday close to Armistice Day, one in April close to ANZAC Day, and one on the third weekend in January which alternates with Wings Over Wairarapa every two years (the next January show will be in 2014). There is no major difference between these shows in terms of content, as TVAL generally fly the whole Masterton collection, subject to weather conditions.
Often the Corsair and P40, which are both based at Hood, will also make a short display.
There are free rides available in period vehicles including an Old Bill bus, an old Fiat truck and a replica WWI British tank. Rides in Chitty Bang Bang raise money for charity. These shows attract smaller crowds than the other airshows, maybe 2-3,000 enthusiasts, but provide better opportunities to get close to the aircraft for photographs.
TVAL also offer Open Hangar hospitality each weekend between the November and April airshows. This is a fantastic opportunity to get right up close to the aircraft and there is an excellent guided tour (and shop selling WNW kits). There is a very modest entry charge, worth every penny. TVAL aircraft based at Hood include two FE2b, two Albatros DVa, two Sopwith Pups, two Fokker DVIII/EV, RE8, an original Avro 504K, an original Bristol F2B, a BE2c (early), an original BE2f, a Sopwith Camel, three SE5a, three Fokker DRI replicas, a Pfalz DIII and Fokker DVII (ex-Blue Max movie replicas), Sopwith Triplane, Nieuport 11 and Sopwith Snipe. An Albatros DII reproduction has been registered recently but has not yet been displayed publicly.
Airforce Museum of New Zealandhttp://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/Located at Wigram, Christchurch in the South Island
17 aircraft are on display in the main Museum complex, with a further 11 in storage in 3 Hangar. You can see the aircraft in storage, as well as the three aircraft restoration projects on our Behind the Scenes Tour.
Bleriot X1-2 Britannia (Replica)
Sopwith Pup (Replica)
Avro 626
De Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth
Auster Mk.7c
Avro Anson Mk.1
North American Harvard Mk.III
North American P-51D Mustang
Supermarine Spitfire LF Mk.XVIe
Grumman TBF-1C Avenger
Consolidated Catalina
Lockheed Hudson Mk.III
Douglas C-47B Dakota
De Havilland DH100 Vampire FB.5
De Havilland DH115 Vampire T.11
De Havilland DH104 Devon
BAC Mk.88 Strikemaster
Bell UH-1H Iroquois
Bristol B170 Mk.31M Freighter
Cessna 0-2A-CE
De Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver
English Electric Canberra B.20
Hawker Siddeley Andover CC Mk.1
Kaman Seasprite SH-2F
McDonnell Douglas A-4C Skyhawk
McDonnell Douglas TA-4K Skyhawk
Aerospace CT4B Airtrainer
Westland Wasp HAS Mk.I
Croydon Aircraft Company located at Old Mandeville Airfield, Southland
http://www.croydonaircraft.com/The Army Museum at Waiouruin the centre of the North Island has an impressive collection and displayed in a very engaging way. No aviation but it is very well done.
http://www.armymuseum.co.nz/There is also plenty for a non-aviation interested spouse to see and do, so why don't you come over?
Kiwis: feel free to add or elaborate further re my list
