Wings over Wairarapa Air Festival

Hi Guys,

Last weekend was the Wings over Wairarapa Air Festival, an airshow held in New Zealand. Unfortunately the event was hampered by bad weather and ended up being curtailed, but not cancelled, which was a testament to the team's organisation. It's been tough for these guys, for three years running now, the event has faced cancellation and postponement, but there was at least one day's flying this year, following Saturday being cancelled. Sunday's weather started overcast but without the rain and strong winds that resulted in the cancellation of the day before. Based at the airfield where it was held is The Vintage Aviator Ltd (TVAL), film director Peter Jackson's Great War aircraft collection, which, given the bad weather I spent a lot of time with over the weekend since I was working at the show. Firstly, some static aircraft.

Made in New Zealand, Pac Aero FBA-2C3 light aircraft.

_ADP1740

Made in New Zealand again, Pac Aero Superpac XSTOL.

_ADP1743

Beaver.

_ADP1745

Harvard.

_ADP1749

TVAL bought its aircraft out and was going to fly them, but the wind was considered too strong. Hanriot HD-1.

_ADP1753

US-built DH-4.

_ADP1755

Bristol F.2B, one of several "original" airframes, whose structure comprises refurbished wartime frames and not built from scratch. It is also powered by an original wartime Rolls-Royce Falcon engine.

_ADP1759

B.E.12.

_ADP1761

Sopwith Camel, another original airframe restored to flying condition. Powered by an original Gnome Le Rhone.

_ADP1762

Sopwith Snipe.

_ADP1766

Sopwith Tripe...

_ADP1767

Fokker Dr I reproduction built for the feature film "The Blue Max".

_ADP1768

Sopwith Pup.

_ADP1770

B.E.2f, another original airframe reconstructed, fitted with a wartime RAF.1A engine.

_ADP1774

Albatros D Va, powered by an original Benz engine.

_ADP1781

Fokker E III Eindekker was making its airshow debut this weekend. I interviewed its pilot since he had nothing better to do!

_ADP1783

More to come.

Airside show action. As I've previously posted, the ex-RNZAF FG-1D Corsair made its airshow debut at WoW following a hiatus from the airshow circuit. Here are pictures from its first public display with the world's most recently rated Corsair pilot at the helm.

_ADP1853

_ADP1856

_ADP1861

_ADP1884

_ADP1919

_ADP1968

The Pac Aero Superpac XSTOL did a great short field demonstration. This aircraft is based on the humble Fletcher Fu-24 top dressing aeroplane designed by John Thorp and put into production in New Zealand. With a PT-6 turbine up front it has impressive short field capability and can carry passengers, freight and parachutists, for which its predecessor the Pac 750 XL is currently used in numbers in New Zealand.

_ADP2019

_ADP2037

_ADP2054

_ADP2064

_ADP2076

Venom departure.

_ADP2096

The air force contribution was curtailed due to the weather, but the Heritage Flight, comprising T-6 Texan IIs and a locally based Spitfire performed a routine.

_ADP2148

_ADP2163

Spitfire solo display. The aircraft is in the markings of New Zealand fighter ace Wg Cdr Alan Deere's aircraft and was restored by and is owned by his nephew Brendon Deere.

_ADP2174

_ADP2202

_ADP2238

_ADP2257

The Black Falcons RNZAF aerobatic display team break.

_ADP2287

_ADP2335

More coming...

Avro Anson I. One of only three Ansons airworthy.

_ADP2240

_ADP2383

_ADP2541

_ADP2522

_ADP2547

_ADP2555

_ADP2564

Locally based Tiger Moths.

_ADP2430

Good to see working aircraft doing displays, an Air Tractor top dresser.

_ADP2592

_ADP2650

_ADP2657

_ADP2675

The owner of this Spitfire TR.IX announced his retirement from flying and this was his last display in his aircraft.

_ADP2728

_ADP2744

_ADP2925

The Roaring Forties Harvard display team, named after strong winds that rip through this part of the country. These are all ex-RNZAF privately owned aircraft.

_ADP2758

_ADP2752

_ADP2791

More to come.

Last lot. Ex-RNZAF BAC Strikemaster.

_ADP2883

_ADP2888

_ADP2998

_ADP2977

_ADP3010

Harvards getting airborne for the finale.

_ADP3128

_ADP3136

_ADP3137

_ADP3247

_ADP3282

_ADP3303

The star of the show leading the Roaring Forties.

_ADP3311

_ADP3321

_ADP3339

_ADP3354

Finally, a very cool Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost owned by TVAL.

_ADP3427

More images here:


Thanks for looking.

Great shots!

Great selection Grant.

great stuff Grant

WOW! Some real winners in that set Grant. Always great to see the Anson and a Corsair not wearing stars and bars.

Jeff

Great shots Grant!

Awesome shots Grant

Missed this fine selection when posted. Very nice.

Excellent shots.

Damn Grant! Makes me wanna swim to OZ!