Warbirds Over Wanaka is a show which is run every two years (on even years) near the town of Wanaka in Central Otago, New Zealand. It has gained a reputation internationally as being one of the better warbirds shows and about 100,000 people attend each time it is run. Classic Fighters Omaka is also run every two years, on odd years, at Omaka air field near the town of Blenheim in the the north of the South Island.
The Bleriot XI is the oldest aircraft I have seen flown at an air show. It Is most famous for completing the first flight across the English Channel on 25 July 1909. The Bleriot flown at the show was built In 1918 and rebuilt in the early 1990s.
The tiny Edge 540 aerobatics aircraft is capable of extraordinary performance. AIthough it only weighs 1200 lbs it has a 8.75 litre 350 hp Lycoming I0-540 engine enabling aerobatics at about 200 knots. The air frame can withstand forces of plus or minus 23 g!
The Hawker Hurricane isn't as well known as the famous Spitfire, but during the early part of World War II when Spitfires weren't available the Hurricane had to do most of the work for the RAF. They fought against the German Bltzkrieg invasion in the Battle of France, provided air support during the evacuation of Dunkirk, and scored more kills during the Battle of Britain than any other aircraft.
The Russian Polikarpov I-153 biplane (known as the Chiaka or seagull) was first produced in early 1939 and continued until the end of 1940. Initially the I-153 was very successful, especially against Japanese fighters such as the Nakajima Ki-27 but when the Germans invaded large numbers were lost.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force always put on a good show and this year was no exception, from the first fly-past of the show - a surprise, high speed, low level flight from some SkyHawks - to the biggest aircraft at the show, the mighty C-130 Hercules, to the precision of the parachute team, Aeromacchis and Red Checkers.
The French Tummelisa biplane was first built In 1919 and was in service from 1920 to 1935. The wooden construction is braced with piano wire and power is from a 90 hp 9 cylinder Le Rhone rotary engine.
6 aircraft were displayed. Click a thumbnail image or title above to see information about the aircraft.
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