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Warbirds over Wanaka 2004

This is my report on the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow for 2004. Of course, there was a lot more happening that what I have listed below. I have just chosen six areas that interested me. I attended this on Sunday 11 April and arrived slightly late after driving 300 kms from Dunedin. It was worth it though, and the weather turned out fine again!

The Royal New Zealand Air Force demonstrated several aircraft during the show. Large transports included the Boeing 757 (shown above), the Orion and the C-130 Hercules. They also flew the Iroquois helicopter and had a Seasprite on static display. The Red Checkers aerobatic team flew a demonstration as well.

This photo shows the airfield mock attack during its height. There's plenty of fighters around, including the Harvard at top-left which has been "shot down" and is trailing smoke.

Three different jet fighter/trainers were flown this year. Above you can see the L-39 Albatros leading two de Havilland Vampires, followed by a Cessna A-37 Dragonfly. The Vampires are quite an old aircraft, even though they have only recently been retired from some air forces, but the other two are comparatively modern. The Czechoslovakian L-39 is even being considered as a trainer by the Americans.

This is the only flying example of this aircraft in the world, only a few exist in any condition. This Russian fighter was produced shortly after the end of World War II by Syemon Lavochkin and about 1600 units were built.

Noted in New Zealand because it was the used in the first crossing of Cook Strait (the strait that separates New Zealand's two main islands) in 1920. It wasn't very successful in the role of bomber in World War 1 and was demoted for use as a trainer instead.

Jurgis Kairys flew an amazing display to demonstrate the capabilities of the Su-31. It was just unbelievable what he can make this mighty little aircraft do! The Su-31 has such a high power to weight ratio that it can do things which would be impossible for a lesser aircraft. By using the propeller for lift instead of the wing it can hang in the air like a helicopter and fly sideways, as well as heading straight up just after take off.

This photo shows the Bristol F2b Fighter with the distinctive feature of the rear-facing gunner. It was used as a fighter and light bomber from 1917 to 1932.