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Stunning aeroplane, stunning surrounds, just a few
minutes flying from Omaka. Noel Kruse is seen here with 'Charlie',
the magnificent Ryan STM he restored a few years
ago.
GREETINGS AIRSHOW
FANS!
With the arrival of the New Year, we are already feeling
energised about the next Classic Fighters Airshow, even though it is
over 12 months away. The amount of work that goes into one of these
events is enormous, so you simply can't start too early as it takes
well over a year to put together. Thankfully, many of the key
ingredients for the 2023 airshow were already assembled for last
year's cancelled airshow(s) so we have a massive head-start.
This gives us some latitude to do a little bit more to make the next
one extra special. We are going to stick our necks out and say
that we are going to assume that Covid will be ancient history by
Easter 2023 so we will once again expect to see visitors from right
around the world coming to this globally significant
event.
It's pleasing to report that tickets are already
selling, with some special deals making it attractive to secure them
well ahead of time. For those of you who have already
purchased your tickets for the CF'23 airshow, well done and thank you
for your support!
Here are some more reasons to lock in your airshow tickets sooner
rather than later!
Cheers,
Graham Orphan
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STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS - STOP
PRESS - STOP PRESS - STOP PRESS
We just had a call yesterday morning from Ed
Taylor at Warbirds over Wanaka to advise that due to the NZ
Government's decision to move the nation into a 'Code RED' under the
Covid Traffic Light System, the team had no choice but to cancel the
WOW'22 Easter airshow. Warbirds over Wanaka was one of the first
major events to have to cancel in 2020 after the first outbreak of
Covid in New Zealand, after which we have experienced two years of
event disruption, including our own two attempts in 2021 to run the
Classic Fighters Airshow. It goes without saying that our hearts go
out to Ed, Mandy and all of our friends at Wanaka and beyond, who
have put so much into that amazing event and why I always tell people
not to take aviation events for granted. They all need to be
supported as fully as possible whenever you can get to one.
The next Warbirds over Wanaka is scheduled to
take place over Easter 2024.
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CF'23
- 'DEBUTANTES BALL'
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After a lengthy restoration here at Omaka, this
Fairchild F-24 nears completion. Gavin Conroy photo
Call it 'an alignment of the stars' if you like, but
it seems that more than at any time in the past, the Yealands Classic
Fighters Airshow 2023 will see the greatest number of debut aircraft
in attendance, of any airshow we have witnessed in modern times and
we usually pride ourselves on bringing together record
quantities of 'new stuff'. This usually comprises aircraft that
are recently out of restoration and displaying at their first
airshow, new arrivals from other parts of the world, and at times,
international guest machines brought along just for the show. In
addition, ground displays and theatrical items from tanks to WW-II
era rockets have been seen for the first time ever at Omaka in years
past, so we're pleased to be able to say that this event is set to
raise the bar yet again for the delivery of 'new stuff' to
enjoy.
At this juncture, quite apart from the rapidly growing
Omaka aircraft population, we are expecting debut attendances from
historic aircraft from both main islands, their owners keen to share
their treasures on this special occasion. New machines expected cross
the range of eras from WW-I through the 'Golden Age' to WW-II, so all
tastes will be covered!
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NEW
ARRIVALS / ADDITIONS TO DATE
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This pristine new arrival Stearman got the New Year
off to a very positive start!
We're only a few weeks into the year but we're already thrilled to
have welcomed two new aircraft to Omaka. The first arrived on 1st
January. Rob Mackley had his very original Boeing Stearman
shipped to Omaka from the USA many years ago to be restored by the
late Stuart Tantrum and his son Wayne Tantrum. The aircraft emerged
as the stunning ZK-BWR which Rob then flew back to his Ardmore
hangar. The story has now gone full circle as this excellent example
of the Stearman marque has returned to Omaka to take up residence in
Rob's new hangar adjacent to the Omaka AHC. A second arrival a week
later came by trailer, when Rob and Caroline brought down the
fuselage for the ex-Canadian Yak-52 that is being restored under the
care of JEM Aviation's Jeremy Hughan. These exciting new additions to
the Omaka line-up are just the first for what is set to be a bumper
year for new additions. The next expected arrival will be a fully
restored biplane, possibly two, expected here during
February. Happy days!
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Both of these resident Omaka warbirds boast Reno
Unlimited class racing history! Gavin Conroy photo
In the past, the Classic Fighters event has touched on the history of
competition in various motor sports and in air racing in particular.
Rest assured this tradition will continue with some significant
race-related equipment appearing at the show. Our Pioneer Transport
Race will be back with its unique mix of vintage cycles,
veteran cars, and pre-WW-I aeroplanes. This will be
augmented by an art-deco racing event that will feature even more
stylish Golden Age aeroplanes than before, along once again with some
glamorous motor cars of the period. And of course, the only two
former Unlimited Class Reno Racers to be found in the Southern
Hemisphere, the Yak-3s 'Full Noise' and 'Steadfast' are both based right
here at Omaka. These two very serious competition machines never fail
to deliver excitement to visitors.
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The coast and Cook Strait can be seen as soon as you
get airborne from Omaka and you can be over the beach just minutes
afterwards.
Omaka is home to a wide variety of options for those
wishing to actually get airborne (outside of the air display period of
course!). Resident aircraft offering such flights range from the only
WW-II bomber in the Southern Hemisphere that you can fly in, the
unique Avro Anson Mk.I, 'Gentle Annie'; the
Yak-3 WW-II fighter and Reno racer 'Full Noise' along with the
three-seat Stearman open cockpit biplane and
the rare de Havilland Fox Moth 'Foxy' providing stylish 1930s
biplane touring in cabin comfort. The Marlborough Aero Club, owners
of Omaka Airfield, and one of the finest flight training clubs in the
country, offer a range of opportunities from introductory flight
training through to your full licence, aerobatic and tailwheel
ratings etc., so are well worth connecting with for anyone wondering
if there might be a flying future on the horizon.
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The
Anson started WW-II as the RAF's principal maritime patrol
bomber. Omaka's soul airworthy example (yes, worldwide) is
seen patrolling alongside 'Dover' (White Bluff).
Dave McDonald photo
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GOLD
PASS EXPERIENCE - SPECIAL 'EARLY BIRD' TICKET OFFER!
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It's hard to beat the elevated view you get from Gold
Pass grandstand! That's the CFFC Spitfire Mk.XIVe which can be seen
housed at the Omaka AHC through the year.
We know we will need to revisit the prices for tickets
leading up to the major event next Easter, however in the
meantime there is the opportunity to lock in your 2023 tickets
right now at the old prices.
Now if you ever thought, "One of these years I
am going to treat myself to a 'Gold Pass' experience",
perhaps it's time to lock that in right now. Because so many people
decided to 'roll over' their tickets from the 2021 airshow(s) that
did not happen, we already find ourselves with many of these tickets
pre-sold over a year before the show, so there is a high likelihood
they will sell out completely before we even get to the end of 2022.
For this reason, it will be prudent to get these tickets
purchased now.
https://www.classicfighters.co.nz/tickets
Just in case you have forgotten, the Gold Pass
experience is much more than just deluxe seating in the grandstand.
There's no question that you get the best seat in the house, but you
also get very posh, deluxe, rest-room facilities, dining in the
exclusive Gold Pass marque behind the grandstand, and a gift bag
that always impresses with the richness of its content, many items
contributed by some of Marlborough's most highly regarded companies.
You will not be disappointed. How about booking in today?
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LOCAL
EVENTS - POSTPONED - OMAKA
MOSSIE MAGIC DAY - POSTPONED
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Following its first engine runs after its
restoration, Omaka's magnificent John Smith Mosquito
cools down, Al Marshall's helmet resting atop the canopy (he
needed this both for noise management and to communicate with ground
crew).
We were looking forward to Saturday 12th February
when the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre was to host an
open day under the title of 'Omaka Mosquito Day'. Unfortunately
Omicron has meant new restrictions on events, so we have been forced
to postpone.
When we do get to hold this occasion, the intention is to run a
casual day of the type we have hosted previously, in which our
members get to park their treasures, both automotive and
aeronautical, in the AHC's attractive 'courtyard' parking area.
The special event of the day will be the first public running of
the John Smith DH.98 Mosquito, its AHC crew bringing it out of the
museum for a rare static showing in the sunshine and with the
intention of running its Merlin engines, if all of the stars are in
alignment. It is hoped to run them three times during the
day and ticket holders will be in the draw to take a seat in the
co-pilot's position for one of the run-ups. There will also be an
auction for the final run in case you don't have the lucky ticket the
first time around. All of this is intended to help raise funds to
support the upkeep of this magnificent aircraft.
In addition to this special presentation, there will
be food and beverages, plus some opportunities to fly in some of the
significant historic aeroplanes that are available at Omaka for heritage or adventure flights
(see above for 'Experience Flights').
For those based near enough to be able to come along
on this special day, whilst it is not an airshow and there is no
flying programme, it will certainly whet your appetite for
colourful attractions that you'll see at the big show over Easter
2023.
We'll advise as soon as we have a new date for this
event, hopefully within the next three months. Keep watching the AHC
website for updates. https://www.omaka.org.nz/
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DON'T
FORGET THE MUSEUM!!
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This Pacific War veteran Lockheed Hudson was based out
of Guadalcanal (today's Honiara) during the Pacific War. It twice
survived combat with groups of Japanese fighters and still carries
the scars of those encounters.
Visitors to the Yealands Classic Fighters Airshow
often overestimate their ability to see everything in the time they
have allocated for themselves. Members of the public who have
no interest in aviation whatsoever, regularly explain that they'd
allocated a certain amount of time to view the content of the Omaka
Aviation Heritage Centre, and found that they grossly short-changed
themselves for time. There are over 50,000 sq ft of display area
housing around three dozen significant aircraft from the two world
wars, with some remarkably creative display tableaux and some
extraordinary story presentations that many seasoned historians feel
enriched by on visiting the displays. So with three days of
spectacular air displays and so many related attractions on the
airfield, you may need to think about booking an extra day to see the
museum in a leisurely fashion.
But wait.....there's more!! You'll do yourself a
disservice if you come all the way to Marlborough and don't take the
opportunity to explore the Marlborough Sounds (see below), visit some
of the exceptional vineyards, galleries etc etc. There is so
much more to this stunning province that you will miss if you don't
stay a few more days. Have a wee peek here...
https://marlboroughnz.com/mustdos
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The Focke-Wulf Fw190A-8N of the
Omaka-based Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection is 'bounced'
by Brendon Deere's lovely Spitfire Mk.IX in a very realistic
dogfight pairing. Gavin Conroy photo
So, over a year out from the Easter 2023 airshow and there is already
so much to see at Omaka that is based right here on the field, before
everything else arrives. Keep watching as the range of
attractions continues to grow through the year. For more
of what you can expect to see, have a look at the website here...
https://www.classicfighters.co.nz/what-youll-see
Don't forget to click on each aircraft image, as
many feature some stunning imagery for you to enjoy. In the
meantime, make sure you start planning for your accommodation,
flights etc., as this is one weekend of spectacular entertainment
that you know you don't want to miss!
Lock it in today - onwards and upwards!
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OH YES, AND ABOUT THAT HEADING PHOTO....
This view, shot by Gavin from the Classic Wings
Stearman, has Noel showing you his playground (yes, he also has a
very nice vessel for exploring this wonderful place).
If you have not been to this part of NZ before, you might be forgiven
for not knowing that this region is home to one of New Zealand's
greatest natural attractions, the Marlborough Sounds. This seemingly
endless labyrinth of pristine waterways (just a fraction visible
here) is a paradise for tourists to take in some of the most
stunning, majestic sights imaginable. You should do yourself a
favour and plan a longer stay in the region to spend at least some
time exploring these beautiful waterways. There are many boating
tours available and you can be launching in under 30 minutes
drive-time from Omaka. Then there are resorts, tramping, cycling and
multitudes of holiday escape opportunities. Take a peek here...
https://marlboroughnz.com/the-marlborough-sounds/
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