Written by ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
Some things old, and something new, will be making a public ‘coming out’ at this Easter Weekend’s Warbirds over Wanaka airshow in New Zealand.
The ‘something old’ are two former RNZAF aircraft _ a dual-control Mosquito (NZ2308) and a North American P-51D Mustang (NZ2423). The Mustang was bequeathed by a farmer at Mapua, near Nelson, while the Mosquito had its first flight, from Ardmore in Auckland, in nearly 70 years only two weeks previously.
The ‘something new’ will be a new Boeing P-8 Poseidon (one of four NZ now operates) simulating a raft drop during a low pass over the airfield.
The Mosquito’s flight marked the end result of a 15-year restoration effort started by the late Glyn Powell and finished off by Warren Denholm’s team at Avspecs for its new owners, Rod Lewis of Lewis Legend Aviation in the US, and Charles Sommers. The test and airshow display pilot is legendary American pilot Steve Hinton, from Planes of Fame in Chino, California.
Warbirds Over Wanaka General Manager Ed Taylor said securing the Mosquito was the “icing on the cake” for organisers.
“We already had an amazing line up for our first airshow in six years but now it’s gone next level with confirmation that we are to have a Mosquito on the flightline.”
Taylor said the aircraft at Wanaka may well be a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity for many New Zealand and Australian warbird enthusiasts.
His only regret was over airshow founder Sir Tim Wallis’s death late last year.
“We know Tim will be looking down grinning from ear to ear to finally see a Mossie fly at the airshow he started 36 years ago,” Taylor said.
The two aircraft’s presence has added huge buzz to what is now a sold-out airshow as organisers try to recover from the financial ‘hit’ of two Covid-cancelled airshows.
The chance to see the Mosquito resonated with warbird fans on both sides of the Tasman. Ticket sales jumped when news of the Mosquito became public a couple of weeks ago.
Australian Ross Birnie is one Warbird fan who still can’t believe he’s finally going to see the ‘Wooden Wonder’ fly.
“The line-up at Wanaka this year was pretty stunning already but the Mossie is just the icing on the cake. I know there are a lot of fans over here in Oz scrambling to get to Wanaka,” says Ross.
RNZAF MILESTONES
Another milestone at Wanaka will be the final airshow appearance of the C-130H Hercules as they are replaced by the more modern, bigger C-130J Super Herc.
RNZAF 40 Squadron’s Hercules will celebrate the iconic aircraft with a Formation Thunder fly-past, a handling display, Kiwi Blue parachute display and a lakefront flare drop.
The air force’s Heritage Flight will also be present involving the Mustang, a Spitfire IX and Grumman TBM-3 Avenger.
RNZAF No. 14 Squadron’s aerobatic display team, the Black Falcons, will entertain with their Beechcraft T-6C Texan II aircraft while for helicopter fans, there will be a 3 Squadron A109 two-ship handling display then a combined winch display with a 6 Squadron SH-2G Seasprite and 3 Squadron NH90.
“Events such as Warbirds Over Wanaka provide an opportunity for the RNZAF to display its aircraft capability, showing how it can support the people of New Zealand,” said Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Darryn Webb.
“Domestic air shows and display activities enable the RNZAF to inspire, educate and engage with the communities it serves. Not only do they allow for the demonstration of skills and capabilities of the RNZAF, they also support the preservation of the RNZAF’s history.”
Squadron Leader Jim Rankin is the RNZAF Air Display Director and has been to every Warbirds event bar one, as both military Display Director and Civil Display Director.
“The role demonstrations and handling displays are a chance to practise and sharpen the flying skills required to operate our aircraft ….
“Whenever an aircraft gets airborne though, it requires more than just our aircrew to operate them – it requires technical staff to maintain the airframes, working alongside logisticians, refuellers, security forces and firefighters.
USAF PRESENCE
THE USAF is supporting the event by sending F-16 and C-17 demonstration teams.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon team, which has now arrived in Christchurch, is based at Misawa, in Japan, and the jets were accompanied to New Zealand by a KC-10 Extender tanker.
The F16s will be joined by a C-17 Globemaster III from Pearl Harbour in Hawaii.
Warbirds Over Wanaka General Manager Ed Taylor says they’re thrilled to have these aircraft confirmed.
“The United States Air Force has been a major supporter of our airshow over the years. Their teams always put on top displays and their personnel on the ground are always great ambassadors for their country,” he said.
“The F-16 is such an iconic warbird and not just because it can reach Mach 2 (2000+ kmh). The aircraft first flew in 1974 and is still being manufactured 50 years later.
“What a way to celebrate your 50th with a ‘fast and furious’ display at Wanaka. The F-16 is relatively small and light giving it amazing maneuverability – perfect for showing off in front of a big crowd,” says Taylor.
AMERICAN EAGLES
Among the overseas pilots taking part will be the US-based American Eagles jet display team.
They are former F-117 Nighthawk pilot and veteran Dean ‘Wilbur’ Wright joined by Rob “Stache” Hutchinson, John “Bordz” Posson and Paul “Sticky” Strickland.
They will be flying NZ-based Aero L-39 jets, the same aircraft type they all fly as members of The Patriots in the US.
“The L-39s have some interesting characteristics when it comes to formation flying,” Wright said.
“The engine has a dramatic lag in its response meaning when you push the power up, the engine’s thrust will not increase for several seconds which can seem like an eternity in the middle of a loop.”
He says the L-39 is not as loud, big or as fast as the F-16 or F-18 Hornet but makes up for that with its speed through a small turning radius. This makes for a display that stays in front of the crowd.
“With our performance you won’t see those typical dead times between maneuvers that you normally see with other jet teams,” he explained.
FRANTIC FLYING
The world’s most prolific high-performance aerobatic display pilot will be joined by one of New Zealand’s best.
Two-time World Aerobatic champion Jurgis Kairys from Lithuania returns to Wanaka with a debut solo Wanaka show by Te Anau’s Ivan ‘Krazzy’ Krippner.
Jurgis rates Wanaka as one of the best warbirds airshows in the world. He has flown aerobatics for 50 years at 400-500 airshows or competitions around from Europe to Russia, China, Japan, US, Canada, UAE, South Africa and Australia.
Jurgis gained legendary status for pulling up to 10G while performing without a g-suit.
At Wanaka, he’ll be joined by Ivan ‘Krazzy’ Krippner, who was based at Wanaka for eight years before he and pilot wife Kylie moved to Fiordland.
“When I used to practice aerobatics over the Wanaka airfield I always thought I would love to do it for real at the airshow. Now my chance is here and I am really pumped to put on a stunning display,” says Krazzy Ivan.
TASTE OF THE FUTURE
Warbirds Over Wanaka’s exciting Future of Aviation exhibition looks set to be one of the most compelling ‘things to do on the ground’.
Numerous exhibitors taking part will show off all sorts of new technology including electric aircraft, alternative aviation fuels, using drones for good and now a visit from Australian company iJETPACK Aeronautics.
Founder, CEO and Chief Pilot Jennie ‘HeliJen’ Bewes will be on hand to show off the jet pack.
WHOLE LOTTA YAKS
The NZ Red Stars Yak-52 aerobatic team is planning a world-first display to honour founder Brett Emeny who came up with the idea of a 12-ship display in a world first.
Brett died suddenly earlier this year but daughter Fay is a member of the Red Stars and says it will be very special to perform the routine in his honour.
“Dad was excited about the idea of a 12-ship, and this resonated across the team, so to be able to bring a dozen Yaks to Wanaka and have them all up in the air performing another world-first display is going to be something special,” she said.
The Red Stars began in the 1990s when a two-ship team would perform at small North Island airshows. The team has gradually grown over the years and in 2018 made headlines at Warbirds Over Wanaka with the world’s first-ever nine-ship loop by a piston-engine display team.
The Australians will have one of the C27 Spartans from RAAF Base Amberley taking part.
Flying program to come
Tasman Aircraft 