WANAKA TAKES FLIGHT
It’s world-famous for a very good reason. Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow combines the very best of a country airshow with some of the best flying you’ll see in the world, the latest aviation technology and products, education and pyrotechnics along with great food and entertainment.
The epitome of a ‘big day out’ – gates open at 7.30am with many visitors taking the opportunity to arrive early so they can see everything on the ground before the non-stop flying displays start at 10am and continue till 4pm.
Most aviation fans buy a three-day pass taking in practise day on Friday and the Airshow days on Saturday and Sunday. On the Monday, Rides Day gives visitors the chance to fly in anything from a Spitfire to a Tiger Moth.
The event was first staged in 1988 when local entrepreneur Sir Tim Wallis decided to have an Airshow to show off his growing collection of Warbird aircraft. The Airshow has been held every second Easter since, with a Community Trust taking over management in 2006.
For 2020, Airshow organisers have put together an impressive line-up of display aircraft. The WWII fighter aircraft will be headed up by at least two Spitfires, a brace of P-51 Mustangs, two Yak-3s and a couple of aircraft still to be announced. On the flightline will be a WWII P-40 Kittyhawk fitted with six .50 calibre machine guns. Wanaka is the only Airshow in the world where you will see a P-40 firing her guns.
Others in the programme include the only Avro Anson Mk1 in the world, the Grumman Avenger, two Trojan aircraft in the first ever Trojan pairs display in New Zealand and the beautiful Catalina Flying Boat.
The Roaring 40s Harvard display team has performed at Wanaka since the very first Airshow and is putting together a six-ship team for Wanaka 2020. Meanwhile, the dynamic Yak-52 team may be expanded to an 11-ship display. Performing Solo aerobatics will be Auckland-based Doug Brooker in his new MXS aerobatic aircraft recently imported from the United States.
Jet Racing will return, with the first held in 2014. It proved a huge hit with the crowd and for 2020 the iconic 1950s Vampires will take on the powerful L-39s chasing each other around a six-kilometre course, marked by huge inflatable pylons. The pilots include two Americans – former Reno Air Races Jet Class Champion, Rick Vandam and former Thunderbirds display pilot, Paul ‘Sticky’ Strickland.
The Classic Aircraft Flypast at lunchtime is another popular display. In 2020 it will feature the return to flying of the DH-90 Dragonfly, one of only two airworthy examples left in the world. Others include the DH-89 Dominie, Tiger Moths, Fox Moth, Beech-18, Chipmunk, Staggerwing and Waco.
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has been at every Wanaka Airshow and will be back with a line-up of aircraft including the mighty Hercules and the Black Falcon aerobatic display team. The RNZAF will be promoting its School to Skies programme aimed at getting more young women to sign up to an air force career.
Regional air forces attending are regulars Australia, the United States and France. In 2018 the Americans wowed the crowd with the F-16 fighter jet display team. More of the same is expected for 2020.
And it’s not all about noise and speed – one of the most enduring acts at Wanaka is Doug Hamilton’s graceful glider display set to classical music.
Check out the numerous ground displays and entertainment while enjoying some fantastic food and beverages over the day.
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