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Warbirds over Wanaka 2008

Among this year's participants were the RAAF F-111 and C-17, 2 P-51D's, 2 P40's, Yak-3, Hurricane IIa, F4U, PBY, and C-47. Missing in action was the Spitfire T.9, delayed in the United States by red tape.The weather was ratty for the Friday and Saturday, but Sunday dawned clear and bright.

This year was the first year that the community trust had organised the air show, rather than the Alpine Fighter Collection. The show has changed over the years with the run down of the collection (remember the heady days of seeing the remains of Ju-87 Stuka's, the Hurricane, the Messerschmitt 110's to be restored?) and now relies heavily on contributors coming from all over the country (and world) to form the display. This is no bad thing, and we still have a fantastic, world-class air show on our doorstep. Actually I have to say two world class air shows, the Marlborough event run in alternative years is of equal excellence! The Alpine FIghter Collection is still very active, contributing the Hurricane and Polikarpovs.
Hurricane scramble  


The Alpine Fighter Collection's superb Hawker Hurricane IIa scrambling, during the Airfield attack sequence. In the background can be seen the T6's, I mean Fw-190's, returning for a second pass.

I think I have used the phrase "sprightly performance" before, but it certainly fits.

 


Sprightly Hurricane
  Hurricane scramble

Somewhere, at an airfield in France, early 1940...
 

Polikarpov I-16, the runt of the litter!

Polikarpov I-16
Polikarpoc I-153  
Polikarpov I-153, thundering by in the beautiful Wanaka light.
Yak 3 take off. Amazing 'plane!  
Yak 3 take off
  P-51D frollicing in the mud On a gloomy Sunday, the P-51D "Dove of Peace" frolics in the puddles.
  The same P-51D taking off.
Dove of Peace at take off

 
  P-51D  
 

This is the sharpest photo of the whole weekend. On the original, I can clearly read the writing on the fuselage, visible just above the gun ports. Canon 400D and Canon 70-300 IS.

RNZAF P-51D
  P-40 furtive frolics in the mud P-40E frolicking in the same puddles as the P-51. This time the water is avoiding the radiator and carb intakes!
 

The P-40E and M (I think!) - American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) and RAAF colours respectively.

two P40's
  P-40E take off  
 

The PBY got into trouble with a couple of Zero's, played by Nanchangs. They looked quite convincing once the tricycle undercarriage was up!

PBY in trouble!
  PBY in trouble Tacka-tacka-tacka....
 

Having escaped the clutches of the Zeros, with the help of (IIRC) a P-40, the PBY turns its attention to a Japanese submarine, which had surfaced amongst the weeds. Click on the image for a close up of the evil Sub!

Sub attack!
  T-6 an RNZAF marked T6 tucks its gear away for a quick take off.

On to Warbirds over Wanaka 2008 page 2 >>>>>------>

<------<<< Back to Classic Fighters Marlborough 2005 and 2007

 
 
(c) Copyright Brian Greenwood 2008