Warbirds over Wanaka 2008 I retain full copyright on all images |
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The two Vampire Trainers, what style!
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| Aero L-39, as seen in the Bond flick "Tomorrow never dies". Hard to believe that the prototype of this modern looking aircraft first flew in 1968. |
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The RAAF (bless 'em) provided the fast and sharp end of the show, displaying the dramatic fuel dump and burn of the F-111. This will probably be the last time I see the F-111 before it is retired. |
I always thought the F-111 was an ugly 'plane (based on a 12 year old's perception of the Airfix kit!), but in flight it looks elegant and graceful. And doesn't show the join lines like my kit! |
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I could watch this all day. |
| The RAAF also provided the cool looking C-17 as well. Interesting that the RAAF can afford to buy these when the RAF had to lease them. | 
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It did an excellent display, surprisingly agile for such a large aircraft. |
| The RNZAF C-130 got close up and personal with the crowd. I really enjoy seeing these relatively big aircraft so close to the crowd line. | 
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They're always displayed to maximum effect but I thought the 2008 demo was exceptional. |
| Yes Gloria, that's the C-130 sneaking around the airfield in the river gully behind the airfield. I wish I was around there for this shot!
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Wheel barrow! |
Jurgis Kairys races some one... name escapes me... famous... in a formula 3000 racing car... anyway the audience were the winners on the day. |
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A pair of Bell 47's and a pair of Iroquois frolicked around the field, at one point they were close enough to get one of each in shot. |
It's easy to discount the contribution that the venerable Bell's have made to the air force over the years, they must have trained hundreds of egg beater pilots. I think these are due to be retired soon too. |
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Not part of the display, but a neat RNZAF demonstration of the hazards of wake turbulence (from another airtrainer too, nothing big!). It certainly scared the bejeebers out of me! The pilot got out of it by a measure of great flying (he's probably doing more with the rudder than the ailerons at this low speed) and I am jolly glad he did. I've had this sequence of photos published in two flight safety mags (CAA and RNZAF) and a flight safety brochure. |