Star of this year's show had to be Brendan Deere's stunning Supermarine Spitfire IX. This aircraft has been lovingly restored by the Deere family and friends over many years.

It was ably displayed by both John Lanham and Keith Skilling - the better the display, the more difficult it is to photograph! Low and fast means less reaction time and more blurred photos. But please don't stop!!!.

From left to right, pilot's wallet, make up, camera bag, and first aid kit (mainly band aids).

Awesome... like they say, beauty is in the ear of the beer holder. Or something.

I'm not sure who the pilot is, but they're not afraid to through the thing around fast, at very low level.

Actually he's a little higher than he seems: this was taken from a kneeling position some way away, at a lens focal length of about 380mm. All the same: mightily impressive!

A delightful bonus this year was the return of the recently repaired Junkers Ju-87B Stuka replica. Apparently it had been blown over in a storm in 2003, everybody being too busy tying down the real aircraft and didn't get to the replica in time.

Its pretty convincing, even though there are still things to finish - exhausts, radio aerial, instrument panel, and ailerons and flaps. Well done!!

In keeping with the Italian theme, the Stuka was gradually painted in Italian colours over the course of the air show. By the final day, it was nearly finished!

I'm told that it has been built to taxi, and there's hopes of getting it going next airshow.

The P40-E in Chinese nationalist markings always impresses.

NZ3009 is a P40-E that originally served in the RNZAF during WW2. This aircraft has been displayed in RNZAF colours in Europe as part of the Breitling Fighters team.

Playing the baddies once more, and falling prey to the Spitfire's guns was the cute Messerschmitt 108 Taifun. I'm not so keen on the looks of the lycoming engined modification, but it must make it such a practical aircraft.

ex RNZAF T6-D Harvard ZK-WAR, based out of Ardmore.

The Roaring 40's team never fail to delight! (excuse the double negative).

Beauties and the beast!

I can watch this thing all day.

The Bristol Freighter has been restored to taxiing condition, so cool to see one of these beasts alive again. Shown here trundling past part of one of the twilight sets, a WW1 re-enactment. Anybody recognise the star constellation?

I couldn't figure out why they ran the thing up in the dark, until I examined my photos - have a look at the larger version (click on this image) and see the trail of sparks, the exhaust flame, and the lump of sparky stuff bouncing off the (dry) grass!

Talking of replica's, here's the Hurricane replica outside the front of the Aviation Heritage Centre which is also on the airfield. This has to be a world class facility, the displays (by Weta Workshops of "Lord of the RIngs" fame) are first class.

This replica is one of the few... that didn't get blown up in the Battle of Britain movie.