Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

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PhilW
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Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by PhilW »

http://www.wings.org.nz/

Held over Wellington Anniversary weekend on Friday 18th - Sunday 20th January, the 2013 show will be the eighth Wings Over Wairarapa event and will feature some of the world's rarest vintage aircraft from the last century including original WWI aircraft alongside some of the classics from WWII. While these historic aircraft are always crowd favourites there will also be fantastic displays of contemporary aircraft along with a glimpse of the future of aviation! Widely regarded as one of Australasia's largest and fastest growing airshows, Wings Over Wairarapa rivals any show for display content and reputation and is now a significant event on the Australasian aviation events calendar.



Latest news:

DE HAVILLAND MOSQUITO CONFIRMED FOR WINGS OVER WAIRARAPA
4 December 2012


A rare de Havilland Mosquito Fighter Bomber has been confirmed to attend January's Wings Over Wairarapa airshow in Masterton, New Zealand as the feature display aircraft.

The Mosquito FB.26 KA114 is the only one flying in the world and will take to the skies above Wairarapa in the biennial airshow at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome over Wellington Anniversary Weekend (January 18 – 20, 2013). Originally built in Canada in 1945, the aircraft attending Wings Over Wairarapa is owned by American Jerry Yagen. It took seven years to rebuild at Ardmore Aerodrome by Auckland based Avspecs, lead by Warren Denholm.

Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow Director Tom Williams says securing the Mosquito is a major coup for the event and will attract international attention.

“The Mosquito was one of the fastest operational aircraft in World War II and the only one to be constructed almost entirely of wood. Its significance to World War II history is not to be underestimated. The legendary Mosquito has a fond place in the hearts of Australian and New Zealand airmen with about 250 aircraft being built in Australia during the war,” says Mr Williams, who was instrumental in securing the Mosquito after first meeting its owner, Mr Jerry Yagen in 2008 at the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow.

Wings Over Wairarapa Community Trust Chairman Bob Francis is thrilled the Mosquito is able to come to Masterton as the feature aircraft.

“Having this Mosquito take to the skies at Wings Over Wairarapa is an enormous achievement and will provide visitors with a once in a life time opportunity to see this unique aircraft fly and line up alongside 12 other de Havilland aircraft that range from an early World War I bi-plane, the DH5, to the DH Vampire Jet.”

The Mosquito nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder" first flew in November 1940, and was faster than the Spitfire with a top speed of over 400 mph, powered by twin Merlin engines, meaning bombing missions were dramatically shortened, lessening the risk to pilots. Its versatility meant it was also used in other roles including day-time tactical bombing, high altitude night bombing and photo-reconnaissance. Produced in huge factories around 6000 Mosquitos rolled off the British production line; others were built in Canada and Australia. Around 80 ended up in New Zealand and were used by the RNZAF.

The Mosquito will feature alongside over 70 other aircraft during the three day Wings Over Wairarapa event, which has the theme Honouring The Past, Celebrating The Future. It will have vintage aircraft from WWI, classics from WWII and stunning displays by contemporary aircraft as well as offering a tantalizing glimpse of the future of aviation.

While celebrating the historical significance of WWI & WWII military aircraft, Wings Over Wairarapa 2013 will also feature displays from other rarely seen vintage aircraft, agricultural displays, gliders and helicopter displays, jet formations and thrilling aerobatics as well as substantial participation from the RNZAF. The flying each day will culminate in a dramatic pyrotechnic display and mock air field attack lighting up the skies and entertaining the crowds.

In addition to what's on up in the air, there will be entertainment on the ground with mock battles, static displays including a combined Defense Forces interactive camp, children's entertainment, contemporary and vintage military vehicles, a trade site village and a Food & Wine Festival showcasing the best of Wairarapa hospitality.


Programme for Trust House Wings Over Wairarapa 2013.

Friday January 18: Practice Day. Gates opening from 12.00pm with aircraft practicing their displays informally throughout the afternoon culminating in an informal early evening show finishing at 7.00pm.

Saturday January 19 & Sunday 20: Gates will open from 8.00am with the air display running from 11.00am to 4.30pm on both days. The flying each day will culminate in a mock air field attack and a dramatic pyrotechnic display, lighting up the skies and thrilling the crowds. The programme may vary slightly on each day.


:drool:

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Red Dragon
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by Red Dragon »

Hmm only a short hop over the Tasman Sea, then about a two/ three hour drive to Masterton..... Anyone know if they still have the Lancaster mock-ups still based there from Peter Jackson's Dambusters re-make?

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PhilW
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by PhilW »

I would imagine they'd be pretty secretive about them.

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Pat Murphy
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by Pat Murphy »

PhilW wrote:I would imagine they'd be pretty secretive about them.

Waste of time asking in my experience...

ErrolC
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by ErrolC »

Masterton is well under 2 hours from Wellington (before taking into account show queues), plenty of travel advice on Wings Over NZ.
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?bo ... 517&page=3

Looks there for photos in a month too.

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PhilW
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by PhilW »

I hate driving over that hill!


The last time we did that journey over the Rimutakas was in an Impreza - about the only type of vehicle that wouldn't struggle!

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Red Dragon
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by Red Dragon »

PhilW wrote:
I hate driving over that hill!


The last time we did that journey over the Rimutakas was in an Impreza - about the only type of vehicle that wouldn't struggle!


A friend and I did it in a MR2, last year while they were improving and repairing the road! I'd hate to have to drive along that road at night!

stuart n
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by stuart n »

PhilW wrote:
I hate driving over that hill!


The last time we did that journey over the Rimutakas was in an Impreza - about the only type of vehicle that wouldn't struggle!


Imprezas rule. Fact :win:

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Pat Murphy
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by Pat Murphy »

stuart n wrote:
PhilW wrote:
I hate driving over that hill!


The last time we did that journey over the Rimutakas was in an Impreza - about the only type of vehicle that wouldn't struggle!


Imprezas rule. Fact :win:


Imprezas pass everything.......except Petrol Stations :grin:

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PhilW
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by PhilW »

The Lancs are at Omaka. The Mosquito, on the other hand, is very much at Hood :-)

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LN Strike Eagle
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Re: Wings over Wairarapa - New Zealand

Post by LN Strike Eagle »

"Wooden Wonderland" - Phil Whalley suffered the ordeal of twenty-four hour flights to bring this report.

Image Image Image Image Image
"You really are an oafish philistine at times!"

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