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Warbirds over Wanaka

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Venue
  
Wanaka Airport

Inaugurated
  
1988 (1988)

Area
  
Wanaka Airport

Location
  
Wanaka

Date(s)
  
Easter weekend

Country
  
New Zealand

Founder
  
Sir Tim Wallis

Founded by
  
Tim Wallis

Frequency
  
Biennial

Warbirds over Wanaka wwwnztravelorganisercomwpcontentuploads2015

Participants
  
Royal New Zealand Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, United States Air Force, Air National Guard, French Air Force of New Caledonia, Alpine Fighter Collection

Similar
  
Lake Wanaka, Puzzling World, Treble Cone, Mount Aspiring National, Warbirds and Wheels

Warbirds over wanaka 2016


Warbirds over Wanaka is a biennial air show in Wanaka, held on the Easter weekend of even-numbered years since 1988. It is held at Wanaka Airport, 10 km south-east of Wanaka, in the southern South Island of New Zealand. Initially conceived by New Zealand live deer recovery pioneer, Sir Tim Wallis, as a display day for him to play with his collection of World War II aircraft, the show has grown into a major institution. Roads are closed and traffic is detoured around the area during the weekend. Hotels, motels and backpackers around Wanaka are usually booked well in advance (two years ahead). Accommodation is impossible to find if one does not have a booking.

Contents

Warbirds over Wanaka Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow

A large contingent of historic and contemporary aircraft of note from all over New Zealand and the world converge on Wanaka each second Easter for the air show. Numerous aviation personalities from all over the world attend Warbirds over Wanaka, Gen Chuck Yeager and Buzz Aldrin being the most notable of recent times. The mainstays of the display have traditionally been the aircraft from Sir Tim's Alpine Fighter Collection, based at the New Zealand Fighter Pilots' Museum. However, this collection is currently (2006) in the process of being broken up. A new charitable trust has been established to run the event in the future.

Warbirds over Wanaka Warbirds over Wanaka Easter 2016 BB Accommodation 3 days minimum

At Easter on the alternate (odd) years a similar air show is held at Omaka air field in Blenheim in the northern South Island, under the title of Classic Fighters. Its emphasis is on World War I aircraft including as many as seven Fokker Dr.I triplanes. Also on alternate (odd) years Wings over Wairarapa airshow is held at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, in the North Island.

Warbirds over Wanaka United States Air Force confirms Warbirds Over Wanaka visit at

Warbirds over wanaka 2016 highlights


1988

Warbirds over Wanaka 10 Day Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow Holiday Package

As well as aircraft there were displays of vintage vehicles and agricultural machinery. The event attracted an estimated 14,000 visitors. Among the aircraft was Tim Wallis's Mustang, a Hawker Sea Fury, de Havilland Venom, DC3 and Harvards. The RNZAF put on a display with their Red Checkers aerobatic team. A profit of $41,000 was made, which was divided between the Wanaka Swimming pool and the next Warbirds event.

1990

Warbirds over Wanaka Warbirds Over Wanaka 2016 Air Show Press Release

A more detailed organisation together with increased promotion saw attendance double to 28,000. A feature was Tim Wallis's repaired Spitfire XVI.

1992

Warbirds over Wanaka Warbirds Over Wanaka 2012 Action Scenes YouTube

The star of the show was a Messerschmitt ME-109. Tragically during a practice day a team member of the "Roaring Forties" was killed.

1994

The star attractions were a Mitsubishi Zero replica and a Corsair, among 11 aircraft types new to the event.

2000

The last display of the RNZAF A-4 Skyhawk before there disbandment in 2001 by the Labour Government under Helen Clark.

2002

Four Polikarpovs participated in the flying display. Three of them were Polikarpov I-16 monoplanes and the fourth a Polikarpov I-153 Tchaika.

2004

The 2004 airshow attracted an estimated 99,000 people. Buzz Aldrin was the guest of honour.

2006

The 2006 airshow was held over the weekend of April 14–16. A record 111,000 people were estimated to have attended.

2008

The 2008 air show was held over the weekend of March 21–23. 86,000 people were estimated to have attended.

2010

First display of the F-18 Hornets of the RAAF. Airshow dates were from 2-4 April.

2012

April 6, 7, 8

2014

The last display of the RNZAF Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopters who had been a regular feature of the airshow since its inception in 1988. The Hueys were retired from service and replaced by the NH-90.

Airshow dates were from the 18-20 April with 48,000 attendants.

References

Warbirds over Wanaka Wikipedia