New Wanaka pics

Breitling Spitfire

I suppose a nice clear photograph of Spitfire TB863 sporting the new Breitling logo is out of the question? 🙁

Mark

Robbo, yes the mountains and also the lake and other scenery really make Wanaka that extra bit special. It is a very special place without the warbirds, but heaven with them! One thing that the videos cannot convey about the place – and you really have to experience it at this time of the year – is the air. It is so fresh and clean there – even by the rest of NZ’s standards. You breath in and suddenly realise you actually have got lungs and this is what they are for! One of my favourite spots in the world.

I have decided now that there’s no way I will miss the next big WoW, come hell or highwater. I went in 1992, that was fantastic. I went in 1993 for the opening of the museum, simply brilliant.

I went again a few weeks later on an Air Force “Wise Owl” exercise. That was awesome!

And the last time I was at Wanaka was in February this year for a flying visit to the museum en route. It is still great.

I’d love to retire there someday. In a little house right next to the main hangar I think 🙂

There’s some superb shots in there.

Nice website, Rob.

Unfort the DVD’s or videos want do it quite justice.

I tell you, I was absolutely astounded by the speed of the La-9.
I thought it was a jet coming in when it did it’s high speed low level pass.
And sound !!!! Almost as beautiful as a merlin !!!

hey its the least I could do.

With such a great airshow I want you peoples overseas to feel like you were part of it too
🙂

Originally posted by Robbo
Chris, I’m looking forward to Flying Legends when we can return the favour.

Thanks for all the photos so far, looking forward to any others that you can post.

Rob

Same here mind you i just intend to get good photos at all Airshows i am able to attend to post here.

So true, Mike:)

Seeing those Poli’s come screaming in to land with no flaps at over 100 knots and watching them brake with tail up and up elevator is scary to say the least!!!!!

I will post some more pics of the airshow tonight.

Cheers
Chris

I agree with Turbo NZ – the show was absolute magic! Two days of perfect weather and amazing flying. It was fantastic to see the Breightling Fighters in action after reading so much about them and great to finally see the La-9 in action. There was a slight scare on Saturday as the rudder trim on the La-9 detached during a high speed pass – I had my handheld radio on the display frequency and suddenly heard John Lamont call “severe vibration in the tail” – the Hurricane was despatched for a look and to his credit John brought the aircraft down to a perfect landing despite a 15 knot crosswind. The Polikarpovs also managed to get down in the same conditions – the lead pilot advised the others to keep the tail up as long as possible and use the brakes with the tail still up – yikes! It was also great to see a Corsair in the skies over NZ after so long – NZ5648 was given a quick RNZAF repaint prior to appearing so all looked very authentic. Now I have two more years to wait……

lol !!!

Still,…just to be in that position of who takes the Spit up first would be neat enough, wouldn’t you agree ??

The Spit pilot was Lee Proudfoot & Ray Hanna

“It’s my turn! Get out!”

“No it’s mine. Finders keepers.”

“You said I could have the afternoon show.”

“Didn’t”

“Did”

etc…

Cheers guys

Dave

It is indeed their logo/”patch”.
All their aircraft I think had yellow on the front end too.

OAW

What is that nose art on the Spitfire? Is that a Brietling Team emblem or something else?

Nice photos looks like a great Airshow,wish i was there,Still around 6weeks away from my first taste of Airshows in 2004 either at Southend or D-Day Airshow at Duxford(depending on what days i can get off work)

Jack Stafford also wrote a piece in the excellent book Hurricane Mk IIA by Ian Brodie about the AFC Hurricane P3351.

That book is a total bargain for $10, full of the hstory of the plane, personal pilot’s stories and the restoration of the Hurricane to airworthy status.

Great stuff meeting Buzz Aldrin, excellent.

but……

there was a pilot called Jack Stafford comentating briefly.
He flew Tempest’s during the war for 486 Squadron.

Sorry Dave,….thought that was what you meant…:)

Umm,…I can’t quite remember his name sorry…only heard it briefly over the loud speaker.

I did however get to shake Buzz Aldrin’s hand though,…wow…was smiling for ages after that..what a priviledge !!!

No I didnt get shot of the WAAF singers (wish I did:( )

Nope, no Phil Murray there.

Sorry Chris, I meant the original Corsair pilot you mentioned who flew the Corsair during the war.

Thanks for the rundown of current pilots though, interesting.

Out of interest, did Phil Murray fly anything at the show? He used to be an AFC regular pilot and also did the clown stealing the Piper Cub routine at many airshows. I knew him when I was in the RNZAF as he was an Air Force pilot. I just wondered if he’s still round these parts and doing displays.

Have you any pictures of the WAAF singers by any chance? There’s a group from Hamilton, three young women, who do a great imitation of the Andrews Sisters. They come along every year to our Armistace Day celebrations, and last year they also sang at the excellent Victory Dance (held the night before Armistace Day) with the Hamilton Big Band and their own singers. Great 1940’s swing music, I love it.

BTW Thanks to all for the 5-stars !!!!

Just for that, I’ll include one-more for the night….:D