Whats Happening Dave, Did you make it to your Famous N.Z Airshows

Hi Phil,

Wanaka is pretty far. From Cambridge it is a 6 hour drive to Wellington, then the ferry crossing of Cook Straight, then about another 5-6 hours drive in the SI to get to Wanaka – so not a mere afternoon preamble I’m afraid. And you can only get to it by road or plane – there’s no railway sadly.

New Zealand has the most aircraft per capita in the world apparently and I can quite believe this. As we have such a big country with such a lot of nothing in it, flying is a popular means of travel. And it is a popular sport, hobby, business and all the other things except having a decent Air Force any more.

NZ is a very British country indeed, especially where I live in Cambridge. We didn’t get any convicts officially – only those that escaped from Aussie and jumped ship to NZ. When was this white child born? It must have been long before 1839/40, there were settlers here at the turn of the 19th century.

Anyway, back to historic aircraft… Chris (TurboNZ) was at Wanaka this year, lucky devil, as were many others on this forum who came a lot further than I’d have had to go. 😉

Big things happen in N.Z.

My dec father came from N.Z. but I really am ignorent of its layout :rolleyes: , Is Wanaka far from where you are :confused: , My memories as a 2/3 year old are almost nil :p , But I am always amazed at the huge happenings there regarding old aircraft for such a small population, With out upsetting other aussies I have found the Kiwis to be just that little more British like than us here Oz(Kiwi auntie still calls England the Mother country)Might be because of the convict thing as N.Z. never got that many, But one thing for sure Kiwis love old aircraft, Cheers dave 😉 , Tally Ho! Phil 😎 , (p.s If you get bored look up my GGGGrandfather Robert Rodgers Nankivell reported as having first white child born in N.Z. and help set up shop there in 1839/40)

I made it along only to Warbirds Over Wanaka 1992, never since. 🙁

I hope to go next time.

The last airshow I attended was Ardmore in Feb last year. Saw the La9’s public debut. 🙂

Maybe I’ll get to Omaka next Easter, that’s be a good one.