EASTER WEEKEND, APRIL 7TH –9TH 2023

Omaka Aerodrome, Marlborough, New Zealand

Aerobatics

1930’S ART DECO GLAMOUR GIRLS WACO BIPLANES

There is much excitement that this is the first time the Yealands Classic Fighters’ flight line will include five WACOs, the largest gathering of these civilian aircraft ever assembled in Australasia. They include a rare custom cabin type built in 1936 of which only three were ever made. After purchasing one, Marlborough friends Jay McIntyre and Rex Newman spent fourteen years rebuilding it.

New Zealand Defence Force

Classic Fighters is fortunate to have considerable support from the NZDF. Staff from Woodbourne will have a substantial tent setup with examples of their ground trades on display such as aircraft avionics, supply, safety, services, metalworkers and machinists. There will even be an AV type simulator for the public to experience.

Aside from the RNZAF Black Falcon team, the C-130 Hercules, Kiwi Blue, the RNZAF’s parachute team and a Seasprite helicopter from Whenuapai will be at the show.

Spitfires

Thanks most likely to its familiarity as the most famous plane used in World War 2, many of which were flown by some of the 710 New Zealand pilots who were in the RAF, the Spitfire is always the most popular plane at the show and this year there will be two in action. Highly regarded by pilots for its ability to outrun and out-manoeuvre the German Messerschmitt, it was a high-performance aircraft that played a major role in the Allies winning the war. Only 40 of the 18,000 Spitfires built remain flying in the world today and New Zealand is very fortunate to have a Spitfire MK.XIV and a Spitfire MK.IX roaring their way through this year’s show.

The New Zealand Yak Formation Aerobatic Team will return to this year’s event with nine of the Soviet-built air trainers. Extremely agile with a maximum speed of 420kmh and the ability to climb at 426 metres per minute, their formation flying is nothing short of breath-taking. Five Harvards and their pilots make up the Roaring Forties team. First flown in 1938, these aircraft were used by many countries air forces as training aircraft including our own RNZAF from 1941 until they were retired in 1977. Considered the ‘flag bearers’ of NZ Warbirds, the meticulous precision flying of this team is always spectacular to watch. The RNZAF Black Falcon team consists of five Beechcraft T-6C Texan II advanced trainers and come to Yealands Classic Fighters from RNZAF Base Ohakea. A two-pilot plane with glass cockpit, it can reach speeds of 585kmh and with its ability to withstand considerable G-forces, is ideal for close formation aerobatics.