Well , once again , MFNZ had a significant presence at the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka , just out of Blenheim .
For those that have never been to this show , you really ought to make the effort at least once . Nowhere else in the world will you see such a unique collection of aircraft , and flying displays so close . There are many overseas visitors who comment on just how amazing this is , given the trend to have flying displays well away from the viewers , given
today ’ s more safety conscious environments and rules , especially after a few recent high-profile airshow accidents around the world .
This show is always held at Easter , and with it being as early as it can get this year , the weather did not pose too much of a threat , except it blew , and blew some more . Our Trade-Me Party tent stood up well , with a few extra guy ropes .
There are Fokker Triplanes , the Sopwith Tripe , and many others including a Camel , Nieuport , Bristol Fighter , a Pup and an Albatross , and that ’ s just WW1 vintage . WW2 is well represented by a Spitfire , Corsair , P40s , Yak- 3s , a Bf 108 , a Mustang and even the new FW-190 “ Butcher Bird ”. Bill Reid ’ s Anson was finished and flew beautifully , I had the good fortune to be a crew member on a ground run . This aircraft is immaculate and looks every bit the way it would have as it left the factory in 1936 . There ' s a view of my wireless operator ' s position in the picture at right . There was a total of 6,688 of these Mk I s built , now just a very few remain in museums and this is the only one flying .
It is important to realize that most of these aircraft are not “ replicas ” but are in fact late production aircraft built from the original plans . Modern materials are substituted where it makes sense , or the original material is no longer available . Aluminium and some steel alloys come into this category .
Once again , the ground battle was hard-fought and as predicted , the British and Americans routed the German forces . However , this year there was a real-life casualty . A mortar misbehaved and caused a non-theatrical injury .
I understand there were about 25,000 visitors there on the Saturday , an alltime record , It was a perfect day in all respects , Friday and Sunday had quite a few less , with weather than was not quite so good . I believe that the organizers did turn in a good profit . It ’ s always a gamble and highly weather dependent . There ' s an old joke about air-shows : -- “ It ' s a good way to show a small profit , just start with a large profit ”
MFNZ had a front-row tent well stocked with advertising material , brochures , magazines , engine and R / C displays and several models . As usual , we had a flight simulator setup and this got a thorough work-out all weekend . Many times on the three days , there was not much spare room , and nearly always a wait for the simulator .
None of this would have been possible without the help of many others . Special thanks go to John Isitt , Jonathan Shorer , Alan Knox , Murray Herd , Phil Elvy , Richard Craddock , Rex Ashwell , and Carl McMillian . In addition
Dianne Lennox , who ably gives a woman ’ s / mother ’ s perspective to prospective modelmothers and / or “ modeling widows !” I might have missed out somebody , apologies if I have .
We met many modelers from around New Zealand , and more than I can remember from Australia , with several more from the UK , South Africa , USA , and more .
There were a number of retailers there selling models , mainly small electric Helo ' s and ARFs . Every year these are becoming cheaper and more capable . It will only be a matter of a few more years and they will be in your cereal packets .