Report by Rudi Hofer and Nicholas McIndoe
The New Zealand Warbirds Association ended the 2010/2011 display season in style with a D–Day themed open day at Ardmore Airport, attracting record crowds who enjoyed some great flying amidst beautiful skies on Sunday June 5.
The weather in fact was a pleasant surprise after a week of low clouds and heavy rain. But the organisers were well prepared to please a surprisingly large audience showing a gratifying level of interest in these great old aeroplanes.
The first live show featured stunning aerobatics by the MX2. A second show included swooping split–second dogfights as a squadron of marauding Harvards strafed the airfield before being dispatched in fine style by the Spitfire and Kittyhawk.
Other performers include the Strikemaster, Mustang, Messerschmitt Me108 Taifun, Catalina, DC–3 (skydiver dropping), Miles M.38 Messenger and the ‘Kiwi Thunder’ Mustang. Static displays included a de Havilland DHC–1 Chipmunk, Ryan STM–S2, De Havilland DHC–2 Beaver, L–39 Albatros, Extra EA–300 and the Westpac Rescue BK–117 helicopter.
Pretty amazing, really, what we have here in New Zealand now.
- Rudi Hofer and Nicholas McIndoe with photographs by Kathy Bland