2013 Classic Fighters Airshow

What you can expect to see here at Omaka this Easter...

Photos courtesty of Gavin Conroy of Classic Aircraft Photography. If you haven’t experienced a Classic Fighters show before, feel free to have a look at our Photo Gallery.

WW-I

This was the first event in the southern hemisphere to hold a dedicated World War One battle sequence involving multiple aeroplanes, military vehicles and sets when we started back in 2001, and we have taken great delight in growing this aspect of the show ever since. Classic Fighters takes place of course, on the same airfield that is home to the internationally renowned Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre which is a dedicated tribute to the Great War in the air, displaying over 20 WW-I aircraft in a wonderful environment, beautifully created by the talented artists from Wingnut Films and Weta Workshops, and supported by the most amazing display of genuine WW-I aviation artefacts. In addition, you will see numerous WW-I aircraft flying in the show, including it is hoped, several that have never flown at an airshow before. We are some way yet from finalising the line-up for the show, however visitors to Omaka next Easter can be assured that they will be seeing dozens of exciting WW-I aeroplanes both in the air and on the ground, supported by an impressive theatrical support with vehicles, sets, pyrotechnics and military personnel from the 14-18 period. As organisers of this event, the WW-I segment is something very close to our hearts and we're sure you will enjoy it too as you embrace this significant period in aviation and human history.

WW-II

The Second World War segment of Classic Fighters 2013 will be supported as always by a great variety of combat aircraft from the era, and in fact we suspect we may well be able to boast the broadest range of different warbirds yet seen at a New Zealand airshow. We are expecting these to include the flying debuts of two significant fighters in the form of the Focke-Wulf Fw190 which was first seen at the 2011 show on static display but which is now flying beautifully, and the magnificent Spitfire Mk.XIVe, both belonging to the Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection based right here at Omaka. We know that the Mk.XIVe represents a race against time but our friends at AVSpecs are confident that it can be done so hopefully it will all fall into place. Numerous other warbird types are expected, including the world's sole airworthy Avro Anson Mk.I patrol bomber, restored over a 10 year period by the Reid family and also based here at Omaka, and hopefully, the TBM Avenger which has been undergoing a strip and repaint and will also hopefully be here for its triumphant debut. As always, there will be late surprises so keep coming back to have look at the updates! In support of the aircraft we will of course feature the usual stunning array of theatrical displays comprising re-enactors, pyrotechnics, significant military vehicles and our ever unique blend of unexpected props and sets that have seen one northern hemisphere magazine brand Classic Fighters as "One of the world's best and most innovative airshows"!

Royal New Zealand Air Force

We've had some wonderfully memorable displays by the RNZAF over the years, not the least of which was the farewell Skyhawk display at our Easter 2001 show, but perhaps the best remembered was the remarkable twilight display by the Red Checkers at our very first Friday night 'Twilight Extreme' show, that performance under a stunning sunset glow is still being talked about today. This year we are hoping for a broad range of aircraft from the RNZAF but most notably, we should be seeing four different types of military helicopter put through their paces. It is always a bit of a lottery with the Air Force as tasking could call their manpower and machines away at any time, but they have assured us that this is their priority event for 2013, so we're looking forward to see what they provide!!

BUT WAIT, THERE'S MORE.....

Not all of our show revolves around the world wars and we're planning to display some significant aircraft from other eras, as we always do. There will be a strong sense of 'The Yanks are Coming' in keeping with our theme, and a range of fun involvement opportunities for visitors to the show, in amongst the many new aspects being introduced to Classic Fighters this Easter.

After a decade of consistently providing airshow visitors with stunning world-class airshow entertainment providing 'more bang for the buck' than they were expecting, we feel sure that our plans for CF13 will again deliver the goods - BIG TIME. Here is an overview of the line-up, which we are very excited about, and if all goes to plan, there may be more to come.

In the meantime - watch this space....!

GROUNDTHEATRE

Over the past decade, visitors to Classic Fighters have drawn broad smiles when confronted with unexpected sights produced by our creative, capable and at times crazy props builders. In 2001 there was the lovely two-story French Chateau complete with neighbouring vineyards for that authentic feel (we liked these so much we kept them!). This supported New Zealand's first dedicated WW-I display involving four aircraft (including a Fokker D.VIII built by the props team), two tanks and buildings. For WW-II, a full-size German Panther tank appeared to the surprise of all! In 2003 the theme was 'North Africa' and this saw a range of appropriate structures including a very large pyramid, sphinxs guarding the Gold Pass entrance and there was even a full scale Ju87 Stuka wearing desert camouflage! Continuing the geographical themeing, 2005 welcomed visitors to France and the remarkable spectre of a huge Eiffel Tower, over 20 meters high, so tall in fact that the CAA required a warning beacon on the top. Then there was the very realistic Arc de Triomphe, the Moulen Rouge windmill etc ensuring there was no doubt as to where the show was set for Easter! For a change, 2007 saw the 'Aviation in the Movies' theme in which famous motion pictures inspired the scenarios. For 'A Bridge too Far', a nearly full-size Waco CG-4A glider was built, from which a WW-II jeep emerged as another glider, a British Horsa, appeared, trundling across the field in the distance. An army field hospital or M.A.S.H. unit also appeared complete with Bell 47 helicopter and that famous 'sign-post to everywhere'. Fast forward to 2009 and the locality was Italy and the unusual spectacle of a ship under attack during the daring night raid on Taranto harbour. The next day there was a race between three gondolas across the paddock, chased on this occasion by a shark, its distinctive and sinister fin making clear its interest! Looming high above the stage within the food court were the columns of the Forum, with its cracked stone work revealing ancient writings high above the crowd. The biggest and most ambitious structure yet built for a Classic Fighters airshow, and we suspect, for any airshow, ever, was the four-story tall 50m long monastery building produced for the attack on Monte Cassino - Awesome! What will we have this year?? Wait and see!!! Tickets for the 2013 show are on sale right here.

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