Classic Fighters News
Thanks to Classic Wings magazine, sponsors of this page. See the next edition of CW for more about these machines and other exciting restoration activity from right around the globe!
Stay tuned for news about the 2013 Classic Fighters Airshow!
March 2013
Traveling by Campervan?
Because of a Total Fire Ban and restrictions from Council, we cannot allow camping on the airfield. Limited numbers of self contained campervans (now at max.) have been approved but not tents.
Campervans with camping tickets should arrive at Classic Fighters empty of any toilet or greywater waste, as there are no disposal facilities at the airfield.
For alternative camping sites and waste disposal, click here.
!!! Online ticket sales will no longer be available after 5pm Wednesday 27th March. !!!
Site plan updated
For anyone wanting to checkout the latest map of the airshow (detailing public access, trade & food sites, Gold Pass, Platinum Pass and Corporate Guest areas etc), download the pdf here.
CF13 Awards Dinner - Tickets on sale now!
Tickets to the Classic Fighters 2013 Awards Dinner are now on sale! This event has evolved into one of the Southern Hemisphere's most prestigious occasions for the entire cross-section of heritage aviation, with representation from throughout the industry and from many countries. Click here for more info. Or click here to purchase your tickets online now.
February 2013
CF13 Aircraft Lineup
We've just announced the CF13 aircraft lineup, and it's looking like we're gona have some parking problems! (Will just have to keep plenty in the air at any given time.) Checkout the 'What you'll see' page for more details!
Fighter Flights Available at the Easter Show!
At the rapidly looming Classic Fighters Airshow this Easter, there will be a number of WW-II fighter aircraft available to actually fly in yourself. New regulations have made it possible for these aeroplanes to be accessed more readily for people wanting to buy themselves the ultimate adventure flight in some of these iconic aeroplanes.
The exact range of machines available could vary, but they could include the American P-51D Mustang and P-40 Kittyhawk and maybe even the inimitable British Spitfire. Other aircraft may include military jets like the BAE Stikemaster and for biplane enthusiasts the big Stearman that can carry two passengers together as well as the pilot, so this offers a great ride for couples (those of average size!).
Of course the time the aircraft are available for rides will be limited as it will be outside the actual airshow programme, possibly in the mornings and afternoons of the show, or on the days before or after the event. Rides will therefore be limited so if you’d like to secure your flight of a lifetime, please get in touch with the Omaka AHC at info@omaka.org.nz or call NZ 03 579 1305 to register your desire to fly, and we’ll try to ensure that this special feature of the Classic Fighters event can be made available to you!
Classic Fighters Announces Sarah Brown To Perform at the Easter Show
Since her debut in 2006, when her single "Hands" won the Juice TV Award for Video of the Year,,Sarah has matured as a songwriter and musician and felt a strong desire to take her art onto a higher plateau. Sarah's new album, “The Great Heart Robbery” is in store now. Recorded in Sydney at Studios 301, it was produced by Tony Buchen (Gin Wigmore) with help from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and some of the city’s top musicians. Sarah and her fabulous band, 'The Northern Lights' are currently on tour and will perform at Classic Fighters throughout the weekend, beginning with a 1940s themed tribute on Friday night.
SIGNIFICANT COMBATANT RETURNS FOR CLASSIC FIGHTERS
As the excitement builds towards the huge Classic Fighters Easter Airshow at the end of March, workers are toiling against the clock on various significant aeroplanes in the hope of having them completed in time for the show. These include a rare Spitfire Mk.XIVe in Auckland and a WW-I Fokker in Blenheim. In the lower North Island it is a US-built Grumman TBM ‘Avenger’. This aircraft was designed and built as a torpedo bomber, a role in which it acquitted itself admirably. Primarily designed for operating from aircraft carriers as it did with the US Navy and the Royal Navy’s Fleet Air Arm, the Avenger was employed successfully by the RNZAF as a land-based bomber and New Zealand crews have been applauded for their fine work in these aircraft, 48 of which were employed by Kiwi forces.
There have been no Avengers flying in New Zealand for some years so when this aircraft was brought into the country last year by Marton-based pilot Brendon Deere, his intention from the beginning was to strip off its US Navy paint scheme and refinish it as it would have appeared if it was one of the Avengers flown by the RNZAF. This work is now well underway at the aircraft’s base at (appropriately) RNZAF Base Ohakea where Brendon also keeps his beautiful Spitfire Mk.IX.
If all goes to plan, the freshly repainted Avenger will make its triumphant arrival at Omaka on the Thursday before Easter, and with the Spitfire alongside as fighter escort!
January 2013
RSA hospitality for servicemen and women at Classic Fighters
As a special gesture towards Second World War veterans, the airshow organizers have teamed up with the local Returned Servicemen Association to provide transport, a hospitality tent and free admission to Classic Fighters. If you would like to take advantage of this offer, please contact Jo McConnell on 03 578 5230 or email: mrsa@clubsofmarlborough.co.nz
September 2012
Classic Fighters tickets are now on sale!
Check out the new e-tickets via our ticketing page.
Purchase online now and save up to $50 on a 3-Day Gold Pass!
Buy your ticket online using our secure payment options, print out your e-ticket and bring it with you to the event. Each individual ticket provides admission for one person and will be scanned on arrival, then replaced with either a Gold Pass lanyard or a coloured wristband, depending on ticket type.
Want to come for one day, but don’t know which? Easy, just purchase your 1-day ticket online and turn up on the day of your choice.
Coming for all three days? Then buy a 3-day admission, only available online for $135, or buy a 3-Day Gold Pass. $375 at the gate but only $325 for an Early-Bird online special, saving you $50!
Wondering what you get for a Gold Pass? If you arrive by car, you will be directed to a reserved car parking area. Gate staff will exchange your e-ticket for a lanyard. Once at the Gold Pass enclosure, you will be given a gift pack valued at over $100, including an official programme, a bottle of Wither Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, the latest Classic Wings magazine, complimentary entry to the amazing Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, a Classic Fighters cap, a Stevens Homeware voucher and more! You will have a guaranteed seat in the raised grandstand, providing a wonderful view of all the action in the air and on the ground. Inside the exclusive Gold Pass marquee there is additional seating and tea and coffee is complimentary, with lunch available for purchase. All this for only $325 Early Bird rate, valid until Nov 31 unless sold, as numbers are strictly limited.
Announcing our latest confirmed Sponsors!
Radio Network are working with us as a media partner, promoting Classic Fighters across their radio stations Classic Hits, Newstalk ZB, ZM, Radio Sport, Hauraki and Coast.
Marlborough Lines will be helping us with our power requirements and sponsoring the Marlborough Lines Twilight Extreme on Friday.
Air BP are a major sponsor and will be ensuring our show performers are all tanked up.
Classic Wings magazine are our aviation media partners, providing international exposure to the aviation enthusiasts. They are also offering the latest copy of Classic Wings to everyone in the Gold Pass.
Blue Bridge are our freight partners, sponsoring the cost of freighting equipment across Cook Strait.
Wither Hills are providing a bottle of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc to every Gold Pass holder.
Stevens Homeware are opening a new retail outlet in Blenheim and as our latest corporate citizens are supporting Classic Fighters and offering a special voucher for Gold Pass holders.
JEM Aviation are sponsoring aviation engineering assistance, particularly in regards to some of the WW1 aircraft from the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, which will be made ready to fly at the show.
Gavin Conroy continues his generous support by making promotional images available through his Classic Aero Photography.
Sounds Air are providing a camera ship to enable the visiting media to take those wonderful air-to-air shots that are seen published around the world.
Deans Lifting - Providing our heavy lifting requirements and provision of shipping containers for all manner of uses.
Butt Drilling - Supplementing our power supply with a range of generators on site.
Scaffold Marlborough - Erecting media towers, including the platform for our commentary team.
Radio Tourism - Promoting Classic Fighters to tourists in their campervans or hire cars, as they drive around New Zealand.
Bank of New Zealand - Providing cash and Eftpos service at the airshow site.
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