The Vampire has landed, the Messerschmitt is assembled, the Kittyhawk, the Avenger and the Harvards are in the plane park, and the weather is expected to improve.
Two days out from the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow yesterday, general manager Ed Taylor was in a confident mood, predicting a bigger crowd than the 50,000 who attended the three days of the 2014 show.
‘‘Ticket pre-sales have been strong, mirroring those of 2014 at the same stage but there are still plenty of tickets left for the airshow.''
Former TV One weatherman Jim Hickey was busy yesterday on the Warbirds site familiarising himself with aircraft he had not seen for some time. That did not apply, however, to the Spitfire businessman Brendon Deere, of Marton, will bring to Wanaka for the show. Mr Hickey's late father Jim flew Spitfires in Burma during World War 2.
‘‘So the Spitfire really excites me,'' Mr Hickey said, ‘‘and when you see its nemesis the Messerschmitt in this airshow, it gives it a special poignancy for me.''
Mr Hickey's commentary co-pilots will be Grant Stewart and Craig Ferguson.
Mr Taylor said there was a ‘‘huge buzz'' around the airshow because of the big acts confirmed, such as the USAF C-17 Globemaster, the Buchon Messerschmitt Me-109 from Britain, world aerobatic champion Jurgis Kairys and the ‘‘fiery finale'' featuring the ‘‘wall of fire pyrotechnic display''.
Vintage aircraft were preparing their routines in the grey skies over Wanaka yesterday.
A few drops of rain helped dampen the dust. The weather is expected to be fine and clear for the weekend.
Tomorrow is a practice day which ends with a free lakefront display between 4.30pm and 5pm, including the Catalina flying boat, which is expected to land on Lake Wanaka.
On Saturday and Sunday, the gates open at 7.30am and the show begins at 10am with a World War 2 fighter display.
The Messerschmitt and the Martin jetpack will put on their displays at lunchtime and in the afternoon the Messerschmitt will be joined by a Spitfire.
Each day ends with a ‘‘grand finale'' at 3.30pm.
On Monday, members of the public will have a chance to ride in some of the vintage aircraft.
