Large crowds have turned out for the first of the two main days of the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow.
Today dawned grey and cool, but by lunchtime the clouds had parted, revealing perfect conditions at Wanaka Airp
The Royal New Zealand Air Force's new NH90 helicopter showed off its capabilities during the morning including its cruise control option "auto hover".
The Harvards also completed their "Roaring Forties" routine, and a huge American C-17 Globemaster also rumbled by.
Yesterday was a practice day which ended with a free lakefront display in the late afternoo
Gates would open today and tomorrow at 7.30pm and the show begins at 10am. 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.
Restored warbird takes flight
It took 10 years and the help of 100 volunteers to restore Bill Reid's World War 2 Avro Anson. But, it is now in mint, original condition, right down to its wartime HB pencils and navigation charts.
"It's lovely to fly,'' Mr Reid said yesterday. "It puts a lot of modern planes to shame.
"It's very, very stable and has really good handling qualities.''
About 11,000 Avro Ansons were built for military and civilian purposes between 1935 and 1952.
Mr Reid's Nelson-based 1943 Avro is the only Mk 1 version still flying. It will be in the air today and tomorrow during the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow at Wanaka Airport.
Mr Reid acquired the Avro from an Australian museum that was closing down, as a semi-retirement restoration project.
"It was good fun and I had a lot of help,'' Mr Reid said.
The plane is set up as it was originally for maritime reconnaissance and has the markings of Taranaki pilot Laurie Edwards, who was shot down in an Anson off the Dutch coast on the first day of World War 2, and spent four years as a prisoner.
Asked when he might consider the project finished, Mr Reid said he was not quite there yet.
