Crowds to zero in on Japanese fighter

American pilot Steve Barber flies a rare Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane above the...
American pilot Steve Barber flies a rare Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter plane above the Matukituki Valley near Wanaka during a practice run for the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow. Photo by Philip Makanna.
One of only three airworthy Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter planes in the world will be among the "big-ticket" attractions at the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow this Easter.

Warbirds event manager Mandy Deans said the Japanese Zero was one of the first featured planes at this weekend's airshow to arrive at Wanaka Airport.

American pilot Colonel Steve W. Barber flew the flighter plane from Tauranga - where it arrived by container ship from the United States - to Wanaka.

The California-based fighter plane is expected to attract aircraft enthusiasts to Wanaka from far and wide as airworthy examples are now virtually unseen anywhere in the world.

The highly manoeuvrable and lightweight Zero was feared by the Allied forces in the Pacific conflict of World War 2.

Ms Deans said organisers are expecting a big walk-up crowd with an "unlimited" number of tickets available at the gate for the major international airshow.

A new team led by chief executive Roger Clark, of Invercargill, and Ms Deans, was brought in for this year's airshow - the second time the biennial event has been run by the Warbirds Over Wanaka community trust.

Pre-sales of tickets for the event had been strong, although Ms Deans declined to provide figures to the Otago Daily Times, yesterday.

About 300 volunteers have put their hand up to help out at this year's airshow.

"We've had a great response," Ms Deans said.

Forecast early morning showers for Good Friday would help dampen down the very dry and dusty conditions at Wanaka Airport, she said.

More than 40 trade stalls and numerous food and drink vendors have licences to ply their wares during the three-day event.

Tight council liquor licence restrictions meant visitors would again be stopped from bringing chilly-bins and picnic hampers with alcohol into the airshow.

 

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