Warbirds enthusiasts from around the world will be converging on the picturesque New Zealand resort town of Wanaka next Easter to be part of the 30th anniversary celebrations for Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow.
This iconic airshow was the brainchild of aviation and business entrepreneur Sir Tim Wallis who helped pioneer live deer recovery and tourism ventures in southern New Zealand. Along with his business interests Sir Tim was passionate about Warbird aircraft.
Back in the 1990s and early 2000s his Alpine Fighter Collection was considered one of the best in the world. All his aircraft were able to be flown and included iconic types such as the Spitfire and Hurricane.
Sir Tim also became something of a legend when in the early 1990s he spear-headed the recovery and rebuilding of nine Polikarpov aircraft, the wrecks of which he had located in Siberia. All nine aircraft ended up in Wanaka and performed at a number of airshows.
Sir Tim suffered a serious accident when he crashed his Spitfire at Wanaka in 1996. While he survived the crash he was badly injured and eventually his collection was sold off, including the Polikarpovs.
Many years on Warbirds Over Wanaka organisers have announced the return of one of the Polikarpovs for the 30th anniversary airshow at Easter next year (March 30, 31 and April 1). The Polikarpov I-16 will be shipped from Germany and will be displayed at Wanaka by former World Aerobatic Champion Jurgis Kairys from Lithuania.
The return of the Polikarpov is expected to be an emotional one for many, none less than Sir Tim himself. Sir Tim remains Patron of the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust and the airshow’s number one fan.
The Polikarpov will be just one highlight of a packed flying display programme which aims to bring back and remember some of the great aircraft and other displays that have featured at the iconic airshow over the past three decades.
This will include a special tribute to one of the stalwart aircraft of the airshow – the T6 Harvard. There are around a dozen or so of these aircraft still flying in New Zealand and it’s hoped as many of them as possible will be at Wanaka for an impressive formation flypast.
Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow also attracts a number of regional air forces. In 2016 the RNZAF were joined by displays from the RAAF, USAF and the French Air Force.
While there’s non-stop action in the air over the airshow there are also extensive ground displays with everything from aircraft for sale to sport aircraft, aviation trade stands, old engines and opportunities to explore aviation careers. Also featuring in 2018 will be one of the finest collections of classic Packard motor cars ever assemble outside the United States. The 50-strong Packard display will include one vehicle which was originally owned by American Aviatrix Amelia Earhart.
Airshow patrons will also have the opportunity to enter a couple of unique draws. One is for 10 opportunities to be part of a mass tandem skydive display during the airshow and the other is to get a once-in-a-lifetime 300kph ride along the runway in a $4.2million Aston Martin Vulcan supercar.
For more information and to book tickets go to www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com
