Classic craft a soaring sensation
BY CHERIE HOWIE
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Classic Fighters
Air show scores V for victory
Aircraft were not the only things flying high at the 5th Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka over the weekend. Record numbers of visitors enjoyed the aerial spectacle, organisers say.
Graham Orphan, one of several organisers behind the biennial airshow, said conservative figures put the number attending the three-day show at 32,000 to 33,000, including up to 15,000 on Saturday. About 25,000 people attended the 2007 airshow.
"I think (yesterday) we had as many as we've had on our biggest day before, and on Saturday there were unprecedented numbers."
Spectators were treated to spectacular displays of aerial power and skill with an array of World War I, World War II, civilian, Royal New Zealand and Royal Australian air-force aircraft soaring into clear, blue skies, backed by enthusiastic ground troops taking part in mock battles below.
Last night Mr Orphan was tired, relieved and delighted.
"I'm particularly happy with the guy looking after the weather."
There would be some changes before 2011, with Friday's Twilight Extreme evening show coming under scrutiny.
"We're certainly not promising to do it again. It was very stressful."
The best-laid plans of organisers were pushed to the limit on Friday, with birdstrike, an oil leak and late arrivals disrupting the inaugural evening show.
Despite that, spectators were treated to the first public display of the only Spitfire flying in New Zealand, while a P-51D Mustang, which flew immediately after the Spitfire, had the crowd gasping when its wings beautifully caught the last of the sun's rays as it looped high above the airfield.
A night-time ground battle, which began with the firing of an 88-millimetre German anti-tank artillery gun, gave spectators a taste of the Great War.
Blenheim man Dale Hulburt was among those taking part in ground battles.
"I was out there with real artillery going off and all sorts of pyrotechnics. I couldn't believe how much adrenaline started pumping through the veins. It was as real as I'd ever want to face."
Spectators enjoyed more aerial activity during the weekend, although a mock Monte Cassino monastery built on a hill behind Omaka Airfield was not "destroyed" during the main World War II battle re-enactment on Saturday, after pyrotechnics failed to fire.
For Battle of Monte Cassino veteran Russell Kidd, that was disappointing. The Blenheim pensioner was among half a dozen Cassino veterans at the show.
He enjoyed seeing the aircraft, despite the collective shiver felt amongst veterans. "I wanted to shoot the German ones down."
Mr Orphan said there was no recession during the airshow.
"Everybody was on a high."
Stallholders were smiling.
Born in the USA co-owner Leslie Harris, from Akaroa, said her import business sold a large number of aeroplane-themed signs. Mustang signs sold out.
Marlborough mayor Alistair Sowman was among those drawn to the famous aircraft, declaring the powerful fighter his favourite.
"The sound of those engines as they go past is amazing."
Mr Sowman said the airshow was a huge credit to organisers.
Golden Bay mother Nikki Winter said she had been to the Warbirds over Wanaka airshow, but found Omaka more user friendly, a sentiment shared by Nelson woman Helen Banks. The closeness to the action meant the show was "more exciting and far more interesting". She particularly liked seeing the World War 1 aircraft. "It's fascinating watching them and thinking of how far we have gone in basically 100 years, from wood and wire and not much more to men on the Moon, and here we are getting a chance to see history being recreated.
"We're just so lucky that there are people who care and have the passion to recreate history. You think of all those people who had to live through it and are still living through. War, praise God we never see it here."
- The Marlborough Express
