Classic Fighters
Aspiring pilot likes feel of classic fighter
Tom Hobson thought he looked pretty good in the cockpit of a P-51 Mustang.
Airshow repeat is not a done deal
The Classic Fighters airshow at Omaka is a great event, put on at great risk, organiser Graham Orphan says.
No room for error
The Marlborough Express
The bright yellow planes bank right in tight formation, streaking above the parade of graduating airmen at Woodbourne Air Base.Recruits mark training's end
The Red Checkers swooped by to mark the graduation parade of air force recruits from Base Woodbourne on Thursday.
Airshow one of 'world's greatest'
Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow has grown to be one of the world's great air spectacles
Veteran pilot revisits his flying days
The Corsair buzzing above Omaka Airfield was a thrill for World War II pilot Leyton Stephenson, who once had to bail out of one over the Pacific Ocean.
Safe yet classic style
Pilots of classic fighters like to be perfectly in costume when taking to the skies, but that doesn't mean they can't stay safe.
Mighty show over Omaka
Kiwi film-maker Peter Jackson was one of thousands treated to a classic World War I dogfight above Omaka Airfield at the weekend that could be the largest since the end of the Great War.
Air show scores V for victory
The Marlborough Express
The skies over Blenheim have been buzzing for three days as examples of aviation history took to the air for the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka Aerodrome.Firing up
The Marlborough Express
A Nazi V2 combat rocket replica has been built for the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka Airfield this weekend.Snag hits test flight
Wheel fails to appear for landing
MICHAEL BERRY - The Marlborough Express
The Focke Wulf Fw190 due to fly in the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka this weekend had a problem with its undercarriage on its first flight yesterday.Flight dream of a lifetime
MICHAEL BERRY - The Marlborough Express
Peter Steggle cannot wipe the grin off his face. The Onamalutu man has just landed, after going for a flight in a Spitfire, which saw action in World War II.Huge cash boost for the region
$15 million bonanza from Easter action
CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
Marlborough can expect a cash injection of up to $15 million this Easter as thousands of visitors pour into the region for the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka, Marlborough Chamber of Commerce general manager Brian Dawson says.Omaka aviation centre to get Skyhawk
One of the Government's mothballed Skyhawks will go to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, near Blenheim, Defence Minister Wayne Mapp has confirmed.
Working warbirds
The Marlborough Express
A Spitfire, Pitts Model 12, and two P40Cs at Classic Fighters Airshow
Focke Wulf to fly our skies
Once again it will duel with the legendary Spitfire
MICHAEL BERRY - The Marlborough Express
A vintage Ferrari of the skies is being reassembled in Blenheim to face off against its World War 2 rival, the Supermarine Spitfire, this Easter.Aerial dance
The Marlborough Express
A stunning, specialist aerobatic aircraft is set to make its first appearance at a major NZ airshowBig bird
The Marlborough Express
Classic Fighters Airshow this year will host a unique collection of four large twin-engined transport aircraftWinged foes
The Marlborough Express
The first time three Luftwaffe fighters have flown together in the southern hemisphereLunch stays in place during fly-by
Gerry Gregg was unsure whether the fly-by shouted for him by the Marlborough Wine Festival committee was a pat on the back or a knife in the back.
Flight unites
JUST 10 WEEKS TILL CLASSIC FIGHTERS - The Marlborough Express
Two family groups separated for centuries will be united in spirit at Marlborough's 2011 Classic Fighters Easter Airshow.World War I icon back in the skies
BLAIR ENSOR - The Marlborough Express
To see one in flight is a treatWWII plane early present to self
MICHAEL BERRY - The Marlborough Express
Graham Orphan's Christmas present came early this year – a Boeing Stearman biplane landed on December 16.Cleaning up after the battle
BLAIR ENSOR - The Marlborough Express
It's all over. The removal of 45 tonnes of material used in the theatre of Monte Cassino at this year's fifth Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka has brought the final curtain down on a very successful event, said organiser Graham Orphan.`Play pilot' wows now with stunts
CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
When Auckland aerobatic ace Doug Brooker first began aerial stunts 20 years ago he struggled to pull off more than a couple of loops.Kai has a tank full of fun fulfilling his wish
CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
It took three years for cancer survivor Kai Dalzell's wish to come true but the grin on the 10-year-old's face on Saturday left no doubt that the young Tasmanian thought it was worth the wait.Change of pace for veteran pilot
BY CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
When Dave Brown flies, it is usually with up to 340 people sitting behind him, but the passenger's seat was empty when he took to the skies above Omaka at Easter.Jackson enjoys airshow
BY CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
Among the camera-wielding spectators at the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka at the weekend, there was one who boasted a little more experience than most.Classic craft a soaring sensation
BY CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
Record numbers of visitors enjoyed the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka over the weekend, organisers say.Marlborough integral to development of NZ aviation
The Marlborough Express
to development of NZ aviationJoin the Express on a classic journey
The Marlborough Express
It will be a double-barrelled celebration at The Marlborough Express stand at the Classic Fighters show this weekend.Troops mobilise for extravaganza
BY CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
The "conductor" of the ground display for the Classic Fighters Airshow is admitting to a few nerves as preparation for the extravaganza reaches a crescendo.Full up for fun weekend
BY CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
Marlborough's population could almost double this weekend if the predictions of Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka organiser Graham Orphan are correct.Baron's plane
The Marlborough Express
No Classic Fighter's Airshow would be complete without an appearance by the Red Baron and this year three replica World War 1 Fokker triplanes made famous by the fighter ace will descend on Omaka Airfield over easter weekend.High Flyin
The Marlborough Express
Marlborough Express reporter CHERIE HOWIE goes for a spin, literally, with Omaka Real Flying Club syndicate members and their fabulous flying machines.Antique aircraft poised for mock Italian battles
The Marlborough Express
IT'S going to be as much a spectacle in the sky as on the ground this Easter weekend as Classic Fighters 2009 finally takes off after months of planning and preparation.Aircraft enthusiast has bomber in sights
The Marlborough Express
A Chinese buyer might have shot down Edward Hayward- Smith's dream of seeing a Spitfire soaring across Marlborough skies, but the Blenheim vintage aircraft enthusiast has not lost his drive to secure a piece of aviation history for the region.Exotic link
The Marlborough Express
A World War 1 fighter plane with a unique link to the world's most sought after brand of sports car will be on show at the Omaka Classic Fighters AirShow 2009.Amazing engine
The Marlborough Express
One of the largest aero- engines to come out of World War 1 is on display in the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre ... in a car.Show coordinator
The Marlborough Express
When Classic Fighters display co-ordinator Steve Petersen imported a Nanchang CJ-6A from China in 1995 he had plans to transform it into something unique.Puppy love
The Marlborough Express
If a new arrival at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre gets off the ground at this year's airshow those in attendance will witness something very special - three different Sopwith aircraft flying at the same time.Airshow to fire up night sky
The Marlborough Express
They do not have a harbour or a fleet of warships, but creativity, skill and the night sky will combine to create a re-enactment of the little-known naval Battle of Taranto at this year's Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka.Old warhorse tribute to flying ace
BY CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
The exhaustive rebuilding of an Mk IX Spitfire will pay off for both its proud owner and aviation enthusiasts when the aircraft makes its public debut at the Classic Fighters Airshow.
Consents slip-up found
BY CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
Major public events including the Grape Ride and Classic Fighters Airshow have been run in Marlborough without resource consent, the district council has found.Big guns invade in time for air show
BY CHERIE HOWIE - © Fairfax NZ News
An 88mm Flak 37 German artillery gun has come to town as part of the Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka.The anit-aircraft gun can fire to 36,000 feet.Restoration Row a drawcard at airshow
BY CHERIE HOWIE - The Marlborough Express
The intricate and art-like structure of an aircraft wing will be on display once again at this year's Classic Fighters Airshow at Omaka.Auction whips up interest in aircraft
The Marlborough Express
Marlborough's first auction of old vehicles and aeroplanes has created quite a stir among potential bidders.
