2015 DATES CONFIRMED
Friday 16 to Sunday 18 January
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RNZAF AIRCRAFT TO WOW CROWDS AT WINGS OVER WAIRARAPA10 January 2013Substantial participation from the RNZAF will provide a glimpse into the workings of the New Zealand Defence Force at next week's Wings over Wairarapa air show in Masterton. Military Air Display Director Jim Rankin says nine aircraft will form part of the flying and display programme for the biennial air show being held at Hood Aerodrome over Wellington Anniversary Weekend (January 18 – 20, 2013). Squadron Leader Rankin, who co-ordinates the Defence Force programme for the show as well as piloting some of the aeroplanes, says the aircraft include a Boeing 757, an Orion, a Hercules (static display only, a NH90 helicopter (static display only), a 109 helicopter, an Iroquois, Seasprite and the crowd pleasing Red Checkers. In addition around 72 Defence personnel will be at the airshow, including aircrew and groundcrew. Squadron Leader Rankin, who has participated in major airshows around the country – including Wings Over Wairarapa – for the last 12 years is looking forward to returning to Hood Aerodrome and entertaining the crowds. “Wings Over Wairarapa gets a very good cross section of aircraft types. Masterton is also a nice display venue from a pilot's point of view; with a well-defined display line, unrestricted airspace and the surrounding area is nice and flat with no obstacles,” he says. “I've been to at least five previous Wings events, both flying (Red Checkers, L-39 Albatross jet, Fokker Triplane, Harvard) and organising. I'm very excited about this year's event.” “As always, participation will be dependent on operational requirements, and it is possible that aircraft or crews may be unavailable at the last moment due to short-notice tasks such as Search and Rescue or Disaster relief.” The Defence Force aircraft are part of a diverse three-day flying programme incorporating 70 aircraft including a rare de Havilland Mosquito Fighter Bomber and a six jet civil formation containing three different jet types not before been seen in New Zealand. Wings Over Wairarapa 2013 has the theme Honouring The Past, Celebrating The Future. It will also have vintage aircraft from WWI, classics from WWII and stunning displays by contemporary aircraft as well as offering a tantalizing glimpse of the future of aviation. While celebrating the historical significance of WWI & WWII military aircraft, Wings Over Wairarapa 2013 will also feature displays from other rarely seen vintage aircraft, agricultural displays, gliders and helicopter displays, jet formations and thrilling aerobatics as well as the substantial participation from the RNZAF. The flying each day will culminate in a dramatic pyrotechnic display and mock air field attack lighting up the skies and entertaining the crowds. In addition to what's on up in the air, there will be entertainment on the ground with mock battles, static displays including a combined Defence Forces interactive camp, children's entertainment, contemporary and vintage military vehicles, a trade site village and a Food & Wine Festival showcasing the best of Wairarapa hospitality. ..................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
EXPERIENCE BEST OF WAIRARAPA HOSPITALITY AT WINGS OVER WAIRARAPA8 January 2013Visitors attending this month's Wings over Wairarapa airshow will be able to experience much more than just aeroplanes. The biennial show being held at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome in New Zealand over Wellington Anniversary Weekend (January 18 – 20, 2013) will feature entertainment on the ground with mock battles, static displays including a combined Defense Forces interactive camp, children's entertainment, contemporary and vintage military vehicles, a trade site village and a Food & Wine Festival showcasing the best of Wairarapa hospitality. Wings event manager Liz Pollock says two boutique breweries and five vineyards will be in attendance including Borthwick Vineyard, Gladstone Vineyard, Paulownia Estate, Johner Estate, Loopline Vineyard, Peak Brewery and Matsons Brewery. These will be complemented with stunning food provided by Entice Café, Wazoo Pizza, La Bella Italia and Palatabull serving Bullbabs and Bulldogs. “In addition to the amazing aerobatic displays and feature aircraft that will be seen in the sky, the ground entertainment is very eclectic, meaning there is actually something for everyone,” says Ms Pollock. “The wine and food festival will enable people to experience some of the Wairarapa region's finest hospitality, wines and fresh produce and be introduced to many vineyards from the popular wine growing region of Gladstone. Wings Over Wairarapa is about everyone having a family outing and having a good time.” Wings Over Wairarapa has the theme Honouring The Past, Celebrating The Future. It will have vintage aircraft from WWI, classics from WWII and stunning displays by contemporary aircraft as well as offering a tantalizing glimpse of the future of aviation. The show's feature display aircraft is a rare de Havilland Mosquito Fighter Bomber while a unique jet formation featuring one Strikemaster, two Vampires and three L39 Albatroses is also expected to delight crowds. While celebrating the historical significance of WWI & WWII military aircraft, Wings Over Wairarapa 2013 will also feature displays from other rarely seen vintage aircraft, agricultural displays, gliders and helicopter displays, jet formations and thrilling aerobatics as well as substantial participation from the RNZAF. The flying each day will culminate in a dramatic pyrotechnic display and mock air field attack lighting up the skies and entertaining the crowds. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. UNIQUE JET FORMATION EXPECTED TO WOW CROWDS AT WINGS OVER WAIRARAPA18 December 2012
Wings over Wairarapa will feature a massed jet formation that will be unique to next month's air show at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome in New Zealand. This formation of six privately owned jets will open the flying programme at the biennial air show being held at Wellington Anniversary Weekend (January 18 – 20, 2013) each afternoon with a ‘jetobatics' display. It will be the first time a six jet civil formation containing three different jet types has been seen in New Zealand. Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow Director Tom Williams says the unique jet formation will feature one Strikemaster, two Vampires and three L39 Albatroses. Today's announcement also follows the news that a rare de Havilland Mosquito Fighter Bomber will be the airshow's display aircraft. “The jet pilots have been working hard on their formation display, which will provide a spectacular opening sequence for each afternoon during January's airshow,” said Mr Williams. The jet pilots have been practicing in New Plymouth since mid-December under the guidance of team leader John Lanham, who will fly one of the L39 Albatroses. Mr Lanham says after the team established a four aircraft routine, they decided two more aircraft could be added without difficulty with the goal being to provide a six aircraft opening sequence which will be followed by a coordinated routine utilising the three jet types. “One factor underlying the plan is that the three aircraft types have varying performance and flying characteristics, which have to be melded in a routine which is safe, simple to fly and entertaining,” says Mr Lanham. “The turning circle of a formation of jets is large, taking them beyond the airfield boundaries, so we are designing the display with individual aircraft sequenced in front of the crowds, to fill the gaps while the remainder of the team takes position for the next manoeuvre.” The Strikemaster is an ex-RNZAF aircraft, which ended its service in the Air Force in 1991, while the two Vampires are historic ‘first generation' jet fighters from the 1950s. The L39 Albatros is a Czech-built two seat jet trainer that was widely used by the Warsaw Pact air forces during the Cold War. The manufacturer is now part-owned by the Boeing Company and the L39 has become a popular jet for private owners in many Western countries. One L39 starred in a James Bond movie— Tomorrow Never Dies. The jet formation is part of a diverse flying programme released today on www.wings.org.nz. It will feature alongside 70 other aircraft during the three day air show, which has the theme Honouring The Past, Celebrating The Future. It will have vintage aircraft from WWI, classics from WWII and stunning displays by contemporary aircraft as well as offering a tantalizing glimpse of the future of aviation. It will have vintage aircraft from WWI, classics from WWII and stunning displays by contemporary aircraft as well as offering a tantalizing glimpse of the future of aviation. While celebrating the historical significance of WWI & WWII military aircraft, Wings Over Wairarapa 2013 will also feature displays from other rarely seen vintage aircraft, agricultural displays, gliders and helicopter displays, jet formations and thrilling aerobatics as well as substantial participation from the RNZAF. The flying each day will culminate in a dramatic pyrotechnic display and mock air field attack lighting up the skies and entertaining the crowds. In addition to what's on up in the air, there will be entertainment on the ground with mock battles, static displays including a combined Defense Forces interactive camp, children's entertainment, contemporary and vintage military vehicles, a trade site village and a Food & Wine Festival showcasing the best of Wairarapa hospitality. .................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Graham Bethell at the RNZAF 75th anniversary air showApril 2012
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The Wings Over Wairarapa team at the recent RNZAF 75th anniversary air show at Ohakea. Graham Bethell (owner and pilot of the P51 Mustang featured in the Wings 2013 graphic), ably assisted by his friends from Tui, introduce the new look to fellow air show patrons. 