Warriors at Wigram
By Dave Clearwater, Communications Manager, Air Force Museum Of New Zealand
Watching a Hercules flying display
The annual Air Force Museum Open Day began with a ‘ball drop’ into the AMI Stadium on the evening of Saturday 13 February 2010. No 3 Squadron provided the Iroquois, 2/1 Battalion provided the repelling team and game ball, and the Highlanders and Crusaders provided the Super 14 match.
The main event, ‘Warriors at Wigram’ on the Sunday, comprised a full programme of activities and demonstrations. Over 6,000 locals enjoyed this major event on the Museum’s calendar.
For the aviation buffs, the air show component was the highlight. The crowd was enthralled with:
- the low altitude and slow speed handling demonstration from No 40 Squadron’s C-130 Hercules
- a high altitude drop of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Parachute team, Kiwi Blue
- No 3 Squadron’s entertaining Iroquois display and ‘hands on role’ in the Army’s mock battle, and
- the final sweep of the Historic Flights Harvard from behind the Wigram control tower.
Air Force Recruiting staff displayed their wares, while personnel from Base Woodbourne competed in a tri-Service confidence-course challenge. The Air Force team applied themselves well, winning the ‘Unimog tow’ comprehensively, and placing second in the tug-of-war and confidence course challenges.
The Army was represented by Burnham Camp’s presentation of static demonstrations and interactive displays, including:
- an Explosive Ordnance Disposal robot
- Signals Squadron’s computer game simulations
- 2/1 Battalion’s ‘hands on weapons display’, and
- a mock battle.
A crowd highlight was 3rd Logistics Battalion’s Light Armoured Vehicles, and the Queen Alexandra’s Mounted Regiment. The Navy provided a recruiting display in conjunction with the Museum’s Seasprite and Wasp helicopters.
Overall, the Open Day was a great success—Cantabrians had the opportunity to view many Defence Force assets, chat with Defence Force personnel, and enter into the spirit of healthy competition between the three Services.