Blue Sky Bonanza
Omaka Air Show 2007
For a change New Zealand’s fickle Easter weekend weather smiled on us this year. After 2005s disappointingly rain soaked weekend we enjoyed clear blue skies, gentle breezes and plenty of healthy sunshine for the spectacular Classic Fighters Marlborough 2007 two-day air show at Omaka.
Right Image courtesy of The Press.The RNZAF parachute display team, Kiwi Blue, plummets to earth.
Happy organisers estimated that up to 18,000 people attended the air show on the Saturday 7 April alone.
And the crowd were not to be disappointed by the bonanza of more than 60 vintage aircraft that turned out to perform. A highlight for many was the Great War scenario provided by 13 World War 1 era aircraft. One of the seven Fokker triplane pilots was flown by none other than the Air Force’s own Ohakea-based pilot FLTLT Scott McKenzie. FLTLT McKenzie says that flying over Marlborough’s vineyards made him think of the hedgerows of France.
But he concedes that flying the Fokker is no walk in the park. If asked to fly one into action he says he’d feel ‘very vulnerable – they’re highly unstable. Luckily we’ve had great weather. A bit of rough weather and the ride gets very bumpy.’
Other highlights included an eye-catching display by the RNZAF’s Kiwi Blue parachute display team, a dramatic aerobatics performance from the Red Checkers, No.3 Squadron’s antics with the Iroquois helicopter and a Harvard display.
WN-07-0035-85-tn.jpg: Red Checker’s signature spaghetti break.
WN-07-0035-87-tn.jpg: The long-range Mustang fighter provided cover for American air crews during their daylight bombing of German targets in WW2.
OH-07-0350-25-tn.jpg: Seasprite - a lightweight helicopter!
On Easter Saturday Brendon Smith and his son Cameron set out from Balclutha for the short drive to Dunedin airport. They were met at Dunedin airport by FLTLT Brendon Walter, Dunedin Regional Recruiting Officer and an RNZAF King Air crewed by FLTLT Adrian Browne and FGOFF Bendon Quinn.
OH-07-0350-11-tn.jpg: Cameron and his dad Brendon on the way home after a day at Omaka air show.
Wayne had won a chance to fly in an RNZAF King Air and attend the Omaka Classic Fighters air show courtesy of an Air Force promotion run by the RNZAF Museum, RNZAF Recruiting and with advertising kindly donated by Radioworks Media Company. Wayne was allowed to take one other person - he had no trouble deciding to take his son Cameron, aged 7. Cameron had never been flying so it was a big thrill for him to be able to ride with the RNZAF on his first ever flight.
After the trip Wayne wrote to FLTLT Walter with the following comments:
‘Cameron and I wish to say a HUGE thank you to yourself, Dan, Brendon Quinn, Adrian and all other Air Force staff involved for the excellent day we had travelling and attending the air show.
Being Cameron’s first time in the air he’s still buzzing about the whole experience, and whilst it may have appeared that he was very quite on the trip it is very interesting hearing him inform others of his observations during the day. I also enjoyed the whole experience and opportunity that you all provided.’
I think it is fair to say the Air Force now has another budding aviation enthusiast in the deep south!
Related Links, see our Whats On section - Air shows and Open Days and About Us - RNZAF Aircraft.