Tractors and Vintage Machinery at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004

Vintage machinery has been on display at the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow since 1988 when at the "Warbirds On Parade" that year, Mr George Wallis brother of Sir Tim Wallis displayed his extensive collection of McCormick Deering tractors and machinery at the airshow. A collection of working stationary engines was also mounted by members of the Clyde museum.
 
In 1990, the organisers of the airshow decided to invite vintage enthusiasts everywhere to bring their restored farm machinery to expand the show and widen the scope and nature of the display.
 
In early years New Zealand did not have any tractor manufactures, so all tractors had to be imported by stock firms for their clients. The wide variety of makes and models on display at the 2004 airshow will be testament to this. The United States and England were the main countries of origin but New Zealand also imported tractors from Australia, Germany, France, Italy and the communist block countries among others.
 
As well as the static and working displays, activities for vintage machinery during the Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004 airshow will include a Lanz Bulldog starting competition. The Bulldog is a very strong tractor with a hot-bulb ignition and is started by heating the bulb with a blow lamp, removing the steering wheel and using it to turn the crankshaft. The skill is in removing the steering wheel as the engine fires. This can be quite spectacular to watch. A tractor and sledge pull competition will also be in operation using a weight transfer device which tests the pulling power of the tractor.
 
There will be thrashing and bailing demonstrations using a stationary baler.
 
The tractors on display will be mainly from the 1930 to 1950 era and will be an indication of the wide variety of farm machinery and implements employed by New Zealand farmers during and after the Second World War.
 
The 2004 exhibition will be a grand affair and something not to be missed. Take the opportunity to visit this extensive display from Good Friday onwards. Tractors and Farm Machinery have played a considerable part in the history and development of New Zealand and the display at the 2004 airshow will be a very good example of the types which helped shape New Zealand's past
 
Warhorses at Wanaka 2004

The Warhorses at Wanaka group are once again responding to the call to put on a professional display for the 2004 airshow.
 
Restorers, collectors and re-enactors will return to the Wanaka airfield to display items connected to New Zealand's military history.
 
The show will feature Warhorse displays that reach new heights of interest and authenticity. Restored vehicles never seen before will be on display along with a presentation of re-enactments and scenic backdrops depicting the various theatres of war over the last century. This display will bring back nostalgic memories for those veterans of the war years. The displays will not only provide many photo opportunities, but also the chance for the younger generations to appreciate the rigors and simple technology of the past.
 
AMI Insurance Classic Fire Engines

Many of the earliest initiatives for fire fighting back in the 1800's and the last century came from insurance companies. Faced with the prospect of massive losses from uncontrolled fires, it was insurance companies who organised and funded equipment for "brigades" both here in New Zealand and in many places overseas.
 
It is entirely appropriate therefore we welcome an insurance company as a sponsor for "AMI Insurance Classic Fire Engines" at Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2004.
 
AMI have had a long association with classic fire appliances, having owned their own much-travelled bright yellow Dennis F8 "AMI" for a number of years. "AMI" has been seen in many parts of New Zealand on the road with the fund-raising Variety Bash and in support of many charitable and promotional causes. Elderly fire engines typically have recorded very low mileages, but "AMI" would be the obvious exception being well-known to thousands as it travelled the country's roads.
 
The 2004 display will draw on appliances from the collections of brigades and individual "fire buffs" from throughout Otago and Canterbury. Warbirds Over Wanaka was the first event to incorporate classic fire engines into the historic aviation and vintage machinery theme and this successful and popular mix continues for the fifth consecutive time at Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2004.
 
Mother Duck has Saved Lives

If you like something different you’ll like the Warbirds Catalina. It's like no other aeroplane you’ll ever see - and it can land on water!
 
It is owned and operated by the Catalina Club on New Zealand Inc and was purchased in 1994 where it had been operating tourist safaris around Africa from its base in Zimbabwe. This particular aircraft is 58 years old, being built in Canada in 1944. It is a true warbird in that it saw wartime service during WW2 with the Royal Canadian Air Force before being retired and then taken over by various commercial operators in Canada and then Africa.
 
Catalinas also saw service with the Royal New Zealand Air Force which flew them in the Pacific Theatre, as did the Royal Australian Air Force.
 
The Catalina’s design goes back to the mid-1930s but, although the wings, wing-tip floats and hull have not been altered much, the two distinctive blister windows have been added to the aft cabin and it has received more powerful engines.

During WW2 Catalina’s were used to rescue pilots and other aircrew who had been forced down onto the sea. Such rescue operations involving landing in the open sea, were referred to as Dumbo missions, after the Walt Disney character Dumbo the Flying Elephant. Perhaps the aircraft should more rightly have been called Mother Duck?
 
Because it has such a low flying speed, the Catalina was ideal during the war years for ship convoy patrol out over the oceans and for general maritime duties. It could also stay aloft for 14-15 hr sorties looking for enemy submarines or signs of periscopes and carried depth charges to attack the submarines. Even today, the slow speed and long endurance of the Catalina are hard to match.
 
The Catalina flies down to Wanaka from its home base in Auckland whenever it can and supports the spirit of the Warbirds Over Wanaka movement that was started by Sir Tim Wallis. It is a very historic aircraft and is very much a part of our aviation heritage and that of Australia.
 
Come and see us and meet our club members. Have a look over this unique amphibian aeroplane and imagine what it must have been like flying in them during WW2. Get a copy of our latest colour donation brochure and help keep this rare warbird in the air. Buy our Catalina video showing the aircraft landing on Milford Sound - the first Catalina to go there. You may even decide to join the club! - We hope so.
 
Meanwhile, we also hope you’ll enjoy this world class Warbirds Over Wanaka show. New Zealand is honoured to have it, especially in such fantastic geographic surroundings, and we take our hats off to the organisers.
 
Boys Behind The Bangs

One of the highlights for visitors to Warbirds over Wanaka is the mock attack held at the end of each days show. As the fighters scramble to protect the crowd, a host of fireballs, bombs, rockets and machineguns reign supreme on the far side of the airfield.
 
This highly choreographed scenario is the responsibility of Peter Gallagher, Kevin ‘Bomber’ Harris and a small team comprising Debbie Gallagher, Kevin and Sandra Hill and volunteers. Gleefully residing over controlled mayhem, the pyrotechnic team spend many hours testing, assembling and preparing for their twenty minutes of fame.
 
All of the pyrotechnic displays are required to meet strict guidelines and safety is paramount. Preparations begin over six months before the show when Kevin can be seen searching books and publications looking for his next creation to explode. In 2000 a V-2 rocket majestically rose before the crowd only to be consumed by flames and smoke. Made from 44 gallon drums scrounged around the airfield it was crafted over a number of hours to be promptly destroyed in minutes.

As show time gets closer and the flying programme is finalised the team look at each scenario and prepare the pyrotechnics that will be included. Perfectionists, a number of trial explosions are undertaken to ensure the perfect fireball (and resultant smoke-ring). Because it is a two day airshow however, everything prepared for Saturday has to be duplicated for Sunday. This means late evenings and early mornings!
 
As well as the fireballs the team also create gunruns (and yes, we do remember the shots that went the wrong way!) and the occasional building that needs to be destroyed.

As the show days approach a close liaison with pilots is obviously required. Special briefings are held between the team and pilots that will be flying aircraft over the pyrotechnics. To the uninitiated the aircraft can sometimes appear quite close to the bangs but in reality these carefully choreographed sequences mean that an aircraft is laterally separated from the explosion by a considerable safety margin.
 
The explosions are ignited by a number of electrical firing boxes connected to the charge. Over 3.5 kilometres of wiring (including some buried underground) stretches across the area. (Watch for Kevin on the Sunday morning hunting the airfield for wire).

The team are in constant communication with the Airshow Controller, Police and Fire Departments which allows them to react immediately to any changes in the programme. The entire far side of the airfield is under their control until the ‘allclear’ is given.
 
So, as you watch the show this year and marvel at the pyrotechnics we ask you to spare a thought for this small and dedicated team who have spent many hours of preparation to produce one of the best ‘explosive’ displays that can be seen anywhere.