Photographers Delighted 

7 April 2004: Wanaka: An overnight dusting of snow on the mountains around Wanaka provided an attractive background for photographers yesterday(TUESDAY) as warbird aircraft practised in preparation for this weekend's Warbirds Over Wanaka show.
 
A combination of prominent guests and the most extensive range of aircraft are expected to make the event the most spectacular Warbirds Over Wanaka ever hosted, airshow manager Gavin Johnston said.
 
He said the opportunity to meet retired NASA Astronaut Buzz Aldrin would be a huge draw card for many people. Dr Aldrin, who arrives in Queenstown on Friday, had said he was excited to be coming to the show, Mr Johnston said.
 
Dr Aldrin was a crew member on Apollo 11 in July 1969 and made history when he and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. He has made a lifelong commitment to man's efforts into exploring space and has documented his experiences in an autobiography and documentary, as well as writing two space novels.
 
He will visit Walter Peak Station across Lake Wakatipu from Queenstown on Friday, before being driven to Wanaka. During the airshow he will be interviewed over the public address and will do 'walk-abouts' among the crowd. Mr Johnston said the former jet pilot also planned to take a scenic flight around Mt Aspiring before departing Wanaka on Monday.
 
Lithuanian aerobatics star Jurgis Kairys and warbird pilot Ray Hanna will also perform at the show. Early weather predictions from the Met Service were for fine conditions on Friday and it is hoped these will continue for Saturday and Sunday's action.

Jurgis Kairys Confirmed for Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004.

1 March 2004: Top Lithuanian aerobatic pilot Jurgis Kairys has been confirmed for this years Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow.
 
Kairys has competed at various world renowned aerobatic championships, flown displays at such prestigious events as Oshkosh, Miramar, Farnborough, Le Bourget, etc and Airshow General Manager Gavin Johnston is delighted to confirm his appearance. "Kairys will bring his own aircraft over for the show, and there is no doubt that he will be one of the star attractions in a diverse flying programme. We have such a wide range of aircraft exhibiting at the show, and Kairys is going to bolster our line-up even more."
 
Kairys has won numerous titles and medals, with the most recent being a first placing in the Solo Pilot at the 2004 FAI World Grand Prix Aerobatic Championships held in Al Ain. This has added to his tally of six Gold medals at the Championships, teamed with his four Gold and four Silver won at the Breitling Masters Series in the mid 1990s.
 
Having invented several aerobatic manoeuvres himself, Kairys is most famous for a daring display of his piloting skills in 2000 which saw him fly upside down under a low bridge in his home country. With a crowd of 300,000 watching him, Kairys flew his SU-26 with just 12 metres clearance between the water and the concrete overhang, at a speed of approximately 250km/h. The video of this flight was seen worldwide on Networks such as CNN and BBC. "From watching footage of him perform at other shows he plays to the crowd, and will bring something special to Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004." said Mr Johnston.
 
He will captivate the crowds in his Sukhoi SU-31 by performing some trademark moves which have earned him many top honours over the years.
 
"We like to have displays that incorporate all facets of the aviation spectrum and having Kairys perform at the show will add another dimension. The 2004 Airshow is shaping up to be one of the best shows yet. The premium Gold Pass enclosure seats are filling very quickly." Mr Johnston said.
 
Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow will be held from April 9-11 2004 at the Wanaka Airport.
 
Ian Tulloch to Appear at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004.

25 February 2004: Warbirds Over Wanaka will be host to a remarkable racing truck this Easter, General Manager Gavin Johnston announced today. Mr Johnston has confirmed Ian (Inky) Tulloch and his super-truck will be burning rubber down the Wanaka tarmac. "Inky is expected to wear through a whole set of tyres during his demonstration at the show and that will be worth seeing for sure!" Mr Johnston said.

Since Inky first raced his Freightliner in 2001 the combination has been virtually unbeatable on the Australasian super-truck circuit. Inky has been placed in the top three of both the New Zealand and Australian Truck Racing Series since 1998, and currently holds the race lap record, for trucks, at every track on both sides of the Tasman.
 
"Over the years we have had various displays by different facets of the motor sport industry - from Mark Skaife and his V8 Commodore, through to the late John Brittens motorcycle victory over a Hughes 500 at the 1994 show. The confirmation that Inky will display at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004 is another highlight of this Easters show. The biennial helicopter/aeroplane/car race is anticipated by many people every two years and I haven't decided who I'm going to put my money on yet!" said Mr Johnston.
 

Corsair Overflights Announced.
 
16 February 2004: The only airworthy ex RNZAF Corsair from World War II will fly from Auckland to Wanaka tomorrow (Wed 17th February) in preparation for the Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004 Airshow to be held this Easter.
 
Departing Auckland's Ardmore aerodrome at approximately 11-00am, the FG-1D Corsair will fly via Hamilton to arrive in Masterton t 12-30pm.
 
It will then fly over Wellington to arrive at Wigram at 3-00pm.
 
Departing again at 4-30pm the Corsair will fly over Timaru, Oamaru and Dunedin before arriving in Wanaka at 6-00pm.
 
The RNZAF operated over 400 examples in the Pacific Theatre during WWII but by the late 1950's most had been sold for scrap. One remained, however, outside its owners garage at Rukuhia near Hamilton until the early 1960's. Restored to a taxiable condition, the aeroplane appeared at the opening of Hamilton Airport in 1966 before languishing outside again. She was shifted to Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology in 1968.
 
Sold to the USA in 1971, Corsair NZ5648 was fully restored to flying condition over quite a lengthy period and took to the skies again in 1982. In 1991, the Corsair was purchased by the Duxford (UK) based Old Flying Machine Company where she was repainted back into her original RNZAF colour scheme. The aeroplane was shipped to New Zealand earlier this month especially for Warbirds Over Wanaka.
 
RNZAF 757 to appear at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004.

9 February 2004: The latest addition to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) will make its debut at the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow in Easter 2004. A Boeing 757 jet transport will present itself to the expected record crowd at the show from April 9th -11th this year. "Every Airshow the RNZAF really get in behind the event and support us, and this year is no exception. After having the Boeing 727, which was one of the highlights of Warbirds Over Wanaka 2002, I am pleased to announce the 757 will be here. It is guaranteed to captivate the crowd even more than the 727." said Airshow General Manager Gavin Johnston.
 
The two Boeing 757 were purchased from Dutch airline Transavia and arrived in New Zealand in May and July 2003. At just under 50 metres long, the Rolls Royce powered 757 has a cruising speed of 850kmph, and can carry a maximum load of 32,000kgs. The two 757s are operated alongside five C130 Hercules by No. 40 Squadron based at Whenuapai in Auckland. No. 40 Squadron provides a range of strategic and tactical air transport roles throughout New Zealand, the Pacific region and around the world.
 
Accompanying the 757 will be a Hercules, two Iroquois helicopters, the Red Checkers aerobatic team, an Orion, the Kaman Seasprite Naval helicopter, and the Kiwi Blue Parachute Team. They have all performed at Warbirds Over Wanaka previously and Johnston is thankful for their support. "To know that we can rely on the Air Force each year to pull out all stops at the Airshow is great. From the adrenalin pumping Kiwi Blue jumpers, to the high tempo Red Checkers displays, then followed by the formidable Hercules and Orion aircraft, people get to glimpse all facets of the RNZAF."
 
Johnston also added that the premium Gold Pass tickets for Warbirds Over Wanaka are selling well and advises people to purchase them quickly to avoid disappointment as they will sell out prior the event. All information pertaining to pre-purchasing passes, and all other information, can be found on the website.
 
Breitling Fighters to appear at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004.

27 January 2004: After five highly successful years of displaying in Europe, the BREITLING FIGHTERS warbird display team will appear for their final show at the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2004 at Easter, Warbirds Over Wanaka General Manager Gavin Johnston said today. "The organisers of the event are delighted to announce that Europe's top warbird display act will be appearing at the show and that two of their Warbird aircraft are already on a ship bound for New Zealand".
 
"This team has been a huge success in Europe and comes to New Zealand because of the special relationship between Sir Tim Wallis the founder of Warbirds Over Wanaka and Ray Hanna who owns the aircraft and leads the team", he said.
 
The Breitling Fighters Team has displayed to over 25 million people in 13 different countries in Europe, and has performed at all the major European airshows. Along the way they have accumulated several awards including winning the trophy for 'Best display team', at the 1999 and 2003 Biggin Hill Air Fairs in front of over 250,000 spectators, edging out the world famous 'Red Arrows'.

Of special significance to New Zealanders is the fact that two of the Warbird aircraft, the P40 Kittyhawk and the F4U Corsair, both served with the RNZAF in the Pacific during World War Two, and are returning home. As well, two of the team's pilots are New Zealanders; Ray Hanna, probably the worlds most experienced warbird display pilot and an ex leader of the Red Arrows, and Air New Zealand Captain Keith Skilling. Both pilots have flown with the Team since its formation in 1999.
 
Making up the rest of the team is a Mk16 Spitfire and P51 Mustang, flown respectively by Nigel Lamb from Zimbabwe, and Lee Proudfoot from England. Both are very experienced full time professional warbird display pilots and are making the journey to Wanaka especially for the final team display.
 
Mr. Johnston said "the team performs a spectacular display of formation aerobatics in four of the most famous WWII Allied fighters and are sure to be an exciting attraction for spectators at this years airshow".
 
World War One Fighters to Debut at Wanaka.

12 January 2004: Four aircraft synonymous with World War One will be displayed at Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow, which runs from 9th-11th April 2004.
 
Airshow General Manager Gavin Johnston announced today that a Sopwith Camel, a Fokker Dr.1 Tri-plane, a Bristol F.2b Fighter, and an Avro 504K will be present at the Easter show. "Between these aircraft they cover a lot of milestones which influenced aerial combat to the present day. From introducing 'dog fighting' to the aviation world, through to rear-mounted machine guns, and bomber aircraft, these four planes cover it all."
 
The Sopwith Camel was one of the most significant aircraft to emerge from the First World War by claiming the most victories than any other Allied aircraft during its time. New Zealand fighter ace Clive Collett was the first Allied pilot to ever record a victory in a Camel during the War. The Camel that is to be displayed at the Airshow is a full scale replica which is on loan from the Omaka Fighter Collection in Blenheim.
 
The only German aircraft to be displayed at the Airshow will be the Fokker Tri-plane. The full scale replica took three years to build and first flew in 1985. The Tri-plane is known for its excellent manoeuvrability in aerial combat, and reaches a top speed of 165 kmph. It is owned by the Omaka Fighter Collection after being purchased from original owners and builders Stuart Tantrum and John Lanham.

The Bristol Fighter comes to Warbirds Over Wanaka also from the Omaka Fighter Collection. The 'Brisfit' or 'Biff' as it was affectionately known as during the War, was flown by the Royal Flying Corps (which later became the Royal Air Force) from 1917-1932. It was used as a fighter aircraft and light bomber but was most famous for its rear-mounted machine guns. As it was a two-seater aircraft it enabled the pilot to have a gunner on board who fired at the enemy from the rear of the aircraft. Notable Kiwi aviator Sir Keith Park flew Bristol's with the Royal Flying Corps, and there were seven Bristol's in service in New Zealand. They were used for various duties including training, aerial surveying, meteorological information, and army communication. The aircraft that is making its debut appearance at the Airshow is a replica which was built in Memphis, Tennessee, first flew in 1993, and has been in New Zealand since 2001.
 
The Avro 504K is an aircraft that is steeped in New Zealand history. Its first flight was in 1913 and was originally used as a bomber but then was relegated to training. Twenty Avros were gifted to New Zealand in 1920, and on August 25th of the same year Kiwi fighter ace Euan Dickson completed the first ever aerial crossing of Cook Strait in one. The Avro on display at Warbirds Over Wanaka is a replica which was built several years ago in the United Kingdom and housed at Duxford. In 2001 the Avro was bought by the Old Stick and Rudder Company who shipped it to New Zealand.
 
"Each aircraft has a tie with New Zealand - even the German Fokker which was originally owned by one of our Alpine Fighter Collection pilots, John Lanham. A lot of people forget about the significance of World War One aircraft in shaping our aviation history, which is why we are delighted to confirm the four aircraft which will make their Warbirds Over Wanaka debut. Next years show will highlight the development of aircraft during the last century, and there will be something for everyone to enjoy," Johnston said. "People will be able to see the rapid evolution of the aeroplane, from the 1913 Avro 504K through to the Cessna Citation Jet, and everything in between."
 
Lavochkin LA-9 to appear at Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2004.

10 December 2003: Gavin Johnston, General Manager of the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow, announced today that the only airworthy Lavochkin LA-9 in the world is to be showcased at next years airshow. "We are so thrilled to finally be able to present the LA-9 at our show. It was supposed to be ready in time for the 2002 Airshow but due to complications with the rebuild of the engine, was unable to make it."
 
Owned by Ray Hanna of the Old Flying Machine Company in England and Garth Hogan of Pioneer Aero Restorations in Auckland, the LA-9 made its first post restoration flight on the 1st March 2003. The LA-9 flew in its first airshow in early March this year at the Ardmore Airshow in Auckland, under the control of pilot John Lamont.
 
The aircraft was then shipped to England where New Zealand pilot Keith Skilling flew her in various airshows with the Breitling Fighters.
 
The LA-9 is a Russian aircraft which was flown by some of the Soviet Unions top fighter aces in World War Two, and there are no more than five in existence today.
 
This particular fighter aircraft was flown by the Chinese Air Force until the 1960s, before being statically displayed at the Beijing University of Aeronautics. It took Ray Hanna ten years for the LA-9 to finally be granted consent for it to be shipped to Duxford, England. From there the engine was sent to the Czech Republic for restoration, whilst the airframe was shipped to New Zealand to be worked on by Pioneer Aero Restorations in Auckland. From start to finish the whole process took more than fifteen years to restore the LA-9 to its former glory. This is an achievement in itself.
 
"With the majority of the restoration being completed in New Zealand, it's only fitting that it should be displayed at Warbirds Over Wanaka, alongside many other unique aircraft that are synonymous with our show." Johnston said. "From the 1936 Polikarpov I-16s of the Alpine Fighter Collection through to the 1946 Lavochkin LA-9, visitors to the show will be able to see the rapid development of the piston engine the Russian designers made in under twenty years."
 
Warbirds Over Wanaka will be held 9-11th April 2004 at the Wanaka Airport.
 
Competition Winners Announced.
 
28 November 2003: Warbirds over Wanaka International Airshow 2004 thanks Radio Pacific and Solid Gold FM for their sponsorship of this International Airshow and congratulates the winners of the on air radio competitions.
 
The winner of the Radio Pacific package of flights for two to Queenstown and return, the use of a Maui Motor home and Gold passes to the event was Colin Brown of Kaeo Northland.
 
And the winner of the Solid Gold package of flights for two to Queenstown and return, the use of a Maui Motor home and Gold passes to the event was Kevin Turner of Beachlands Auckland.
 
Again congratulations to these winners and a very big thank you to…

'Kiwi' Corsair to Return to New Zealand.

19 August 2003: Warbirds Over Wanaka General Manager Gavin Johnston announced today that the only remaining airworthy RNZAF Chance Vought Corsair is to return to New Zealand for Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004. "After an absence of over thirty years we are very pleased to advise that a real Kiwi Corsair will once again be seen in New Zealand skies".
 
The RNZAF operated over 400 examples in the Pacific Theatre during WWII but by the late 1950's most had been sold for scrap. One remained, however, outside its owners garage at Rukuhia near Hamilton until the early 1960's. Restored to a taxiable condition, the aeroplane appeared at the opening of Hamilton Airport in 1966 before languishing outside again. She was shifted to Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology in 1968.
 
Sold to the USA in 1971, Corsair NZ5648 was fully restored to flying condition over quite a lengthy period and took to the skies again in 1982. In 1991, the Corsair was purchased by the Duxford (UK) based Old Flying Machine Company where she was repainted back into her original RNZAF colour scheme.
 
"It will be wonderful to see a Corsair back in New Zealand skies again" Johnston said. "The fact that it is owned and flown by a New Zealander makes it very special", he noted. The aircraft will be flown by Keith Skilling, who regularly displays the Corsair at airshows in England and Europe. The aircraft is owned by Ray Hanna of the Old Flying Machine Company who has regularly displayed aircraft at Warbirds Over Wanaka. The aircraft will arrive in NZ by sea prior to the event and displayed exclusively at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004.

Gavin Johnston also said "the Warbirds Over Wanaka committee are very excited about the return of this aeroplane and we are sure it will appeal to the record crowds expected to attend. The premium Gold Pass seats are selling quite quickly and we do urge visitors to book these early to avoid disappointment".
 
Warbirds Over Wanaka will be held 9-11th April 2004 at Wanaka Airport.
 
Apollo Astronaut to be Special Guest at Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2004.
 
10 April 2003: "Buzz" Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, will attend Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2004 it was announced today by airshow General Manager Gavin Johnston.
 
"We are very excited that Buzz will be a special guest at our airshow over Easter 2004" said Gavin. "Buzz is looking forward to visiting New Zealand and spending a weekend in Wanaka enjoying the special magic of our airshow".
 
"During his time here Aldrin will be interviewed over the public address system and he will also spend some time mingling with visitors in the Gold Pass Area".
 
"With the airshow now only a year away we look forward to announcing further details of aircraft attendance and other exciting events on a regular basis" Johnston said.
 
Warbirds Over Wanaka commences on Friday 9th April 2004 with a trade display open to the public and aircraft practising overhead. Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th are the two airshow days with continuous flying from 10-00am to 4-00pm. Over 50 aircraft are expected to attend.

Buzz Aldrin Background
 
Buzz Aldrin was born in Montclair, New Jersey on January 20, 1930. His mother, Marion Moon, was the daughter of an Army Chaplain. His father, Edwin Eugene Aldrin, was an aviation pioneer, a student of rocket developer Robert Goddard, and an aide to the immortal General Billy Mitchell. Buzz was educated at West Point, graduating with honors in 1951, third in his class. After receiving his wings, he flew Sabre Jets in 66 combat missions in the Korean Conflict, shooting down two MIG-15's. Returning to his education, he earned a Doctorate in Astronautics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Manned Space Rendezvous. The techniques he devised were used on all NASA missions, including the first space docking with the Russian Cosmonauts.
 
In October 1963, Buzz was selected by NASA as one of the early astronauts. In November 1966, he established a new record for Extra-Vehicular Activity in space on the Gemini XII orbital flight mission. Buzz has logged 4500 hours of flying time, 290 of which were in space, including 8 hours of EVA. As Backup Command Module Pilot for Apollo VIII, man's first flight around the moon, he significantly improved operational techniques for astronautical navigation star display. Then, on July 20, 1969, Buzz and Neil Armstrong made their historic Apollo XI moon walk, thus becoming the first two humans to set foot on another world. This unprecedented heroic endeavor was witnessed by the largest worldwide television audience in history.
 
Upon returning from the moon, Buzz embarked on an international goodwill tour. He was presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor amongst over 50 other distinguished awards and medals from the United States and numerous other countries.
 
Since retiring from NASA, the Air Force, and his position as Commander of the Test Pilot School at Edwards Air Force Base, Dr. Aldrin has remained at the forefront of efforts to ensure a continued leading role for America in manned space exploration. To advance his lifelong commitment to venturing outward in space, he has created a master plan of evolving missions for sustained exploration utilizing his concept, "The Cycler", a spacecraft system which makes perpetual orbits between Earth and Mars. In 1993 Dr. Aldrin received a U.S. patent for a permanent space station he designed. More recently he founded his rocket design company, Starcraft Boosters, Inc., and the ShareSpace Foundation, a nonprofit devoted to opening the doors to space tourism for all people.
 
Dr. Aldrin has continued to share his vision for the future of space travel by authoring two space novels that dramatically portray man's discovery of the ultimate frontier: The Return (Forge Books, 2000) and Encounter with Tiber (Warner Books, 1996). He has also authored an autobiography, Return to Earth and a historical documentary, Men from Earth, describing his trip to the moon and his unique perspective on America's space program.
 
On Valentine's Day 1988, Buzz married Lois Driggs Cannon of Phoenix, Arizona. She is a Stanford graduate, an active community leader in Southern California, and personal manager of all of Buzz's endeavors. Their combined family is comprised of six grown children and one grandson. Their leisure time is spent exploring the deep sea world of scuba diving and skiing the mountain tops of Sun Valley, Idaho.
 
Now Buzz, as Starcraft Enterprises - the name of his private space endeavors - is lecturing and traveling throughout the world to pursue and discuss his and others' latest concepts and ideas for exploring the universe. He is a leading voice in charting the course of future space efforts from Planet Earth.
 
2004 Website updated
 
17 January 2003: The Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow™ 2004 website has been updated with content from the 2004 brochure.
 
2004 Information added to Airshow Website
 
1 August 2002: Information about Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow™ 2004 was made available via the Warbirds Over Wanaka website today. Since it's creation in 2000, this site has become the authoritative online source of information about Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2004, as well archived information as the 2002 Airshow. Additional content will be added to the site as this exciting Airshow gets closer.