2 January 2015
I am looking out my office window (the best view in town!!) straight on to Omaka airfield, on a stunning Marlborough afternoon.
Already the grandstand has taken shape and the volunteers have been busy hammering in fence posts and straining wire to create the public space on what is usually a huge open square of grass. The marquees have gone up and this view of mine is really transforming into a festival site.
The buzz is certainly building with aeroplanes arriving and teams working on putting the finishing touches to displays of all sorts, including pre-WW1 aircraft through to jets. I even glimpsed a ‘secret weapon’ lurking in the main hangar.
A Fokker Triplane is out there right now, undergoing a compass swing as part of its maintenance check. The sun is reflecting off the red wings with their black crosses edged in white, identifying this Fokker as the Red Baron’s. It will be one of eight that will take to the skies this Easter as part of the Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow.
Earlier today a Sopwith Pup and Nieuport 11 were flying overhead for a photo shoot, with a Tiger Moth as camera ship. I could hear the Pup’s Rotary engine well before I saw the aircraft, as it blipped on and off in that unnerving way those WW1 rotary engines have.
As well as display aircraft from the early 1900s through to the 1950s, Classic Fighters also attracts military vehicles, tanks, weapons and period dressed re-enactors, set to take part in the ground theatre scenarios. Several tanks arrived earlier this week in Picton on board the Bluebridge ferry with some re-enactors accompanying them – in full uniform of course! These guys are so committed to what they do, that they will be setting up a ‘living history’ encampment and staying in character for the duration of the show. That’s dedication!
Another type of re-enacting group will be joining us for the first time. They will be setting up a Victorian cycle camp and giving lessons in how to ride a Penny Farthing! We have invited them to Classic Fighters to be part of the Renaissance Pioneer Race. This will be the opening act on both main show days and will involve multiple forms of pre-WW1 transport. I am sure this will prove a favourite with the crowd, as there is plenty of room for mishap and comedy.
The growl of the WW2 fighters will soon dispel the Victorian romance and from then on there will be non-stop flying action, battle scenes and pyrotechnic. Which reminds me. You can’t miss the Friday night fireworks! And if we have another of these glorious golden late afternoons, the flying through until twilight will be just spectacular! I can’t wait.
Bluebridge is proud to be a principal sponsor of the event and supports it in a number of ways – including bringing Sir Peter Jackson’s private collection and other aircraft across Cook Strait. Talk about precious cargo!
Taking the Bluebridge ferry to Picton for Classic Fighters is all part of the fun.
This year’s event will kick off with a twilight show on Easter Friday (April 3). Saturday and Sunday are the main show days with over 70 aircraft, ground theatre, music, pyrotechnics, stalls, a kid’s zone and classic cars - and of course Marlborough wine and food. It all adds up to a major fundraising event for the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
At the event keep your eyes out for the Bluebridge tent where you can grab some great goodies and enter a special competition!
