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t is a bit hard to believe, but 2016 marked the 15th “run- One of the most important reasons for the airshow’s suc- ning” of the immensely popular Warbirds Over cess is the fact that the entire community supports the event. Airshow — a biennial event that takes place over Easter Also, there is a very strong volunteer base and when it comes Iweekend. is a magical place — with fantas- time over 300 volunteers arrive at the airfield to do every- tic landscapes, constantly changing weather, and warm thing from picking up trash to performing maintenance on friendly people. It is easy to understand why film director the Warbirds. Wanaka is located in what is called the Peter Jackson chose this country as the location for his inter- Southern Lakes District — a very popular tourist location so nationally acclaimed Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilo- international visitors to the airshow often extend their trip so gies of films. Of course, New Zealand is also home to Peter they can take advantage of this wonderful area. Jackson’s stunning collection of World War One aircraft. There is also a limited military presence at the show and I have had the good fortune to attend the majority of this year saw aircraft from the Royal New Zealand Air Warbirds Over Wanaka over the years and for me the main Force, Royal Australian Air Force, France’s Armee de l’Air, attraction, besides the obvious one of being able to photo- and the USAF, which brought in a mighty C-17 graph an eclectic selection of Warbirds, is the chance to meet Globemaster III transport. the many people involved in the event that I now call friends. The international “star” for 2016 was the Hispano Warbirds Over Wanaka was the brainchild of Sir Tim HA.1112-M1L Buchon that was shipped in from Duxford, Wallis — an incredibly successful businessman with a deep England. This particular aircraft is owned by Historic Flying love for the aircraft and history of the Second World War. Limited and is registered G-BWUE. The Buchon flew (as Known to everyone as Sir Tim, the veteran pilot began gather- G-AWHK) during the filming of the epic movie Battle of ing a world-class collection of restored Warbirds and developed Britain and once that was completed, it was put up for sale Wanaka as the location where they could be flown and dis- and acquired (along with many others) by Texan Wilson played to the public. Through his international connections, “Connie” Edwards and moved to his ranch in Texas where it he began inviting specific aircraft and pilots from other coun- was registered N9938. tries to attend the event. Such an operation is anything but The aircraft eventually gravitated to the Commemorative cheap, but visitors to each Wanaka event could be guaranteed Air Force and put in another screen appearance in the 2008 of seeing something new and unusual. Unfortunately, Sir Tom Cruise movie Valkyrie. Once returned to Britain, the Tim was gravely injured in the crash of his plane was restored by the Aircraft Restoration Company and Spitfire and he has never fully recovered. finished in the markings it wore during Battle of Fortunately, his enthusiasm Britain as Yellow 10. remains undamaged and he Supervising the disassembly, shipping, and remains the airshow’s reassembly was John Romain who is the owner of patron. Aircraft Restoration Company and an accom- plished pilot as well as restorer. John has flown around 100 types of aircraft and has 700-hrs alone on the Spitfire. Once assembled at Wanaka, the Buchon was test flown to make sure it was in prime shape for the event. For the flying aspect of the show, the Buchon was joined by a wonderful collection of aircraft that included a Mustang, Corsair, Anson, Kittyhawk, Harvard, C-47, Yak, Spitfire, Catalina, and numerous smaller his- Iconic formation of Kittyhawk and Corsair grace the toric machines as well as Wanaka landscape. a selection of Jet Warbirds. There are also aerobatics, re-enac- tors, parachute drops, lots of booth displays, and other acts that fill in between the Warbirds, but it is obvious that the Warbirds are what brings the spectators to Wanaka. The next Warbirds Over Wanaka is scheduled for 30 March-1 April 2018.

WE VISIT THE 15TH EDITION OF NEW ZEALAND’S TOP SHOW BY PHILIP MAKANA/GHOSTS

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