April 2019

Vol No. 54

THE M.A.C. FLYER

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MARLBOROUGH AERO CLUB INC.

P.O. Box 73, Blenheim, 7240 Tel: (03) 578 5073 Email: [email protected] www.marlboroughaeroclub.co.nz M.A.C. Marlborough Aero Club

PATRON PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT John Sinclair Alistair Matthews Scott Madsen Ph: 03 578 7110 Ph: 027 428 7863 Ph: 027 453 9348

HON. TREASURER SECRETARY Corrie Pickering Raylene Wadsworth Ph: 027 570 4881 Ph: 03 578 5073

COMMITTEE Mike Rutherford, Grant Jolley, Marty Nicoll, Victoria Lewis, John Hutchison, Jonathon Large

CHIEF FLYING INSTRUCTOR CLUB CAPTAIN Sharn Davies Ben Morris Ph: 03 578 5073 Ph: 027 940 3235

Check out our new website – www.jemaviation.co.nz Annual Inspections, ARA / BRA’s, repairs, modifications and rebuilds – we can handle it all! Ph. (03) 578 3063 Mob. 021 504 048 Email [email protected]

Hangar 22b, Aviation Heritage Centre Airpark, , Blenheim, NZ

2

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

Fresh from the monthly committee meeting last week which was fairly straight forward. We have seen the provisional end of year results which are now being audited and put in to the usual annual report. While an overall loss is indicated there have been a number of high expenditure items this year but that sets us up for the next 10+ years. I will make further comment when the full report is out. The club is still in a healthy position and keeps it’s good name out there as was evidenced by the complimentary comments from recent air show participants.

Talking of which , many thanks to all who put their hand up and helped in many different ways and to all club members for working in with the restrictions and some inconvenience. The organisers consider the show a success despite the cancelation of the Sunday show. We did have one complaint from the public about noise, some early morning activity on the Friday, but we would not have an air show without some noise so we have to be constantly mind full of how we manage it, hence our Noise Management Plan.

On the financial side our bar was well patronised and good profits made along with the BBQ food provided but all giving good value for money. Just note Barman John’s article on a price rise which is probably well over due.

Also note Grant’s article on some minor repairs to the airfield which is at no cost to the club, as per our ‘use of’ agreement with Classic Fighters.

You may have noticed that there are a few more aircraft coming in to Omaka, namely in the form of PC12’s. Sounds Aero are now doing all the maintenance on these aircraft and so the agreement with MAC has been updated in line with our usual business practises.

Ben Morris is now well into his work with MAC. It is good to see his cheery face around and facilitating members flying. If you are thinking of theory exams then Ben is the man to see and organise some classes. A good thing to do during the winter months along with some night flying.

3 Presidents Report Cont...

The club traditionally recognises various achievements in various ways. There has been no formal recognition of the ‘First Solo’ achievement on the actual day other than the hearty congratulations offered and the exultation of the candidate. We have commissioned the casting of a new badge in the same style as we have, and do use for other events. (the 90th Anniversary for instance). Colours are black and silver and look very smart and can be immediately worn on any outer garment. The instructor in charge will present this on the day so recipients will have something to show friends and family. Certificates will continue to be presented at the Wings Dinner as we have done in the past.

The AGM moves closer so continue to think about putting your name forward for any position on the committee. All places can be contested, and some will be vacated.

Finally,

to the following new members, have fun like we all do.

Kimberly Price (daughter of a well known helicopter operator)

David McGrath

Stephanie Govenlock

Bruce Govenlock

Hamish Reid

Daniel Francis (a paraglider, so a different form of aviation)

Fly safe,

Alistair

4

CFI REPORT

Not a lot to report on this newsletter. The clubs’ student numbers are ever increasing and currently sitting at just below 60. This is great news and is keeping the team very busy squeezing everyone in each week. It’s great to have Ben aboard to help manage the workload. We will be looking at starting evening theory classes soon. Details will follow via email in the coming weeks. Night Flying. If you are keen on night flying this year, then please get in touch with one of the instructors and we will put your name on the list. We will be starting night flying from the end of the month. Remedial ground works is under way on the airfield after Classic Fighters. You will note a large portion of the North East corner of the airfield is cordoned off with cones. We have spread 54 cubic metres of top soil and then reseeded the area. We need to allow the grass to take hold before using that area for movements. Please respect what we are trying to do and do not taxi or drive over the area. A NOTAM has been issued closing the area marked by cones. We have a new taxiway to runway 25 and 30 out from the Aero Club which bypasses the closed area. If you are unsure where to taxi please ask. That is all from me this month. I must get out flying! Sharn

5

1st Solo 1st

1st Solo Jonathon Sorensen 26 April 2019

PPL

PPL Alex Barbarich-Bacher 26 April 2019

6

OFFICE NEWS DUTY PILOTS WANTED: Anybody interested in being a Duty Pilot on a Saturday morning from 9 till 1pm or Saturday afternoon from 1pm till 5pm and Sunday from 9am till 1 pm or 1 pm till 5 pm. This is by no means an arduous job and you'll meet lots of like minded pilots, and of course visitors. please contact Mike Gray on 578 1435 or 0274 303 001 or [email protected]. You'll only be rostered on for 1 shift per month. Keep the dirty side down.

Thank you and regards Mike Gray

MAC Accommodation Find us on Facebook Pilot / RNZAC Member M.A.C Marlborough Aero Club

$120 / night Email: [email protected]

7

CLASSIC FIGHTERS AIRSHOW 2019—MAC DEBRIEF

Another Classic Fighters Airshow has been and gone hopefully making a reasonable return for the organisers considering the huge amount of effort that goes into this event both financially and the efforts of so many volunteers.

This year the committee decided to appoint an Airshow Liaison Officer (ALO) to be the point of contact between the CFCT and the club. This was to allow, where possible, our staff to carry on with their day to day tasks without the added distraction of having to make decisions on some areas such as the setting up. As with all things after this type of event, there is always something when sitting down and reviewing that you find what could of been done different or better.

Some Health and Safety issues but more particularly weather related issues of the 2017 show, in respect to airfield damage, were still in the back of our minds as the 2019 show approached us.

CFCT had from their side appointed one of our past presidents, Rex Newman, to be my point of contact. Rex, with his previous experience in assisting setting up a lot of the previous shows, was an excellent choice and had both the clubs and CFCT interests at heart and was a pleasure to work along side.

The weather played its part in the huge logistical challenge of setting up and for the first two days of the show, however as you will be aware the rain on Sunday curtailed the show around lunchtime. Airshow over, now comes the dismantling of props, stands, marquees and the removal of containers etc. by the many subcontractors along with an increased amount of heavy trucks onto now a sodden ground. The committee being pragmatic allowed the CFCT a few extra days to allow the ground to dry out and have everything removed to minimise any further ground damage.

8 Classic Fighters Airshow 2019—MAC Debrief Cont... A week later I met with a representative from Pynes Seeds to get expert advise on an appropriate seed mix and then with representatives of CFCT, along with Turf Professionals, to look at the restoration of any damaged areas. Per chance rain the previous day highlighted a lot of the hollows, mostly created from the 2017 Airshow.

In the first few days of May work began in earnest to bring in some 50+ cum of fresh soil, level and sow the seed. Looking at the initial results of what has been done I believe the CFCT has done an excellent job in returning the worn areas to a high standard. All we can hope for now is a little rain and a some warm weather to allow the seed mix to germinate.

Sharn has issued a NOTAM highlighting the coned off area and we hope our itinerant pilots read this to stop getting stuck!! Thank you to Findlater Construction for lending us the cones.

New taxiways are to be mown to bypass the coned areas but also to allow rejuvenation of the worn taxiway towards the threshold of Rwy 25.

Finally I would like to acknowledge the efforts of all the clubs volunteers and staff whether they were assisting the clubs efforts in manning our tent, office, bar and BBQ along with those who assisted CFCT. A tremendous effort by all concerned and something the Marlborough Aero Club should quite rightly be very proud of.

Grant Jolley

9

THANK YOU TO THE MAC TEAM

Dear Marlborough Aero Club Team

The whole team at NZ Warbirds would like pass on a huge thank you for hosting our Pilots, Ground Crew and supporters over Easter.

Everybody at M.A.C. was hugely supportive and friendly, too many people to name but special mention to Sharn for his quiet authority and advice re local weather and rules, and most definitely to Raylene for her welcoming friendliness, unbeatable knowledge, support and assistance of the ‘where, how’ and who to see, her knowledge was invaluable to us all. It makes life so much easier when you have that kind of support especially while we were all away from home.

The help we had with aircraft movements was exceptional, from refueling, pushing aircraft in and out of the hangar and crowd control support, but then again also when you were trying to regroup after a big weekend, helping out our weather bound stragglers for the few extra days, waiting for weather to clear.

Once again, please pass on our thanks to everyone, we really appreciated it.

Kind regards

Trish

Trish Reynolds General Manager Warbirds Association

10

YOUNG EAGLES

Well it may have rained on the Sunday of the Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow however that did not keep they Young Eagles away. Andrew Love from Canterbury who flies many different aircraft including a Pits Special in the Airshow kindly offered to meet with the YE’s and show them around some of the aircraft at the Show. This offer was extended to YE’s from Motueka, Canterbury, Kaikoura and Marlborough. There was a great turn out on the day even with the rain but in all accounts the day probably turned out to be even better. While waiting for Andrew to arrive (better late than never hehe) Brett Emeny the leader of the Yak52 team kindly gave up his time and had a chat with the YE’s. He has a life time of hard work, knowledge, skill and leadership. The YE’s listened with great interest to his story. Andrew finally turned up and introduced himself to the YE’s and also told them about his story. Totally different from Brett but with the same common dominator—a lot of hard work and passion for flying.

Brett Emeny talking with the YE’s

11 Young Eagles cont... The YE’s then headed off to the AirNZ tent before it was dismantled due to packing up, the team there welcomed the group with enthusiasm and knowledge and talked them through the process of becoming an airline pilot, and other careers you can have within AirNZ. I know many of the YE’s came out of that tent buzzing with excitement.

Graham Bethell showing off the Mustang

Back to the main MAC hangar all of the “big toys” had been tucked away with many of the pilots lingering around so they were very lucky to get to speak with some of the Warbird pilots and learn about the different aircraft. Above is Graham Bethell telling the YE’s about his Mustang, and his career. They were also very lucky to get up close and personal with the Kittyhawk and Spitfire. Andrew took the tour around other aircraft that were available eg the Pit, Tigermoths and anything else that was available at the time. The rain did not deter the great enthusiasm by the YE’s and parents.

12 Young Eagles cont...

The lucky YE’s who hung around till the end of the day—oh and Chris!

A few of the YE’s had such a great time they stayed until we “booted” them out! They were the lucky ones who got to actually sit in the Kittyhawk. Thank you Liz Needham for sorting this for us. A huge thank you goes out to Andrew Love for his time and enthusiasm and the pilots that took the time and spoke with our YE’s—who knows how many of them will be our future pilots.

13

CAMS NEWS—

On the morning of 14th April the locally based Sopwith Pup took to the skies for the first time with one of CAMS Gnome 100HP Rotary engines on the front. It sounded great and performed even better. The pilot (Wayne Tantrum) came back with a big grin and was very happy with how it handled. He reported back that the engine was very controllable, and he had a significant increase in speed from 70-80MPH to around 110MPH. Over Easter the Pup was flying in the Classic Fighters Airshow along side a , , BE2 and Scout. The engine ran extremely well throughout the weekend. We will be continuing to test the engine over the next couple of months, so you will get to enjoy more of those lovely rotary sounds and smell of castor oil for a bit longer yet. It was great to finally have one of CAMS engines flying in the skies over Marlborough, and we are sure this wont be the last. Thanks to Wayne for taking the time to help install the engine and doing the test flying, also to Murray Miers of Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection for allowing us to re-engine his Sopwith Pup for the airshow.

Tony keeping an eye on

Wayne Tantrum with the Sopwith Pup

14 CAMS news Sopwith Pup cont...

15 Airshow done and dusted.

Freighter looked great. This is mainly thanks to Jay at JEM Aviation for giving me the time off from my work in the busy Airshow week to completely repaint all the faded red on the Bristol, a big time consuming bastard of a job but had to be done and the results were good with positive comments from all directions. I, the Bristol team and the Marlborough Aero Club are indebted to Jay. On that note, if you see Jay at the Club Bar, shout him a beer!

Running out of daylight and Hire Pool wanting their Cherrypicker back I was having trouble masking due to wind getting up…..Then along came John, Barman John, at the right time. With his help, masking completed and paint finished.

16 Bristol news update...

We also at the last minute managed to get our Passenger capsule into the Bristol. You may have seen our old mate Owen Hughes beavering away in the MAC Hangar spending days refurbishing the capsule to ‘Operational Status’ after the “Old Blokes” working in the back of the hangar had stripped the inside out. Owen did a fantastic job which included installing lights and wiring them to original cabin light switches. Ian and Annie Pirie washed down the outside and spent a couple of days painting out hard to remove signs and stickers from its Comms Centre days. Bugger, no SAFE Air logos.....Chris Boyce from Lone Wolf Design to the rescue. In short time we had nice SAFE logo stickers for the capsule and applied by Marty before the capsule is installed. Bugger...Houston we have a problem.... No wheels....Tony Wytenburg and CAMS to the rescue. We managed to extract one wheel from a Cargon which gave Tony and his team a pattern to make the 10 wheels required. Bugger, we need to lift a 1000lb capsule to fit the wheels....Marlborough Helicopters to the rescue with their big forklift with long forks. Driven by Dan the forklift did a great job lifting while Marty, Gordy Mitchell and Dan installed the wheels. Then it was transported to the Bristol for installation.

17 Bristol news update...

Daylight beat us so next day saw Dan with the Marlborough Helicopters forklift again having another go at getting the capsule in. Bugger, it soon became apparent that we needed another forklift....Trevor TC Collins to the rescue with his forklift and Hayden O’Hara at the controls. While Marty was up the top of the fin in the cherry picker painting, Dan and Hayden managed to get the capsule into the with help from Al Marshall. Time to fit the seats now. Bugger, no seat rails (they are being professionally made) yet, improvise, Gordy to the rescue with nice lengths of wood. Drill a few holes using JEM Aviations hangar and hole saws so we can drop seats in....will be ok for the show. Result.....great work by a lot of people and airfield companies to achieve a unique result.

18 Bristol news update... Just off the Bristol subject I was called away to transform Ray Patchett’s Gyrocopter into a WW2 Luftwaffe Gyrocopter. Stickered up when Ray wasn’t there we were all eager to see/hear his reaction. To put it mildly and not repeat his words, he was stoked.

19 Bristol news update...

Time to move from the maintenance base by the Clubhouse to the Airshow Airside, able to move because The Hippy (Bruce Gibson) changed our tail wheel to a good one. Bugger, no tow vehicle….Mark O’Sullivan to the rescue. Easy exit to the airfield through the gates installed in the car park fence by Gordy Mitchell’s team and through the gap in the airside fence made especially for the Bristol by Rex Newman. On we went to chock the Bristol in its spot ready for the Airshow crowds. Speaking of chocks, we have wonderful new chocks made by Paul Radmall. They were primed and painted in JEM’s spray booth by Marty and stickered up to complete the job. Darkness fell and we had a well deserved beer or two.

Al had spent some time dealing to the engines to make sure they were good to go with help from Anthony Barnes so now it was time to top up the air system and give them a run, chock test, brake test, noise test and smile test, all good and deemed ready for our practice run later in the day. In the meantime our trusty Crew were sorting things at the Bristol site and interacting with the public. Graham Stewart, Anthony Barnes, Ross Cuff, Graham Orchard, Arron Patchett, Alistair Matthews, Chris Barton, Ian Pirie, Annie Pirie, Al Marshall and Marty Nicoll all had a hand in handing out our now world famous Classic Freighters and Future Bristol Pilot stickers to all who ventured inside the Bristol both young and old. Bugger, no seat for our Cabin Crew down the back….a quick call to Founders Park in Nelson and a deal was made with Sarah, the deal was I would get an ex Captain to pick it up and deliver it back. Quick call to Ian Pirie and job done. Many great contacts were made over the Airshow and one has turned up a full passenger capsule in Gisbourne which was on the cards to be disposed of. Needless to say we have expressed our interest and the future looks positive

20 Bristol news update...

Our Friday taxi runs went well with no problems and passenger capsule full. The best thing is when an old Veteran or engineer or pilot or someone that has travelled from overseas or someone who is really interested in the Freighter or a young one in awe of the size comes along, chats and next thing you know they are asked if they would like to go for a ride, the smiles and joy and sometimes tears say it all and make everyone’s efforts worthwhile. We had full loads every day, including an unaccompanied minor (his Grandmother had an inkling where he would be). Time for fireworks.

21 Bristol news update...

Saturday was a great day with plenty of visitors and a great taxi down the crowd line. We did our usual trick of stopping and getting our Cabin Cew (Aaron Patchett) picking a parent and child from the crowd and taking them to the Bristol where they are taken to the cockpit and dressed in Pilot’s Jackets get to wave to the crowd for the rest of the ride. We stop periodically to run up the engines and make some noise for the crowd. Great day done and time for a beer at the Clubhouse before our surprise. Al’s 737 Training Captain and ex Bristol Pilot Nick Gersteling visited so Al took the opportunity to reacquaint Nick with the start up. Nicks smile says it all.

Warrant Officer James Bennett from 3 Sqn RNZAF said the Bristol taxi ride was the highlight of his Airshow.

Al also put a young fella Hunter from Nelson who came specifically to see the Bristol in the cockpit for another engine run.

Bristol news update...

6pm and a few of us, Barnsey, Al, Aaron, Daz (77 Sqn RAAF F18 Pilot) and Marty crank up the Bristol and taxi it over to the Clubhouse to the amazement of the gathered patrons. The photos say it all.

23 Bristol news update...

Thanks for the photos from our old mate Geoff Soper

Sunday saw us attempt a taxi however due to a brake failure we had to abandon. Bugger, oh well we have 2 years to fix. Sadly due to inclement weather the Airshow was cancelled making our Bristol for the first time ever the Grand Finale of the Airshow.

So ended a successful week for the Bristol Freighter and Crews. Donations from entry to the Bristol amounted to $806.70.

Thanks again to all those people and businesses that pitched in and helped create wonderful memories for so many. Cheers, Marty Nicoll

Additionally we would like to acquire any of the following: Safe Air Uniforms. Hostess Uniforms....Union Airways, NAC, . Pilots Notes. Navigation equipment. Manuals. Equipment and parts. Engines. Passenger seats. Galley equipment.

Once again if you have any of these items you would like to donate to the Bristol please contact Marty on 0211 276 230

24 Bristol news update...

25

BRISTOL FREIGHTER HAPPENINGS (By Allan Graham)

HELPING TO CONTROL BLENHEIMS BIRTH RATE Through a period of Aviation history navigating into Woodbourne in adverse weather condition called on a Instrument approach system called NDB plus DME. Part of this system the NDB was located in the centre of Blenheim. The minimum altitude that an aircraft could descend to on this approach was below 1000 feet above the ground. If an aircraft on approach arrived at the NDB at the minimum altitude and there was no visual contact with the airport runway the mandatory procedure was to carry out a missed approach and proceed to another airport. Some of Safeair Bristol services arrived on approach in the small hours of the morning when the town was asleep. One of the instrument approaches which was called a NDB plus DME tracked to a missed approach point in the centre of town where the aircraft descending to a low altitude if not visual with the Woodbourne runway was required to carry out a missed approach this requiring application of full power to the two 2000 horse power Hercules engines in the Bristol it is a reasonable guess most residents of Blenheim were instantly wide awake. Guess it is conjecture what one would do with the rest of the night, it was rumoured this service had something to do with the Blenheim birth rate !!.

THE LAST ONE HOME CLOSES THE AIRPORT Local knowledge proved to be a very important of Pilots skills when operating into Woodbourne. In the very early days there was no NDB in the centre of town but there was one located near the Wairau Bar. Thus in adverse weather the instrument approach terminated at the Wairau Bar (which is about 10 kilometres from the Woodbourne Airport). Normally a missed approach should be initiated at this point but Safe Air pilots being local people new that providing you could see the ground following the Roses Overflow (being very careful at the power cable…..didn’t want to disconnect the ) continue with Budge Street slightly to the right (starboard) pass over the Post Office building, follow David Street and there in front of you was Woodbourne Airport. The airport normally closed after the last Safe air flight had landed.

26 Bristol Freighter happenings cont...

CLOSER TO GOD NEAR OHURA In the Bristol Freighter day’s the normal air route from Blenheim to Auckland was up the centre of the North Island. It was well known amongst Pilots that around Ohura (Centre of North Island) the weather could be severe particularly at the altitudes that Bristol’s operated. There was a night time service that left Woodbourne just before midnight. In those days the aircraft did not have any weather radar ( know fitted in all modern ) therefore there was no advanced indication (other than gut feeling) that we were flying into adverse CB (cumulonimbus storm clouds containing severe ice , rain , lightning and turbulence) conditions. When we flew into these “all hell could break loose” The rainfall would increase to a noise level that drowned out the engines and the torrents of water disappearing into the engine air intakes was unbelievable. (how did they keep operating) coupled with this the aircraft could be thrown up on one wing then immediately onto the other with associated really serious turbulence, further to this the air around the aircraft was so electrically charged that visually one could see eerie green electrical fields advancing down each wing to culminate with a flash in the cockpit. Many times the Pilots would look at each other and comment “I can here God talking to us saying I’ve got ya guy,s”

THE BRISTOL FINAL FORMATION Dec 14…… ZK_CAM

27

YEALANDS CLASSIC FIGHTERS OMAKA 2019

Phil Taylor photo

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS.....!

Well Classic Fighters Airshow for 2019 has been and gone. As with every year, the organising team made up of people from right across the Omaka Airfield community, kept a close eye on the weather leading up to the show. The main thing about the weather of course, is that you can't do anything about it, so you have to just carry on and deal the cards you're dealt. And so we did. Thankfully, unlike 2017 when we had dreadful conditions before the show, leading to significant surface damage (and a $60,000 earthworks bill) this year the weather came later, so we had great numbers through the gates on the Friday and Saturday, but just lost some custom on Sunday and had to close the show from the lunch break onwards. This Omaka Airfield community has run 10 airshows over the past 18 years and this is the first time we have had to cancel part of the flying programme, so the average is not too bad at all!

28 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Phil Taylor photo

A quick overview of proceedings should start with the Friday night 'twilight Extreme'. This was originally designed around the RNZAF's C-130 party trick of launching flares from the belly of the Herc, an image that has yet to be seen at Omaka despite over a decade of trying, so we have learned to become very creative! The newly introduced 'Beech 18 Drug Run' scenario created by James Orphan proved to be very popular with aerial elements provided by Ronan Harvey in the Beech and Owen 'Doddy' Dodson in the 'Policia' Bell 206 helicopter. Ground elements featuring the classic Chevrolet El Camino and an Impala vehicles corralled by Elliott Sutherland and driven by Elliott and 'drug baron' Dave Lochead, proved very popular, supported by military personnel provided by Rachael Climo and her group. For a first time outing, the tableau went very well, including the great Gypsy Kings music, setting the Latin-American scene. There had been no specific country in mind for this, just somewhere south of the USA border. We received great interest from the media and attracted huge laughter from the audience, thankfully no- one trying to be a 'spoiler' by taking it the wrong way in order to be 'offended'. This scenario took us some way into that not-flyable twilight arena so was greatly helpful.

29 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Night Witches

The next component was unexpected and proved an absolute triumph, in the form of the two, full-size, radio-controlled witches flying their broomsticks to the sounds of the 1972 Eagles hit song, 'Witchy Woman'. These were created for us by Alan Baker and Greg Trought with flying support by our favourite V-1 pilot, Andrew Palmer from ChCh. Once again the audience was enthralled by the remarkable spectacle presented for them in the half- light. The witches even featured leading edge lighting and scary illuminated eyes to ensure the children among us (of all ages) could experience that tinge of childhood nursery rhyme fear!

30 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Baz Tod photo

After landing, the witches were replaced along the crowd-line by Marty Nicoll and Al Marshall in the MAC Bristol Freighter, with its 'nostril-lights' shining brightly and illumination from other parts of the aircraft including the just- reinstalled passenger cabin. The Bristol had been the subject of regular working bees led by Marty over many Sundays leading up to the show so it has to be said, the old dear never looked better (talking about the Bristol - not the Marty!). This was a wonderful effort by all of those dedicated volunteers - great job all of you and especially Bristol pilot Al who put in so much effort to fettle the huge Bristol Hercules radial engines into submission! Finally, the airfield was handed over the Kelvin Holdaway who discharged a range of explosions leading up to the major finale, the spectacular 10 minute fireworks display that concluded the evening's entertainment. Once again we heard the comments from audience members from around the globe, that Classic Fighters had produced the best fireworks display they'd ever seen, anywhere in the world. We never tire of hearing this - well done Kelvin!

31 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Phil Taylor photo

Our theme this year was 'Women in Aviation' and what a rich resource to delve into when you consider how many fantastic, brave, clever and resourceful ladies have made their mark on aviation over the past century- plus. A great start to this salute was an aerial parade around town of over a dozen women flying a variety of aircraft from Jan Chisum's D.H.60G Gipsy Moth through to a range of modern types. It certainly made a great prelude to the show at the same time as telling the townsfolk that a great event was awakening!

Phil Taylor photo

32 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

One challenge we faced this year was a change in WW-I aircraft availability. We'd been aware from late 2018 that our WW-I participation was going to be noticeably reduced from previous years, as the TVAL organisation did not wish to commit to flying for the show this year. That was a body blow to us however a rallying of the troops saw several WW-I aircraft owned by a selection of individuals and groups who corralled their machines which, coupled with some excellent ground vehicles from the Top of the South (mostly from this airfield) brought together a pretty impressive WW-I display that we could all be proud of. An extra special participant was the CFFC Sopwith Pup now powered by a CAMS Gnome built right here on the field by Tony Wytenburg and his dedicated crew. What a treat to see this machine flying overhead our home-grown event with its homegrown powerplant! There was also the just test-flown Nieuport N.16 of long time members Brian Greenall and Eric Driver, joining Omaka's other active Nieuport from the Classic Wings hangar, joined by two machines from the New Zealand Warbirds Association. Add to these the amazing full-size A7V German tank built by a team led by Warren Davis, and you had quite a spectacle to view! The WW-I aerial sequences will be back to full strength in time for the 2021 show. If that shortage of WW-I equipment was going to be the biggest challenge we would face this year, then we'd be doing just fine.

Phil Taylor photo

33 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Some other great sequences included the Leonardo Pioneer Air Race with the three pre-WW-I aircraft, (two of which managed to get in some circuits on the Friday) along with veteran cars, penny farthings etc etc. An extra feature this year was the Pietenpol built by Bob Wagner of Wakefield. This primitive looking aircraft actually went very well and it brought an extra party trick in the form of an electronic 'claxon' horn with which pilot Ryan Southam sounded repeatedly to try to get past one of the Bleriots - both in the air and on the ground. This is always a fun and uniquely Omaka created sequence and the audience enjoy it every year.

Another period race paid tribute to the women in the USA who worked hard to create a race class of their own which became known as the Powder Puff Derby. This was set in the mid-1930s and featured Noel's Ryan STM; TC's Fairchild and the Hawley's Beech Staggerwing. What a gorgeous trio of a aerial art-deco excellence! It's great that we can look forward to seeing more aircraft from this era appearing around Omaka in the future as several cool creatures, seen on 'Restoration Row' this year, emerge as completed aircraft in the months and years ahead.

34 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Phil Taylor photo

This year we were spoilt for choice for world class aerobatics displays. We'd not featured the MX routine of Doug Brooker for a few years, this being a part of the Spitfire attendance package and provided some vigorous variety of aerobatics style that the more recent MXS offers. As mentioned, Pam Collings' 1978 Kiev routine was flown by Andy Love in Mo Tull's Pitts S1S, our own Noel Kruse flew routines in both the Pitts S2S 'PIG' and Ryan STM, wonderfully displayed to show the vastly different styles and capabilities associated with each of these machines. First footing for this year's show was Mark O'Sullivan in his well executed Harvard aerobatics display and from Nelson, a last minute substitute routine was flown by Mark Woodhouse in the Chipmunk, these not including the formation or military displays. Quite the variety of aerial gymnastics!

35 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Loise Thaden—Amelia Earhart—Ruth Nichols

For the tableau this Easter, we paid tribute to three of the lady pioneer racers from the 1930s, Amelia Earhart, Louise Thaden and Ruth Nichols, played on this occasion by Stephanie McIntyre, Tracey Hawley and MAC secretary Raylene Wadsworth, all of whom were paraded post-race in classic cars before being present garlands by Mayor John Leggett. This was a great fun piece of theatre that allowed us to highlight some aviation history, some great women, and show off some terrific classic aircraft.

36 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Phil Taylor photo

We had a little bit of fun with the WW-II sequences this year. This started with a tribute to the Night Witches, Russia's remarkable band of young women aviators who flew vintage style Polikarpov Po-2 across the lines at night to bomb small targets and at the same time, disturb the German troops whilst they were trying to rest. We'd created the tableau around the long overdue Po-2 which was to have been based at Omaka by now, for Stephen and Chrystal Witte. The restoration company insisted it would be done in time but the many months reduced to a single month, then weeks, then days with no delivery, so at the last minute, we impressed the resident Fleet 16B into service as a Po-2 and it flew the sequence with GMO in command, attacking a railway siding before being attacked itself by the Fw190, which in turn was repelled by the Yak-3. Quite an unusual sequence and one that benefitted from fantastic support by our amazing Props Teams. Lots of fun for the pilots and hopefully for the public as well, along with some useful educational component as always.

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GMO photo

Major highlight of the WW-II flying overall was the return to airworthiness of our resident Focke-Wulf Fw190A, owned by Murray Miers' 'Chariots of Fire Fighter Collection' which also owns the exquisite Spitfire Mk.XIVe, and which we are deeply privileged to have based right here at Omaka. These two icons of the skies have brought huge prestige to our humble wee patch so to see them both in the air together for the first time since the collection was formed was a special treat indeed. Huge thanks to Murray and also to Jay and the team from JEM Aviation for all their hard work bringing these machines to preparedness in time for the show, especially the Fw190 which had not flown since its ground loop accident four years ago. There is no question that this was a triumphant year for us all, to be able to present these significant machines at our homegrown show. Thanks also to Frank Parker and Liz Needham for flying these two icons, both of which represent a rare presence at any airfield anywhere in the world. To feature both, in action, here at Omaka is very special indeed!

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Phil Taylor photo

Another very special part of the WW-II sequence, and again an opportunity to give a nod to a specific lady aviator of the last century, was the launch of the 'Reichenberg', the name given to the manned version of the V-1 flying bomb. For this scenario, our resident flyable radio-controlled V-1 was modified by our dedicated rocket scientists Alan Baker and Greg Trought, to acquire a cockpit! The scenario featured the famous aviatrix Hanna Reitsch (played by Leah Newman, a staff member from the AHC who was the right physical stature to play Hanna - and also make sensational coffee!!!). Seeing the V-1 in the air, in any of its forms, remains an amazing thing to witness. I never tire of it and regret having to wait two years to see it again.

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Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Phil TaylorPhil photo

On this occasion, allied troops and vehicles approaching the launch site were attacked and repelled by the experimental Luftwaffe Flettner helicopter, an this occasion with Ray Patchett standing in in his suitably Luftwaffe marked gyrocopter. I think it is fair to say that just as all the seasoned old aviators around the field were surprised by the capabilities of the V-1 Reichenburg, so too were they blown away by the maneuverability and sheer manageability of the gyrocopter in the hands of a whirl-wizard like

Raza Patchett!!

Phil TaylorPhil photo

The main WW-II sequence was populated by the amazing spectacle of THREE Spitfires (Omaka being the only place in the southern hemisphere to host three Spitfires since the WW-II era - how special is that!?), plus the Fw190, P- 40N, Mustang and Yak-3, Anson, Avenger, Catalina and all those Harvards! So much aero-porn for such a small country! 40

Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Phil TaylorPhil photo

Without doubt the outstanding star of CF'19 was the RAAF 77 Sqn. FA-18 presence led by Sqn.Ldr. Jason 'Easty' Easthope, who was a former RNZAF A- 4 pilot. His display of the FA-18 within the confines of our 'Omaka amphitheatre', was unlike anything we have ever seen flying in this space before. The aircraft is so incredibly maneuverable that it simply ate the Omaka airspace with apparent gay abandon, powering its way through a variety of low-level gyrations despite the topographical constraints that we are all so aware of. Without doubt Easty and his team have made a life-long connection with this community and we will try hard to get them back in

2021.

Dave Dave Homewood photo

Visitors to the MAC main hangar during the Easter weekend will likely have been quite surprised by the number and range of exotic heritage aircraft being worked on here at Omaka. It certainly hints at the potential we have within the community to feature some great machines, favouring great scenarios etc., at future flying events. 41 Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2019 cont...

Matt Griffin photo

In the meantime, there is much work to do moving forwards to continue to grow the brand and bring more people from across the globe to attend future Classic Fighters shows. For now however, please, everyone of you in this remarkable airfield community, give yourself a pat on the back. The world has indeed beaten a path to our door, and they have left very well entertained and impressed with our little piece of paradise and what we do here. Well done everyone! Roll on 2021 - that will be our 20th anniversary airshow - certainly something to celebrate.

Onwards and upwards!

Cheers for now, Graham Orphan Chairman, CF'19

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DES NORMAN

I sadly wish to inform you that Des Norman passed away on Saturday 11th May 2019 at Blenheim. Des was a keen aviator gaining his private pilots licence in 1962 in New Plymouth, his commercial licence taken in 1966 and Instructor rating gained in 1968. Des flew commercially in the North Island and was a top dressing pilot for a period of time in the 1960’s. He continued his love for flying to the to Nelson, working at Nelson Aero Club in the late 1960’s and early ‘70’s as a commercial pilot and flying instructor. Des moved to the Marlborough area in the late 70’s and worked in Marlborough as the Traffic Education Officer for the Ministry of Transport.

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His love of lying continued through the years and he volunteered many hours at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre. Des is survived by his loving partner Gloria Marfell and daughters Fiona Smith & Rachel Brown and step children Jamie & Andrew Marfell and families. His Farewell Service will be held on Thursday 16th May at 2pm at the Church of the Nativity, Alfred Street, Blenheim.

Names for this photo from left to right: Toney Foley, Ash Haycock, Brice Nairn, Des Norman, Geoff Bell, Colin Bint, Peter Parano

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FLYING HOURS

Due to our current stock of pilot’s wings reducing to only 5 badges left, the Committee has decided to have the Wings badge restruck to Marlborough Aero Club’s original size and design to be issued for PPL’s, and a new badge for First Solo. These badges are depicted below, and we look forward to receiving them shortly.

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