Issue No.21 AUSTRALIAN MODEL NEWS Special issue featuring CLASSIC FIGHTERS Omaka 2013 May 2013 Contents 3. CLASSIC FIGHTERS From the Editor OMAKA 2013 26. OMAKA AVIATION HERITAGE On returning from my second visit to Omaka I sat CENTRE down at the computer to start work on the next newsletter. It was my intention to make a feature of the Airshow together with the usual coverage of model events but, with more than 1100 photo- graphs to select from, it quickly became apparent that the June issue would be extremely large and require a lot of download time. At this point I decided to put together a special May issue covering only the Omaka Airshow and keep the modelling news for the June issue. With additional photos from Brett Reaby and David Anderson I have tried to show as much of the event as possible and I hope that everyone enjoys my pictorial presentation. Once again I recommend that anyone with an inter- est in aviation, particularly WWI aircraft, should make the effort and travel to New Zealand in 2015 as this is an event that should not be missed. John Lamont. This newsletter is published bi-monthly to feature scale model building and flying together with other modelling events in Australia. Contributing material and requests for inclusion on the distribution list may be forwarded to — John Lamont Unit 5, 1326 Main Road, Eltham, 3095 Ph: 03 9431 0044 E-mail: [email protected] On the Cover. Seven Fokker Dr.1’s of Jasta 11 take to the sky over Omaka. (One little Fokker was dragging his feet and had to be dropped from the cover picture) page 2 Australian Model News Picton sits at the top of Queen Charlotte Sound surrounded by mountains on three sides and with the deep water of the Sound right up to the doorstep. After thoroughly enjoying the stunning Classic Fighters event in 2011 I suggested to David and Isabelle Anderson that we might attend again this year, joining Bruce Hearn and his family who had also decided to return for a second time. Further discussions convinced Barrie Reaby that he should come, together with his son Brett, Brett’s wife Jo and their son Luke. Tony Farnan of Model Engines had also expressed The early risers of our group at breakfast. Tony seems to be making a point. interest so, together with Ian Lamont, we had a party of thirteen travel- ling from Oz. Blenheim is also home to one of New Zealand’s greatest treasures, Easter was a month earlier this time so we had high hopes of fine the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre which showcases WWI aircraft weather for our short stay. Friday was windy and kept the WWI aircraft in scenes created by Wingnut Films and Weta Workshop, the set on the ground but Saturday was perfect with sunshine and a light creators for the Lord of The Rings films. breeze allowing the full programme to be presented. The Omaka aerodrome, adjacent to the Aviation Heritage Centre, is A little light rain and low cloud at Picton on Sunday morning seemed to the site for the Classic Fighters Airshow, held every second year threaten that day’s flying but on arrival at Omaka the sky cleared and over three days of Easter and alternating with the Warbirds Over we again had an excellent display, culminating in some extraordinary Wanaka event. pyrotechnics. The Airshow. The Marlborough Region of New Zealand. Having seen the event in 2011 there were few surprises, (at least not Long known for the stunning Marlborough Sounds and famous sauvi- until the big finale on Sunday), but it’s hard to tire of the sight of the gnon blanc, Marlborough is a region of beauty, where water, wine and various aircraft performing their routines close-in and very low. Some wilderness combine to create a relaxing escape. are slow, some are very fast, and all are flown with plenty of flair. The WWI aircraft potter around at low speed making tight turns in The Marlborough Sounds is a recreational haven, with winding water- their simulated dogfights while the WWII aircraft display their aero- ways, sheltered bays and native forest. batic capability at high speed and with lots of noise. At the centre of Marlborough is the Blenheim, Renwick and Wairau To sit in the grandstand as a Corsair, Spitfire, Yak or Mustang rips region renowned for its vineyards, culinary experiences, art, gardens around from behind the stand, hurtles down the flight line in a near and heritage. Blenheim, Marlborough’s main centre, is a great base for vertical bank, and climbs away to a couple of thousand feet in the exploring and indulging in the leisure and lifestyle attractions of the blink of an eye makes the trip across the Tasman well worthwhile. region. It’s hard to describe the atmosphere created by these magnificent North of Blenheim is Picton, the seaport gateway to the Marlborough aircraft and the final flypast on Sunday, with twenty nine aeroplanes region and the entry point for the inter-island ferry services. flying in formation, is a sight to behold. The Aeroplanes Australian Model News page 3 CAMS are making a batch of five Gnome rotary engines. Priced at $50,000 each they’ll probably sell like hotcakes. Crankcase halves are milled from a solid block. This Nieuport 11 owned by Airshow organiser, Graham Orphan, is powered by an Australian Rotec radial engine. The Avro Anson passes in front of the French chateau as it taxis down the flight line. That’s a big lump of wood on the Gnome rotary in the Sopwith Camel and a nice piece of wood carving. The Fokker Dr.1’s of Jasta 11 lined up for the Dawn Patrol. Morning tea time in the Gold Pass marquee. The RNZAF Kiwi Blue parachute team Reaby photo. Brett page 4 Australian Model News A significant part of the display is the re-enactment of ground fighting of The German troops had some superior weaponry WWI and WWII. This year it was the Pacific War on Saturday and the which was put to good use in the battle re- enactments. Battle for Berlin on Sunday. Troops dressed in American, British, Japa- nese and German uniforms fought it out with small arms, cannons and tanks, with support from the aircraft constantly circling overhead. The Germans seemed to have superior weaponry but were overwhelmed in the air and, as usual, lost again. It’s all rather anachronous but never- theless entertaining. A German staff car with the Red Baron in the background. The Allied WWI tank was greatly outclassed. CHARGE! The pyrotechnics were startling and spectacular. Cannons to the right of them, cannons to the left of them. Allied troops move in to capture the pilot of a downed Fokker triplane. Gen. George S. Patton, sporting his ivory handled pistols, arrived in a Piper L4. Australian Model News page 5 Bristol F.2 Fighter page 6 Australian Model News Airco DH.5 Australian Model News page 7 Sopwith Camel page 8 Australian Model News Sopwith Triplane Australian Model News page 9 Fokker Dr.I page 10 Australian Model News Fokker D.VII Australian Model News page 11 Avro Anson page 12 Australian Model News Focke Wulf Fw 190A-8 Australian Model News page 13 Vought FG-1 Corsair page 14 Australian Model News Spitfire IX and TR9 Australian Model News page 15 Yak 52 Aerobatic Team page 16 Australian Model News RNZAF Red Checkers Australian Model News page 17 Yakovlev Yak-3 page 18 Australian Model News Brett Reaby photo. N.A. P-51 Mustang David Anderson photo. Brett Reaby photo. Australian Model News page 19 Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk page 20 Australian Model News D.H.C-2 Beaver D.H.83 Fox Moth De Havilland D.H.84 Dragon D.H. 82 Tiger Moth D.H.60 Gipsy Moth Australian Model News page 21 Bachem Ba349 Natter Under heavy attack by Allied fighters and dive bombers the German forces strove to get their Bachem Natter rocket plane airborne. Their efforts proved to be in vain as the Natter met its end in spectacular fashion. page 22 Australian Model News Classic fighters is primarily about WWI aeroplanes and that’s what most enthusiasts come to see. WWII aircraft are also displayed and I have endeavoured to show these heavier and faster aircraft and the slower WWI aircraft as they appeared in their routines. There were many other aircraft displayed and these are shown on the next few pages with a reduced coverage of only one or two pictures. This does not mean that they were not worthy of consideration as the glider demonstration, in particular, was an elegant performance and attracted the full attention of the spectators. It’s just that I couldn’t cover everything in depth without producing a very large publication, with the consequent problem of the large file needing a long download time. The glider display was silent and graceful as the pilot demonstrated the use of controlled energy management throughout his aerobatic display. This Messerschmitt Bf108 posed as a Me109 in the flying display. Fitted with a flat four engine in place of the original Argus or Hirth it has a rather unique nose shape but its wartime paint scheme suited the occasion. David Anderson photo. The recently completed restoration of this Beech G17S Staggerwing provided an opportunity to admire this classic aircraft from the 1930’s. The owners were appro- priately dressed for the period. With that VH registration we will presumably see it in Australia in the future.