An Aussie's travels to air shows, aviation museums and more around the world
Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival 2019
Wouldn’t you know it but after weeks of relatively dry days, the weather god’s decided to play some fun and games with storm fronts all over New Zealand right on the weekend of the Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival 2019 at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton (February 22nd to 24th)! Heavy rains were predicted and rain did indeed fall all over the country but fortunately it did not disrupt the Friday practice session and only impacted on the Saturday air show by delaying the night show.
Grey skies, moody clouds, bursts of sunlight and sometimes blue skies were the order of each day except Sunday. Unfortunately the rain did mean the Sunday air show was cancelled for safety reasons. Two years ago all three days of this biannual show were completely cancelled due to torrential rain (the last time I went to the air show was in 2013, when it was held in January, so perhaps it’s time to go back to January dates?)!
Bad weather around the country and the threat of impending heavy rain also sadly kept many of the scheduled World War Two era warbirds from attending. The exceptions were the Reno racing Yakovlev Yak-3 “Full Noise” (No. 35) and the New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (Canso) flying boat, both of which flew each day, even in pouring rain!
Graeme Frew takes his Yakovlev Yak-3 “Full Noise” out for a run at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Yakovlev Yak-3 “Full Noise” at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019The New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (Canso) World War Two era amphibious flying boat comes in for a low pass in some rare sunshine at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019.New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (Canso)The New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (Canso) World War Two era amphibious flying boat comes in for a pass along the crowd line at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 with the wingtip stabilising floats downThe New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (Canso) with the wingtip stabilising floats downThe New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (Canso) touches down at Hood AerodromeThe New Zealand Catalina Preservation Society Consolidated PBY-5A Catalina (Canso)
Another big disappointment for show organisers and attendees was the cancellation of the debut in New Zealand of a USAF Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bomber which was to open the Saturday air show with a 2pm flypast whilst on the way from Guam to Australia. Unfortunately something happened to the aircraft and it ended up grounded in Australia! Luckily the RNZAF stepped in and sent a Lockheed P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft to help fill the void.
Moody skies – RNZAF Lockheed P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft at Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival 2019 Saturday air showRNZAF Lockheed P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft coming in low for a pass with the gear down at Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival 2019 Saturday air showRNZAF Lockheed P-3K2 Orion maritime patrol aircraft at Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival 2019 Saturday air show
The RNZAF were a major highlight of the show, with spirited displays also flown by the crews of a NHIndustries NH90 utility transport helicopter, AugustaWestland AW-109 light utility helicopter, Kaman SH-2G(I) Seasprite naval helicopter and Beechcraft T-6C Texan II training aircraft. A Lockheed C-130H Hercules was also involved in dropping the RNZAF parachute display team “Kiwi Blue” during the day and a high up, huge flare burst during the night show. The New Zealand Air Force and Army also had numerous ground displays to check out.
RNZAF NHIndustries NH90 utility transport helicopter at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019RNZAF NHIndustries NH90 utility transport helicopter at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019RNZAF AugustaWestland AW-109 light utility helicopter lifts off at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019RNZAF NHIndustries NH90 utility transport helicopter and AugustaWestland AW-109 light utility helicopter at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019RNZAF NHIndustries NH90 utility transport helicopter and AugustaWestland AW-109 light utility helicopter at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019RNZAF NHIndustries NH90 utility transport helicopter with special forces on boardRNZAF Kaman SH2G(I) Seasprite – the type is operated off Royal New Zealand Navy shipsRNZAF Kaman SH2G(I) Seasprite comes in to land near the crowdThe RNZAF Kaman SH2G(I) Seasprite was displayed in armed and unarmed configurations over the two days of the air festivalRNZAF Beechcraft T-6C Texan II training aircraftRNZAF Beechcraft T-6C Texan II training aircraft in an appropriate all black livery (provides good visibility of the aircraft in both bright and dull light days) on the runway at Hood Aerodrome during Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Kiwi Blue RNZAF Parachute Display Team
Some Cold War era jet noise was on hand too. This was provided by an ex-RNZAF BAC 167 Strikemaster (Friday) and an ex-Swiss de Havilland Venom in RNZAF markings (Saturday).
Ex-RNZAF BAC 167 Strikemaster (NZ6372) at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Ex-RNZAF BAC 167 Strikemaster takes off from Hood Aerodrome at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Ex-RNZAF BAC 167 Strikemaster at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019de Havilland DH.112 Venom jet fighterde Havilland DH.112 Venom – Although in RNZAF markings, this is an ex-Swiss Air Force example
The jets were joined by locally based helicopter operators, agricultural aircraft, 2/3 to 3/4 sized kit build Spitfire and P-51 Mustang mini replicas, sailplanes, remote control aircraft clubs, the Red Star formation display team flying nine Yakovlev Yak-52 trainers and most importantly, numerous World War One original, reproduction and replica aircraft from the world-renown The Vintage Aviator Collection (The Vintage Aviation Ltd. or TVAL) – fantastic stuff! There were also plenty of military, vintage, classic and custom vehicles for people to enjoy too.
Schweizer 300 light helicopter comes in to land at Hood Aerodrome during the practice day of Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Minis – a racing Mini Cooper and a 3/4 replica kit build Spitfire in the background at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019The Vintage Aviator Ltd. call Hood Aerodrome in Masterton, New Zealand homeThe Vintage Aviator Collection LVG C.VI reconnaissance bomber at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (reproduction)The Vintage Aviator Collection LVG C.VI “Mia” at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (reproduction)The Vintage Aviator Collection Albatros D.II scout at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (reproduction)The Vintage Aviator Collection Albatros D.Va scout outside the TVAL hangar at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (reproduction)This particular TVAL Albatros D.Va scout had some interesting art work – Wings Over Wairarapa 2019The Vintage Aviator Collection Albatros D.Va scout at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (reproduction)The Vintage Aviator Collection Fokker DR.I Driedecker scout at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (replica)Avro 504K two-seat training aircraft on static display at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (Saturday)TVAL de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk and de Havilland DH.82 Tiger Moth trainers at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019A Sailplane takes off under its own powerRed Star formation display team Yakovlev Yak-52 trainers at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Yak Tails! There always has to be one odd one out!Yakovlev Yak-52 in take-off at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Yak-52 “Aerospresso”Red Star formation display team flying nine Yakovlev Yak-52 trainers at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Red Star formation display team flying nine Yakovlev Yak-52 trainers at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Mini Spits – Supermarine Spitfire kit build replicas not quite to scale!Mini SpitfireMini Mustang – kit build replica also not to scaleHelicopter firefighting demo Wings Over Wairarapa 2019
Hood Aerodrome was abuzz with TVAL Airco, Albatros, Bristol, Fokker, Royal Aircraft Factory and Sopwith aircraft taking to the sky in large numbers for dog fights and formation flying. They would often take off and land from the grass strip right near the crowd line and flew a number of times each day, with different combinations of aircraft each time, which was great!
TVAL Albatros D.II at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019The Vintage Aviator Collection Green Albatros D.Va scout in flight at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (reproduction)Albatros D.Va scout fighter as operated by the Imperial German Air ServiceThe Vintage Aviator Collection Sopwith Camel scout at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (reproduction)The Vintage Aviator Collection Fokker DR.I Driedecker scout at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 (replica)Sopwith Triplane scout fighterOne of three TVAL Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a scout fighters at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a scout fighters were operated by the Royal Flying Corps and Australian Flying Corps during World War OneTVAL SE.5a – Wings Over Wairarapa 2019TVAL SE.5a pilot taxiing by at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019TVAL Fokker D.VII replica – the original was one of the finest fighters flown by Germany in World War OneOld foes – A Fokker D.VII passes a Sopwith CamelRoyal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber aircraft aka the “Harry Tate”Royal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 observer/rear gunnerKnights of the sky!Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a scout fightersFokker DR.I DriedeckerRecreating World War One history – The Vintage Aviation Collection Imperial German Air Service reproduction Albatros D.II and D.Va scout fighters in formation at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Albatros prey…The Vintage Aviator Collection WW1 actionKnights of the skyRoyal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c “St. Catherine’s Ontario”Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2c with a new build RAF 1A air-cooled V8 engine at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019An original Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2f (Serial No. A1325) restored to airworthiness by The Vintage Aviator Ltd. with an original RAF1A V8 engineAn original Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2f (Serial No. A1325) restored to flight by The Vintage Aviator Ltd. At Hood Aerodrome in Masterton New ZealandAlbatros D.II scout fighter reproductionRoyal Aircraft Factory R.E.8 two-seat biplane reconnaissance and bomber aircraft aka the “Harry Tate” at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019 on a twighlight flightRoyal Aircraft Factory SE.5a scout fighter takes off for a twighlight flightAnother SE.5a twighlight flightRoyal Aircraft Factory SE.5a scout fighter takes off for a twighlight flightTVAL Sopwith Snipe reproductionThe Sopwith Snipe in flight at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Bristol F.2B Fighter two-seat biplane fighter and reconnaissance aircraftFokker DR.I Driedecker and Bristol F.2BA new aircraft in The Vintage Aviator Collection is this Airco DH.4 in USAAS markings at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019A new aircraft in The Vintage Aviator Collection is this Airco DH.4 in USAAS markings at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019TVAL Airco DH.4 with a Sopwith Triplane and Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a escort at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019Sopwith Triplane “Black Maria” in Royal Naval Air Service markingsTVAL Albatros D.VaBristol F.2B Fighter with a pair of Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a scout fightersTVAL Royal Aircraft Factory SE.5a scout fightersRoyal Aircraft Factory B.E.2f – an original aircraft restoration by TVAL
Following a huge downpour lasting about 30 minutes which sent people scurrying for cover under marquees or wherever they could find shelter (and most stayed at the aerodrome), the Saturday night show kicked off with a sound and light show, and included a pair of sailplanes with colourful LED lights and wingtip pyrotechnic dispensers. This was followed by a huge finale of ground launched fireworks!
UK Airborne Pyrotechnics sailplane team flew during both the day and night shows at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019My attempt to capture the UK Airborne Pyrotechnics sailplane team night show at Wings Over Wairarapa 2019
The weather did it’s threatening best but held off enough to give us two entertaining days of flying and even with many aircraft withdrawing from the show, the organizers and performers are to be commended for going on with it and making the best of a tricky situation also where else are you going to see so many amazing TVAL World War One era aircraft? Hood Aerodrome was the place to be!
Guiding the TVAL Albatros D.Va back home at Hood Aerodrome
Looks to have been an awesome event… I never got there. It was raining with gusty winds where I was on the Saturday and I wasn’t prepared to wrestle through the traffic into the Wairarapa only to discover the displays had been cancelled by weather. In hindsight I should have gone… (sigh)… I’ve been hanging out to see the Catalina, in particular, and the WW1 collection. Thanks for sharing – what a wonderful experience it must have been! The Strikemaster, incidentally, was in the air again a week later – it overflew Wellington, heading south.
Yeah, I’m sorry I missed it. What mainly deterred me was the likelihood of stupidly dense traffic on the Remutaka hill road from Wellington, probably involving a few drivers doing idiotic things in slick driving conditions – it’s a ridiculously bad road for the volume of traffic it gets. I’ve done that crossing sitting in traffic flows moving at 15-20 km/h before, in terrible weather, watching idiots overtaking on blind corners with a 200 metre drop off if they crash, and these days try to avoid getting tangled up in that. But there will be other air shows (and the WW1 collection won’t go away!) 🙂
A simply wonderful range of aircraft. I think that if you had had better light, you could probably have refilmed “The Blue Max”
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it’s a grand collection – Their D.VII is actually from that movie too!
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Fabulous photos (as usual) Thanks for making us feel that we were there!
The mini Mustang and Spit look interesting – where do they originate?
Colin
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Thanks Colin. This is one of the companies in the UK http://www.supermarineaircraft.com/#./%20
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I think the Mustang would be a Titan T-51
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A great collection of aircraft there, and it looked liked a great show despite the setbacks!
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Looks to have been an awesome event… I never got there. It was raining with gusty winds where I was on the Saturday and I wasn’t prepared to wrestle through the traffic into the Wairarapa only to discover the displays had been cancelled by weather. In hindsight I should have gone… (sigh)… I’ve been hanging out to see the Catalina, in particular, and the WW1 collection. Thanks for sharing – what a wonderful experience it must have been! The Strikemaster, incidentally, was in the air again a week later – it overflew Wellington, heading south.
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it was a great event despite the weather impact – you would not have been alone in not going due to the weather!
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Yeah, I’m sorry I missed it. What mainly deterred me was the likelihood of stupidly dense traffic on the Remutaka hill road from Wellington, probably involving a few drivers doing idiotic things in slick driving conditions – it’s a ridiculously bad road for the volume of traffic it gets. I’ve done that crossing sitting in traffic flows moving at 15-20 km/h before, in terrible weather, watching idiots overtaking on blind corners with a 200 metre drop off if they crash, and these days try to avoid getting tangled up in that. But there will be other air shows (and the WW1 collection won’t go away!) 🙂
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Terrifying! Yes you live in a fortunate place, being so close to such an impressive collection!
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