The show will be all over this time in two weeks but thought I would start an airshow thread and post a few photos in the days leading up and then we could upload a heap of photos here once the show is over.

Jim Rankin is seen here leading a flight of four Fokkers to Omaka two days ago. Great to see these aircraft back at Classic Fighters.

Would make an interesting flight...wonder if they flew in formation all the way?

They didn't fly this close the whole way, takes quite a bit of concentration but they got nice and close for a few photos.

This aircraft headed to Omaka on the same day as quite interesting to fly with only 5 aircraft but 15 wings all up.

No.12 groups 'Leigh Mallory,s' Big Wing concept ooophs wrong war

The gear went up and down this evening, very cool
Video to follow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6-EkTTNt8k

Thanx Gavin , Think i,ll watch my FW190 video again tonight ... Gav , one wicked photo half the way through its cycle

Last picture this evening shows the P-40C at Ardmore as seen yesterday, the team are doing all they can to get the aircraft ready for Classic Fighters, and hopefully they make it in time.





Was great to see, Jay needed to visually check that some systems were working so I got to sit in the cockpit and operate, gear, flap, engine systems etc which was pretty cool.

Friggen Wicked .. Man on the spot

Awesome. Can't wait to see an FW190 flying, I really hope they make it in time. Thanks Gavin

The work continues

Check this out, she ran for the first time today with Jay at the controls.
Was F****** AWESOME.



And a short video showing the first minute at start up.

http://youtu.be/DkFpMipd-7A

Awesome!

Very nice pic too!

THATS FOCKE AWESOME with an '0' in the middle off 19 .. love you followed up on this Gavin for us all , she will be flying for the weekend great effort from the guys at home base

woahhh!....those undercariage legs look spindly..

Awesome!!

The guys at Ardmore and Omaka are working so hard to get the FW-190, Tomahawk and Strikemaster ready in time for Classic Fighters.
When the Tomahawk shut its engine down on Friday night the sound of a Strikemaster could be heard in the distance.

The guys look tired, but are soldiering on, thanks guys we appreicate your efforts and hopefully it all works out.

Tomahawk engine run:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJneTHjiHK4

Warren running up the engine:



Strikemaster as seen on Friday, was running its engine later in that day, hopefully the engine testing went well.

Seems unbelieveable that they are so close to the show date and still not ready. But best of luck to them, my fingers are crossed. Thanks for these updates Gavin. I really hope to see them flying. Especially strikemaster and FW190!

NZFF Mind meld required , done a fantastic job so far , wicked shots Gav

NEWS FLASH: From what we hear, this aircraft has just flown AWESOME!!!

Great to hear that it is flying! What P-40 is that?

It is a P-40C, one of only three flying on the planet

Heard something fly over ChCh today, must have been about 1pm. Sounded like the Mustang or P40, ran outside to see but all I saw was a bit of shadow dissapearing into the cloud....it was defenitely flying low that's for sure.

Hell s Bells and she looks brand new , week so later is going to make this one hell of a Show

Only 5 sleeps to go

Better pack the thermals!!!

Pete

See ya there Pete , going to be a great BQ

You may not be too wrong - nice dusting of snow on the hills around Marlborough today !! Hopefully come Sat/Sun the sun will be shining - forescast is sun and 20 deg - thats more like it.

Sweet.

I'm shooting some aerial photos down at Wairau Valley (where we are staying) with my new Tricopter so some nice weather, snow on the peaks would be good

Click to view attachment

Video of it flying here...

Cripes ... i saw something like that in a recent Terminator movie

Not being one to start rumours... but have you heard about the recent ufo sightings in Taranaki and the Waikato?

wazznt me...

So your the one .. no wonder Project 51 is out the window

Nah... wazzn't me. Not thank weekend anyway...

Simon arriving low and fast at Omaka today.



Our good friend Doug arrived at Omaka today, great to see him and his beautiful Spitfire.



FW-190 during a high power run, sounded awesome and the ground was shaking, check the video link below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8bxYc5xVT8Y



Kittyhawk ZK-CAG, six Harvards, the 108 and a few other arrived today as well, was a hive of activity.

Great shots Gavin... ...i dont mind THAT kind of ground shaking.

Make two Doug,s one in a Spitty and another on NZFF ,One had the mic on when the mini muzzy flew in , love that FW190

I'm getting exited! We are heading up there tomorrow. It is a remarkable range of aircraft too.

Hope to see you there , maybe at Saturday lunch snack at Doug,s place least around the Barbie

The FW-190 flies !! Just cruised past our house just a few moments ago. Awesome !!

Oh .. Bloody Wicked , Thanx Deane .. NZFF mind meld really dose work

Have also heard the Strikemaster flew at Ardmore today also.

Awesome! Well done to all involved getting them airborne

Yes, I can confirm first-hand that the Strikemaster did indeed fly today at Ardmore - here are a couple of photos, please excuse the low quality as I was shooting directly into the afternoon sun.

FK .. lunch on Saturday at the appointed spot .. was going to say Spit .. i guess then

Awesome Photo's FK thanks for posting them

The Tomahawk is seen here following another successful test flight at Ardmore today.
All going well it will wing its way to Omaka tomorrow, this is a beautiful aircraft and you will be amazed at how good it looks.



Trusty old Nanchang alongside todays Air 2 Air subject at Ardmore near Auckland. Might be a while before photos from the flight are shown here but the Tomahawk is an amazing aircraft. Warren and his team are miracle workers.




Was great to see the Strikemaster up and about, well done guys.

Be looking forward to see Tomahawk A2As from your trusty stead Nanchang

This airshow is going to be amazing. I can't wait!

Great pictures you have on here guys!

Hi guys have had my phone line cut and looks like a pack of amateurs have tried to fix it got phone back but no internet so will be off line until get it fixed using some one eases comp from down the road just to get this message on hopefully be back latter today when these armature phone fixers get it sorted
BLOODY FRUSTRATING

I'm sure they must get it fixed pre airshow , many would need the connection .

An air force spokeswoman said the RNZAF Red Checkers flying team would not be performing at the show because one of the pilots was ill.

http://www.stuff.co.nz/marlborough-express...its-test-flight