Good bye, Wigram

[Gonebush]

Next weekend (Feb 8), Wigram will host its valedictory airshow. Then a sea of anonymous housing will close over this historic airfield, obliterating it forever.

I posted the following message elsewhere in these forums, in response to Ian Warren's message on the same topic. But few of you may have found them.

[/quote]The imminent extinction of Wigram is more than a shame; it's unforgivable vandalism of NZ's aviation history.

NZ loses important elements of its soul when it paves over history like this. In this country, we're very good at destroying what it is that defines our identity. This deplorable habit explains our cultural shallowness.

Destroying Wigram is an impoverishing act of cultural desecration which ranks up there with concreting over pa sites, war graves or other signally iconic reminders of who we are as a people.

I hardly need mention ( I hope) the insult this act conveys to those Kiwis whose lives (and sacrifices) have been intimately connected with Wigram as the site of their air training or operations during last century's wars. Sure the RNZAF Museum preserves their memories, but the airfield itself speaks more compellingly and evocatively on their behalf.

How will tomorrow's Kiwis understand this, and their aviation heritage, when they look at the acres of mundane housing where Wigram used to be?

Euan
Christchurch

[Michael]

Why don't you guys hold a protest or something?

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE

protest or something[/quote]
Little to late for that should of been done along time ago

[Ian Warren]

In the last few days , we have had the P51 , a Catalina and the DC3 flying from Wigram , this is the last time we will see types like this stop in Christchurch or least trundle over the city . There go's what ever pride i had left in any sort of Government of New Zealand , there moto 'JUST SELL IT' .

I wonder what would happen if I moved to Wellington camped outside for as long as it took to pull the old Govt buildings down stone by stone , no hang on ! that wont incense then , NO - the idiots there have no brains , so I don't have to go that far , I ll set up camp in Christchurch city center , historic buildings .. Ba who needs em .

[greaneyr]

You're quite right guys. New Zealand does this a lot. I remember an article on the news years ago saying how they were destroying some of the houses on Rangitoto that had been built in the 1930s to replace with DOC buildings or some such. A brit was interviewed and he was damning it all, saying "I'm not sure why you New Zealanders seem intent on destroying your history. You don't have a lot of it, and what you do have you rip down."

If you ask me, it all links back to the flaws of capitalism and how if the population/economy/GDP/profit (choose one) isn't growing, it's not considered to be healthy. Look at the recession - it's such a 'negative' word and has such terrible consequences, yet by definition all a recession is is a situation where the economy shrinks for two successive quarters. It's hardly a major situation, but the world has become so dependent on growth that when it doesn't happen, everything crumbles. It's a hugely flawed model that assumes the size of the planet is infinite.

Wigram is being turned into housing, to provide more homes for a growing population to live in. It's all to do with growth, and it sucks.

[creator2003]

Wonder if the contractor/owners will even have money to build houses now we have none and everyone is holding onto there money or losing it , it will nodoubt be a empty lot costing them rates for awhile "bright sparks aye "

[Peppermint]

I think the last time I went to Wigram was when I was about 12 or 13, I'll have to try my hardest to get to this last one. Any lists of aircraft attending?

[ZKIWI]

QUOTE (Peppermint @ Jan 31 2009, 02:10 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I think the last time I went to Wigram was when I was about 12 or 13, I'll have to try my hardest to get to this last one. Any lists of aircraft attending?

For the Air Force side of things this is to be the biggest airshow commitment this year. Every aircraft type except the Tiger Moth will make an appearance in some form or another. The Hueys will do their usual role display and 2 ship formation display, Sioux Blue will be there, The Historic Flight Harvard is attending, P3 and C130 on static and display, The B757 WILL do a display but will be based at CHCH obviously, A King Air, Kiwi Blue parachute team, and of course the best for last, The Red Checkers, ( Not that i am in the slightest biased, of course.) Oh and the Seasprite will be there too, can't forget that, although i do try.

Along with these there will be the Catalina and DC3 doing the rides and a smattering of other aircraft.

Looking forward to an awesome day.

[Peppermint]

So, I'd be right to assume that all the private aircraft (warbirds) in NZ that can make it are likely to be there too?

[ZKIWI]

QUOTE (Peppermint @ Jan 31 2009, 06:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So, I'd be right to assume that all the private aircraft (warbirds) in NZ that can make it are likely to be there too?

I don't know about all the ones that can make it. Unsure if the Corsair, P51 etc will be there. I can find out this week if you'd like a particular aircraft.

[hugh]

It's really a shame, but will they at least keep the terminal like Berlin is doing with Tempelhof ?

[ardypilot]

QUOTE

So, I'd be right to assume that all the private aircraft (warbirds) in NZ that can make it are likely to be there too?[/quote]

Got this email sent from the NZ Warbirds:
>Christchurch
>Also - to advise, that our DC-3 is heading to CHC next week, to 'rescue' AMY - who has a 'blown' engine. DAK will be
>down there until 28th Feb/1st March. She has a very busy schedule over the next 4 weeks with the RNZAF open day,
>charters to places in the South Is, and the closing of Wigram - "everyone is getting on board" to farewell the last
>flights out of Wigram. Our DC-3 will perform the Last Flight on the 28th after the scenic flights.
>I have had to cancel our charters and scenics - and we are busy rescheduling our flights and pax. AMY would do it for us
>if we were in her position.

So if DAK and the Harvard team are there, that's a yes to your question. Not sure about various other a/c but I'm sure a few of them will fly down. Last year they had the likes of the privately owned P51 and Vampire at Tauranga Sports Aircraft open day, so I'm sure a show like this will generate equal, if not greater interest for airshow pilots.

[ZKIWI]

QUOTE (Peppermint @ Jan 31 2009, 06:47 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

So, I'd be right to assume that all the private aircraft (warbirds) in NZ that can make it are likely to be there too?

Had a quick look at the program today and it goes something like 1000 to 1100 Huey, Harvard and Red Checkers displays. 1300 to 1600 All RNZAF aircraft and Kiwi Blue to display, including those displaying in the morning.

There are no flying displays planned by any civilian warbird aircraft but the DC3, Catalina and P51 are indeed there at Wigram.

[leow5263]

infomation here..

http://www.airforcemuseum.co.nz/main/Events/

[Gavin Conroy]

Keep an eye out for a green Nanchang with 20 on the nose.
If you see it come over and say Hi.

I may have some info on the display timings soon so will post them if I get them.

If you see a Nanchang in formation with a couple of other aircraft on its wing during the lunch break I would be greatful for any photos you guys may get.

[leow5263]

QUOTE (Gavin Conroy @ Feb 3 2009, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Keep an eye out for a green Nanchang with 20 on the nose.
If you see it come over and say Hi.

I may have some info on the display timings soon so will post them if I get them.

If you see a Nanchang in formation with a couple of other aircraft on its wing during the lunch break I would be greatful for any photos you guys may get.

will you be in that Nanchang doing air 2 air? ill be there with meh camera and will try to get a shot of that if i can

[Peppermint]

Still hoping I can make it, I'll have to borrow my sister's camera if I can make it.

[Gavin Conroy]

QUOTE (leow5263 @ Feb 8 2009, 09:07 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

will you be in that Nanchang doing air 2 air? ill be there with meh camera and will try to get a shot of that if i can

Yip, depending on weather we will hopefully get a few photos that day.
Will hopefully get two or three flights in but one flight in particular has taken a bit of work to get thise point so hopefully it happens and the photos should look good if it does.
We will be overhead Wigram for a while for each flight hopefully.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Gavin Conroy @ Feb 3 2009, 07:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Keep an eye out for a green Nanchang with 20 on the nose.
If you see it come over and say Hi.

A tap on the shoulder by me and a big HI , i,ll be there , depend on the weather , it might have to be a www.nzff.org BLACK MAGIC te-shirt

[Gavin Conroy]

Hope to see you there.
Will be a busy day so if we catch up but are running short on time, sorry about that.
Had a call from the RNZAF today and our Nanchang (Number 20 on the nose) now be parked in the display area by the Cat, DC3 and P51.

Cheers
Gavin