Wanaka 2026

[Splitpin]

Shame about no modern military display flying this year ....but all is not lost.....the mighty Airtruk will be doing its thing.

[Charl]

I had been thinking of going this year

[simonh]

Pity about no military flying this year. I was hoping to see the four Herks...the highlight for me.
But, hey....excrement occurs

[deaneb]

The four Hercs are here in Blenheim and been flying all last week and this. Its a ridiculous decision to say that they cannot attend Wanaka. Basically because the RNZAF says they won't front with any aircraft, they will not allow any other nation to attend, lest they show them up. So by default it also sunk the F22s which would still have come. They were still putting the arrestor gear in on Friday!
A total abomination and I am embarrassed that the Air Force with which I once served can't front to NZs biggest air show. Its no wonder they struggle to recruit and maintain personnel.

But the show will go on and it will be a goody. Just busted me butt over the last few weeks getting the Yak-7B ready!
I'm driving down and attending all 3 days.

[K5054NZ]

If you're keen to see warbirds then Warbirds Over Wanaka 2026 is shaping up to be pretty darned good. The military news hit me harder than I expected but the prospect of seeing great people and many, many other cool planes has outweighed the disappointment and my excitement is right where it was before. If anything the change has meant other aircraft get more time to shine, and in a couple of cases their first NZ airshow display.

I do wonder if folks would be as outraged and toys-out-of-the-crib about the military aircraft pulling out if the F-22 was never a factor? And I ask that as someone who was very excited to see it.

[Splitpin]

The four Hercs are here in Blenheim and been flying all last week and this. Its a ridiculous decision to say that they cannot attend Wanaka. Basically because the RNZAF says they won't front with any aircraft, they will not allow any other nation to attend, lest they show them up. So by default it also sunk the F22s which would still have come. They were still putting the arrestor gear in on Friday!
A total abomination and I am embarrassed that the Air Force with which I once served can't front to NZs biggest air show. Its no wonder they struggle to recruit and maintain personnel.

But the show will go on and it will be a goody. Just busted me butt over the last few weeks getting the Yak-7B ready!
I'm driving down and attending all 3 days.

I agree with your sentiment Deane, like you having been there.
But I also salute your efforts working on the Yak, you're a good bloke Mr B

[deaneb]

I'm sure Zac will agree, the airshow was pretty good, despite some patchy weather. Highlights for me were Kahu's Blackhawk display and the Airtruk. Notwithstanding the big fighters and jets were also cool. Plenty of variety that's for sure.

[Splitpin]

"Airtruk" I cant find any photos.

[emfrat]

Is this a case of "The evil that men do lives on after them" ?

[Splitpin]

665792222_1469728451607308_5636943224898026223_n by FLY57, on Flickr

[emfrat]

[K5054NZ]

I (and my girlfriend and her folks) had a fantastic time over all three days, apart from getting wet and very chilled on Saturday, but that's our fault for not packing suitable wet- and cold weather clothing. The programming team did a terrific job fleshing out the flying displays despite the highly-publicised withdrawals and I didn't feel it was missing anything, apart from the Yak-7B and the solo Pitts which didn't take part in the weekend displays. The Black Hawk was a major personal standout with one of the best helicopter handling displays I've ever seen, and the Avenger was much more sprightly than I remember it being previously. It was great to see the debut of Southern Force after having seen so many of their practices at Omaka, and the Red Stars team was another stand out: lots of aircraft with well thought out choreography not leaving "dead air" between sections. Of course I think the Airtruk was a treat too - flown as though it was out working!

The PA system has become more Americanised with more music and fairly non-stop commentary (with a couple of excellent exceptions in Ando and Peter Mac), and in the Silver Pass stand the speakers were very loud.

This was my sixth time to Warbirds Over Wanaka and it's up there as one of the top I've experienced. I was pleased to see so many people and hear their reactions to the cool and crazy stuff we saw. Well done to everyone involved!