Classic Fighters 05

Field Report

The theme for the 2005 Classic Fighters show was 'France'. This of course lent itself well to scenarios from both World  Wars and saw the construction of a remarkably realistic Eiffel Tower along  with an Arc de Triomphe and numerous other iconic French  symbols. The World War I display saw the return of the five Fokker Triplanes with the first airshow displays of the DH-2 and DH-5 as part of a double digit line-up of Great War flying machines. The Bellamy-built Pfalz D.III made its first airshow appearance as a completed restoration wearing the distinctive lozenge pattern that was unique to  aircraft from the iconic 1960's WW-I movie 'The Blue Max'. A highlight was  the re-running of the famous race between T.E.Lawrence on a Brough  Superior motorcycle and a Bristol Fighter. Another wonderful attraction was the fully assembled but uncovered Royal Aircraft Factory BE2e biplane.

The Second World War sequence produced some interesting spectacles, not the least of which was the Catalina Club's lovely PBY-5a wearing French Navy colours. This was one of several aircraft that wore special colour schemes for the show. At the other end of the chronological line was the unique Bleriot-like  Pither Monoplane which made a short flight down the length of Omaka's main runway, remembering pioneer New Zealand aviator Bert Pither.

- Graham Orphan

T.V.A.L. Aircraft Appearing

Sopwith F1 Camel
Bristol F2B Fighter .....................Tim Sullivan/Gunner-Fred Murrin
Airco DeHavilland 2 (DH-2) ........ Simon Paul
Airco DeHavilland 5 (DH-5) ........ Stuart tantrum
Nieuport 24* ............................... Static Display only*

Fokker Dr I Triplane ................... John Lanham (Von Richthofen)
Fokker Dr I Triplane ................... Peter Cochran (Kirschstein)
Fokker Dr I Triplane ................... Huggy Hughan (Kempf)
Fokker Dr I Triplane ................... Jim Rankin        (Muller)
Fokker Dr I Triplane ................... Gavin Trethewey (Von Greim)
Halberstadt  DIV ........................ Dave Horrell
Pfalz DIII (JPI) ............................. Stuart tantrum