Wings over Wairarapa '11

"TRUST HOUSE WINGS OVER WAIRARAPA 2011, 

JANUARY 2011 theme - WE WILL REMEMBER!”

A special Friday evening



Despite the weather that eventually led to the cancellation of the Sunday display, the standard of the flying display and aircraft on the Friday and Saturday was second to none. Airshow attendees were treated to a special Friday evening WW1 display. Between scattered showers and darkening skies Saturday a pair of BE2’s flew in formation simulating reconnaissance flights over the airfield in very realistic British weather! This led to a trio of Fokker Triplanes doing battle with a group of RAF SE.5a’s. The WW1 dogfight entertained spectators who didn’t mind getting wet. Present were a number of civilian display teams, the Roaring Forties and the Russian Knights as well as the RNZAF displays including the Red Checkers and the C-130 which was a highlight for many.

As part of the Cessna 180 / 185 birthday there was not only a large collection of the type on the field, but also a fantastic demonstration of the many roles this versatile aircraft fills here in New Zealand and throughout the world. A particular highlight for the show was the unique formation flight of three rotary powered aircraft, the sopwith camel with a 160HP Gnome rotary, the Nieuport 11 with its 80 LeRhone engine and the Original AVRO 504K with a 100 HP Gnome rotary.