"I would have thought Warbirds Over Wanaka would have been interested in resolving this issue but they've been totally unhelpful and the insurer has chosen not to respond." He did not carry personal insurance on the aircraft due to the high cost and because he was prepared to take responsibility for any crash he caused.ĭovey had never had a crash before and was the only person who flew the aircraft, which is valued at more than $1 million. The Harvards, Spitfire, Corsair, Kittyhawks, Zero, La. "I got out of the aircraft and thought 'what the hell is that doing there?' " The second Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow at Easter 1992, was the first of the shows to feature an aircraft (temporarily) imported into New Zealand specifically for the event - this was the Messerschmitt Bf-109 (actually a Hispano Ha.1112 Buchon) of the Old Flying Machine Company in the UK. The Finale of the 2010 Warbirds over Wanaka on the Sunday was nothing short of spectacular, culminating in a massive airfield attack, with The Warhorses moving in to defend the airfield as multitudes of aircraft made their attack runs, supported by Pyrotechnics. One-man Airshow Like many other regions around the country the Queenstown Lakes District has been doing it tough since the arrival of Covid back in March 2020. "I didn't know it was there and I didn't know what I hit," Dovey said. Join us for four days of high-octane aviation excitement at Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow over Easter weekend 2024 at Wanaka Airport, New Zealand.
The cherry picker could not be seen as he landed because the plane's 4m nose restricted his peripheral vision. He said when he and other pilots were briefed in the morning before the flight they were told the runway was clear for landing, with no obstructions. Huge Explosions As Climatic Airfield Attack Ends Show (3 min 27 sec) Warbirds over Wanaka 2008 Airshow in New. Warbirds Airshow's mission is 'to educate through the celebration and promotion of aviation past. 15,195 likes 1,018 talking about this 5,168 were here. "I suspect some of the aircraft operators will be wondering whether it's worth taking their aircraft to Warbirds next year."ĭovey – a pilot of 52 years and a former Chief Standards Captain with Air New Zealand – was "pissed off" the crash had happened. Warbirds Over Wanaka, Wanaka, New Zealand. The Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow is a biennial show, which attracts about 100,000 people over three days.ĭovey said a large number of people were surprised he had taken the action. The organisation has until January 25 to file its defence. Trust general manager Ed Taylor said it disputed the claim and would be defending the action in court. The souvenir airshow books (and a special "Best Of") were written by Ian Brodie in the following years.The opening of Warbirds Over Wanaka in 2018. Warbirds Over Wanaka 2022 - an 8 day New Zealand Tour Christchurch & the Canterbury Plains Wigram Air Force Museum Ashburton Aviation Museum Barkers. Numerous aviation personalities from all over the world attend Warbirds over Wanaka, Gen Chuck Yeager and Buzz Aldrin being two of the most notable. Warbirds over Wanaka is a biennial airshow in Wanaka, now acclaimed as the largest Warbird Airshow in the southern hemisphere and one of the world’s top Warbird airshows. It is now acclaimed as the largest Warbird Airshow in the Southern Hemisphere, this is the one event not to be missed.Ī large contingent of historic and contemporary aircraft of note from all over New Zealand and the world converge on Wanaka each second Easter for the air show. An iconic Airshow with famous warbirds joining forces with the classic aircraft of yesteryear and modern jets, to the present, a real feast of aviation attractions. As the show grew so did its support and now around 65,000 people make the pilgrimage to Wanaka for their weekend of excitement. In 1988 aviation entrepreneur Tim Wallis presented an airshow and country fair that attracted 14,000 visitors to Wanaka Airport.ĭelighted with this success, he decided to expand on the theme and hold a biennial event over the long Easter weekend.