Omaka Classic Fighters Airshow 2009

Classic Fighters is designed to be more than an airshow, our philosophy being to provide visitors with two full days of family entertainment in an event that is distinctly different and with a unique Marlborough flavour. Certainly the aviation theme will dominate, but the flying is combined with ground theatre, vehicles and set pieces to create a spectacle that all will enjoy.

Imagine Fokker Triplanes mixing it up in the sky with SE5as and Sopwiths, while troops fire original Krupps canons and attack from behind a WW1 tank, all amid the smoke and fire of pyrotechnics – and that is just WW1!

A range of exciting antique and classic open cockpit biplanes and vintage cabin airlines of the 1920s and 30s will represent ‘the Golden Age’ between the wars. Names like de Havilland, Percival, Ryan, TravelAir, Beechcraft Fleet and Stearman will be on display.

The warbirds of the Second World War always guarantee the colour, noise and spectacle that make a show a success. 2009 will see the iconic Spitfire, Mustang and Kittyhawk all represented, along with the PBY Catalina, DC3, Harvards, a taxiable Stuka replica and several ‘mystery’ types from overseas, participating in the exciting scenarios.

Formation aerobatics is always a real crowd pleaser. As well as the many privately owned aircraft from around the country, we can also expect the presence of the Air Force to inject some further ‘heavy metal’.

Back from the display line, visitors can take a break from the action and seek out a bargain in the trade stalls or be tempted with a glass of Marlborough wine and sample the delicious food on offer, while the kids explore the playground attractions.

Throughout the show there is a strong sense of fun and humour. To that end, each show is themed to not only give direction and meaning to the air show scenarios, but also to include the public and connect with them across a broader range of interests. Past Classic Fighters have included a North African theme (complete with a pyramid and belly dancers!); ‘France’ with its Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe, onion sellers and berets; and also an ‘Aviation and the Movies’ theme, which opened the field wide for famous film scene recreations.

2009 is set for an Italian invasion. Glamorous sports cars will be on display and local providers will serve Italian inspired food. There will be lunchtime entertainment and the whole airfield will have the colour and vibrancy that comes with getting into the spirit of the event.

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Thank you to our generous Sponsors!

 

 

Classic Fighters Charitable Trust wishes to extend a HUGE THANK YOU to the many companies who supported the airshow. Our teams of volunteers had need of a wide variety of materials and services, and when the call went out, companies responded with generosity and a desire to join in the effort.

From building something as ambitious as the monastery, to fencing materials, offering free use of vehicles, supplying generators, paint for the props or sponsoring the awards trophies, each and every gesture of support went towards making Classic Fighters a greater success.

As a result, Classic Fighters 2009 is able to pass on a profit directly to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre to help sustain and continue to develop this iconic attraction.

Classic Fighters does more than support the aviation museum. It provides a weekend of spectacular entertainment that attracts tens of thousands of visitors to our province, boosting the incomes of local retailers, hospitality and service industries.

We hope that all of Marlborough will join us in our appreciation of the companies listed below, whose support has made this possible.

We trust the list will be even longer in 2011!

Airspray Ardmore                                               Air BP
Allan Scott Family Winemakers                           Apollo Project Management Ltd
Avspecs Ltd                                                        Bank of New Zealand
Bluebridge                                                         Blueprint Media
Boreham Wood Winery                                       Boxman Container Services
Butt Drilling                                                      Carters Framing
Classic Aero Photography                                   Classic Wings Magazine
Cougar Line                                                      Croads Motor & Mower Services
David James Tree Services                                  Deans Lifting Services Ltd
Derek Hebberd Freighting                                  Equus Industries
Fine Fotos                                                        Flight Timbers
Float Plane Services                                          Friends of the Bristol
Fulton Hoga                                                      Furneaux Lodge
Glenroy Insulation                                             Goldpine
Grigg Family                                                     JEM Aviation
Kalgin International Freight                               Marlborough Aero Club
Marlborough Civic Theatre Trust                        Marlborough District Council
Marlborough Express                                         Marlborough Helicopters
Marlborough Lines                                             McKendry Motors                       
Nelson Mail                                                       NZ Warbirds Association           
Opus International Consultants                           Patchett Ag Air                       
Peter Grintner Motorcycles                                 Prenzel Distilling                       
RAAF                                                                Radio Network                       
Rapaura Timbers Ltd                                          Richard Nicholson                       
Ridge Air                                                            RNZAF                                   
Roger Collett                                                      Safe Air Ltd                                   
SBS Banking                                                        Scaffold Marlborough                       
Simcox                                                               Sounds Aero Maintenance           
Talleys Group Ltd                                                The Vines                                               
The Vintage Aviator Ltd                                    TNL                                               
Toll Holdings                                                        Top Shots                       
Weirhouser                                                           Wild South Landscaping