Top line-up for airshow

Aside from the unforeseen impact of the tsunami in Asia and television broadcaster Paul Holmes' flying mishap, this year's Wings Over Wairarapa looks set to field a star studded cast of aircraft and flyers to rival the biggest ever line up.
Programme organiser Richard Jackson said they have attracted 67 individual aircraft, ranging from WWI replicas to the modern Albatross jet trainer and state-of-the-art helicopters, for the 2005 air show that will be held at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome on January 22 and 23.
The biggest aircraft at the pageant will be the RNZAF C-130 Hercules but because of an RNZAF commitment to tsunami relief, with two Hercules now deployed to South East Asia, organisers cannot be certain that a Hercules will be able to be at the show - a decision on that will be made by the air force nearer to the event.
Paul Holmes' vintage Steerman biplane was also expected to take part, but because he crash landed it two weeks ago, the aircraft won't be at the air show.
Mr Jackson said Mobil Aviation, who are sponsoring the agricultural aviation segments of the air show, have announced plans to stage two segments showcasing the skills of the agricultural pilots.
The first segment will show the historic Tiger Moth topdressing aircraft maintained by Wanganui Aero Work and a big De Havilland Canada 'Beaver'.
During the afternoon sequence, Wairarapa pilot John Bargh will demonstrate his powerful 'Air Tractor' and the famous 'agribatics' team will fly their three Cresco topdressing aircraft in a formation display.
Mr Jackson said show organisers are really pleased with the line up for this year's show.
"I see a bloody good programme in general. We are very pleased how it is all coming together," he said.
Builders have spent the last year building a new hangar for The Old Stick and Rudder Company, which will permanently house eight vintage aircraft.
These include a Fokker tri-plane, a Bristol Fighter bi-plane, an Avro 504, a WWII Corsair fighter, a Chipmunk trainer, and two to three Tiger Moths.
The 1560 square metre hangar is two weeks away from completion.
It is being built by Affordable Sheds, owned by Alastair Bruce.
Affordable sheds also built the neighbouring Sport and Vintage Aviation Society Museum. Members of the SVAS have just installed a replica of the first manned aircraft, the Wright glider, which is now hanging in the main display area.
The historic glider was loaned to the SVAS by the RNZAF museum.
Though the SVAS museum is not finished, it will be open to the public during the air show. Wings Over Wairarapa organiser and aircraft enthusiast, Tom Williams expects work on the museum to be finished within a year.
"It's a huge relief to get the museum to the point where it can fulfil its function, albeit that it's not complete," he says.
"We may have a mini air show to celebrate it's official opening."
Mr Wiliams said the society is proud to have the Wright Glider on display.
"It is a very special thing to have up there, as it was the very first aircraft to fly,"
He is optimistic about the success of the 2005 show.
"Obviously our number one concern is the weather. But it has got to be pretty foul sort of a day before you can't fly," he says.
"The gate sales on the day are where the bulk of the tickets are sold. Presales are looking pretty encouraging."
Unlike previous shows, this year's Wings Over Wairarapa will not have Gold Pass ticket sales.
"We have a corporate area and if someone wants to buy the best seat in the house, for $100 we'll sell it."
In a previous article the Times-Age outlined part of the programme that will feature for the first time at Wings Over Wairarapa the historic WWI multi-winged aircraft that are to be on display at the show.
The second part of the programme called 'Victory Skies', that traditionally has enthusiasts foaming at the mouth, is the WWII era warbirds in an aerial display.
"They are noisy and they are impressive, which the crowd always enjoys," said Mr Williams. This is a remembrance of WWII in the Pacific, featuring the Corsair fighter of the Old Stick and Rudder Company now at Hood Aerodrome, and two P-40 Kittyhawks from Ardmore.
The Kittyhawk operated from Hood Aerodrome in 1942, when No 14 Squadron RNZAF was first formed here in WWII. The 'Pacific' formation during the air display will feature the two main RNZAF fighters of WWII.
The second part of the WWII display will feature aircraft that became famous in operations over Europe, including the familiar Douglas Dakota, which dropped parachute troops on D-Day and over Arnhem. After the war the Dakota saw wide service as an airliner, and was the backbone of NAC and SPANZ here in New Zealand.
Also taking part is the rare Miles Messenger, a small 'communications' aircraft used by the RAF, as well as a Messerschmitt Me 108. The Me 108 is a four-seater 'communications' aircraft used by the German Luftwaffe.
The Me 108 flies at air shows today, to recall the skill and challenge presented by the then enemy air force.
There is a novelty race between a 'Pitts Special' aerobatic aircraft, a Hughes 500 helicopter and a Porsche sports car, to entertain the crowd during the programme lunch break.
"It is designed to be a family day out. While we call it an air show, there are all sorts of options for everybody," said Mr Williams.