The renowned CLASSIC FIGHTERS Air Show will be flying a special salute to the first 100 years of flight on Easter weekend, April 18 - 21, 2003; at the Omaka Airport in Blenheim, NZ.

From the speed of smell, to the speed of sound!

Aircraft to be featured include: Fokker DR1 tri-planes, Sopwith Camels, Avros, Bristols, Phalz replicas, even a Stuka dive bomber!

The event will include aerobatics, dog fights, historical re-enactments, numerous period static displays and authentic era depictions. The sights of our earliest pioneer aircraft, the roar of the big radial engines and the odor of castor oil will all be here!

Classic Fighters is more than just an airshow, their philosophy being to provide visitors with three full days of family entertainment. Certainly, the aviation theme dominates that entertainment, but with strong interaction with vehicles, set pieces and ground theatre.

One element that sets Classic Fighters apart from any other Southern Hemisphere show is the First World War scenarios. Omaka is home to a growing number of original and replica aircraft from The Great War, these belonging to a number of individuals and groups. These machines and associated materials will form the cornerstone of the NZ Aviation Museum at Omaka.

For the 2003 airshow, they're expecting at least nine full-size World War One replica aircraft to take part in the flying display and dogfight sequences. These include the syndicate owned Fokker Dr.1 Triplane built and operated by Stuart Tantrum, film maker Peter Jackson's Gnome rotary powered Sopwith Camel as well as his rare Pfalz D.III replica which was the star of the classic 1960's motion picture 'The Blue Max'. A Bristol F2b Fighter replica will also be flying.

Gordon Bowman-Jones Will Be The Announcer

Other machines are being brought from further afield for the show. Several uncompleted First World War aircraft will appear in the projects display area and will include Stuart Tantrum's original Avro 504K, an original Bristol F2b Fighter also being worked on by Stuart and a Nieuport 27 replica. The First World War set pieces always involve considerable interaction between air and ground vehicles.

The warbirds of the Second World War always guarantee the colour, noise and spectacle that make a show a success. Formation aerobatics in Harvard aircraft always prove to be a real crowd pleaser and a great way to set the scene for the glamour and spectacle of the fighters. Classic Fighters will bring together warbird aircraft from all over New Zealand with (hopefully) a special guest Second World War fighter coming from overseas. Heavier machinery expected to attend include the magnificent PBY-5a of the Catalina Club, and a DC-3 or two.

FMI: http://www.classicfighters.co.nz