Mosquito NZ2308

Posted on 1 April, 2024 by Peter Davison

Mosquito public debut, Wanaka, New Zealand, March 29th-31st 2024 Report by Peter and Kim Davison WOW stands for ‘Warbirds over Wanaka’ the greatest warbird airshow in the southern hemisphere held at Easter on the South Island of New Zealand on even numbered years. WOW is also what many exclaim when the see this amazing restoration to flight of this de Havilland Mosquito the ‘wooden wonder’.

Moth Club Meet – New Zealand

Posted on 17 March, 2024 by Peter Davison

Taupo Gliding Club, New Zealand, 16-17th March 2024 Report by Peter and Kim Davison The Tiger Moth Club of New Zealand aims to nurture an interest in flying and sharing the magic and history of classic and vintage aircraft; particularly the de Havilland Tiger Moth. A dedicated group of like-minded enthusiasts formed the club at Taumarunui in 1969 and their common interests have grown to include types such as Chipmunks and Stearmans though, on this occasion, it was the DH82 Tiger Moth that dominated. The Sunday at Taupo on North Island also included the Clubs AGM. Fortunately fine weather blessed the calendar after two very wet days in the area.

EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2022

Posted on 2 August, 2022 by Peter Davison

Whittman Field, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, USA 25-31 July 2022 Report by Peter and Kim Davison This event just keeps getting bigger! Attendance: Approximately 650,000 – A record total (previous mark: 642,000 in 2019) and 7 percent above 2021’s attendance of 608,000. Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arrived at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin. At Wittman alone, there were 18,684 aircraft operations in the 11-day period from July 21-31, which is an average of approximately 121 takeoffs/landings per hour when the airport is open. Total showplanes: 3,226 included: 1,375 registered in vintage aircraft parking, plus 1,156 homebuilt aircraft (up 6 percent over 2021), 369 warbirds (up 5 percent from ’21), 137 ultralights, 87 seaplanes, 77 aerobatic aircraft, and 25 rotorcraft.

Duxford Autumn Flying Day

Posted on 12 October, 2021 by Peter Davison

Flying Day, Duxford Airfield, Cambridgeshire, UK 9 October 21 Report by Peter and Kim Davison Duxford needs little introduction, home of an Imperial War Museum, the Duxford Aviation Society (DAS) with world class collections and impressive flying events that include Europe's largest collection of airworthy warbirds. This event was very fortunate as the weather, after a moody misty start, blossomed into a gorgeous autumn day. If only the viewing aspect was northerly it would be perfect for photography. However, careful framing and an early start allowed evocative shots for possibly one of the largest post Covid flying events of the year.

Daks over Normandie 2019

Posted on 9 June, 2019 by Peter Davison

Duxford, Cambridgeshire, UK 2-5th June 2019 Report by Peter Davison and Colin Coulthard As the home of the Imperial War Museum and Duxford Aviation Society the venue need little introduction. This rare gathering of airworthy Douglas Dakotas had been eagerly awaited as the setting off location for a re-enactment of the mass air drop of parachutists in Normandy on D-Day to commemorate the 75th Anniversary on 6th June 2019. This airborne and seaborne invasion enabling the allied powers to secure a presence on the European mainland; thereby assisting in the liberation of Europe and the end of World War Two.

Stow Maries WW1

Posted on 21 May, 2018 by Peter Davison

Wings and Wheels Show 2018 Stow Maries, Essex, UK, 20 May 2018 Report by Peter Davison This fairly recent initiative to re-open a former First World War Aerodrome and feature primarily replica aeroplanes in the context of the period fills a welcome, if belated, gap in UK aviation history. A well displayed Aviation Museum, period buildings and historic vehicles provide an educational insight into life in the early years of aviation.

Hahnweide Oldtimer Fly-in 2016

Posted on 15 September, 2016 by Peter Davison

Oldtimer-Fliegertreffen 2016 Hahnweide Gliding Site, Germany 9-11 September 2016 Report by Peter and Kim Davison This annual gathering of vintage and veteran aircraft, just south of Stuttgart, grows in popularity every year. This year it coincided with the last weekend of the local school holidays and extremely hot weather and attracted huge crowds on the weekend. There were over a hundred classic aeroplanes, any six of which would be star attractions at many less specialist events. Being a long, thin, grass runway, gliding field, one might also conclude that the event is in danger of outgrowing the venue. The closeness and aspect of the runway creates some fine photo opportunities despite the sun being in your eyes in the afternoon.