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The Russian Polikarpov-fighters are on of
the highlights in the Warbirds over Wanaka flying programme. Six Polikarpov I-16
monoplanes and three Polikarpov I-153 biplanes were restored for Sir Tim Wallis Alpine
Fighter Collection. Wrecks of such airplanes, found in Russia, were reconstructed. A large
number of missing or damaged parts had to be rebuilt in long laborious detail work, using
old original blueprints. For the restoration works, Sir Tim Wallis assigned a company in
Siberia, which built Polikarpovs in series during WW II. The restoration project started
in 1992 and the first completed aircrafts arrived in New Zealand in 1998. Since then,
these planes are special highlights of the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshows. |
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This Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk
"Currawong" wears two different markings: "A 29-448" on the left side
and "A 29-1050" on the right side. Both are markings of the Royal Australian Air
Force. |
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Four Polikarpovs participated in the
flying display at Warbirds over Wanaka 2002. Three of them were Polikarpov I-16
monoplanes. This aircraft was developed in the beginning of the thirties. It was a very
efficient and progressive construction. In the Spanish civil war, the Polikarpov I-16
entered combat service for the first time. Its successful engagement made a stir and in
these days, it got its nickname "Rata" that is probably better known than
the official name. When Germany attacked the Soviet Union in 1941, most of the fighters of
the Russian Air Force were Polikarpov I-16 "Ratas". At this time the
"Ratas" were outdated and sustained heavy losses against the modern German
fighters. From 1943 on, they went out of combat service. |
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A warbird airshow is not a really
warbird airshow if You can not see there the legendary North American P-51 D
Mustang in the flying programme. So it was a great pleasure for the warbird enthusiast to
see the Mustang at the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow and to hear the
marvelous sound of the powerful Packard Merlin piston enginge of the Mustang! |
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The Polikarpov aircraft number
four at Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow 2002 was a biplane, the Polikarpov
I-153 Tchaika. It is hard to believe but true: Polikarpov developed the Tchaika
biplane after the I-16 monoplane. The Polikarpov I-153 first flew in 1938. The Tchaikas
flew in large numbers during WW II, but similarly to the "Ratas" went out of
combat service from 1943 and were replaced by modern aircrafts. Both the Polikarpov
I-16 and the Polikarpov I-153 are equipped with 1000 HP radial engines that provide a very
impressive sound! |
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The only things that are better
than one Mustang are two Mustangs! And so it was a great pleasure to see two Mustangs in the air during the
Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow 2002 ! "Miss Torque" was the name of the second
North American P-51 D Mustang there. |
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I took this picture at Wanaka
airport in 2002, but if You see the beautiful wood
and mountain landscape in the background, You could think I took this
picture at a Russian front-line airfield in the Second World war! |
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Both the two Mustangs and the two
Kittyhawks has flown in formation. And along with two De Havilland
Vampire jets, the Mustangs and Kittyhawks has flown the "Strike Forces
Salute" with a very impressive air-raid demonstration, including many pyrotechnic effects on the ground. |
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The famous british
Pilot Ray Hanna has flown this Supermarine Spitfire Mk XVI of Sir Tim
Wallis Alpine Fighter Collection. Ray Hanna was born in
New Zealand. At the end of the sixties he was the leader of the
legendary Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team "Red Arrows". He is
also one of the founder of the "Old Flying Machine Company" (OFMC) at
Duxford / UK. The OFMC is an organization, which restores and operates
warbirds. Ray Hanna is sometimes also to see on Airshows in
Germany, when he is flying first-class displays with his
"Breitling Fighters" warbird aerobatic team. |
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One Mustang and one Kittyhawk has also
flown in formation along with the Spitfire and the Hurricane. |
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This Hawker Hurricane belongs also to
the Alpine Fighter Collection. The pilot of the Hurricane is Keith Skilling. He is a Boeing
767 captain for Air New Zealand and he is also one of the pilots in Ray
Hannas Breitling Fighters team. |
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The Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow 2002 had
some very interesting participants from outside New Zealand : This Grumman FM-2
Wildcat has come from the United States by ship to New Zealand to take
part in the Airshow. The Wildcat is a very special rarity. There are only a few
airworthy aircrafts of this type world-wide. The famous American "Confederate Air
Force" ( which recently changed its name to "Commemorative Air Force"
) is the owner of this Wildcat. The Commemorative Air Force operates the
most airworthy WW II warbirds world-wide and is well-known for its famous annual
Confederate Air Force Airshow in Texas. |
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Two Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks took part in
the flying programme of the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow 2002. It was a great pleasure to
hear the very good sound of their powerful Allison engines ! |
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This Hawker Sea Fury comes from
Australia. While the Grumman FM-2 Wildcat has come from California to New
Zealand by ship, the pilot of the Hawker Sea Fury is flown with his
aircraft from Brisbane / Australia to New Zealand with intermediate landings on
Lord Howe Island and Norfolk Island . |
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