Hello all !

Hope you’ve all been well – buckle up and get comfortable.. theres some great airshow packages on offer below ... take a read ... J

They’ve all been a long time coming, so I'm sure the event organisers have something absolutely mind-blowing with these events! Don’t miss ‘em!

The weekend kicks off on Good Friday, the official practice day, a great opportunity to see and take a few pics in a more relaxed (fewer people!) environment. Food and merchandise stalls will be open all day and in the evening it’s the Twilight Extreme Show of sunset flying and spectacular fireworks.

Saturday & Sunday are the main show days with over 100 display aircraft expected to be participating, together with mock airfield attacks supported by ground theatre and pyrotechnics. There’s something for everyone with a Kid’s Fun Zone, classic cars, food and stalls selling everything except the kitchen sink!

All the show’s air and ground mock battle sequences are simply outstanding and get better every year! 2015 saw a V-1 “buzz bomb” flying around the field with Spitfires chasing it until it was destroyed in a ball of flames. The Omaka team are certainly blessed with ingenuity and creativity when it comes to the static and aerial displays!

2023 will be their 20th Anniversary so, to mark this occasion, they’ll draw on the best of the best of Classic Fighters to bring you an unforgettable Easter weekend of spectacular entertainment!

A number of significant machines from WWI/The Great War, will be on display with many of them flying. The Second World War segment of Classic Fighters 2023 will be supported, as always, by a great variety of combat aircraft from the era.

Show-stoppers include the award-winning Rolls-Royce Griffon-powered Spitfire Mk.XIV and Focke-Wulf FW-190. Both of these aircraft are resident at Omaka, as is the world’s sole airworthy, immaculate, Avro Anson Mk.I. Another locally-operated machine is the beautiful Yakovlev Yak-3 (“Full Noise”), a recently acquired Yak-3 (“Steadfast”) and potentially a 2nd Yak-3, a De Havilland Mosquito, Bristol freighter, the NZ Warbirds “Roaring 40s” Harvard display team, Messerschmitt Me108, P-40 Kittyhawk, P-51 Mustang, Spitfires, Dc-3, the Yak-52 display team, CJ6 Nanchangs, Venom, a Lockheed Electra and Beachcraft, the Avenger and a whole lot more. Complimenting this line up they have more from the Malaya and Vietnam era, Post War, Golden Age, Jet Age and current Military era too.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force is expected to make an appearance and showcase their military skills and handling. It’s quite possible that the RAAF will also be sending again some representative aircraft. 2019 saw a handful of their FA-18A Hornets display … this was the one and only time we would get to see the Classic Hornet display at Omaka, as they’re being replaced by the new F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (here’s hoping we might be lucky enough to even see these in Omaka’s skies in the future?)!

Warbird Flights: During the weekend you’ll also have the opportunity to take a ride in many warbirds … imagine yourself in the passenger seat of a P-51 Mustang, a P-40 Kittyhawk, a Yak 3 (Full Noise), or a cruisey ride in the DC-3 Dakota, Avro Anson or Boeing Stearman or Tiger Moth!

Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre: It’s imperative that you not only visit this amazing world class museum while you’re here, (See the Stuka, P-40, hurricane and Hudson!) but to arrive at least a day or two early as a lot of the aircraft on static display are likely to be flying during the weekend airshow (Gold Pass ticket holders receive free entry into the museum on the weekend).

Classic fighters Airshow packages: We have access to dozens of accommodation options according to taste and budget, ranging from quaint B&Bs (Bed & breakfasts), motels, hotels and resort lodges set amongst vineyards … so whatever your budget we have something for you. We deal with operators and airlines direct and have access to wholesale rates to help give you the best value possible. We can tailor complete or just part packages to suit – international or domestic flights, rental car, accommodation or even just entry passes to the airshow.

For a brilliant weekend of spectacular flying machines, classic cars, and award-winning Marlborough wine, food, music, fireworks and fantastic entertainment, join us at Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka 2023.

More info and images here: Yealands Classic Fighters, Omaka 2023.

Join me on an escorted group-led tour taking in the centenary of the Royal Australian Air Force; 1921–2021 Celebrating 100 years! This is one airshow you don’t want to miss!

The skies above Avalon are set to erupt when the Australian International Airshow returns – with the Centenary of The Royal Australian Air Force! It’s going to be a huge weekend of high octane excitement and fun for the whole family. This once-in-a-lifetime event will bring together the largest variety of RAAF assets ever assembled at Avalon, including historical and modern aircraft spanning the 100 years of the Royal Australian Air Force. They’ll be joined by a cavalcade of civil aircraft including historic barnstormers, WWI, WWII, breath-taking aerobatics and the latest jet power from around the globe.

Departing New Zealand on Thursday 2nd March and spending four nights in a 4-star central city hotel in Melbourne, we’ll be having a personalised guided tour through the Moorabbin Air Museum finishing with a bbq and a few cold drinks to end(see their incredible display including their rare Sea Venom & Bristol Beaufighter!) we’ll also be visiting the historic R.A.A.F. base/museum at Point Cook seeing their incredible display (F-111, Mirage, Caribou etc) and also taking in the 3-day airshow which includes the Friday evening fireworks and two main show days Saturday/Sunday and then heading home on Monday.

Package includes: return economy class flights ex Auckland to Melbourne (incl meals, drinks, movies and baggage), private coach transfers for our entire trip, 4 nights hotel accommodation, private transfers to both the Moorabbin Air Museum and the R.A.A.F. Museum at Point Cook, entry into the museums, private transfer from museum to the Avalon airshow then home again Friday evening, (General Admission or Gold Pass (grandstand) ticket passes available), return private coach transfers from Melbourne CBD to the airshow each day & departure hotel to airport transfer.

Packages start from $2,099 per person (twin share). Single room please add $420.

For packages with additional domestic flights or different international flights, please contact me for a quote.

Join me on an escorted group-led tour taking in one of the biggest and most mind blowing airshows you’ll ever see – EAA’s annual AirVenture Oshkosh!

Words cannot do justice to the vast array and variety of aircraft (static and displays) you’ll ever witness. This week-long extravaganza of static, aerial displays, mock battles, night displays and fireworks is something that you’ve never experienced before. From every aspect of aviation: WW1, WW2, post war, homebuilds, general aviation, the latest in current military as well as commercial aircraft.

More than 10,000 aircraft and half a million flight enthusiasts make Wittman Regional Airport – the busiest airfield in the world – during the EAA’s annual AirVenture Oshkosh. Total aircraft on show in 2022 was 3,226, including: 1,375 registered in vintage aircraft parking, plus 1,156 homebuilt aircraft, 369 warbirds, 137 ultralights, 87 seaplanes, 77 aerobatic aircraft, and 25 rotorcraft. There’s outdoor garden bars, places to eat, exhibits, kids activities centre, expos, workshops, training seminars, presentations from famous aviators, International Visitors tent, concerts, fireworks displays and more! If you really want to treat yourself, don’t miss out on seeing the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration® from above. There are plenty of opportunities to take flights at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh and gain a unique perspective of the massive convention grounds from a Ford Tri-Motor, Bell 47 Souix, a B-25 Mitchell bomber and more. My last trip I was in the nose cone of a B-17 Flying Fortress flying over the field looking below at P-51 Mustangs that were buzzing the field!

To top this week off we will be visiting the Pima Air & Space Museum – A.K.A- “The Boneyard”, located in Tucson, Arizona – one of the world’s largest non-government funded aerospace museums. The museum has grown immensely and today encompasses six indoor exhibit hangars (three dedicated to WWII) across over 250,000 square feet of indoor display space. It also spans across 80 acres and has over 400 aircraft on display. Featuring about 400 historic aircraft, from a Wright Flyer to a 787 Dreamliner. Sitting on 80 acres, the museum opened its doors to the public in May of 1976.

Package includes:

• Return flights from Auckland to Tucson on United Airlines (includes meals, drinks, movies and baggage)
• Return airport to hotel transfers, 2 nights accommodation in Tucson
• Return transfers from hotel to Pima Air & Space Museum/Boneyard
• Entry into the Museum
• Morning tram tour*
• Lunch at the Flight Grill restaurant
• Afternoon walking tour*
• Flight from Tucson to Appleton airport
• Return shuttle transfers from airport to Oshkosh University
• 8 nights' air conditioned lodge room accommodation (options for either standard twin share room; 1 - 2 people, or suite room; 2 - 4 people)
• Weekly unlimited shuttle bus pass from university to airshow grounds entry gate.

(NOT included yet: Ticket Prices for the airshow yet to be released- but usually around USD$180 for the week which includes your EAA membership).

Standard Twin Share Room Packages start from $6,099 per person
Standard Single Room Packages start from $7,279 per person
University Suite Rooms also available.

For packages with additional domestic flights or different international flights, please contact me for a quote.

Please get in contact with me ASAP. Spaces are severely limited as this is a small private group tour (led by myself) and my aim is to keep the tour to no more than 20 people.

We have other airshow events on in 2023 including local airshows like the Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow as well as around the world.

Keep an eye on our website www.airshowtravel.co.nz for updates and also if you’re on social media we have lots of pictures and stories uploaded regularly - Instagram and Facebook.

Contact us and we can draft up and plan the perfect aviation experience for you.

While every attempt is made to display these aforementioned magnificent aircraft (either static or flying) it is of course subject to confirmation closer to the time. As you can imagine there are a number of factors which affect the attendance of specific aircraft.

Cheers,

Pete.