“Wings” has 17 aircraft types in show

Wings over Wairarapa, halted by Cyclone Gabrielle in February, is promising 17 airplane types when the air show blasts into local skies from Hood Aerodrome for three days in late November.

The festival is regarded as one of the best air shows in the country, with what promoters say will be “exhilarating flying” and exciting displays on the ground.

The programme includes the Goodyear FG-1D Corsair, considered the premier navy and marine fighter of World War II, which will be making its first air festival appearance in six years. 

Other highlights include the Avro Anson MK 1, the only flying Anson in the world. A maritime reconnaissance bomber, it was one of the RAF’s most important planes when WWII began.

The crowd favourite Strikemaster also returns – the ex-RNZAF plane which was used for advanced pilot training on the Wings Course. 

The British-built training and light attack aircraft was operated by the RNZAF from 1972 as a lead-in trainer for the A4 Skyhawks.

The RNZAF will also showcase the new P-8A Poseidon which will be in action for the first time, as well as the Black Falcons aero display.

A new aspect of the event will be an expanded STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics) programme called Take Flight, for the first time being extended to all secondary school students (years 11-13) from the lower North Island to participate in for free. The three-day programme is designed to promote and inspire people to consider flight and aerospace careers. 

Former Defence Minister Ron Mark, board chair for Wings Over Wairarapa, is thrilled the festival can still deliver an exciting programme.

“Organising Wings 2023 has been challenging, just when we were ready to launch in February, Cyclone Gabrielle hit. The decision to postpone until November was not an easy one to make.

“We are still aiming to make Wings Over Wairarapa the premier air show in New Zealand and as part of that we are looking to highlight how varied and exciting the aviation industry is and of course leave a legacy for our next generation.”

17 aircraft types are in the festival line-up, including:

P51 Mustang; Avro Anson; Goodyear FG-1D Corsair; Strikemaster; Venom; Spitfire Mk-IV;

NZDF SH-2G Seasprite; NZDF Black Falcons; NZDF Spitfire: NZDF P-8A Poseidon; NZDF King Air 350; NZDF Boeing 757 C-130H(NZ); NZDF NH90 and A109; NZDF C-130J-30 USAF; Boeing 757.

Wings Over Wairarapa schedule:

_Friday 24 November, 12 pm to 5 pm. Practice Day;

_Saturday 25 November,  8.00 am – 4.30 pm, Air Festival 10.00 am to 4.00 pm _  the busier of the two days;

_Sunday 26 November,  8.00 am – 4.30 pm, Air Festival 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.