Best to hold phone horizontally!
Random places
Again, in 2017 we toured New Zealand, this time in the North
Auckland Cathedral
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The Great War
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The Golden Age between the wars
After the initial impetus given to aircraft design by the demands of WWI, a great deal of further progress was made in designs that were intended for civilian use, or for non-fighting roles in the military.
At the airshow we saw ground and flying displays of de Haviland Fox Moth, Tiger Moth, Gypsy Moth, Dragon, Chipmunk and Beaver. From Piper we saw the Super Cub, Pacer and Grasshopper. There was also a Cessna Bird Dog, a Beechcraft Staggerwing and a Douglas DC3.
World War Two and Postwar
World War 2 began in 1939, only 20 years after the end of WWI. In the Golden Age between the wars, military fighter aircraft had also evolved. Fighter aircraft were very different.
World War Two
In the air and on the ground there was an impressive display of World War Two fighter aircraft. Curtiss Kittyhawk, North American Mustang, Yakoviev Yak-3, Fock Wulf 190, Supermarine Spitfire, and North American Corsair. There was also a Messerschmitt 108 (included because it was a close relative of the 109) and an Avro Anson reconnaisance and trainer aircraft.
Postwar
Not a huge number of aircraft representing the period after the Second World War. Mostly the New Zealand Air Force and Navy showing off their helicopters, transport, and trainers. Plus a couple of oddball entries - an ASH 25 glider and an AESL Airtourer.
Aerobatic Displays
Like any air show, Omaka put on all sorts of arial displays throughout the day. There were many different aerobatic teams using different aircraft, many of which used smoke trails to demonstrate what maneouvres they had exectuted. All were very good.
The Aerobats
First up was the RNZAF "Kiwi Blue" parachute team. Doug Brooker showed off his MX2. And a team of four Yak-52s decked out in colourful paint jobs put on a spectactular display. A team of five Harvard trainers did likewise.
Not to be outdone, the New Zealand Air Force came back with their team of five Airtrainers - the "Red Checkers."
The final display by a non-fighting aircraft was by a solitary Pitts Model 12.
Vehicles
We were not too clear on the relevance to an airshow, but Omaka 2013 included a display of old vehicles, including cars, tractors, trucks and a couple of reproduction tanks. So, to round off a long and wonderful day, we toured around the old vehicles...
Vehicles
Unfortunately now, long after the event, I realize I omitted to note what each of these vehicles was. So, you are on your own.