While not exactly a club sanctioned event, a number of club members were to be found being entertained at the bi-annual Classic Fighters Airshow held at Omaka airport, Blenheim - see http://www.classicfighters.co.nz/ for details.
The airshow drew some 40,000 spectators over the Easter weekend. It's theme is largely based around aeroplanes from the inception of powered flight to those used in World War One and through the inter-war period. Occasionally some 'heavy-metal' aircraft types manage to sneak in such as Mustangs, Kittyhawks, Corsairs and Lockheed Lightnings (Ok, I was kidding about the Lightnings!). There are also various ground set plays performed which ranged from WW1, WW2 and, this year, Vietnam (special guest appearance - Jimmy Hendrix!)
Myself and other club members will heartily recommend attendance at future airshows (next one is at Easter 2009 - book your tickets now!).
BUT WILL IT FIT IN MY EUROPA!
Interesting photo of a new motor that is being considered for a certain
Lotus Europa project. Actually it's an Allison V12 aircraft power-plant
of some 27 litres capacity and 1150hp - probably out of a WW2 Curtis
Kittyhawk Fighter.
Colin Chapman would probably have built a lighter-weight chassis under
the motor and hopefully would have had better steering/handling than
that jockey wheel provides. The fuel tank is also a bit small for any
decent run although fuel = weight and it was not unknown for Lotus
Formula 1 cars to run out of fuel on the last lap!
Noise, Vibration and Harshness might have to be addressed as evident
by the people in the background blocking their ears! But then again
it was a glorious sound to the true enthusiast!
Baron Von Richthoffen's Flying Circus on the prowl!
Here Be Dragons
- 2 DeHavilland Dragon Rapides plus a DeHavilland Dragonfly.
World War One Ground Scenario. No 'bang, bangs' here
- those guns were LOUD!
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