On the 21st of March Whenuapai airbase comes alive with it’s annual open day and air show.

If you’re into military aviation this weekend is one you don’t want to miss out at Whenuapai Airbase. This is a fantastic opportunity to watch some of the south pacific’s best aviators fly their machines.

“This year’s Air Show includes an exciting programme of ground and air activities which I hope will give you the opportunity to see up close our air operations, the support behind those operations, and most importantly to meet and talk with the men and women of the RNZAF who are all very proud of the important role they play in protecting our national interests” says Chief of Air Force, Air Vice-Marshal Graham Lintott on the airforce website.

Air Show Flying Programme

9.00am – Gates open

9.15am-10.30am – RNZAF Morning Display featuring:
Solo Airtrainer aerobatics
Kiwi Blue Parachute Team
Hercules display
Harvard aerobatics
Red Checkers aerobatics
Boeing 757 display

10.30am -12.15pm – Warbirds Display featuring:
A37 Dragonfly
Roaring Forties Harvards
DC3 Dakota
T28 Trojan
Yak formation
MX-2
F4 Corsair
P51 Mustang
L39 Albatross
Vampire
12.15pm-1.10pm – Lunch Break featuring:
Warbirds scenic flights for public (DC3, Catalina, Yak, Vampire, Albatross)
Wing walking
Gliding aerobatics display
MX-2 vs V8 Car drag race
Westpac Helicopter display
Dog Handling display
Maori Culture Group performance
1.10pm-1.25pm – USAF Display featuring:
C-17 GlobemasterIII
1.25pm-4.05pm – RNZAF Afternoon Display featuring:
Helicopter line-up
Kiwi Blue Parachute Team
RNZAF maritime rescue display
RNZAF airfield insertion display
Iroquois role demonstration
Sioux handling display
P3 Orion display
Iroquois role demonstration
Harvard display
757 handling display
Iroquois handling display
9-ship airtrainer formation flypast
Hercules handling display
Red Checkers aerobatics
Formation Thunder

4.05pm-4.20pm – RAAF Display featuring F/A -18 Hornet
4.20pm-4.40pm – Afternoon Activity featuring:
Warbirds scenic flights for public
(DC3, Catalina, Yak) Iroquois flight

1700 – Gates closed