Warbirds over Wanaka
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Warbirds over Wanaka is a biennial air show in Wanaka, held on the Easter weekend of even-numbered years. It is held at Wanaka Airport, 10km outside Wanaka village. Initially conceived by New Zealand live deer recovery pioneer, Sir Tim Wallis as a display day for Sir Tim to play with his collection of World War II aircraft, the show has grown into a major institution. Roads are closed and traffic is detoured around the area during the weekend. Hotels, motels and backpackers around Wanaka are usually booked well in advance (two years ahead). Accommodation is impossible to find if you do not have a booking.
In 2004, an international audience of 99,000 attended the show. The 10th Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow in 2006 was held during April 14-16. A record 111,000 people were estimated to have attended.
A large contingent of historic and contemporary aircraft of note from all over New Zealand and the world converge on Wanaka each second Easter for the airshow. Numerous aviation personalities from all over the world attend Warbirds over Wanaka, General Chuck Yeager being the most notable of recent times. The mainstays of the display have traditionally been the aircraft from Sir Tim's "Alpine Fighter Collection" based at the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum. However this collection is currently (2006) in the process of being broken up. A new charitable trust has been established to run the event in the future.
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