Classic Fighters is a biennial airshow in Blenheim, New Zealand, held on the Easter weekend of odd-numbered years. The airshow has been running since 2001,[1] and is held at Omaka Airfield, just outside of the main town of Blenheim. Each year the air show is run with a different theme. Past themes have been a North African theme (complete with a pyramid and belly dancers) a France Theme with its Eiffel Tower,[1] Arc de Triomphe, onion sellers and berets and also an ‘Aviation and the Movies’ theme, which opened the field wide for famous film scene recreations 2009 was for an Italian invasion. 2011 is to see a focus on the second half of WWII.
Aircraft are displayed as part of a theatrical spectacle, where battle scenes and other historical events are re-enacted on the ground as well as in the air with an emphasis on World War I aircraft including as many as seven Fokker Dr.I triplanes of Jasta 11 during March 1918 well being led by the red Fokker Dr.I triplane of Manfred von Richthofen the Red Baron, as well as original Krupp artillery and World War I tanks. A unique spactacle for the 2011 show will be the launch of a life sized V-2 Missile replica.
Aircraft on show include:[2]
As well as many more aircraft, military vehicles and reenactors from the Military Reenactment Society and other New Zealand reenactment groups,
The 2009 air show was held on the 10–12 April with an Italian Theme. On even-numbered years, the Warbirds over Wanaka event is held in Wanaka, also on the South Island.