Red Checkers
The NZDF’s three Services were on display to the public at this year’s Wings Over Wairarapa airshow. The biennial airshow attracted record crowds on 17 and 18 January and the Army, Navy and Army all contributed ground and air displays to the event.The RNZAF made the biggest contribution, with seven helicopters, the Red Checkers aerobatic team, their RNZAF vintage Harvard and the Kiwi Blue parachute team. The crowd-pleasing helicopter display included six soldiers who fast-roped from a hovering Iroquois to the applause of the crowd. Meanwhile, FLTLT Kate Clark’s smooth commentary helped reinforce the Air Force’s message of professional performance. A Navy Seasprite helicopter was part of the massed helicopter display, showing its power and speed as well as undertaking a winch transfer to a simulated ‘boat’, with a ute speeding down the runway acting as the ‘boat’.
On the ground the RNZAF created a tented camp to let the public see how we live and work on deployments. The Army contributed a Light Armoured Vehicle (LAV) and Light Operational Vehicle (LOV) to the military vehicles line up. Both the Air Force Museum and the Army Museum were present with displays and sales teams. During lunch talented musicians from the jazz band of the Central Band of the RNZAF, with Stephanie Paris on vocals, treated the crowd to a smooth performance that included tunes such as ‘Fly me to the Moon’ and ‘The girl from Ipanema’.
A German Fokker DV11
It is clear the crowd was delighted with the Services’ presence, but the Kiwi Blue parachute descent, in high winds, drew the most applause, as the jumpers landed with precision just metres from the crowd.
In addition, the RNZAF team played a part in supporting the Camp Quality group, youngsters with cancer on their annual camp at Masterton, who were special guests at this year’s airshow.