< PreviousKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 95 20 Grant Cox armament). Lieutenant Peter Ehrhardt, by now squadron captain of the 5th/NJG 5 is the first German night fighter pilot to successfully use the new weapon. Between 01:52 and 02:12 - i.e. within only 20 minutes - he shoots four Lancasters out of the sky before low fuel also forces him to land. England, August 1943: At the controls of a real bomber At the No. 14 Operational Training Unit, Grant Cox sits in the cockpit of a real combat aircraft for the first time. The Vickers Wellington was classified as a ‘heavy bomber’ at the start of the war and formed the backbone of Bomber Command. However, after great losses in December 1939, production of heavier, four-engine bombers was pushed, with which higher bomb loads could be transported into enemy territory. The Wellington was downgraded to a ‘medium bomber’. In the first thousand-bomber raid on Cologne on 30 May 1942, no fewer than 602 Wellingtons were involved - more than 60% of the total of 1,047 bombers launched. The Wellington Mk Ic was built from 1940-42 and was used in retraining for heavy bombers from 1944. On the very first day of practice and after only 4:15 hours over two flights, Grant’s logbook shows the entry SELF - CIRCUITS - 1:00. He is a very good pilot, the rating ‘above average’ is found repeatedly in his flight log. Grant accumulates around 80 flying hours before the final training phase for the heavy bombers. 10 January 1944 - Grant had never sat so high above the ground in an aircraft. Pilot Officer Webster of the 1661 Conversion Unit in Winthorpe is his instructor. The Short Stirling III, is the third four-engine bomber, along with the Handley Page Halifax and the Avro Lancaster, that the RAF sends on night bombing missions over the German Reich. It took just one month before the note ‘above average’ appeared again in Grant’s flight log. After 31 hours on the ‘Stirling III’, the final step was taken on the Lancaster. Lancaster Finishing School (LFS), a squadron designation could hardly be clearer. Here Grant Cox sits in the cockpit of the heavy bomber for the first time on 15 February 1944. 5 LFS at Syerston has older Mk I, but also the new Mk III Lancasters. Two weeks later, after twelve training flights with a total of just over six hours flying time during the day and almost ten hours at night, his instructors certify the now 23-year-old. Flying Officer John Grant Cox is ready for action against the enemy. Since he first took off in a Tiger Moth in New Zealand almost three years ago, he has logged 589 hours and 30 minutes on a dozen different aircraft types, from single-engine biplanes to heavy four-engine bombers. His flight instructors have always attested to his above-average abilities, and yet - there is no real preparation for what now awaits. F/O John Grant Cox reports for duty at No. 61 Squadron in Coningsby, in the first week of March. After a check flight Squadron Leader Beard orders five more flights including night landings and the dropping of practice bombs. Since the British and Americans began their combined bomber offensive (CBO) in mid-1943, RAF bomber squadrons have been flying into Reich territory almost every night to drop thousands of tons of bombs over German cities. It has long since ceased to be just about military targets. Air Marshal Arthur Harris has pursued the goal of breaking the morale of the population by destroying German cities and thus bringing the German Reich to its knees. However, the Reich Propaganda Ministry was quite successful in its efforts to convince the people of final victory. With the growing streams of bombers, the defences on the German side were also continuously expanded. Grant’s new workmates from 61 Squadron report not only heavy anti-aircraft fire and night fighters, but also numerous crews missing and shot down. Grant learns on 15 March that these tales are not exaggerated when he flies aboard Lancaster III JB138, Squadron ID QR-J on a mission to Stuttgart. A full moon and cloudless skies had prevented major night raids during the first two weeks of March, but now a massive bomber stream of 617 Lancasters, 230 Halifaxes and 16 Mosquitos was moving towards southern Germany. Grant later noted in his flight log: OPS Stuttgart - Flak MOD- HEAVY. He also describes the type of bombs in the belly of the Lancaster: 1-2000 pound, 6-1000 pound, and 5-500 pound. The flight lasted seven hours and forty minutes. On 17 March, he undertakes two more practice flights. On the first flight, an instructor is on board while he practises evading a fighter. A second flight - this time with his future crew - is for a simulated bombing. On the mission plan for the next evening, 18 March 1943, Grant finds his name - and the names of his crew - for the first time. First Mission The mission target for 18 March is Frankfurt. 846 aircraft, 620 of them Lancasters, take off from their bases in the evening and set course for Germany. 98 bombers break away from the mainstream a little later. Their mission is to drop magnetic mines off the coasts of northern Germany and the Baltic States. Expecting an attack on Berlin, the German night fighters mount up and... wait in vain. Within ten minutes, from 8.55 p.m. to 9.05 p.m., the British - undisturbed by German night fighters - have set their mines and return home. Meanwhile, the mainstream of bombers, including Grant Cox and his crew, attracted the attention of the German defenders. In anticipation of a major attack, the I Fighter Corps has already moved numerous ‘Zahme Sau’ night fighter formations to the suspected entry area during the course of the day. Guidance by the ‘Würzburg’ ground radar had become difficult since the British had begun deploying chaff tinfoil strips. In the ‘Zahme Sau’ (Tame Boar) procedure, the German fighters gathered at numerous radio beacons lined up along the entry corridors of the Allied bombers and then used on-board radar to hunt independently. Their ‘Lichtenstein’ radar has a range of ten kilometres and coverage angle of 120 degrees. 168 single and twin-engined aircraft of the I Fighter Corps, 26 fighters of the 7th Fighter Division, some 54 crews of the 4th Fighter Division and 20 Ju 88 illuminators from the I/NJG7 are in the air the evening of 18 March, throwing themselves against the south-eastward flowing tide of RAF bombers. In spite of this the night fighters scored only 16 aerial victories, while another seven British aircraft fell victim to the flak. After a six-hour mission, Grant Cox landed undamaged back in Coningsby and noted in his flight log: OPS Frankfurt. 1-4000 (pound bomb), 13 SBCs (Small Bomb Containers), Flak MOD-HEAVY, SEARCHLIGHT INTENSE. 800 bombers over Frankfurt ‘Bomber Harris’ demonstrates the RAF’s superiority once again on 22 March with a massive stream of heavy, four-engine bombers. More than 6,000 pilots, co-pilots, navigators and gunners stream towards the Reich in 962 aircraft, one of which is a Lancaster III piloted by Grant. Over the North Sea, 18 Stirlings and 128 Halifaxes break away from the stream. Their aim is to lay mines off Kiel and the coast off Denmark. German radio F K 21 2023 #8 surveillance has already detected the approach of the bombers over the British coast and, as the group is moving eastwards far to the north, expects an attack on Berlin. With that expectation large sections of night fighters were assembled in holding areas northwest of Berlin and over Helgoland. Apparently, it was the minelayers, with their targets in Kiel and Denmark, who ensured that the actual target of the RAF remained unclear until the very end. When the bombs fall on Frankfurt at around 10 p.m., many night fighter crews are already on the ground again - without having had any contact with the enemy. 39 kills are credited to German night fighter crews, with Bomber Command confirming the loss of 33 heavy bombers. Nine more aircraft reach their home bases damaged by fighter fire, and a further 15 aircraft have to be repaired due to flak. The Germans were confused by the splitting of the bomber stream, disguising the actual target. Grant Cox was also able to drop the load of his Lancaster - a heavy 4,000 pound bomb and 15 containers filled with four pound small bombs - over Frankfurt. There are only a few days between the dangerous operational flights of the bomber crews and even these are often filled with training flights. Each mission brings the Allies closer to their goal of forcing the German Reich to surrender. During the rare breaks, Grant’s thoughts are often with Winnifred, his wife, who is waiting for his return in Canada. Any reunion is a long way off, however, as Grant’s tour of duty has only just begun. Grant Cox and his crew are back in the briefing room only two days after their mission to Frankfurt. It is 24 March 1944: Target for Today: BERLIN! All flights over enemy territory are dangerous, but Berlin makes the young men cringe. Everyone realises that this mission leads to hell and – only with luck - back again. They know that the first crews will likely fall victim to the night fighters on the way to Berlin. Countless anti-aircraft guns will then be stationed all around the capital of the Reich, firing at any bomber caught by the glaring white fingers of the searchlights. Those who have brought their bombs to the target and can head for home are awaited once more by the hungry pack of fighters. The young men know that hundreds of them will not return, will never see their homes and loved ones again - but that is the ugly face of war. The Battle of Berlin has been underway since November 1943. The original aim was for the Combined Bomber Forces (RAF & USAAF) to completely destroy the Reich capital. However, after heavy daytime bombing of industrial sites, the USAAF decided against further daytime attacks on Berlin. Convinced of his plan, Harris sent his bombers to Berlin again and again. On the night of 24-25 March 1944, his bombers were to shower the symbolic target in the heart of the German Reich once more with several thousand tons of their deadly cargo, even while doubts were being raised about the Air Marshal’s strategy. The RAF has already lost about 1,000 heavy bombers since the beginning of the campaign - and with them 7,000 well-trained flying personnel. Another 1,700 aircraft returned damaged and to a large extent have to be written off. Measured in terms of operational flights, the loss rate was about 5%. Could this be sustained in the long run? Especially since the German people remain loyal to their ‘Führer’, even in a desert of ruins. To be continued. Issue 96 of KiwiFlyer will contain the final part of Grant’s wartime story, and life. Gerhard Schmid Grant and his crew’s second, and sadly third and final operational flights. 18.03.1944 - Grant’s first operational flight as PIC on a raid on Frankfurt.KiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 95 22 Event Report contributed by Bernice Hintz In 2008, Pam and Ces Collings purchased a property on the North Canterbury plains. Last month they and many friends celebrated the 35th anniversary of Forest Field aerodrome. Bernice Hintz is a long-time friend of the Collings and shares this report with KiwiFlyer readers. Celebrations at Forest Field included much reminiscing of great times enjoyed, and quite an elaborate cake. I am sure Pam and Ces Collings can’t have imagined how influential their land purchase 35 years ago would be for aviation circles in New Zealand and indeed worldwide. The property was chosen because its shape suited the prevailing winds in Canterbury and 1988 and 1989 saw development to transform it into an airfield with three runways. Offending 35 years at Forest Field ICP Savannah S and ICP Ventura. Factory or custom build options and full build support available. Contact your NZ ICP light sport aircraft agent Philip Seale at Westwind Aviation on 021 747494 www.lightsportaircraft.co.nz23 2023 #8 trees were felled from the approaches and an irrigation race was culverted. A conversation at an aviation gathering resulted in the purchase and relocation of a hangar from Timaru. The photo record shows the hangar reconstruction being carried out by a team of willing aviator friends. Over the years working bees, bonfires, fly-ins, anniversaries and community get-togethers have been part and parcel of the Forest Field hospitality. The field has always been open to local training organisations and to itinerants. All manner of aircraft have used the field, from hot air balloons to a DC3. Every kind of pilot has visited from microlight to astronaut. Starting from December 1989 Ces and Pam hosted a local scout camp followed by annual, then biennial South Island aviation scout camps for a number of years over Easter. An indication of Ces and Pam’s networking capabilities saw treats like a 767 and a Skyhawk doing reduced height pass overs. Pam has visitors’ books which contain the who’s who of New Zealand aviation. These include photos of the aircraft they arrived in, be it an Iroquois or Cresco. Some aircraft have arrived and just stayed, like a certain Auster. Clubs have used the field as a rally stop over or a fly-in BBQ: the Millennium Tiger Rally in 2000, the Canterbury Aero Club, NZAWA and microlights. It’s big, it’s open and it’s out of controlled airspace. With Pam having seen various airparks in the United States they decided to develop something similar here where other pilots could enjoy the same lifestyle with their plane at their back door. There are now 10 properties with access to the field and several users who don’t live on site but have aircraft there. The Collings have always gone out of their way to include the wider circle of landowners in social events. It helps if your neighbours are aviation minded (or friendly). In 33 years Pam and Ces owned three houses within 400 meters of each other. The first, the original cottage. The second a two storied home that the Frasers now own and thirdly a single level house shaped like an aeroplane from above with two wings and an observation tower in the middle. In January 2022 Pam moved into Rangiora. She sold the F K airfield to Duncan and Jane Fraser who live at 747 Downs Road and her third house, 727 Downs Road, to Craig and Eleni Stobbs. The 35th Anniversary celebration was both a party and a formal handover to Duncan and Jane held at their hangar. The weather played ball and about 30 aircraft either flew in or taxied from their hangars. In attendance were a couple of Tiger Moths, Austers, Chipmunks, Piper Cubs, and Savannahs. There was also a Carbon Cub, an RV, a replica Spitfire, a C170, a C180, a Citabria, a Midget Mustang, a Gyrocopter, a Bantam and a Budgie (Ragabond) to name a few. The mandatory BBQ was followed by speeches and a very special cake made by Eleni Stobbs. Not only did it look great it tasted yummy as well. I am not sure if she realises what she’s done because she will now be the go-to lady for future celebratory cakes. I have every confidence the field is in good hands and the legacy the Collings began 35 years ago will carry on in good heart. Both the flying and the social occasions. As I left the locals were already planning their next pot-luck dinner. On my way home overflying the field in an ATR I wondered how many other pilots, recreational, PPL, CPL, ATPL and the odd astronaut have looked down with fond memories of their time at the drome. Bernice Hintz Fenian Retreat Accommodation 334 Oparara Road, Karamea Nestled on the bushline of Kahurangi National Park Two bedroom house with spectacular bush & sea views Superking beds convert to singles - All linen supplied Fully equipped kitchen/bathroom/laundry/BBQ/hot tub $390 per night for up to four guests Contact Joanne: 027 203 2077 oparara334@gmail.com Also on AirBnB and BookabachKiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 95 24 Event Report On the first day of October 1948, Whitianga’s Mercury Bay Aero Club became an incorporated society. With their 75th anniversary therefore on the horizon, in late 2022 plans started to be made for a suitable celebration weekend. The natural date for this would be Labour weekend of 2023. Your KiwiFlyer Editor happens to also be Secretary of the MBAC so with bias kept in check (not really), presents this report of a very successful celebration indeed. The usual proposals were put forward; a fly-in, a dinner, an open day for the public. And an air show. “No, can’t be done, don’t even think about it,” said some. “The regulations have stuffed that idea long ago. The houses are all too close and the airfield is too small for it do be done safely.” “What about a ‘flying display’ then?” said others. “No absolutely not. CAA know what that’s code for. Forget it. Let’s have a seafood dinner that people can fly in for,” they were told. Except it just seemed like such an opportunity... and a few members kept on thinking about it. Then early this year the main road to Whitianga was damaged by a massive slip and closed. Repairs were expected to take until 2024 and in the meantime travellers by road would need to go the long way, adding an hour to the typical travel time. Whitianga and the Coromandel Peninsula survive on tourism and having just endured a wet summer, off the back of Covid for the prior two seasons, the outlook could hardly be gloomier. All the more reason to do something exciting for the town therefore, like having an air show. But how? At some point, somebody said, “Who says it has to be at the airfield? Buffalo Beach is barely a mile away. Why don’t we have it there?” And that got a few Aero Day Over the Bay The Red Star Yak Formation Team, Parachutists from the DC-3, Kittyhawk and Mustang, and thousands of people watching all along Buffalo Beach at Whitianga. people thinking some more. Life member Bill Beard said he would sort it, then proceeded to engage with NZ Warbirds (who do this all the time at Ardmore), the local Council, CAA and numerous other potential stakeholders whose support or permission would be needed. At some later point, the question arose “How are we going to charge people for it? We can’t really control access to the beach.” Answer: “Why can’t it be free. How good would that be?” And good it was. Bill took on the additional task of soliciting sponsorship from local businesses, the Council, companies belonging to enthusiastic club members, and anyone else who looked like they might ‘get’ the idea and lend a hand. There was of course a mammoth amount of bureaucracy to manage as well: CAA regulations, Council regulations, Coast Guard regulations, closing off the bay to boats, providing facilities for the public, parking plans at the beach, crowd management, promotion, and obtaining permits for all manner of things that you’d think really shouldn’t be necessary. In the end, all of the regulatory people were as helpful as they could be, sufficient 25 2023 #8 F K Delta Zulu A New Generation of Headsets View the whole range at www.lightspeedheadsets.nz 021 340 308 phil@lightspeedheadsets.nz Built in CO Detector - always on and providing audible and visual warnings Stunning audio with Hearing EQity - optimises every conversation and ATC call for your customised hearing profile covering 12 frequencies Changeable Battery Packs - choose between rechargeable Li-ion and AA Lightspeed App - review data, record and play back all audio for debriefing Bluetooth and four cable options including UAC and Lightning Zulu 3 and Sierra still available Peter Fahey’s commentary was live streamed by CFM. Waco, Extra, Harvards, DC-3, thirsty Mustang, Beaver, and how good is that new grass runway looking... sponsorship was proffered for the aero club to underwrite the rest of the event if required, and with a small army of club volunteers the plan was set in place to make it happen. The event would be billed as Aero Day Over the Bay and include a continuous two hour air show followed by an open day at the airfield for the public to visit the café, meet the pilots, take a joyride, and more. Posters went up, newspaper articles were written, and excitement began to build. Coromandel FM came on board to broadcast a live commentary on a dedicated frequency plus stream to a webpage so that anyone could listen in on their phone. Labour weekend arrived and the town filled with people. By 10am on Sunday a great many of them were at the beach ready to see the show start with ten parachutists jumping from the DC-3 to land at the water’s edge. Displays followed by the Roaring ’40s Harvard Team, a pair of Wacos, Dave Cranna’s Extra, the Beaver, an RV, Richard Hood’s Pitts, the Kittyhawk and Mustang as a pair, the Chipmunk, the Red Stars Yak Formation Team and more. It was a sensational morning at the beach – all the more exceptional because it was a free of charge community event. 3000 programmes were handed out to spectators, all with a number, with a draw happening in the afternoon and one lucky person winning a joyride in a Harvard. Plenty of people visited the airfield open day in the afternoon and were able to watch the numerous departures and arrivals of aircraft conducting joyrides including quite a few in the Mustang which looked magnificent operating off the grass runway – itself in pristine condition after much work by the club over the last 18 months. The airfield cafe had their busiest day ever. It was a superb occasion, best summed up by the words of John Pheasant in a letter to the club the following week. “Congratulations on a wonderful day which brought memories of great local air shows of yesteryear. You have proven that an air show can still be safely run with a minimum of fuss and bureaucracy - shades of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.” Many other supportive messages have been received too, with more than a few people suggesting this become a biennial event. It certainly deserves to be. Michael NortonA Polikarpov I-16 leading a pair of Polikarpov I-153 fighters at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2006. Sir Tim Wallis passed away peacefully in his sleep at his Wānaka home on Tuesday, October 17th 2023 after suffering medical complications. A pioneer in the deer recovery industry who became a leading deer farmer, Sir Tim was passionate about aviation and founded the enormously successful Warbirds Over Wanaka Air Show. Born in Greymouth to parents Arthur and Janice, he attended Grey Main School followed by Christ’s College in Christchurch. After completing a period of compulsory military training in 1957 he spent two terms as a medical student at the University of Canterbury before leaving to take a job at Kopara Sawmilling Company’s Haupiri Mill. Deer Recovery Sir Tim’s early attraction to the bush, mountains and deer hunting led him to discover that helicopters were ideal for hunting and recovery purposes and later, live deer capture. During the 1960s, with Sir Tim as the driving force, the deer farming industry was founded in New Zealand and succeeded beyond all expectations. No stranger to innovation, Sir Tim also pioneered aspects of the supporting infrastructure necessary in the recovery of deer carcasses: he bought the Ranginui, a former coastal trader which he converted to a floating, mobile heliport and refrigerator Vale Sir Tim Wallis 9 th September 1938 - 17 th October 2023 to support deer recovery in Fiordland National Park. Capable of holding up to 600 red deer carcasses, this was a first-in-the-world idea. Sir Tim built an aviation empire around helicopter operations and for many years he held monopoly over the rights to commercial hunting in Fiordland National Park. He was among the first to see the potential of the deer farming industry in New Zealand and his farm, Criffel, became a centre of excellence for high quality genetics serving as a model for many other farmers. Among the farms owned by his company Alpine Deer Group, were Criffel Game Park near Wanaka, and Mararoa Station in Te Anau which at their peak grazed 7,000 deer. The company also forged trade relationships in Russia, Korea and Hong Kong that saw exports of velvet, antler and pizzle to Asia. In 1974 Sir Tim pioneered the first exports of live deer to Taiwan. In 1976 he purchased Mararoa station which was sold in 1987 to Challenge Deer Park. After spending time in Canada and Russia he returned to the South Island High Country, buying the 20,000 hectare Minaret Station in 1995 which the company developed for 10,600 deer stock units. Sir Tim received several awards over his life, the pinnacle of which was being knighted in 1994 in acknowledgement of his pioneering of helicopter live deer recovery and deer industry KiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 95 26 In memory of Sir Tim Wallis27 2023 #8 This Mk IX Spitfire became an icon while under Sir Tim’s ownership. It was later sold to the Temora Aviation museum where it now flies on a regular basis. This Supermarine Mk XIV Spitfire that Sir Tim owned is now based at the Aviation Heritage Centre at Omaka. Sir Tim’s Hurricane P3351 in the hands of Steve Taylor at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2008 is one of the best restored Hurricanes to be found anywhere. Jim Rankin flying the Grumman Avenger once owned by Sir Tim and now flying with Brendon Deere’s collection at Ohakea. Patented Kiwi Made Spray Nozzles Improved Chemical Delivery Better Spray Drift Control Less Ground Time Tried and Proven Contact Glenn . 027 473 1403 . GlennKeane@xtra.co.nz P: 07 574 1950 or 027 493 9073 E: travel@gayepardy.co.nz www.gayepardy.co.nz A trip of A lifetime ! Come on our 36 th tour to OSHKOSH for EAA AirVenture 2024 leverage our decades of oshkosh tour experience to ensure you have a wonderful time with like minded people. Expect to see 2500 aircraft on show and 800 exhibitors, hundreds of forums, seminars and hands-on workshops, daily air shows and aviation entertainment in the evenings. Departs 19th July direct to Chicago with an extension tour to Washington, Tuscon and Houston. We are a TAANZ bonded member & IATA accredited agent with Travel Managers Group Ltdleadership, including membership of the NZDFA Council from 1997-1983. That same year he was also awarded a Commemorative Medal, jointly with Sir Peter Elworthy, for their services to the deer industry. Involvement in aviation Sir Tim’s enthusiasm for flying continued beyond using helicopters for deer recovery, developing into a love affair with classic planes. This led to purchases and reconstructions of, among others, Soviet and American fighters including Supermarine Spitfires which he loved to fly. The collection began in 1984 when he purchased a North American P-51 Mustang. Subsequently painted in RNZAF colours, it attracted much media attention as the first flying WWII fighter seen in New Zealand for many years and played a major part in the 1980s and 1990s expansion of the warbird scene in New Zealand. The purchase of this aircraft led him to establish the Alpine Fighter Collection. Sir Tim was a driving force behind the establishment of the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum, opened in 1993, which was built alongside the Alpine Deer Group offices at Wanaka Airport. After attempting to find suitable Messerschmitt Me-109 or Focke Wulf 190 wrecks in Russia to restore, he concentrated on acquiring the remains of damaged Polikarpov aircraft. By 1993 he had purchased enough to have six Polikarpov I-16s and three Polikarpov I-153s restored by the Soviet Aeronautical Research Institute (SibNIA) in Novosibirsk. The flight of the first restored aircraft took place in 1995. Once restored the aircraft were transported by rail to Vladivostok and from there shipped via Hong Kong to New Zealand. This project was completed in 1999 with the arrival of the final aircraft. Sir Tim survived numerous aviation mishaps, including hitting overhead power lines in a helicopter in 1968, breaking his back and partly paralysing his left leg. He was unable to fly from 1996, when he crashed his Spitfire Mk XIV on take-off at Wānaka Airport. Following his 1996 accident, the Alpine Fighter Collection was wound down and the aircraft were sold. KiwiFlyer Magazine Issue 95 28 In memory of Sir Tim Wallis Always wanted to fly? We’re here to make those dreams become a reality. Our experienced Fixed wing and Gyrocopter Instructors will work with you, no matter your current skill level, to get you to where you want to be. Recreational Flying is Serious Fun ! Buy a Trial Flight online today Ph 0800 359 249 www.aviationcentre.co.nz Dakota Way, Tauranga Airport The Best Experience in South Westland Waiatoto River Safari caters for all mobilities, and provides a free local-fare BBQ for groups of 6 or more pax. Need a pick up from the aerodrome? Let us know. Use promo code KiwiFlyer when booking online www.riversafaris.co.nz/group-river-tours-and-chartersWarbirds over Wanaka In 1988 Sir Tim established the Warbirds over Wanaka Air Show which now attracts tens of thousands of spectators over three days every second Easter. He first arranged the airshow primarily to display his collection of WWII aircraft to the public and to draw tourists to Wanaka which at that time was a relatively quiet town. It rapidly became the largest warbird show in the southern hemisphere, with the first show attracting 14,000 visitors. Sir Tim was the driving force behind the event for the next 20 years, with control passing to the newly established Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust in 2006. His pure joy and enthusiasm for aviation and Wanaka ensured there were always plenty of others to help him put each show together. Although in later years he no longer had day-to-day oversight of the air show, Sir Tim continued to take a keen interest and was always up for a chat about what could be a good display for the next event. Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust Chairman John Gilks says Sir Tim has left an amazing legacy. “Today the air show attracts more than 50,000 people over three days and pumps $42m into the regional economy.” Personal life Tim Wallis married Prue Hazledine in 1974 while they were on a trip to South Africa. The couple had four children; Toby, Jonathan, Matthew and Nicholas. In 2018, two of their sons, Matthew (39) and Nick (38) were tragically killed in separate helicopter crashes. During his remarkable lifetime Sir Tim Wallis demonstrated a determination and enthusiasm for challenges that would appear insurmountable to many: when the odds seemed stacked against him he not only survived but pushed on and succeeded. He was also an innovator and an inspirational leader in business and community affairs: who knows how many people have taken up flying or pursued careers in aviation after attending one of his air shows or becoming enthralled with stories of the deer recovery era. A true identity of aviation in New Zealand, Sir Tim will be missed by a great many people here and around the world. The KiwiFlyer team extends our sincere condolences to Lady Wallis and the Wallis family. Michael Norton 29 2023 #8 Catching a ride down the 2018 Wanaka flight line in a RNZAF NH90. F K With his Hughes 500 ZK-HOT and a deer caught on the Criffel Range with a skid-mounted net gun. Still driving to your summer holiday destination? Alex 022 588 0942 Brad 027 634 1030 sales@slingaircraft.nz www.slingaircraft.nz Sling 2 LSA, Sling TSi, Sling High Wing Ardmore Airfield, Papakura. Phone: (09) 298 9207 Email: office@nzwarbirds.org.nz www.nzwarbirds.org.nz NZ W ARBIRDS J oIN U S S eekINg V olUNteeRS The NZ Warbirds Association is a non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving New Zealand’s rich Aviation Heritage. We are an umbrella group representing the interests of the owners of many unique aircraft and have a focus on the operation and display of these aircraft. If you have an interest in history, heritage and aircraft, NZ Warbirds may be for you. We have a continuing requirement for volunteers to assist with our Visitors Centre, aircraft hangar, model displays and general activities. If you need an excuse to ‘get out of the house’ (guys and girls) we would love to hear from you. Next >