An air show (or airshow , air fair , air tattoo ) is a public event where aircraft are exhibited . They often include aerobatics demonstrations, without they are called "static air shows" with aircraft parked on the ground.
82-511: Warbirds over Wanaka is a biennial air show in Wānaka , held on the Easter weekend of even-numbered years since 1988. It is held at Wānaka Airport , 10 km south-east of Wānaka, in the southern South Island of New Zealand . Initially conceived by New Zealand live deer recovery pioneer, Sir Tim Wallis , as a show for him to display his collection of World War II aircraft, the event has grown into
164-456: A Nationalist bombing raid on Madrid. Soviet pilots claimed four air victories and two German Heinkel He 51 pilots were killed. But the Soviets suffered losses too; the group commander collided with an enemy aircraft and another I-16 pilot crash landed. The Polikarpovs immediately began dominating the enemy Heinkel He 51 and Arado Ar 68 biplanes and remained unchallenged until the introduction of
246-449: A cable and the required effort, coupled with sensitive controls, made precision aiming difficult. The rear weight bias made the I-16 easy to handle on unprepared airfields because the aircraft was rather unlikely to flip over the nose even if the front wheels dug in. The I-16 was a difficult fighter to fly. The pilots had poor visibility, the canopy tended to become fouled with engine oil, and
328-676: A display with their Red Checkers aerobatic team. A profit of $ 41,000 was made, which was divided between the Wanaka Swimming pool and the next Warbirds event. A more detailed organisation together with increased promotion saw attendance double to 28,000. A feature was Tim Wallis's repaired Spitfire XVI. The star of the show was a Messerschmitt Bf 109 ( Hispano Ha.1112 Buchon ) owned by the Duxford -based Old Flying Machine Company and flown by Mark Hanna. The Alpine Fighter Collection's Curtiss P-40K Kittyhawk made its first post-restoration flight at
410-621: A few stalls on the ground. Air displays can be held during day or night with the latter becoming increasingly popular. Air shows often, but do not always, take place over airfields; some have been held over the grounds of stately homes or castles and over the sea at coastal resorts. The first public international airshow, at which many types of aircraft were displayed and flown, was the Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne , held Aug. 22–29, 1909 in Reims . This had been preceded by what may have been
492-638: A first for Wanaka. Airshow dates were from 2–4 April. The first display of the McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets of the RAAF. Another overseas star was the specially-imported Mitsubishi A6M Zero of the Commemorative Air Force . The 2012 airshow was held on April 6, 7, 8. Aircraft displayed that year included a T-6C Texan II , the RNZAF's future main trainer. The Agusta A109 also debuted at
574-499: A fully enclosed cockpit, and was optimized for speed with a short stubby fuselage, and a Wright R-1820 radial engine in a NACA cowling . The aircraft is small, light and simple to build. Full-scale work on the TsKB-12 prototype began in June 1933, and the aircraft was accepted into production on 22 November 1933, a month before it took to the air. The TsKB-12 was of mixed construction, using
656-508: A large loss of life, such as the 1988 Ramstein air show disaster (70 deaths) in Germany and the 2002 Sknyliv air show disaster (77 deaths) in Ukraine . Because of these accidents, the various aviation authorities around the world have set rules and guidance for those running and participating in air displays. For example, after the breakup of an aircraft at 1952 Farnborough air show (31 deaths),
738-482: A large range of speeds. Manoeuvres include aileron rolls, barrel rolls, hesitation rolls, Cuban-8s, tight turns, high-alpha flight, a high-speed pass, double Immelmans, and touch-and-gos. Tactical demos may include simulated bomb drops, sometimes with pyrotechnics on the ground for effect. Aircraft with special characteristics that give them unique capabilities will often display those in their demos; For example, Russian fighters with thrust vectoring may be used to perform
820-416: A major institution. Roads are closed and traffic is detoured around the area during the weekend. Hotels, motels and backpackers around Wānaka are usually booked well in advance (two years ahead). Accommodation is impossible to find if one does not have a booking. A large contingent of historic and contemporary aircraft of note from all over New Zealand and the world converges on Wānaka each second Easter for
902-493: A more powerful engine. The main versions of the I-16 had a maximum speed of 450–470 km/h (279–291 mph), while the Bf 109E had a maximum speed of 560–570 km/h (347–353 mph), the more streamlined Bf 109F Friedrich could hit 615–630 km/h (372-390plus mph). So German pilots held the initiative and could decide if they wanted to chase their opponents, could attack them from above and behind and then gain altitude for
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#1732855679391984-399: A new attack. Meanwhile, Polikarpovs could only defend each other by forming a defensive circle or via horizontal maneuverability. Moreover, in terms of armament, Messerschmitts had a slight edge on the I-16. The Emil carried two wing-mounted 20mm MG FF cannons and two synchronized 7.92 mm MG-17s with a weight of a one-second salvo of 2.37 kg, while the most common version of
1066-612: A number of factors, including the weather and visibility. Most aviation authorities now publish rules and guidance on minimum display heights and criteria for differing conditions. In addition to the weather, pilots and organizers must also consider local airspace restrictions. Most exhibitors will plan "full", "rolling" and "flat" display for varying weather and airspace conditions. The types of shows vary greatly. Some are large scale military events with large flying displays and ground exhibitions while others held at small local airstrips can often feature just one or two hours of flying with just
1148-408: A parade of Packard vintage cars. The opening of the show was marred by an incident involving one of the show's Yak-3 aircraft, with the plane (piloted by its owner, Arthur Dovey), hitting a parked mobile boom-lift unit ( cherry picker ) as it was landing. There were no injuries, but the aircraft sustained major damage. An investigation found the airshow organisers at fault for not adequately briefing
1230-449: A public relations exercise to thank the local community, promote military careers and raise the profile of the military. Air "seasons" vary around the world. The United States enjoys a long season that generally runs from March to November, covering the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Other countries often have much shorter seasons. In Japan air shows are generally events held at Japan Air Self-Defense Force bases regularly throughout
1312-692: A regular feature of the airshow since its inception in 1988, made its final display before retiring from service and being replaced by the NH-90 . The airshow took place from 25 to 27 March. A Hispano Aviación HA-1112 from the Aircraft Restoration Company was ferried across for the show. The resident PBY Catalina made its first airshow at Wanaka after a restoration program took place for the aircraft to ensure its airworthiness. The 2018 show took place from March 30 to April 2, with aviation displays by historic and current aircraft from 10 am to 4 pm on both
1394-489: A third ShKAS in the bottom of the fuselage. The four-gun Type 10 was nicknamed "Super Mosca" or simply "Super". The total number of I-16s delivered to Spain from 1936 to 1938 amounted to 276. When the war ended on 1 April 1939, 187 Ratas had been lost in Spain: 112 lost in combat, one shot down by anti-aircraft fire, eleven destroyed on the ground, one force-landed and 62 lost in accidents. Between October 1937 and September 1939
1476-585: A variety of other aeronautical attractions as well, such as wing-walking, radio-controlled aircraft, water/slurry drops from firefighting aircraft, simulated helicopter rescues and sky diving . Specialist aerobatic aircraft have powerful piston engines, light weight and big control surfaces, making them capable of very high roll rates and accelerations. A skilled pilot will be able to climb vertically, perform very tight turns, tumble his aircraft end-over-end and perform manoeuvres during loops. Larger airshows can be headlined by military jet demonstration teams, such as
1558-429: A wooden monocoque fuselage and wings employing a KhMA chrome-molybdenum steel alloy wing spar, dural ribs and D1 aluminum alloy skinning on the center and leading edges, with the remaining portions of the wings fabric-covered. Another modern feature were the ailerons which ran along almost the entire trailing edge of the wing and also operated as flaps (in the manner of more modern flaperons ) by drooping 15°. The cockpit
1640-671: Is Le Bourget , followed by Farnborough , with the Dubai Airshow and Singapore Airshow both claiming third place. The largest air show or fly-in by number of participating aircraft is EAA AirVenture Oshkosh , with approximately 10,000 aircraft participating annually. The biggest military airshow in the world is the Royal International Air Tattoo , at RAF Fairford in England . On the other hand, FIDAE in II Air Brigade of
1722-585: Is a Soviet single-engine single-seat fighter aircraft of revolutionary design; it was the world's first low-wing cantilever monoplane fighter with retractable landing gear to attain operational status and as such "introduced a new vogue in fighter design". The I-16 was introduced in the mid-1930s and formed the backbone of the Soviet Air Force at the beginning of World War II . The diminutive fighter, nicknamed " Ishak " or " Ishachok " (" donkey " or "burro") by Soviet pilots, figured prominently in
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#17328556793911804-400: Is a whole raft of legislation concerning health & safety, in particular corporate manslaughter , which can involve the event organiser being charged with a criminal offence if any of the insurances and risk assessments are not fully completed well in advance of the event. Rules govern the distance from the crowds that aircraft must fly. These vary according to the rating of the pilot/crew,
1886-473: Is traditional for RNZAF aircraft heading to Wānaka for the airshow to perform aerial displays over the cities of Christchurch and Dunedin on their journey to the show. As well as aircraft there were displays of vintage vehicles and agricultural machinery. The event attracted an estimated 14,000 visitors. Among the aircraft was Tim Wallis's Mustang , a Hawker Sea Fury , de Havilland Venom , DC3 and Harvards . The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) put on
1968-407: Is unfounded (perhaps extrapolated from Gee Bee experience). In fact, the I-16's stablemate, the biplane Polikarpov I-153 , exhibited much worse spin characteristics. Service trials of the new fighter, designated I-16 , began on 22 March 1934. The M-22 prototype reached 359 km/h (223 mph). The pioneering presence of a complex, triple-strut manually retracted main landing gear design
2050-525: The Chinese Air Force where on 20 May 1940, they effectively shot down a C5M scout-attack plane and three G3M bombers during the Battle of Chongqing . Types 18, 24, 27, 28, and 29 could be fitted to carry RS-82 unguided rockets. The first successful use of air-to-air missiles in air combat was on August 20, 1939. A Ki-27 was hit by an RS-82 rocket launched from a distance of about a kilometer. The shot
2132-767: The FACH , next to the Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport in Santiago , Chile , is the largest aerospace fair in Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere . Some airshows are held as a business venture or as a trade event where aircraft, avionics and other services are promoted to potential customers. Many air shows are held in support of local, national or military charities. Military air firms often organise air shows at military airfields as
2214-516: The Messerschmitt Bf 109 . The arrival of the newest Bf 109Bs and the overwhelming numerical superiority of Nationalist fighters were the primary cause of the heavy I-15 and I-16 combat losses suffered throughout 1937. A number of aviation publications called the new Soviet fighter a "Boeing" due to the incorrect assumption that it was based on the Boeing P-26 's design. The Nationalists nicknamed
2296-881: The Second Sino-Japanese War , the Battle of Khalkhin Gol , Winter War and the Spanish Civil War – where it was called the Rata (" rat ") by the Nationalists or Mosca (" fly ") by the Republicans. The Finns called the aircraft Siipiorava "( flying squirrel )". While working on the Polikarpov I-15 biplane, Nikolai Nikolaevich Polikarpov began designing an advanced monoplane fighter. It featured cutting-edge innovations such as retractable landing gear and
2378-547: The ShKAS machine guns had a tendency to jam. This was the result of the guns being installed in the wings upside-down to facilitate the fit. The problem was addressed in later modifications. Evaluations from pilots confirmed the experience with prototypes. Controls were light and very sensitive, abrupt maneuvers resulted in spins, and spin behavior was excellent. An aileron roll could be performed in under 1.5 seconds (roll rate over 240 degrees/second). The machine guns were fired via
2460-610: The Soviet Union was being negotiated. As the license was not yet approved, Polikarpov was asked to settle for the less powerful M-22 (Soviet-built version of the Gnome-Rhone Jupiter 9ASB, which itself was a licensed version of the Bristol Jupiter VI) with 358 kW (480 hp). This was deemed acceptable because the projected top speed still exceeded 300 km/h (185 mph). The M-22-powered TsKB-12 first took to
2542-690: The Stammkennzeichen codes DM+HC and DM+HD) and flown from the Erprobungstelle Rechlin central Luftwaffe test facility by Kampfgeschwader 200 (KG 200). The Luftwaffe was not the only air force able to test its fighters against the I-16; the Japanese captured a few I-16s as well, and the Romanian Air Force also got one when a Soviet pilot defected. The Finnish Air Force (FAF) captured some I-16s (along with several other Soviet types). During
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2624-605: The Winter War and the Continuation War , the Finns captured six I-16s and one I-16UTI. Two of the captured I-16s and I-16UTIs were put back into flying condition and flight tested. There is considerable disagreement in literature on features of particular I-16 variants. This list is based on the following references. Commencing in 1993, New Zealand pilot and entrepreneur Sir Tim Wallis ' Alpine Fighter Collection organised
2706-618: The Zveno parasite aircraft experiments using the Tupolev TB-3 as a mothership. These I-16s carried two 250 kg bombs for dive bombing. This was more than double the bomb load an I-16 could take off with under its own power. Once the bombs were dropped, they could perform as normal I-16s, and could re-attach to the TB-3 for the return journey. The Luftwaffe was known to have captured some I-16 and UTI-4 two-seat trainers (two of which were marked with
2788-604: The battles of Khalkhin Gol , of which 88 were destroyed in aerial combat, primarily against the all-metal Nakajima Ki-27 Japanese fighters. During test trials in Russia of a captured Ki-27, the aircraft proved superior to the Soviet I-152 (I-15bis), I-153 , and the I-16 in aerial combat, as well as having a faster take-off and lower landing speed, requiring shorter airstrips than the I-16, which needed 270 meters to stop and 380 meters for take-off. Further attempts were made to upgrade
2870-518: The cobra maneuver or the Kulbit , while VTOL aircraft such as the Harrier may display such vertical capabilities or perform complex maneuvers with them. Some military air shows also feature demonstrations of aircraft ordnance in airstrikes and close air support , using either blanks or live munitions . Air shows may present some risk to spectators and aviators. Accidents have occurred, sometimes with
2952-651: The 31st and 1st. Participants in the show included displays by U.S. Air Force (USAF) F-16s from the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base in Japan, a Harvard display team; RNZAF NH90s; the Kiwi Blue RNZAF Parachute display team; RNZAF C-130 Hercules and Boeing 757 ; the RAAF Hawk 127 high performance jet trainer; The French Air Force of New Caledonia 's CASA; RNZAF Seasprites ; a Yak-52 team formation aerobatic display; Juka aerobatics; USAF C-17 Globemasters;
3034-459: The 9th to the 11th April. Aircraft that were displayed included the return of ex RNZAF P-40E Kittyhawk and an FG-1D Corsair, which accompanied the locally based Spitfire Mk.XVI and P-51D in the final Breitling Fighters display. Jurgis Kairys made his first Wanaka airshow that year and the sole airworthy Lavochkin La-9 flew at the show. Buzz Aldrin was the guest of honour. The 2006 airshow was held over
3116-649: The Air Force, who now wanted the experimental Nazarov M-58 engine and 470 km/h (290 mph). Subsequently, the M-22-powered version entered production at Factory 21 in Nizhny Novgorod and Factory 39 in Moscow . Because it was the fourth aircraft produced by these factories, it received the designation I-16 Type 4 . Aircraft fitted with these new engines required a slightly changed airframe, including armor plating for
3198-509: The Chinese pilots meant many were lost to crashes. In Chinese service the I-16 became known as the "Lastochka" or "Swallow". In the early years of the war the I-16 was a capable fighter, however from 1939 onwards its performance was deemed to be lacking in comparison to newer fighters. A number Chinese aces flew the I-16; among them Lo Ying-Teh who in 1938 shot down Japanese unit leader Lt Ryohei Ushioda's A5M2 in his I-16 Type 5. .Another ace to fly
3280-614: The I-16 Type 1 for evaluation purposes did not find the aircraft to have many redeeming characteristics. Regardless of pilot opinion, much attention was focused on the Cyclone-powered aircraft and the M-25 (the license-built Cyclone). The third prototype with a Cyclone engine incorporated a series of aerodynamic improvements and was delivered for government trials on 7 September 1934. The top speed of 437 km/h (270 mph) no longer satisfied
3362-450: The I-16 was Liu Chi-Sheng who achieved 3 of his 10 kills while flying the I-16 Type 5, along with another shared kill. Another 250 I-16 Type 10s were supplied to China. This model added a second set of 7.62 mm (0.30 in) ShKAS machine guns, armor behind the pilot, and had a slightly upgraded 560 kW (750 hp) M-25 engine. In 1939, of the 500 I-16s deployed to the fighting at Nomonhan , approximately 112 were lost during
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3444-610: The I-16—armed with just two synchronized and two wing-mounted 7.62 ShKAS—could deliver 1.43 kg of bullets each second. Finally, the ammunition storage on a Messerschmitt exceeded that of the I-16, carrying 1,000 rounds for each machine gun (plus sixty drum -housed rounds for each cannon), while the Polikarpov carried just 450 rounds for each ShKAS gun. Around half of all produced I-16s were still in service in 1943, when they were finally replaced. Specially modified I-16s were used in
3526-611: The Luftwaffe's Luftflotte 2 (in support of Wehrmacht Army Group Centre) was directed against the Soviet Western Special Military District, that deployed 361 (424 according to other sources) I-16s. During the early phase of the campaign the I-16 bases were the main targets for the German aircraft and after 48 hours of combat, of the 1,635 Polikarpov monoplanes in service on 21 June 1941, only 937 were left. By 30 June
3608-470: The Messerschmitt Bf 109E, or Emil , on equal terms in turns. Skilled Soviet pilots took advantage of the Polikarpov's superior horizontal maneuverability and liked it enough to resist the switch to more modern fighters. The German aircraft, however, outclassed its Soviet opponent in service ceiling, rate of climb, acceleration and, crucially, in horizontal and diving speed, due to better aerodynamics and
3690-567: The Nationalists, delivered in 1941 and did not include upgraded cannons. The cannons adversely affected performance, with 360° turn time increasing from fifteen seconds in the Type 5 to eighteen seconds. The Type 24 replaced the skid with a tailwheel and featured the much more powerful 670 kW (900 hp) Shvetsov M-63 engine. The Type 29 replaced two of the ShKAS guns with a single 12.7 mm (.50 in) UBS . Ten Type 17 fighters were supplied to
3772-594: The RNZAF Black Falcons; a re-enacted WWII dogfight and tailchase featuring the Spanish-built Bf 109 , the Buchon HA-1112, Avro Anson , Spitfire, Yak-3 and P-51D; P-40, Avenger, Catalina and DC-3 displays; and jet formation aerobatics from Vampires and L-39s . Other events at the airshow included skydivers, glider and model aircraft displays, a classic 1930s aircraft flypast, a military re-enactment, and
3854-629: The RNZAF including the Black Falcons aerobatic display team and the US American Eagles Jet Display Team. Notable aircraft at the airshow included an RNZAF de Havilland Mosquito , a restored RNZAF P-51 Mustang, a new RNZAF P-8A Poseidon , several RNZAF C-130 Hercules planes and several USAF F-16s. About 64,800 people attended the airshow, generating over NZ$ 40 million for the local economy. Airshow The largest air show measured by number of exhibitors and size of exhibit space
3936-455: The Type 5 could not perform the high-G maneuvers of other fighters, it possessed superior speed and climb rates, and had extremely responsive aileron control, which gave it a very good roll rate, which led to precision maneuvers in loops and split-Ss . A total of 10,292 single-seat aircraft were produced between 1935 and 1942; the number of two-seat trainer variants produced varies between 843 and 3,189. Initial service experience revealed that
4018-667: The USSR delivered 885 aircraft (rising to 1,250 by 1941), including 216 Polikarpov I-16s, predominately Type 5s and Type 10s . At first the Soviet pilots would have to fly the aircraft over 1,500 miles across China to get them to their destination of Lanzhou , however this was a risky journey and so future batches of aircraft would be disassembled and transported to Hami (closer to Lanzhou), before final assembly and delivery to Lanzhou. The first I-16s were delivered in November 1937, however rushed training of
4100-678: The United States Navy Blue Angels , United States Air Force Thunderbirds , Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds , Royal Air Force Red Arrows , and Swiss Air Force Patrouille Suisse , among many others. Solo military demos, also known as tactical demos, feature one aircraft. The demonstration focuses on the capabilities of modern military aircraft . The display will usually demonstrate the aircraft's very short (and often very loud) rolls, fast speeds, slow approach speeds, as well as their ability to quickly make tight turns, to climb quickly, and their ability to be precisely controlled at
4182-452: The addition of oil radiators, and dust adversely affected the life of the engines. Although some aircraft accumulated up to 400 hours of flying time, the average life of an I-16 was 87 days, of which one sixth was spent on maintenance. The biggest complaint in service was the light armament of only two 7.62 mm (0.30 in) machine guns . This was urgently addressed with the Type 6 which added
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#17328556793914264-591: The air on 30 December 1933 with the famous Soviet test pilot Valery Chkalov at the controls. The second TsKB-12, with a Cyclone engine and three-bladed propeller, flew in January of the following year. Initial government trials in February 1934 revealed very good maneuverability, but the aircraft did not tolerate abrupt control inputs. Thus the TsKB-12 was deemed dangerous to fly and all aerobatics were forbidden. The M-22 version
4346-536: The air show. Numerous aviation personalities from all over the world attend Warbirds over Wanaka, Gen Chuck Yeager and Buzz Aldrin 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
4428-521: The event in the future. At Easter on the alternate (odd) years a similar air show is held at Omaka air field in Blenheim in the northern South Island, under the title of Classic Fighters . Its emphasis is on World War I aircraft including as many as seven Fokker Dr.I triplanes. Also on alternate (odd) years Wings over Wairarapa airshow is held at Hood Aerodrome , Masterton , in the North Island . It
4510-482: The firepower of the aircraft using 20 mm (0.79 in) ShVAK cannons , making the I-16 one of the most heavily armed fighters of the period, able to fire 28 rounds of ammunition in three seconds. Pilots loved the results, but the cannons were in short supply, and only a small number of the I-16 Type 12 , 17 , 27, and 28 were built. The Chung 28 is an unlicensed I-16 built from the spare parts of I-16s provided to
4592-576: The first ever gathering of enthusiasts, June 28 – July 19 of the same year at the airfield at La Brayelle , near Douai . Before World War II , air shows were associated with long-distance air races, often lasting many days and covering thousands of miles. While the Reno Air Races keep this tradition alive, most air shows today primarily feature a series of aerial demos of short duration. Most air shows feature warbirds , aerobatics, and demonstrations of modern military aircraft, and many air shows offer
4674-674: The ground. To gain such authorisations, the pilots will have to demonstrate to an examiner that they can perform to those limits without endangering themselves, ground crew or spectators. Despite display rules and guidances, accidents have continued to happen. However, air show accidents are rare and where there is proper supervision air shows have impressive safety records. Each year, organizations such as International Council of Air Shows and European Airshow Council meet and discuss various subjects including air show safety where accidents are discussed and lessons learned. Polikarpov I-16 The Polikarpov I-16 ( Russian : Поликарпов И-16 )
4756-510: The landing flaps caused a dramatic change in the aircraft's attitude. Accurate gunfire was difficult. The pilots nicknamed the aircraft Ishak (Russian: Ишак , Donkey / Hinny ) because it was similar to the Russian pronunciation of "I-16" ("ee-shestnadtset"). When Operation Barbarossa erupted on 22 June 1941, 1,635 of 4,226 VVS aircraft were I-16s of all variants, fielded by 57 fighter regiments in frontier areas. The main assault delivered by
4838-534: The leadership of Pavel Sukhoi and Aleksandr Putylov , eventually convinced NII VVS that what was being proposed was not only feasible, but would enhance the aircraft's performance. The TsKB-12 was designed for the Wright Cyclone SR-1820-F-3 9-cylinder radial engine (rated at 529 kW/710 hp); a license to build this engine under the supervision of the OKB-19 Shvetsov design bureau in
4920-518: The mainwheel into the lower fuselage, performed by the middle-location strut's geometric arrangement and pivot locations. Most of the test flights were performed with the gear extended. On 14 April 1934, the Cyclone prototype was damaged when one of the landing gear legs collapsed while it was taxiing. On 1 May 1934, the M-22 prototype participated in the flyover of Red Square . Approximately thirty I-16 Type 1 aircraft were delivered, but were not assigned to any VVS fighter squadron. Most pilots who flew
5002-739: The moving portion was prone to slamming shut during hard maneuvers, which caused many pilots to fix it in the open position. The front section of the fuselage, with the engine, was too close to the centre of gravity , and the pilot's cockpit too far to the rear. The Polikarpov had insufficient longitudinal stability and it was impossible to fly the aircraft "hands off". At the start of the Spanish Civil War in 1936, Republican forces pleaded for fighter aircraft. After receiving payment in gold, Joseph Stalin dispatched around 475 I-16 Type 5s and Type 6s. The first I-16s appeared in Spanish skies in November 1936. The Polikarpov monoplanes had their baptism of fire on 13 November 1936, when twelve I-16s intercepted
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#17328556793915084-402: The number of I-16s in western front line units had dropped to 873, including 99 that required repairs. To stem the Luftwaffe aerial assault several I-16 pilots adopted the taran tactic and sacrificed their lives, ramming German aircraft. Its main opponent in the sky in 1941 was the German Messerschmitt Bf 109 . The I-16 was slightly more maneuverable than the early Bf 109s and could fight
5166-416: The pilot and changes to the landing gear doors (particularly, the hinged lower mainwheel door) to allow for complete closure. The M-25 fitted I-16, the I-16 Type 5, featured a new engine cowling which was slightly smaller in diameter and featured nine forward-facing, radially-set shuttered openings to control cooling airflow, a redesigned exhaust with eight individual outlet stubs, and other changes. The M-25
5248-427: The pilot regarding the runway obstructions. The 2020 airshow was to take place over 10–12 April. Aircraft planned to appear included one of the Polikarpov I-16s that was rebuilt in the 1990s by Sir Tim Wallis. Another aircraft that was scheduled to appear was a Boeing B-52 Stratofortress that would flyover Wanaka on Sunday on its way to Australia from Guam, making the type's airshow debut in New Zealand. On March 15 it
5330-404: The restoration of six I-16s and three I-153s, found in Russia, to an airworthy condition by the Soviet Aeronautical Research Institute (Sibnia) in Novosibirsk. The flight of the first restored aircraft (I-16 9 ) took place in October 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 when
5412-405: The separation between display and spectators was increased. Air displays are often monitored by aviation authorities to ensure safe procedures. In the United Kingdom, local authorities will first need to approve any application for an event to which the public is admitted. The first priority must be to arrange insurance cover and details can be obtained from local authorities. An added complication
5494-428: The show as the RNZAF's replacement for the Sioux helicopter. A pair of Strikemasters appeared at the show and two Spitfires were displayed also. A recently imported Grumman Avenger flew at Wanaka and a Hawker Hunter took part, as well as a Boeing 777 belonging to Air New Zealand performing a display on the Sunday. The airshow took place from 18–20 April. The RNZAF Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopter, which had been
5576-407: The show, also flown by Mark Hanna. The star attractions were a Mitsubishi Zero replica and a Corsair , among 11 aircraft types new to the event. The Saturday event was tragically marred by the death of pilot Ian Reynolds while displaying his de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk . The public flying debut of the Alpine Fighter Collection's Hawker Hurricane P3351 and three Polikarpov I-153s . This
5658-448: The stubby fighter Rata (Rat), while the Republicans affectionately called it Mosca (Fly). Combat experience showed that the I-16 had deficiencies; several aircraft were lost after structural failure of the wings, which was quickly remedied by reinforced structures. Heavy machine gun bullets could sometimes penetrate the armored backrest, and fuel tanks occasionally caught fire in spite of being protected. The hot Spanish summers required
5740-491: The type of aircraft and the way the aircraft is being flown. For instance, slower, lighter aircraft are usually allowed closer and lower to the crowd than larger, faster types. Also, a fighter jet flying straight and level will be able to do so closer to the crowd and lower than if it were performing a roll or a loop. Pilots can get authorizations for differing types of displays (e.g., limbo flying, basic aerobatics to unlimited aerobatics) and to differing minimum base heights above
5822-422: The weekend of April 14–16. For the first time an F-111 of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) took part in the flying display. A record 111,000 people were estimated to have attended. The 2008 air show was held over the weekend of March 21–23. 86,000 people were estimated to have attended. The F-111 returned and was the last year featuring the Polikarpovs. The RAAF also brought in their new C-17 Globemaster ,
5904-621: The weekend. Another "star" aircraft planned to appear included the Polikarpov I-16 which had remained in the country after the cancellation of the 2020 event. The country's government changed the COVID "traffic light" alert level to "Red" nationwide on 23 January and the following day the airshow's organisers announced that the 2022 show would be cancelled. The 2024 airshow was announced in October 2022 and took place between 29 and 31 March 2024 Elements of
5986-459: The wings, mounted on the outboard side of the main gear and 900 rounds of ammunition. These features were proposed at first by Andrei Tupolev ; however, the NII VVS (Air Force Scientific Test Institute) was more concerned about the stresses a typical combat aircraft was subjected to in combat, and initially considered the risk too great. However, TsAGI , with the help of the 3rd Design Brigade under
6068-405: The year. The European season usually starts in late April or Early May and is usually over by mid October. The Middle East , Australia , and New Zealand hold their events between January and March. However, for many acts, the "off-season" does not mean a period of inactivity; pilots and performers use this time for maintenance and practice. The type of displays seen at shows are constrained by
6150-633: Was also the last display of the RNZAF A-4 Skyhawk fighter jets and also the Aermacchi MB-339CB Black Falcons display team, due to the disbandment of 75 Squadron and 14 Squadron by the Labour Government under Helen Clark . Four Polikarpovs participated in the flying display. Three of them were Polikarpov I-16 monoplanes and the fourth a Polikarpov I-153 Chaika. The 2004 airshow attracted an estimated 99,000 people over
6232-584: Was announced that the 2020 show would be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic . This marked the first time in the event's history that a show had been cancelled. The 2022 airshow was to take place from 15–17 April. A highlight of the programme was to be the New Zealand airshow debut of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II , with an example from the RAAF scheduled to perform flying displays over
6314-417: Was covered by a 40-centimetre-wide (16 in) canopy which featured an Aldis-type tubular gun sight which could slide back and forth on runners fitted with rubber bungee cords. A 225 L (59.4 US gal) fuel tank was fitted directly in front of the cockpit. The main landing gear is fully retractable by a hand crank. The armament consisted of a pair of 7.62×54mmR (0.30 in) ShKAS machine guns in
6396-484: Was decided to risk the M-22 prototype for this purpose. On 1 and 2 March 1934, Chkalov performed 75 spins and discovered that the aircraft had very benign stall behavior (dipping a wing and recovering without input from the pilot when airspeed increased) and intentional spins could be easily terminated by placing the controls in the neutral position. The stories of vicious spin behavior of the I-16 perpetuated in modern literature
6478-455: Was fired by Captain N. Zvonarev. A 1939 government study found the I-16 had exhausted its performance potential. The addition of armor, radio, battery, and flaps during the aircraft's evolution exacerbated the rear weight distribution problems to the point where the aircraft required considerable forward pressure on the stick to maintain level flight and at the same time developed a tendency to enter uncontrolled dives. Extension and retraction of
6560-487: Was preferred due to the vibration of the Cyclone-powered aircraft. Pilots commented early on about the difficulty of climbing into the cockpit, a trait that persisted through the I-16's service life. Before continuing test flights the designers had to answer the question of spin behavior. Wind tunnel testing suggested that the TsKB-12, with its short tail, would enter an unrecoverable spin , but real-life trials were necessary to confirm this. Since Cyclone engines were rare, it
6642-421: Was prone to jamming and required considerable strength from the pilot, who directly operated the rearmost strut's upper end, moved with a manually turned jackscrew running spanwise within the wing structure, to "slide" outwards and inwards on each side to respectively get the main gear retracted and extended, with the main strut (the forward-most of the trio) needing to shorten its length during its retraction to fit
6724-515: Was rated at 474 kW (635 hp) at sea level and 522 kW (700 hp) at 2,300 m (7,546 ft). Due to the poor quality of the canopy glazing, the I-16 Type 5 pilots typically left the canopy open or removed the rear portion completely. By the time the Type 5 arrived, it was the world's lightest production fighter (1,460 kg/3,219 lb), as well as the world's fastest, able to reach speeds of 454 km/h (282 mph) at altitude and 395 km/h (245 mph) at sea level. While
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