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The third time is a charm for the flying visit of the great American bomber to New Zealand.
The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress was an icon of American air power and was successful in its third attempt to attend a New Zealand airshow on Saturday.
US Charge d’Affaires Kevin Covert said months of preparation had gone into the B-52’s visit and they were delighted that it finally happened.
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A Boeing B-52 flying past Hodd Airfield during Wings Over Wairarapa.
“Wow, what an amazing plane. What a marvel of engineering, avionics, and aviation history. “
“That is a plane in which you are literally watching history go by.”
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Covert said the purpose of the visit was “to have fun and celebrate a partnership with an enduring friend and partner, New Zealand.”
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US Embassy Charge d’Affaires Kevin Covert at the Wings Over Wairarapa air show in Masterton.
“We are here to demonstrate America’s commitment, credibility and capabilities when it comes to military security cooperation.”
The aircraft type, which has been in service in every American military conflict for the past 70 years, remained the backbone of the USAF bomber fleet.
This particular aircraft flew a 19-hour round trip from its base in Guam and required refueling once while in the air.
It passed over the crowd three times just after 1 p.m. during the air show before returning to its base in the Pacific.
The Stratofortress was supposed to go through the 2019 Wings Over Wairarapa, but to the disappointment of the organizers, last-minute operational problems meant it was unable to attend.
It was also prevented from flying over our shores last year because another airshow was canceled due to Covid-19.
“I think it shows the strength of our persistence, the character of our partnership, that we continue to try, we continue and we are going to solve this problem and achieve it here,” Covert said.
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Wings Over Wairarapa president Bob Francis said they could have a record audience this year.
Wings Over Wairarapa president Bob Francis said they estimated they had record crowds at this year’s events, in part due to the appearance of the American attacker.
“I was so special. There was no doubt that a lot of people here today were motivated to come for the B-52. “
The weather gods were smiling at this year’s Wings Over Wairarapa air show in Masterton with a three-day near-perfect weather forecast.
Friday’s practice day saw several thousand Wairarapa students attend the first day of the biennial event held at Hood Airfield.
The people of Wellington were treated to an airshow of five Harvard World War II fighter training planes over all major population centers in the region on Friday afternoon.
The weather on Saturday was hot with light winds and all the exhibits got off the ground.
Sunday’s forecast is “good, except for morning clouds, light winds and afternoon northeast winds.”
Attendees can visit the event website for details on tickets and access at wings.org.nz.
Things He has also published a guide to everything you need to know for the event.
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The B-52 did not land at the show, but did a flypast.
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The bomber was one of the main attractions of the air show.
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World War I fighter jets were one of the highlights of the Saturday morning program.
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The warm weather on Saturday caused helpers to shelter from the sun under the wing of a fighter jet at Wings Over Wairarapa in Masterton.
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New students to Douglas Park Elementary School wowed by a live engine display at the Wings Over Wairarapa air show in Masterton.
