"I was in the ATC, a sort of youth air force, when the war ended and I remember all the aircraft. We did training and used to make models of plans and hang them around and turn the lights out so we could identify the models by touch."
Mr Taylor said he loved taking part in the aviation show, which brought back a lot of memories for him. He was particularly taken with the display of a Grumman TBF-1 Avenger, with foldable wings to allow it to fit inside ships.
A Hercules aircraft was also on display at the show, hosting a consistent and lengthy line of people keen for a tour inside.
The show also offered the last New Zealand displays from two BAC Strike master jets which have just been sold by the Warbirds of Wanaka Community Trust to Las Vegas company Blue Air Training.
Fans who flocked to the grounds early were also treated to displays from stunt drivers and riders who showcased jumps up to 25m long and 10 high, put on by Action Sports Direct.
Sales and marketing manager Sean Joyce said it was the first time they had taken part in the displays since the show had been running.
"We saw something similar on YouTube, so we thought 'we could do this'. We are all very confident riders and drivers on the bikes and SSVS (side-by-side vehicles) so why not? We can make things fly."
History of Catalinas
Catalina planes were given the serial numbers NZ4001-4056 and included 22 Consolidated PBY-5s (mostly RAF Catalina MklVAs) with the remainder being Boeing Canada licence built PB2B-1 s. All were flying boats, with no amphibian models being taken on charge by the RNZAF. The initial Catalinas were acquired to replace three antiquated and somewhat worn out Short Singapore III biplane flying boats that were struggling to provide aerial reconnaissance needs for the Fijian Islands, which at the time appeared to be under imminent threat of Japanese invasion. The first nine Catalinas were allocated from an RAF order, the remaining 47 were supplied from the US Navy under terms of lend-lease.
Source - NZ Catalina Preservation Society