Organisers for the Whittakers Wings Over Wairarapa 2005 air show have confirmed the inclusion of an L39 Albatross in next year's show. The sleek Czech jet will be performing aerial aerobatics along side three other jet aircraft. The four-jet formation is set to include two De Havilland Vampires and a DeHavilland Dragonfly. As well as the jets, enthusiasts will be treated to some of the old classic warbirds from the World War I and World War II era. The Albatross is one of two of its kind in New Zealand is a fighter trainer aircraft that is being developed for adventure flying in New Plymouth. The plane has advanced aerobatic capabilities and is described as being a "mini Skyhawk", which until recently were the mainstays of New Zealand's fighter aircraft squadron. The annual air show will take place at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton on Saturday and Sunday, January 22 and 23, 2005, and will feature an enormous variety of aircraft from the romance of the vintage aircraft through to the heartstopping formation fly-past of four ex-military jets. Air show organiser Tom Williams is upbeat about the calibre of participating aircraft in the show. "We always try to put on something different. The Albatross is a neat little airplane and it will be a pretty unique formation," he said.
