Air show expected to draw crowd

When RNZAF Ohakea opens its gates for a commemorative air show later this year, anywhere from 50,000 to 75,000 people are expected to turn up.

The air show will be part of the air force's 75th anniversary celebrations and will be held on March 31, with April 1 as alternative. Ground displays start at 9am.

Food and drink will be available and a children's entertainment area set up.

Limited eftpos facilities will be on site, and an FM radio commentary will run throughout the day.

The main focus will be a programme of aerial displays of both the old and new in aviation.

RNZAF aircraft displays will include historic planes such as the Tiger Moth and Harvard.

Also in the air will be Italian-built Agusta Westland A109 LUH helicopters, the C-130 Hercules, P3K Orion, Iroquois helicopters, Beech B200 King Air and the Air Force Boeing 757.

The Red Checkers and Kiwi Blue parachute team will feature.

The Royal NZ Navy will show its Kaman SH 2G Seasprite helicopters.

Winging their way overhead will be a DC3 Dakota, a Catalina, an Auster, a Devon, a Kittyhawk and a Supermarine Spitfire.

YOU NEED TO KNOW

• 
  What: RNZAF 75th anniversary air show
• 
  Where: RNZAF base Ohakea
• 
  When: Saturday, March 31 (April 1 alternate day)
• 
  Cost: $10 per person; $30 per car/family; children under 5 free. Cash entry only, paid at gate.