Shed full of Pollys

[Bazza]

Found this hangar with 6 Polikarpovs, including the bi-plane, and thought I'd share it - becoming a rare sight.....

[ChuckMajik]

Cripes! By any chance are they still airworthy?

[Felix/FFDS]

Judging from the PAC aircraft in one of the shots, it appears to be taken in New Zealand, home to several restoration projects.  

http://www.nzfpm.co.nz/articles/ratacwd2.htm

[C]

Wanaka per chance...

Nice lil' engine tucked away behind the '153 in the first shot

including the bi-plane

2 of them, and a couple of Tigers, and a Routemaster London Bus.

What more could one want...

Charlie

[Jared]

WOW! :-)

[Bazza]

Here's another shot from inside the Hangar - other side, this is as close as I could get......

As pointed out, it's the Hangar of the Wanaka Warbirds Assn in New Zealand, I've been trying to get there for a while now.

They also have a very nice Hurricane and a Mk16 Spitfire amongst many others...

They suggest that 3 bi-plane Poli (I-153's) were restored and that 6 1-16's are the only flying examples in the world although I'm not sure of the current mechanical situation.    A private group there are currently negotiating to have a Tomahawk available for charter flights.

[chomp_rock]

That DH.83 is one of the two airworthy DH.83s left in the world from what I've read.

[ozzy72]

Okay Bazza, so how did you manage to sneak in? That is a truely fabulous sight

[Hagar]

Wow Bazza. How did I miss this? Very nice indeed.

PS. Now I know what you meant about digital cameras in the other thread.

[Bazza]

Glad to have created some interest - have been somewhat in awe of "stuff" posted by some of you guys over there where museums seem to be attached to every airfield.

There was no trick involved, I paid my money like the rest of the public at the Wanaka Airbirds and there we were.    A near relative is a Helicopter pilot at the same airfield and told me later he could have got me "full access."     Having seen some of Hagars work I made sure I had my "el cheepo" digital with me.........lol.

As a "piece de resistance" here is my last trick, a Lavochkin LA9, and yes, it still flies..............

[Hagar]

Excellent. Some rare bird there alright. Believe it or not, I envy you. Who knows, maybe one day I shall get over there for that Wanaka display.

Now what does that La 9 remind you of? I always thought it has a striking resemblance to the Fw 190. I might be mistaken but I think I saw the same aircraft at Shoreham a couple of years ago in the hands of Ray Hanna. Here it is at Duxford in 2003. http://www.f4aviation.co.uk/airshow03/legends/la9low.htm
I saw an article where he said it was better than the Sea Fury & Bearcat which I assume he's also flown. Apparently they had problems with the CAA & display certification so it had to go back to NZ.

[ozzy72]

There was an excellent article in December issue of Aeroplane on this very kite

[Bazza]

No doubt about you guys, you have "the knowledge."

While on the subject of Wanaka, here is a rare vintage, probably the last one in the world.      I sent this to Ozzie, just to get him licking his lips....

[beaky]

Very nice Russian rarities, and I also love that Fox Moth!  ;D

[C]

Apparently they had problems with the CAA & display certification so it had to go back to NZ.

Very sad that he had to take it back...