Easter weekend in Blenheim was the scene for unrivalled activity,showcasing some of the world's oldest and rarest fighter planes. The classic fighters show is much more than just an airshow; it's aim being to provide visitors with three full days of spectacular family oriented entertainment with this year's theme being aviation and the movies.

Omaka is home of New Zealands oldest aero club, and has a growing number of original and replica warbird aircraft from the great war to the 1970's. Only at Omaka will you see flying displays and ground entertainment done the New zealand way, with interaction between men, machines and theatre ensures something for all.

This year had 12 full size world war 1 replica aircraft taking part in the display and dogfight sequences, these aircraft and associated paraphenalia form the conerstone of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Center and Museum, which many visitors took the opportunity to see. people thrilled to the sound of the Gnome powered rotary engined sopworth camel owned by director Peter Jackson, stunning displays by seven fokker d.r. 1's painted in the Jasta 11 colour schemes of the great red baron and his flying circus, the halberstad D.VII , Pfalz D.III ( which was the star of the Movie "Blue Max")and Nieuports11 and 24 all added to the sights and sounds of the first world war re-enactments. Several single engined fighters from the second war with their v-12 engines and shark faced grimaces stole the show with fast low passes and stunning pyrotechnics.

Aircraft from between the wars were also featured with De Havilland Tiger Moth, dragon and rapide; one of which was marked in NAC livery.NAC is 50 years old this year. Amongst the civil aircraft displaying was the three quarter sized p-51 "Thunder" mustang,with its incredible performance,lightning fast passes, and which is capable of almost 400mph in level flight.. Two Beech Staggerwings from the 1930's brought their art deco looks, being the first of the American classics with an enclosed cabin,large radial engine and retractable under carriage. Also present was a Percival Proctor V, a post war design, developed from the 1934 Percival Gull and it was a Gull VI that famous New Zealand aviatrix Jean Batten used on so many of her solo voyages.

The Aviation and the movies theme used ground theatre and spectacular actual aircraft to recreate the sights and sounds of classsic movies such as "A bridge to far", "The Battle of Britain and Tora! Tora! Tora!.

Later aircraft to be displayed were t6 harvard, CJ-6Nanchang,yak-52's and chipmunks all adding to the sense of realisim and action.

Visitors were amazed by the displays, exhibits and and fantastic dioramas; all funds going to the upkeep and expansion of the National Heritage Centre.