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Amazing Wanaka Air Sow this year!!!!!!!!

Posted by Benjamin Gilbert on Wed Dec 12, 2001 05:15:09 PM

I just red on Warbirds over Wanaka web site that a Grumman FM-2 Wildcat will attend at the show.

Very stunning! 3 P-40's, 1 FM-2, 1 La-9.... What are the next surprises for the show?

Benjamin.

Rare American Fighter to Display at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2002

29 November 2001: A rare Grumman FM-2 Wildcat fighter aircraft has been confirmed as a major attraction at the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow to be held at Wanaka Airport next Easter (29th-31st March). Confirming the appearance, Airshow General Manager Gavin Johnston said, "We are extremely pleased to have such an important aircraft appear at next years Warbirds Over Wanaka. The Wildcat is best remembered by Americans as the fighter flown by US Navy and Marine airmen in the dark hours of Pearl Harbour, Coral Sea and Wake Island. To New Zealanders it is remembered as the Grumman Martlet of the Fleet Air Arm".

First flown in 1937 the Wildcat was ordered by the US Navy in August 1939. The French and Greek Governments also placed orders in early 1940 but with the fall of France that year the aircraft were taken by the British. In July 1940 the Wildcat (designated the Martlet I by the Royal Navy) entered service the Fleet Air Arm (FAA). Two aircraft flown by the FAA were the first American built fighters to destroy a German fighter (a Junkers Ju-88 over Scapa Flow) during WWII.

By the time the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbour in 1941 a number of US Navy and Marine squadrons were equipped with the Wildcat and the type saw gallant service aboard the carriers USS Enterprise, USS Hornet and USS Saratoga. It was this one aeroplane that took on the Japanese during the Battles of the Coral Sea, Midway and Guadalcanal. Wildcat - Zero dogfights at Wake, Coral Sea and Midway are the stuff of legend.

As well as operating from the pitching deck of an aircraft carrier the Wildcat was operated by land-based US Marines and it was from Henderson Field on Guadalcanal where they mounted their first offensive of the Pacific conflict. On the 24th August 1942 (4 days after their arrival on the island) VMF-223 led by Major John Smith intercepted an enemy flight of 15 bombers and 12 fighters. The squadron shot down 10 bombers and six fighters with their diminutive Wildcat's and within the squadron that day was born the first US Marine fighter ace of the war and the third Wildcat pilot to receive the Medal of Honour.

A large number of New Zealanders flew the Martlet during World War II whilst serving with the FAA. The type has never been seen in New Zealand before.

This USA based aircraft is assigned to a Confederate Air Force Aircraft Sponsor Group and will be shipped to New Zealand exclusively for Warbirds Over Wanaka 2002. Gavin Johnston said, "The Confederate Airforce have been very generous in allowing this aeroplane to attend. Their major sponsorship has provided Warbirds Over Wanaka the opportunity to display such a famous fighter with so many New Zealand connections, and we are hugely appreciative".

One New Zealander looking forward to becoming re-acquainted with the type is Don Nairn of Te Anau. Lieutenant (A) D.J.H Nairn, RNZNVR was the first New Zealander to fly a Grumman Martlet whilst he was with an Operational Training Unit (OTU) at Yeovilton in 1941. He then saw active service with the type in the Middle East before being appointed in December 1942 to the British Air Commission in Washington D.C as a Naval Test Pilot. Don will be a special guest at Warbirds Over Wanaka next Easter.

By the end of WWII over 7,500 Wildcats had been produced and must be recorded in the annals of WWII history as the type that served America in her darkest hour - much like the Hurricane did for Great Britain. There are now less than 15 airworthy examples left in the world.

Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2002

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