By Elizabeth Hayes
The skies above Wanaka came alive today, as hundreds of aircraft swooped, soared and at times startled the crowd at the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow.
The event is still proving popular, with around 40,000 aviation buffs making the bi-annual pilgrimage.
The Royal Australian F18 Hornet fighters commanded everyone's attention, bursting through the sky, staging an airfield attack and blowing away the crowds.
It's the 12th year of the event, which continues to draw in aircraft fanatics. Caravans perched on the hill have quite possibly the best seat in the house.
"We always said we wanted to go up there one day, and now we're here and its brilliant and we'll be back," says Lynne Swanston.
"I've been to airshows around the world and this is undoubtedly the best place ever to view planes operating," says Lindsay Roberts.
Today they were treated to displays by hundreds of planes, from a rare Japanese Zero to Tigermoths, Harvards, and Hornets. There was even a German Wing Walker.
But if planes just aren't your thing, organisers have brought in a wine and food expo.
"This airshow's been known as one of the best in the world for a long time," says CEO Roger Clark, "and what we're trying to do is make sure that the entertainment behind the fence is just as good as the aircraft you're seeing in front of the fence."
Even wine companies got into the spirit of the event.
Another new feature this year is the sales yard, where people can take home their very own plane for a mere $85,000.
For the rest, just seeing the aircraft in action is enough. Most will be back for a second day of it tomorrow.
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