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Sat 4th January 2009

THRILL OF A LIFETIME UP FOR GRABS

Destination Wairarapa is giving away a flight of the lifetime to one lucky individual in a new prize draw. Not only will the lucky winner experience an adrenalin pumping ride in the back seat of a Mustang, but the plane will join a second WWII fighter plane, a Spitfire Mark IX, in a mini mock-aerial attack of downtown Wellington, due to take place on Friday 16th January 2009 at high noon. The promotion is being run in conjunction with Trust House Wings over Wairarapa 2009. Enter the Destination Wairarapa Wings over Wairarapa 2009 prize draw at: www.wairarapanz.com.

Following a pre-flight briefing at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, the prizewinner will climb aboard the Mustang, a perennial favourite at the Wings over Wairarapa airshow. The Mustang will fly in formation with the Spitfire, an aircraft rarely seen gracing New Zealand’s skies, across the Rimutaka Ranges. Once over central Wellington the two aircraft will take part in a mock attack of Wellington City and return to Masterton. The prize includes one night’s accommodation for two at the Copthorne Resort and Solway Park Hotel, Wairarapa and tickets to the airshow.

“Wings over Wairarapa is one of the region’s premier events and brings thousands of visitors to Wairarapa every two years,” says Peter Wilson, Destination Wairarapa General Manager. “Event organiser, Liz Pollock, has worked with the Civil Aviation Authority to put on this unique aerobatic display over central Wellington to promote the 2009 air-show. This promotion has created a very exciting opportunity to develop a prize-draw enabling Destination Wairarapa to build our visitor database and create more accurate visitor profiles.”

Trust House Wings over Wairarapa will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Wellington Anniversary Weekend, with the two day aviation spectacular taking place on Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th January. A highlight of the show will be the appearance of the Spitfire Mark XI, not seen at a NZ airshow for over three years. Over 70 aircraft will be displayed over the two days of the show and feature aircraft displays never before seen in New Zealand.

ENDS

Notes to editors

· The Destination Wairarapa Wings over Wairarapa promotion will be drawn 14th January 2009.

DESTINATION WAIRARAPA WINGS OVER WAIRARAPA PRIZE DRAW - CONTINUED

· For more information about Wings Over Wairarapa ‘09 please contact: Liz Pollock Event Manager on: 0274 774717; www.wings.org.nz

· Wings over Wairarapa will celebrate its 10th anniversary on Wellington Anniversary Weekend , Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th January 2009. A designated Air Show train service will run out of Wellington on both days of the show arriving prior to the air show and returning at the end of the. Air charter services will also run daily out of Wellington to the show. Tickets are available through all TICKETEK outlets, by phoning 0800 TICKETEK or on-line through www.ticketek.co.nz.

· North American P51-D Mustang
Every combatant country in the Second World War had one fighter aircraft that will be readily identified by the majority of people. One of the best known, and widely loved, is the Mustang, a regular at Wings over Wairarapa. While the Spitfire displays sublime lines the Mustang looks like an all-in wrestler with muscle-like bulges. Although it became one of the greatest American fighters its start was inauspicious, until later marks began using the English Rolls Royce Merlin V12 engine.

· Spitfire Mark IX
Engineers are working round the clock to get the Mk IX ready in time to make its debut at Wings Over Wairarapa. Progress is on schedule and all fingers are crossed. This aircraft is to be painted in the colours of one of NZ’s most celebrated pilots, Alan Deere, and is one of the two most recognisable and famous Spitfires operated by New Zealanders in the European theatre. The two-seat Spitfire of Doug Brooker will be painted in the colours of Coin Gray colours and it too will be making its debut appearance at Wings Over Wairarapa in January 2009.

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