Biplane and steam engines on show
Southlanders transcended back in time to the era of biplanes and steam trains at the Mandeville Fly In and Steam Festival.
The festival, running since the early 90s, offers flights on vintage biplanes along with displays and rides on other vintage machinery, such as a 1878 Rodgers locomotive steam train.
There were two biplanes available for flights on Saturday, which offered different experiences.
They were the two seater DH82 Tiger Moth, a plane built in the 30s that was used in the World War II for surveillance, and the eight seater vintage airline carrier, the DH89 Dominie.
Event organiser Maeva Smith said the 1878 Rodger locomotive steam train was a popular attraction with the children, who could go for rides sitting in vintage carriages.
Smith said ‘‘it’s a family friendly event that teaches [people] about vintage machinery and experiencing how they work.’’
The event also included with a giant lego room and Invercargill artist Caley Hall was on hand to work on his first aviation painting.
Hall worked on 12 paintings at the festival in an open demonstration.
Children were welcome to add their own contributions with Hall offering tips to the budding artists.
‘‘I was working on my Milford Sound piece that we are hoping to sell for around $45,000 and I think parents were a bit shocked to see the children adding to the work,’’ Hall said.
Proceeds from the artwork’s sale will go to the Croyden Aviation Museum and Croyden Aviation Company restoration projects.
Michael Bloomfield, of Nightcaps, has attended the festival for last six years and flew his own WT9 Dynamic plane at the show.
‘‘It’s just a good day out to catch up with old mates and the see all the vintage machinery,’’ Bloomfield said.