Warbirds Over Wanaka (WOW) organisers have confirmed one of the eagerly anticipated acts from the cancelled 2020 airshow will feature at next year’s airshow: An opportunity to see a P-40 Kittyhawk firing its six .50 calibre machine guns up close.

WOW general manager Ed Taylor believes Wanaka is the only airshow in the world where you can see a P-40 firing its guns.

“On the Saturday and Sunday the P-40 will be part of a recreation of the Battle of Milne Bay, a famous Australian WWII battle,” he said.

“However, before that, on the Friday, we will be having a special one-off ‘firing of the guns’ on the ground to allow fans to get up close and personal for a very noisy experience of a lifetime.”

The P-40 guns were first used at WOW back in 2008 and then in 2012 and 2016. 

“It’s great to have them back for 2022 after the disappointment of having to cancel our last show,” Ed said.

Pilot Frank Parker said when the guns are fired it changes the P-40’s character from a quaint old aircraft to a ‘weapons system’.  

“The guns are a bit muted by the engine noise, however the whole airframe rattles - there is no doubt there is some serious action going on. They add a further dimension to the aircraft and the display routine,” he said.

The spent shells will be recovered and signed by Frank and will then be offered for sale to airshow visitors raising funds for the WOW Community Trust Flying Scholarships.

Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow is being held at Easter 2022.

PHOTO: Philip Makanna