Tens of thousands of people enjoyed the Warbirds over Wanaka air show at the weekend and organisers were "rapt" with the success of the three-day event.
But there were some tears.
Many small children were startled when the Royal Australian Air Force FA-18 Hornet fighters roared in from the south.
Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust chief executive Roger Clark and event manager Mandy Deans said they were "rapt" and "over the moon".
"It is our first time as a community trust and it was much bigger than I had imagined. So much bigger than a rugby game. And we couldn't have run it without our 350 volunteers," Mr Clark said.
Whether it was a record crowd - and many people were saying yesterday it had to be because all the car parks were full to overflowing each day - could not be confirmed.
Mr Clark said in the past crowd numbers had been assessed in an anecdotal way, based on gate-takings, which meant figures could have been embellished, including the record of 111,000 reportedly set in 2006.
Information from the new ticketing system trialled at the weekend would not be available until later this week.
"We are looking for accountability and transparency. And as a community trust, that's what we are about ... board members also believe it is on a par with previous years. But we would like to know exactly what they are," Mr Clark said.
But there should not be any fears the air show would be the last, as planning is already under way for 2012 and stall-holders are also signing up to return.
Many exhibitors at the show's first regional food and wine exposition said their returns were "great" and they would be back next time.
Ms Deans said some common-sense changes were made to the traffic management plan, so getting into the car parks was easier.
Getting out of the parks was always going to take a while and motorists had to be patient.
Cars had been parked this year so they were facing the way they would leave, which had made a difference, and more fine-tuning would occur for 2012.
Ms Deans had hoped British World War 2 singer Dame Vera Lynn (93) would be able to attend this year's show.
However, Dame Vera had declined the invitation because of age and frailty, but agreed to a recorded interview with commentator Ian Brodie.
The interview took place by telephone a week ago and Dame Vera's heart-rending comments were played throughout the show, bringing tears to the eyes of many as she talked about the sacrifice of armed forces personnel and the sentiments behind the song We'll Meet Again.
With the 12th air show safely concluded, Mr Clark and Ms Deans were looking forward to relaxing with pilots and volunteers last night over a few drinks.
They had survived on adrenaline all weekend and were looking forward to thanking everyone involved.
But there was no rest for Wanaka Wastebusters staff, who were among many on the clean-up detail last night, removing rubbish from the airfield so Wanaka Airport businesses could resume normal operations today.
About 12-13 tonnes of waste were created over three days, less than the estimated 20 tonnes.
Mr Clark said Wastebusters staff had worked with determination all weekend and had done a fantastic job.
Details of the show's financial success will be audited and then released at the end of the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust's financial year in September.
An economic impact study by the Southland Institute of Technology should also be available about the same time.
In Saturday's Otago Daily Times, Hannah Ross-Smith, of Wanaka, was photographed beside a P-51 Mustang, not a replica Spitfire.
