NZ Warbirds

Roaring Forties

Display Team

The ‘flag bearers’ of New Zealand Warbirds, this precision formation team can be been seen at air shows right across New Zealand.

Flying ex-RNZAF Harvard trainers, this team continues to promise maximum visual impact and crowd enjoyment – never to be missed! We continue to honour those that ensured our freedom by serving in the armed forces by carrying out fly-pasts at events such as ANZAC and Battle of Britain commemorative days.

Dave Brown Red 1

The team leader of the Roaring Forties is Dave Brown who flies Harvard 98 (NZ1098). Dave joined the RNZAF in 1978 and flew Skyhawks with No. 75 Squadron and was the Strikemaster display pilot in 1988 and 1989. He has been with the team since 2008 and has recently retired from airline flying. As well as the team leader, Dave is also the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) for NZ Warbirds.

Dean BeverleyRed 2

Number 2 is Dean Beverley who flies Harvard 52 (NZ1052). Dean joined the RNZAF in 1978 with Dave and flew Andovers, C130 Hercules and Boeing 727’s. Dean has also recently retired from airline flying and is the Deputy Chief Flying Instructor (DCFI) for NZ Warbirds. He joined the Roaring Forties team in 2018.

Liz Needham Red 3

Number 3 is Liz Needham in Harvard 57 (NZ1057). Liz first soloed on Valentines day in 1974 (hence her love affair with flying) and has over twenty thousand flight hours, possibly NZ’s’ most experienced aviatrix in such a diverse variety of aircraft. Liz is has recently retired from airline flying and has been in the team for 12 years.

John Kelly Red 4

Number 4 is John Kelly in Harvard 53 (NZ1053). John started his flying career through the Aero Club environment in the 1980's and is a current commercial pilot and flight instructor. He has been in the team for the past 13 years and is the current Vice President of NZ Warbirds.

Rob SilichRed 5

Number 5 is Rob Silich in Harvard NZ1078. He performs the solo routines between formation manoeuvres during the display. Rob is a PPL who has been flying since 1986. He has a background in competition aerobatics and is a professional engineer with a passion for all ‘things’ mechanical. Formation aerobatics in a historic aircraft is a perfect blend of both

  • Enjoyed watching the airshows. Never saw anything like that before! Would really recommend it and it's worth the ticket.

    sheemalshivani December 2022

  • Wow, thats an amzing day full of discovery and nature. Loved the cruise! You guys rock.

    Mike McVey Gisborne NZ

  • Lovely cafe with a great view of all the planes taking off. The museum guides are super friendly and my son absolutely loves coming here. Highly recommended.

    Dianechen10 February 2020

  • Fantastic opportunity to get up close to some of the icons of New Zealand’s aviation history - with the majority being flyable examples. Knowable guides to fill in any gaps in your own knowledge. Topped off by an amazing scale model collection.

    MarkR986 October 2020

  • Interesting guided visit around the War Birds Facility, get up close to the war planes. Beautiful display. Would suggest combine with a visit to the Auckland Botanical Gardens. A Great Auckland Day Out.

    Sandra S February 2020

  • Amazing collection of aircraft. Lovely staff and well worth the drive from Auckland .if lucky enough to be at the weekend, you may see the incredible aircraft flying.

    274peterr December 2022

@nz_warbirds

It’s been 14 years since this beauty took to the skies for its 1st post restoration flight after a 5 year restoration. How time flies😁 Painted in the colours of Alan Deere, NZ second highest scoring ace, Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX PV270 is based at at RNZAF base Ohakea. 📷 Paul Johnston 📍Omaka Aerodrome, New Zealand #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #spitfire #merlin #supermarine #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ #history #supermarinespitfire #restoration
AIRSHOW TIME! Yes, the rumors are true. We are excited to announce that Auckland’s local AIRSHOW is back this June!😁 ✈️WARBIRDS ON PARADE 📆Sunday 04 June 2023 📍Ardmore Airport, Auckland, New Zealand. Join us for a day of aerobatics, formation fly pasts and aerial displays. See New Zealand’s aviation heritage where it belongs – in the sky. ⏰Flying display slots at 10:30am | 12:30pm | 2:30pm (gates open at 9:00am) Static aircraft, classic cars and military vehicles on display. Merchandise and refreshments will be available🍟️🥤 The perfect outing for the whole family👨‍👧‍👦 Pricing and ticket details will be announced when live. Follow us on Facebook or visit our website to keep up to date with details such as ticketing and aircraft announcements as they come. Mark it on your calendars and we will see you there👍 Note this will be our only show for 2023. #KeepEmFlying #Airshow #WarbirdsOnParade #VisitAuckland #purenz #airshow #spitfire #mustang #aviation #flight #show #nz #auckland #newzealand #mustdotravels #events #warbirds #avgeek
ZK-TAF cruising. P-51s are cool 😎 #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #mustang #p51 #gopro #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #reels #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #auckland #ardmore #VisitAuckland #IfYouSeekNZ #instagood #p51mustang #picoftheday
#repost No explanation needed. Steadfast is just too cool!😎 This high-performance Yak 3U-R2000 holds nine world records including the under 3000kg World Speed Record at 416 MPH!✈️ 📷 @mike_gannaway 📍 @wingsoverwairarapa #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #yakinthebox #yak3u #aerobatics #yakinthebox #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #auckland #ardmore #pioneer #VisitAuckland #ifyouseeknz
It is with sadness that we learn of the passing of Max Collett, aged 99. He was the last surviving New Zealand Spitfire pilot from the Second World War and flew with No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF. The @royalnzairforce will be conducting a Spitfire fly-past at the venue for Max's Memorial Service on Friday 6th January. The Spitfire will depart Ohakea at 10:50 and is expected to be overhead the Beth Shan Funeral Home in Napier at the conclusion of the service around 11:30 to 11:40. Blue Skies✈️ #rip
Flying out of 2022 like…. Happy New Year to all our followers and supporters 🎉🍾🥳 #2023 #happynewyear #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #spitfire #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #auckland #ardmore #pioneer #VisitAuckland #IfYouSeekNZ #love
#flashbackfriday P40 Magic✨ Earlier in the year when 2x P40 Kittyhawks flew together at Ardmore. Such a great day! #avgeek #warbird #aviation #curtis #p40 #kittyhawk #formation #restoration #nzwarbirdsatardmore #onlyatardmore #nz #newzealand #keepemflying #pioneer #aero #airplane #aeroplane #alison #v12 #horsepower #airshow #display
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