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.
Kevin PaulsenRed 2
Number 2, Kevin Paulsen started flying at North Shore Aero Club in 1983 and went solo a week after his 16th birthday. He has since flown microlights and gliders but mostly sport aircraft gaining his CPL in the 90s. Kevin is a licensed aircraft engineer has been keeping the Harvard fleet flying from the late 80s. A Harvard rating from a NZ Warbirds scholarship a few years ago has lead to him joining the team for his first display season flying NZ1098.
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.
Frank ParkerRed 4
Number 4 is Frank Parker. Frank joined the RNZAF in 1970 and learnt fly on the T6 Harvard. Most of Frank's RNZAF career was largely in the rotary-wing where he flew types such as the Bell Sioux and UH-1H Iroquois. After leaving the Air Force Frank joined Air New Zealand (which he has recently retired from).
Frank is the current president of the NZ Warbirds Association.
