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

Battle of Britain Flypast✅. It’s always privilege to commemorate such an historic day in aircraft of the same era. Did you see us? 📷Rob New #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #lestweforget #battleofbritain #harvard #northamerican#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
Good news for NZ warbird enthusiasts with the confirmation that the FG-1D Corsair ZK-COR took to the skies yesterday after a 6 year hiatus in storage. Newly rated Corsair pilot Frank Parker took this picture yesterday of his view flying the historic fighter to Omaka from Hood Aerodrome. We can’t wait to see this aircraft performing at airshows again! It’s been long over due. #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #corsair #fg1d #vought #voughtf4ucorsair #harvard #northamerican#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #ifyouseeknz
Another photo from Warbirds on Parade 2023. Strikemaster 72 in the hands of pilot and owner Charles Davies showing off those classic Blunty lines. 😍 It has been awesome having this machine on display at NZ Warbirds at Ardmore while it has received some maintenance from the team at Pioneer Aero. 📷 @bertscoolpics 📍Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #bac #strikemaster #jetprovost #aerobatics#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ #viper
#epic “Because I was inverted” 😎 Top side of P-51D Mustang ZK-TAF flown by Graham Bethell from our big Kings Birthday show as captured by Neville Bailey. 📷 Neville Bailey 📍 Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #northamerican #p51 #p51mustang #mustang #p51dmustang #aerobatics #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #ifyouseeknz
Mellow Yellow? Harvard 78 flown by Jeff Hunter at last Sunday’s Warbirds on Parade. 📷@sierra_tango_uniform @stu_65 #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #aerobatics #harvard #t6 #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
Achtung! Spitfire!🔥 MH367 banking tight at Warbirds on Parade 2023. 📷 @sierra_tango_uniform @stu_65 📍 Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #supermarinespitfire #supermarine #spitfire #aerobatics #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ #merlin
It almost doesn’t look real 👀 But it is! Albatros DVa replica ZK-ARS captured by Paul at our recent Warbirds on Parade airshow. What a great show! 📷Paul Johnston 📍Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #ww1 #albatros #aerobatics#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
We are go for Sunday!😁 We have been busy setting up for our big show tomorrow and the weather looks to be okay at this stage. There was plenty of flying activity at Ardmore with various aircraft getting up to practice their routines. Also a few aircraft have flown in who are visiting for tomorrow including Strikemaster 72 from Wellington. A few things to keep in mind: 🔘Gates open at 9am and displays start at 10:30am. Tentative display program is now up on our website as well as our airshow display map. 🔘Directions to get to Ardmore can be found here👇 https://nzwarbirds.org.nz/contact/travelling_to_warbirds_on_parade/ 🔘Remember access to the show and parking is via the Hamlin Road entrance ONLY! 🔘Unfortunately NO dogs are allowed at the show except for registered service dogs. 🔘Tickets are still available via iTICKET and Yes tickets can be purchased at the gate👇. https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2023/jun/warbirds-on-parade We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow. Spread the word! #keepemflying
#flashbackfriday Over the top we go😁➰ Flash back to February 2022 when we had two P-40s at Ardmore and were privileged enough to see both displayed together. Warbirds on Parade is only just around the corner and we are excited to see Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk ZK-CAG displayed! #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #mosquito #curtiss#kittyhawk #p40 #aerobatics #harvard #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
MH367 Sun Dancing ☀️ All 3 fighters were out this past weekend after a couple of weeks of unusually wet weather in Auckland. Amazing how effective the Spitfire’s desert camouflage is for New Zealand’s green landscape. ⛰️🏔️ #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #spitfire #merlin #kittyhawk #p40 #mustang #p51 #aerobatics #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #visitauckland #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
#lestweforget We were sent this in by Ben who took part in the Anzac Day flypast over Blenheim and Renwick. Aircraft used were the T6 Harvard, Nanchang and Avro Anson. A unique formation for sure! 📷 @seivad555 📍Blenheim/Renwick #keepemflying #warbird #anzacday #anzac #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #avro #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ #auckland #harvard #t6 #anson
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