HANGAR TALK

NZ WW1 Fighter Ace ‘Grid’ Caldwell by Dr Adam Claasen

Come and sit amongst NZ Warbirds Associations collection of WW1 aircraft for a very special presentation.

In this latest Hangar Talk, leading military historian Dr Adam Claasen will detail the subject of his latest book Grid – a gripping biography of New Zealand’s most distinguished WWI flying ace, Air Commodore Keith “Grid” Caldwell CBE.

Copies of Dr Claasen’s book will be available to purchase, and get personally signed by Dr Claasen.

Keith Logan “Grid” Caldwell was a distinguished New Zealand fighter ace during World War I. Born on March 6, 1893, in Christchurch, New Zealand, he served with the Royal Flying Corps. Caldwell became one of New Zealand’s most notable aviators and achieved the rank of captain.

He is credited with shooting down several enemy aircraft and was recognized for his skilled piloting and bravery in combat. Caldwell’s contributions to aerial warfare earned him significant accolades, including the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After the war, he returned to New Zealand, where he continued his career in aviation and became involved in various business ventures. Caldwell’s remarkable service and accomplishments in the war made him a celebrated figure in New Zealand’s military history. He passed away on July 2, 1990, leaving behind a legacy as one of New Zealand’s leading WW1 fighter aces.

PLUS  The first public showing of the short documentary “TO REMEMBER” that was partly filmed at NZ Warbirds @ Ardmore.

AUT Uni student Hannah Mills’ Great-Grandfather, Charles Kingsley Mills was a New Zealander who first started out in the Auckland Mounted Rifle unit and fought in Gallipoli.  However, it was his dream to become a pilot and in late 1916 he was accepted into the RFC.

Hannah and her team spent several days filming at NZ Warbirds @ Ardmore.  Totally self-funded, they fundraised to get the money to have NZ Warbirds fly the Bristol Scout, having it “attack” the Tiger Moth camera plane to get just the right shots.

Following the 2 presentations, we will (weather willing) take as many of the WW1 aircraft we can for a celebration flight. 

Watch as ground crew move and prep the aircraft, including the authentic hand start.  Listen to the purr of a 1919 Le Rhone rotary engine.  Watch as these tail-dragging fighters zip around the airfield.

  • Sunday November 17th
  • 2:30pm kick off in Hangar One
  • $20 Students (please have student ID ready)
  • $20 members (digital NZWA membership card must be shown)
  • $40 non-members (all monies from ticket sales goes to NZWA)
  • Stay for drinks at Mac’s bar afterwards.

Tickets

Rolls Royce Avon

Turbo Jet

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: Two-stage Axial flow turbo jet. Thrust range: 12,690 lbf (56.4 kN) dry, 16,360 lbf (72.8 kN) with reheat.
Top Speed:

 

McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawk

Fighter Attack

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Pratt & Whitney J-52-P8A, 9,300Ib axial flow turbojet
Top Speed: 1083 Km/h, 673 MPH, 584 Knots

 

North American T-6 Harvard

Advanced Trainer

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, 600 Hp Radial Engine
Top Speed: 355 Km/h, 209 MPH, 181 Knots

 

@nz_warbirds

Theres 138 days till Warbirds on Parade and we have some good news. Tickets are now available through @iticketnz a great gift idea for Christmas🎄. Note iTicket is the only ticket distributor for Warbirds on Parade. Spread the word! #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviator #aviationlovers #aerobatics #aviationphotography #pilot #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #visitauckland #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
Clear skys at Ardmore this evening. Harvard 78 out on the apron after a successful fundraising event for the Totara Hospice. #keepemflying #northamericant6 #harvard #texan #t6 #newzealand #nzwarbirdsatardmore
ZK-TGN ‘rolling 21’ back in December 2020 during its first public display at Warbirds on Parade. 
This aircraft now resides at the Ashburton Aviation Museum but for a number of years resided at NZ Warbirds at Ardmore. It has been modified to have a 14-cylinder Pratt & Whitney R2000 rated at 1450 HP (not the 9-cylinder Wright R-1820 Cyclone typical for the type). 📸 Stuart Russell #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlover #northamerican #trojan #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #yak#instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
An image taken yesterday of the Harvard flypast over Auckland City to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Normandy Landings. 📸Rob New #DDay80 #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #harvard #northamerican #harvard #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #yak#instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #ifyouseeknz
We are super excited to share the ninth annual Tōtara Hospice Long Lunch Charity Gala event that is being hosted in The Warbirds Hangar 2. You will be indulged in a culinary journey showcasing flavours from Around the World. Your menu has been crafted with love and care by talented New Zealand chefs, including a stunning seafood dish from Executive Chef Nancye from Te Kaahu, a truly authentic taco from Chef Jean of Tacoteca and Michael Dearth from Baduzzi will be tantalising your tastebuds with dessert. Ganesh Raj is the MC, amongst other accolades he has been the recipient (for two years running) of Metro Magazine’s Restaurant Personality of the Year, as well as co-hosting the TV series Eat Well For Less and Cooks on Fire. They would love you to join them for a spectacular day of eating, drinking, dancing and philanthropy to make a difference in the lives of terminally ill patients and their whānau in our community. Sunday 23rd June 2024 11.30am till 5.00pm Warbirds Hangar Ardmore Airport Tickets are on sale now and include your coach transfers with Pavlovich Coachlines to and from the airport. We have several easy-to-reach collection points around Auckland in the CBD, Greenlane, Whitford (with a stop in Clevedon) and Manukau.
The calm before the show. Corsair 48 on the flight line of our recent Warbirds on Parade airshow on March 10th. It was a stunning sunrise 🌅 👍 📸 Brian Amerasinghe 📍Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #corsair #fg1d #voughtchance #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #yak#instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
The Roaring Forties returning from the recent Classic Flyers Aero Day 2024 with Ardmore Airport in the distance. 📸 Paul Johnston #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #harvard #northamerican#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
CORSAIR FLYING TODAY! Corsair NZ5648 will be flying today (Sunday 14th) with takeoff at 1100am. Come down to NZ Warbirds at Ardmore and check it out. #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #corsair #fg1d #voughtchance #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #ifyouseeknz
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
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AIRSHOW! Warbirds on Parade - Sunday 16 March 2025. For all of the latest developments - including what's on show - click here.
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