• Bristol Fighter F.2B - NZWarbirds

Bristol Fighter F.2B

Fighter & Light Bomber

The Bristol Fighter F.2B, affectionately known as the “Brisfit”, is a British 2 seat aircraft that was used during the later stages of World War One.  Designed by Frank Barnwell, it was intended to replace the Royal Aircraft Factory’s B.E.2. fulfilling a variety of roles including a fighter, light bomber and reconnaissance platform.  It was fast, manoeuvrable and could dive faster than any other aircraft at the time.

The type saw service in many air forces after the War including here in NZ where 7 saw service with the New Zealand Permanent Air Force and later the Royal New Zealand Air Force until 1936.  They were used for flight training, aerial photography & surveying, metrological flights and army cooperation (ground support).

Our machine is one of six replicas built for the film adaptation of “High Road to China” written by Jon Cleary in the 1970’s.   It has recently been restored here in NZ and wears the livery of  C814 ‘12’, a Brisfit flown by New Zealander Sir Keith Park during his time with 48 Squadron RFC in 1918.

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: Fairchild Ranger 6-440-C, 200hp straight 6 piston engine
Original Engine: Rolls Royce Falcon III, 275hp V12 piston engine
Length: 7.87m (25ft 10in)
Height: 2.97m (9ft 9in)
Wing Span: 11.96m (39ft 3in)
Cruise Speed: 123mph (198kmh or 106 knots)
Maximum Speed: 123mph (198kmh or 107 knots)
Range: 593 km (180 mins)
Service Ceiling: 18,000ft (5,485m)
Armament: 1× 0.303 in (7.7 mm) forward-firing Vickers machine gun, 1 or 2×0.303 in observer's cockpit, 240 lb of Bombs (100 kg)

Ryan Pt-22 Recruit

Primary Trainer

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Kinner R-540-1 , 160hp 5-cylinder radial engine
Top Speed:

 

CFM International CFM56

Turbofan

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Dual rotor, axial flow, high bypass ratio turbofan. Thrust range: 18,500Ib to 34,000Ib
Top Speed:

 

Cessna L-19/O-1 Bird Dog

Observation aircraft

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Continental O-470-11, 213hp air-cooled flat-six piston engine
Top Speed:

 

@nz_warbirds

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
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
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NZ Warbirds at Ardmore - visitor centre closed 30th & 31st March 2024 for Warbirds Over Wanaka.
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