• NZ Warbirds

Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2

Fighter, Light Bomber, Patrol & Trainer

The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2 was a British built, single-engine, biplane first used by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) from 1912 till 1919.  Originally intended as a front line fighter for air to air combat, their inherently stable characteristics and poor performance made them easy prey for the German Fokker Eindecker.  Despite this it was used for other roles including as a light bomber, night fighter, anti-submarine and coastal patrol reconnaissance platform, and trainer.

Our aircraft (B.E.2e) is a reproduction constructed by The Vintage Aviator Limited, based in Wellington, where it was faithfully constructed to the same standards as the originals were over 100 years ago.    The aircraft is painted to represent a B.E.2b flown by William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse, an Englishman of Ngati Ruanui descent who was the first airman to receive a Victoria Cross.

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: Royal Aircraft Factory 1a, 90hp V8 piston engine
Length: 8.31m (27ft 3in)
Height: 3.39m (11ft 1.5in)
Wing Span: 12.2m (40ft 0in)
Maximum Speed: 72mph (116kmh or 62 knots)
Range: 3h 15m
Service Ceiling: 10,000ft (3,050m)
Armament: 0.303 (7.7mm) Lewis Gun, 224Ib (100Kg) of bombs

English Electric Canberra B(I)8

Bomber

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: 2 x Rolls-Royce Avon RA7 Mk.109 turbojet engines, 7,400 lbs each
Top Speed:

 

Alvis Leonides

Radial Engine

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: 520 hp air-cooled, 11.8 L, 9-cylinder, radial piston engine
Top Speed:

 

Fokker Dr.1

Fighter

Country of Origin: German Empire
Engine: Rotec R3600, 150hp, 9-cylinder radial 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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JOIN US on Anzac Day - NZ Warbirds at Ardmore open Thursday 25th April 10:30am to 3:00pm.
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