• NZ Warbirds

Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2

Fighter, Light Bomber, Patrol & Trainer

The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e 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 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 Maori 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

North American P-51-D Mustang

Fighter

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Packard Merlin V-1650, 1450 Hp, V12 Supercharged Piston Engine
Top Speed: 803 Km/h, 500 MPH, 434 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

 

Albatros D.Va

Fighter

Country of Origin: German Empire
Engine: Fairchild Ranger 6-440-C, 200hp straight 6 piston engine
Top Speed:

 

@nz_warbirds

It’s been 14 years since this beauty took to the skies for its 1st post restoration flight after a 5 year restoration. How time flies😁 Painted in the colours of Alan Deere, NZ second highest scoring ace, Supermarine Spitfire Mk. IX PV270 is based at at RNZAF base Ohakea. 📷 Paul Johnston 📍Omaka Aerodrome, New Zealand #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #spitfire #merlin #supermarine #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ #history #supermarinespitfire #restoration
AIRSHOW TIME! Yes, the rumors are true. We are excited to announce that Auckland’s local AIRSHOW is back this June!😁 ✈️WARBIRDS ON PARADE 📆Sunday 04 June 2023 📍Ardmore Airport, Auckland, New Zealand. Join us for a day of aerobatics, formation fly pasts and aerial displays. See New Zealand’s aviation heritage where it belongs – in the sky. ⏰Flying display slots at 10:30am | 12:30pm | 2:30pm (gates open at 9:00am) Static aircraft, classic cars and military vehicles on display. Merchandise and refreshments will be available🍟️🥤 The perfect outing for the whole family👨‍👧‍👦 Pricing and ticket details will be announced when live. Follow us on Facebook or visit our website to keep up to date with details such as ticketing and aircraft announcements as they come. Mark it on your calendars and we will see you there👍 Note this will be our only show for 2023. #KeepEmFlying #Airshow #WarbirdsOnParade #VisitAuckland #purenz #airshow #spitfire #mustang #aviation #flight #show #nz #auckland #newzealand #mustdotravels #events #warbirds #avgeek
ZK-TAF cruising. P-51s are cool 😎 #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #mustang #p51 #gopro #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #reels #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #auckland #ardmore #VisitAuckland #IfYouSeekNZ #instagood #p51mustang #picoftheday
#repost No explanation needed. Steadfast is just too cool!😎 This high-performance Yak 3U-R2000 holds nine world records including the under 3000kg World Speed Record at 416 MPH!✈️ 📷 @mike_gannaway 📍 @wingsoverwairarapa #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #yakinthebox #yak3u #aerobatics #yakinthebox #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #auckland #ardmore #pioneer #VisitAuckland #ifyouseeknz
It is with sadness that we learn of the passing of Max Collett, aged 99. He was the last surviving New Zealand Spitfire pilot from the Second World War and flew with No. 485 (NZ) Squadron RAF. The @royalnzairforce will be conducting a Spitfire fly-past at the venue for Max's Memorial Service on Friday 6th January. The Spitfire will depart Ohakea at 10:50 and is expected to be overhead the Beth Shan Funeral Home in Napier at the conclusion of the service around 11:30 to 11:40. Blue Skies✈️ #rip
Flying out of 2022 like…. Happy New Year to all our followers and supporters 🎉🍾🥳 #2023 #happynewyear #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #spitfire #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #auckland #ardmore #pioneer #VisitAuckland #IfYouSeekNZ #love
#flashbackfriday P40 Magic✨ Earlier in the year when 2x P40 Kittyhawks flew together at Ardmore. Such a great day! #avgeek #warbird #aviation #curtis #p40 #kittyhawk #formation #restoration #nzwarbirdsatardmore #onlyatardmore #nz #newzealand #keepemflying #pioneer #aero #airplane #aeroplane #alison #v12 #horsepower #airshow #display
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