• North American T-6 Harvard - NZWarbirds

North American T-6 Harvard

Advanced Trainer

North American Aviation’s beloved T6 Texan trainer earned itself the title “The Pilot Maker” due to its important role in preparing allied pilots for combat during World War Two.  The RNZAF operated 202 Harvards from 1941 till their retirement in 1977, after serving for 36 years training Kiwi pilots.  It was the last wartime aircraft to see service with the RNZAF. Today there are numerous ex RNZAF Harvards flying in New Zealand including 7 which call Ardmore home.

North American Harvard Mk IIA NZ1057

Built in 1943, NZ1057 was stationed at Gisborne under No.30 Torpedo Squadron.  When the RNZAF disposed of the Harvard’s in the mid-1970s and TVI (NZ1057’s civil registration) suffered the ignominy of becoming a playground amusement before it was recovered and subsequently rebuilt from the wheels up in to flying condition in 1998.  NZ1057 is presented in its 1950’s RNZAF livery.

North American Harvard Mk IIA NZ1053

Built in 1943, NZ1053 is in the livery of the 1970’s training fleet.   When the RNZAF declared her surplus to requirements, 53 was sold to the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) for $100.00 in a dismantled and incomplete state.  It then went to the Taranaki Aviation and Transport Museum and then to Don Subritsky who restored her to flying condition.

North American Harvard Mk IIA NZ1052

Built in 1943, NZ1052 is in the livery of No.2 “Wellington” Squadron of the Territorial Airforce during the 1950’s.  She too was declared surplus to requirements by the RNZAF and was sold to the Museum of Transport and Technology in 1978.  She was sold to P. Burns of Christchurch in 1982 and then to M. Nicholls of Blenheim in 1987.  She was rebuilt by Aero Tech at Ardmore from 1990 to 1991 were she was bought by the current owners, Harvard 1052 Syndicate.

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-1340 Wasp, 600 Hp Radial Engine
Length: 8.8m (29ft)
Height: 3.56m (11ft 8in)
Wing Span: 13m (42ft)
Cruise Speed: 145 mph (233 kmh or 126 knots)
Maximum Speed: 236mph (380kmh or 205knots) at 5,000 ft (1,500m)
Service Ceiling: 7,400m (24,200ft)

BAC 167 Strikemaster Mk.88

Jet Trainer/Light Attack

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: Rolls-Royce Viper Mk.535 turbojet, 3,140 lbf
Top Speed:

 

Bristol Scout D

Fighter

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: Le' Rhone, 80hp 9-cylinder rotary piston engine
Top Speed: 161 Km/h, 100 MPH, 87 Knots

 

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

 

@nz_warbirds

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
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
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