• 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)

Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2

Fighter, Light Bomber, Patrol & Trainer

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: Royal Aircraft Factory 1a, 90hp V8 piston engine
Top Speed: 116 Km/h, 72 MPH, 63 Knots

 

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:

 

Bristol Fighter F.2B

Fighter & Light Bomber

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: Fairchild Ranger 6-440-C, 200hp straight 6 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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