• Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9 - NZ Warbirds

Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9

Fighter

A symbol of British defiance against Nazi Germany, the Spitfire was designed as a high performance, short-range interceptor combining superb aerodynamics with one of the best aero-engine motors of the time, the Rolls Royce Merlin.  It was highly regarded by its pilots, who praised it for its flying characteristics and its ability to outturn its nemesis, the Messerschmitt Bf 109.

Since 1941, Supermarine had planned to produce a two-seat Spitfire conversion trainer to fast track pilot training but the idea was rejected by the British War Ministry.  It wasn’t until early 1945 that Vickers Supermarine (as a private venture) started the construction of a prototype/demonstration aircraft in early 1945 which lead to 20 Mk IX airframes being converted to trainer spec.

MH367 served in Europe, taking part in Operations Market Garden and Varsity.  In 1948 it suffered a serious landing accident and was scrapped as it was deemed surplus to supply.  Its remains were discovered 40 years later and was incorporated into a Spitfire two-seat project that was underway at the time in the USA.  MH367’s first post restoration flight was in November 2006 and was painted in the colours of a Mk. V Spitfire (ER570) flown by Major Robert Levine of the 4th Fighter Squadron, 52nd Fighter Group, United States Army Air Force in Tunisia 1943.

It was then sold to current owner Doug Brooker and arrived in New Zealand early May 2008 and registered as ZK-WDQ (WD-Q was ER570’s squadron code).  Since then MH367 has displayed at all major NZ air shows and is a frequent flier at Ardmore Airport (mostly adventure flights).  She is currently painted in the colours of EN520, an 81 Squadron RAF Spitfire that was flown by New Zealand’s highest scoring Ace, Colin Gray.

MH367 is the only two-seat dual control Spitfire in the southern hemisphere and as such allows members of the public the opportunity of flying in Supermarine’s beloved fighter for themselves.

Book a Flight

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: Packard Merlin 266, 1710 Hp V12, 2 stage-2 speed supercharger
Length: 9.52m (31ft 4.5in)
Height: 3.58m (12ft 7.75in)
Wing Span: 11.23m (35ft 10in)
Maximum Speed: 408 mph (657 kmh or 354 knots)
Service Ceiling: 43,000ft (13,106m)
Armament: 2 × 20 mm Hispano Mk II cannons & 2 × .50 in M2 Browning machine guns

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

 

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:

 

Aero Vodochody L-39 Albatros

Jet Trainer/Light Attack

Country of Origin: Czechoslovakia
Engine: Ivchenko AI-25, 3,800 lb turbofan engine
Top Speed: 750 Km/h, 466 MPH, 404 Knots

 

@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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