• NZ Warbirds

de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk

Primary Trainer

The DHC-1 Chipmunk the first indigenous aircraft designed by the Canadian company, which was originally setup as a subsidiary of its parent company in 1928.   It was designed to be a replacement for the Tiger Moth and as such was procured by the RAF and RCAF where it was used as a primary trainer.

NZ Warbirds has 2 Chipmunks on display.  WB693 is a British built DHC-1 Mk.10 and was used by the RAF Reserve Flying School at Perth Scotland providing flying currency for RAF volunteer reserve pilots.  It was Later it was operated by the Malta Communications Flight in the Mediterranean, stationed in Cyprus and Libya.

WK551 is a Mk.22 model which saw service in the RAF. Built in 1952 it served the RAF till 1974 when it was retired.  After a civilian flying career in South Africa, it was shipped to NZ.

The type is known to be quite well-mannered with excellent handling characteristics for aerobatics.  As such they have been commonly known as “the poor man’s Spitfire” and affectionally called “Chippies”.

Country of Origin: Canada
Engine: Gipsy Major 1c, 145hp Inverted 4-cylinder piston engine
Length: 7.75m (25ft 5in)
Height: 2.1m (7ft 0in)
Wing Span: 10.47m (34ft 4in)
Cruise Speed: 119mph (192kmh or 105 knots)
Maximum Speed: 138mph (222kmh or 120 knots)
Range: 280 miles (450kmh)
Armament: Nil

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:

 

Miles M.38 Messenger

Airborne Observation Post (AOP) & Liaison

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: Blackburn Cirrus Major III, Inverted 4 Cylinder, 155 Hp Engine
Top Speed: 177 Km/h, 110 MPH, 95 Knots

 

Aermacchi MB-339CB

Jet Trainer

Country of Origin: Italy
Engine: Rolls Royce Viper 680-43, 4,400 lb turbojet engine
Top Speed: 898 Km/h, 558 MPH, 485 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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