• DHC-2 Beaver - NZ Warbirds

de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver

STOL Utility Transport

The de Havilland Canada DHC-2 Beaver is a high wing, short takeoff and landing (STOL) aircraft designed for bush operations from unprepared airfields.  Its utilitarian design has seen it succeed in a variety of roles such as cargo & passenger transportation and aerial topdressing.  Configuring the airframe with either wheels, skis, floats or amphibious floats allows operations in a variety of conditions.

It saw use in the military as the L-20 and was used by both the US Air Force Auxiliary for search and rescue missions and the US Army during Korea and Vietnam where their primary role was the aerial evacuation of wounded troops.  Additionally they were used for search and rescue, aerial photography, cargo and personnel transport and courier services.

Our particular machine is believed to be the oldest flying Beaver in the world and was the first of the type to be exported from Canada.  It is painted in the colours of an ex RNZAF beaver (NZ 6001) which was used during the 1956 Commonwealth Trans-Antarctic Expedition.

Country of Origin: Canada
Engine: Pratt & Whitney R-985 Wasp Jr. 450hp 9-cylinder radial piston engine
Length: 9.24m (30ft 4in)
Height: 2.74m (9ft 0in)
Wing Span: 14.64m (48ft 0in)
Cruise Speed: 143mph (230kmh or 124 knots)
Maximum Speed: 158mph (255kmh or 137 knots)
Range: 455 miles (732km)
Service Ceiling: 18,000ft (5,485m)
Armament: Nil

CFM International CFM56

Turbofan

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Dual rotor, axial flow, high bypass ratio turbofan. Thrust range: 18,500Ib to 34,000Ib
Top Speed:

 

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:

 

Willys MB

Military Utility Vehicle

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Willys L134 (Go Devil), 60 Hp Straight 4 Engine
Top Speed: 105 Km/h, 65 MPH

 

@nz_warbirds

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
It almost doesn’t look real 👀 But it is! Albatros DVa replica ZK-ARS captured by Paul at our recent Warbirds on Parade airshow. What a great show! 📷Paul Johnston 📍Ardmore Airport #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #ww1 #albatros #aerobatics#aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
We are go for Sunday!😁 We have been busy setting up for our big show tomorrow and the weather looks to be okay at this stage. There was plenty of flying activity at Ardmore with various aircraft getting up to practice their routines. Also a few aircraft have flown in who are visiting for tomorrow including Strikemaster 72 from Wellington. A few things to keep in mind: 🔘Gates open at 9am and displays start at 10:30am. Tentative display program is now up on our website as well as our airshow display map. 🔘Directions to get to Ardmore can be found here👇 https://nzwarbirds.org.nz/contact/travelling_to_warbirds_on_parade/ 🔘Remember access to the show and parking is via the Hamlin Road entrance ONLY! 🔘Unfortunately NO dogs are allowed at the show except for registered service dogs. 🔘Tickets are still available via iTICKET and Yes tickets can be purchased at the gate👇. https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2023/jun/warbirds-on-parade We look forward to seeing you all tomorrow. Spread the word! #keepemflying
#flashbackfriday Over the top we go😁➰ Flash back to February 2022 when we had two P-40s at Ardmore and were privileged enough to see both displayed together. Warbirds on Parade is only just around the corner and we are excited to see Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk ZK-CAG displayed! #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #mosquito #curtiss#kittyhawk #p40 #aerobatics #harvard #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa ##pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
MH367 Sun Dancing ☀️ All 3 fighters were out this past weekend after a couple of weeks of unusually wet weather in Auckland. Amazing how effective the Spitfire’s desert camouflage is for New Zealand’s green landscape. ⛰️🏔️ #keepemflying #warbird #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #spitfire #merlin #kittyhawk #p40 #mustang #p51 #aerobatics #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #visitauckland #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ
#lestweforget We were sent this in by Ben who took part in the Anzac Day flypast over Blenheim and Renwick. Aircraft used were the T6 Harvard, Nanchang and Avro Anson. A unique formation for sure! 📷 @seivad555 📍Blenheim/Renwick #keepemflying #warbird #anzacday #anzac #avgeek #aviation #aviator #aviationlovers #aviationphotography #pilot #flying #flight #photographer #instagood #airshow #show #onlyinnz #nz #newzealand #aotearoa #avro #pioneer #purenz #IfYouSeekNZ #auckland #harvard #t6 #anson
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