• 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

de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk

Primary Trainer

Country of Origin: Canada
Engine: Gipsy Major 1c, 145hp Inverted 4-cylinder piston engine
Top Speed: 222 Km/h, 138 MPH, 120 Knots

 

Boeing-Stearman

Trainer

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Lycoming R-680-17, 225 Hp Radial Engine or
Top Speed: 200 Km/h, 124 MPH, 108 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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