• Canberra Restoration - NZ Warbirds

English Electric Canberra B(I)8

Bomber

The English Electric Canberra was the Royal Air Force’s first jet-powered bomber.  Developed during the mid-to-late 1940’s, the Canberra was designed as a replacement for the wartime de Havilland Mosquito.

The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) operated numerous Canberra types from 1958 to 1970.  Initially the RNZAF were loaned B.2s and T.4s by the RAF as part of the Commonwealth Strategic Reserve but were returned in 1962 after the delivery of B(I).12 attack bombers and T.13 conversion trainers.

Our aircraft WT346 served with the RAF.  It is a B(I).8 model.   Acquired by the RNZAF Museum Trust board in 1993, it was originally intended to modify the airframe to represent an RNZAF B(I).12 however a recent change in direction for the museum has seen it loaned to Warbirds at Ardmore for restoration to static display.  Once restored to an agreed standard, the intention is for her to be officially transferred to NZ Warbirds.  More details about its restoration can be found here.

Country of Origin: United Kingdom
Engine: 2 x Rolls-Royce Avon RA7 Mk.109 turbojet engines, 7,400 lbs each
Length: 19.96m (65ft 6in)
Height: 4.78m (15ft 8in)
Wing Span: 19.51m (64ft 0in)
Maximum Speed: 580mph (930kmh or 500 knots) at 40,000 ft (12,192 m)
Service Ceiling: 48,000ft (14630m)

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

 

Clark Airfield Tractor

Tug

Country of Origin: United States of America
Engine: Holden, Straight 6 Engine
Top Speed: Slow

 

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:

 

@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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