North American Aviation T-6 Harvard

North American Aviation’s beloved T6 Texan trainer earned itself the title “The Pilot Maker” due to its important role in preparing allied pilots for combat during World War Two. The RNZAF operated 202 Harvards from 1941 till their retirement in 1977, after serving for 36 years training Kiwi pilots. It was the last wartime aircraft to see service with the RNZAF.

The Roaring Forties display team will once again take to the skies at Warbirds on Parade.

Curtiss P-40N Kittyhawk

The Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk is an American aircraft that was the United States Army Air Corp’s (USAAC) first mass-produced fighter. Developed from the P-36, the Kittyhawk’s easy flying characteristics was praised by its pilots but loathed for its lack of performance at high altitude. However, with its robust, rugged build, it went on to become a successful, low level, ground attack/fighter for the Allies.

Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2

The Royal Aircraft Factory B.E.2e was a British built, single-engine, biplane first used by the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) from 1912 till 1919.  Originally intended as a front line fighter for air to air combat, their inherently stable characteristics and poor performance made them easy prey for the German Fokker Eindecker.  Despite this it was used for other roles including as a light bomber, night fighter, anti-submarine and coastal patrol reconnaissance platform, and trainer.

Albatros D.Va

Debut at Warbirds on Parade!

Introduced in the later stages of the First World War, the Albatros D.Va is a German single seat fighter featuring a streamlined semi-monocoque wooden fuselage and fabric covered wings.  It was an attempt to improve on the earlier D.V which was found to have to structural failures.  When the D.Va was deployed to front line units it was already more-or-less obsolete having to operate with a restriction on its diving performance.  Despite this, the Albatros remained in front line use till the Armistice.

Siemens-Schuckert D.IV

During August of 1918, the Siemens Schuckert D.IV started to appear with front line units. It was officially described as being “superior by far to all single-seaters in use” and was regarded to be the best performing fighter of the Great War. Despite its qualities the type saw little conflict as the following month saw the armistice signed and the War came to an end.

Bristol Fighter F.2B

The Bristol Fighter F.2B, affectionately known as the “Brisfit”, is a British 2 seat aircraft that was used during the later stages of World War One. Designed by Frank Barnwell, it was intended to replace the Royal Aircraft Factory’s B.E.2. fulfilling a variety of roles including a fighter, light bomber and reconnaissance platform. It was fast, manoeuvrable and could dive faster than any other aircraft at the time.

Bristol Scout D

NZ Warbirds at Ardmore is fortunate to have one of two, full-scale Bristol Scouts worldwide. This particular machine was built in the USA by the late Herb Harkey in the 1990’s and was completed in 1997. Although it is a replica, there are original period components such as the cockpit instruments and, of course, its authentic 80hp Le’Rhone rotary engine.

Fokker Dr.1

Famous for being flown by Manfred Von Richthofen (The Red Baron), the Fokker Dr.1 was introduced late 1917 and pilots were quick to regard it for its climbing ability, manoeuvrability, and light controls when compared to other fighters of the time such as the Albatros and Pfalz. No original airframes have survived with the last of the type destroyed by a bombing raid during WW2.

NZ Army Bushmaster

We are very excited to have the New Zealand Army join us at Warbirds on Parade to display one of their new Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles.  “The Bushmaster is an Australian-built four-wheel drive armoured vehicle.  Weighing 17 tonnes, with an additional five-tonne payload, Bushmasters can protect up to 10 personnel from ballistic and blast attacks.”

Beechcraft T-6C Texan II

“The T-6C aircraft are purpose-built for military training and have the latest technology including ejection seats, collision-avoidance and ground proximity warning systems, a pressurised cockpit and an on-board oxygen generating system to provide supplementary oxygen for each pilot. The T-6C Texan II is expected to remain in service with our Royal New Zealand Air Force for 30 years.” (Text sourced www.nzdf.mil.nz) (Static Display)

MX Aircraft MXS

The MXS is a single-seat aerobatic aircraft made of carbon fiber and built by MX Aircraft Company, a manufacturer located at Jandakot Airport in Perth, Western Australia. The MXS-R is a race variant flown by several pilots in the Red Bull Air Race World Championship.

Pilot Doug Brooker is a two times New Zealand unlimited aerobatic champion.  His display is both breathtaking and thrilling to watch, come out to Ardmore on Sunday 05 June and watch him put the MXS into a flat spin, putting it well and truly through its paces.

Extra 330LX

The Extra 330LX is a two-seat tandem aerobatic monoplane capable of Unlimited category competition.  Like the MXS the Extra is constructed from Carbon fiber and Carbon composites making it super light and really maneuverable!

David Cranna will be the pilot and will be putting this sleek machine through its paces.

Supermarine Spitfire Tr.9

Its not Warbirds on Parade without a Spitfire!  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.

North American P-51D Mustang

Designed in 1940 as a replacement to the P40 Kittyhawk, the P-51 Mustang was originally powered by an Allison V-1710 V12 but when the RAF swapped the Alison to the much more powerful Rolls Royce Merlin, the Mustang was found to be an excellent high altitude fighter and along with its speed, maneuverability and (most importantly) range, made it the only fighter at the time with the ability to escort the Allied bombers over occupied Europe (a role which it excelled at).

Yak-52

The Yak-52 is a primary trainer that was developed in the late 1970s for Soviet Russia’s military. Like most Russian aircraft, the Yak-52 is a rugged design, capable of operating in the extreme temperatures of Siberia whilst requiring minimal maintenance.  The tricycle landing gear is retractable but remains exposed in-flight providing protection to the airframe should a “wheels up” landing occur.

‘Westpac Rescue 2’ Leonardo AW169

The AW169 is specifically designed for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) work and are used around the world for search and rescue and air ambulance work.  The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Trust have the only AW169s operational in New Zealand.

The Westpac Rescue helicopter will be performing a winching demonstration on the day.