On display in the Caldwell Gallery is replica Pup N6460 in the colours of No. 3 (Naval) Squadron RNAS, which was flown by New Zealander Captain Harold Francis Beamish, DSC, during June and July 1917. Beamish survived the war with 11 victories.
NZ2336/TE910 is painted in honour of the crew of Mosquito FB.VI NT131/EG-D of No.487 (New Zealand) Squadron, F/O Ronald Beazer, RNZAF, and navigator P/O Andy Munro, RAFVR. During Classic Fighters 2023 she had both Merlin 25s running.
One of two Bell 47’s on display at the Air Force Museum is NZ3705. The Sioux was the first helicopter to enter RNZAF service, with the first batch joining newly-formed No.3 (Battlefield Support) Squadron at Hobsonville in December 1965 and January 1966.
The last remaining Sioux helicopters left RNZAF-service in 2012. NZ3706 was initially retained for the RNZAF Historic Aircraft Flight at RNZAF Base Ohakea, but eventually came to the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, in November 2021.
NZ3801 joined No.3 Squadron in June 1966 and was upgraded to UH-1H in the mid 70’s. Amongst the many duties, NZ3801 saw overseas service in support of UN-operations in East Timor early in the new millennium, marked ‘UNO-075’ and later 'UNO-077'.
ZK-SPI made her first flight on the 18th of March 2009, in the hands of recently retired warbird pilot Keith Skilling. The ‘Al Deere’ Spitfire has graced the New Zealand skies ever since. PV270 is flown here at Omaka Classic Fighters by S/L Sean Perre
This aircraft had served with No.118 Squadron, RAF, serialled WA306, before transferring to the RNZAF as NZ5769. The aircraft is in No.75 Squadron colours. In the background is Vampire T.11 NZ5707.
Imported in 1938 by the Hawkes Bay and East Aero Club, in May 1940, the 35W was impressed into RNZAF-service as NZ581. After a brief spell in civilian hands as ZK-AHJ, she was re-impressed as NZ598, serving with No.42 Squadron. Post war she became ZK-APJ.
Shipped to New Zealand in July 1944, NZ1092 began a long life in the RNZAF and joined the NZ Warbirds scene as ZK-WAR in September 1978. The Harvard (ex USAAF 42-84725; ex RAF EZ361) is based at Ardmore.
NZ7004 performing a Khe Sanh-approach and swooping in low over the Wither Hills for a touch-and-go on RWY-30. The venerable 40 Squadron machine was based at nearby RNZAF Base Woodbourne as support aircraft for the RNZAF Kiwi Blue Parachute display Team.
Graham Bethell’s P-51D-30NA is ex USAAF 44-74829 and ex RCAF 9265. The Mustang is in the c/s of No.3 (Canterbury) Squadron. The original NZ2415 served briefly with this unit from June 1952 until a landing accident at Wigram on 23 January 1954.
No.24 Squadron, RFC, operated the DH.2 from January 1916 until June 1917 from bases in France, including St. Omer, Bertangles, Chipilly and Flez. The original aircraft was part of a batch of 100 built by the Aircraft Manufacturing Co. Ltd. in Hendon.
ZK-VNM ‘WE434/L' is in the colours of No.14 Squadron, RNZAF, as based at RAF Tengah, Singapore, during the ‘Malayan Emergency’. The RNZAF’s Venoms were on loan from the RAF and were returned when No.14 Squadron was withdrawn to New Zealand in 1958
Harvard IIa NZ1053 (ex USAAF 41-33769; ex RAFEX796) is owned by the Harvard 53 Syndicate, Auckland. The Mark IIa Harvards were originally delivered with wooden rear fuselages and tailplanes, but these were later replaced by metal components.
ENJ of the Roaring Forties Team. The red and white checkers once graced the Harvards of the RNZAF Red Checkers, formed in 1967: the first Checkers were F/L Thomas Lambert, F/L Roger Henstock, F/L Robin Klitscher, F/O Dick Metcalfe, and F/L Ken Gayfer.
Before coming to No.11 Squadron of the Air Training Corps, Hastings, in December 1975, this Rhönlerche had seen service with respectively the Tauranga and Waipukurau Gliding Clubs since her arrival in New Zealand in 1958.
Harvard IIa NZ1052 (ex USAAF 41-33768; ex RAF EX795) is based at Ardmore and wears the yellow and black checkers of No.2 (Wellington) Territorial Air Force Squadron.
Frank Parker in ZK-RFR on finals to RWY-30 with flaps down and reducing the speed to around 85 kts when over the fence. Despite the wide-track undercarriage landing requires utmost attention of the pilot. Parker prefers a tail-down wheeler landing.
NZ6254 joined No.2 Squadron at RNZAF Base Ohakea when the unit reformed in December 1984. This aircraft became the 2-seat prototype for Project Kahu. Note the unit badge on the top of the fin. On the port side is the tiki of No.75 Squadron.
Replica of 'Britannia', New Zealand's first military aircraft, built by David Comrie, Dunedin. The original aircraft made its first flight over the country from Epsom Showgrounds, Auckland, on 17 January 1914, piloted by Lt Joe Hammond.
Constructed at Omaka is this taxiable replica of 2-seat Bleriot XI-2 ‘Britannia’, the first military aircraft in New Zealand. The original was presented to the New Zealand Government by the Imperial Air Fleet Committee in 1913.
Stored with AvSpecs at Ardmore is this former US Navy J4F-2 Widgeon BuAerNo.37726. The F-2 was the 5-seater version of the F-1 for the US Navy. In total 131 aircraft of this version were constructed. This Widgeon came to New Zealand in May 1964.
Former Indonesian Air Force F-51 Cavalier/Mustang II F-367 (ex USAAF 44-74827) was rebuilt to her original P-51D standard at RNZAF Base Ohakea. She is on display as 'NZ2410', of No. 4 (Territorial Air Force) Squadron at Taieri from 1951-1955.