On display in the airshow static at a very wet 1993 International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford, this MB-339CB flew a long distance to participate. Recorded as now preserved at Mandeville.
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'.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Harvard III NZ1087 is finished in the colours of Harvard II NZ948 of No.2 Service Flying Training School (SFTS), RNZAF Base Woodbourne. NZ948, one of 67 Harvard IIs ordered direct from the Inglewood factory, entered service with No.2 SFTS in July 1941.
NZ3220 ‘Gloria Lyons’ of 18 (F) Squadron, RNZAF, was solely employed on fighter bomber duties. The 2½ Japanese kill markings, seen under the windscreen, are the cumulative squadron score and so not specific to NZ3220.
NZ2049 was part of a batch of 300 Hudson IIIAs for the RAF, however the majority found their way to the RAAF and RNZAF. Under the nose window is the aircraft’s construction number, whilst beneath the windscreen the USAAF identity 41-36976 can be found.
Flying from Guadalcanal with 3 (GR) Squadron, RNZAF, NZ2049 survived at least two attacks from Japanese aircraft. Eventually she survived the war, but could easily have ended wrecked somewhere in a Pacific island jungle as presented here.
Bevan Dewes on finals to Omaka's turf. NZ1044 (ex USAAF 44-33720) is in her original No.2 (Fighter) OTU livery as based at Ohakea in 1944-45. Presently it is the only airworthy Harvard in wartime configuration in New Zealand.
NZ2013 was part of a diverted RAF order and was shipped directly to Auckland from Los Angeles. The Hudson is finished in the colour scheme that it would have worn when serving with No.4 Squadron, RNZAF, at Nausori, Fiji in 1943-44.
View of the cockpit section of Vildebeest NZ102. Manufactured at the Vickers factory, Weybridge, England, the aircraft was shipped to New Zealand in March 1935, and assembled at Hobsonville for delivery to the Bomber Reconnaissance Flight of the RNZAF.