Blunty Trio!

For the first time in 23 years three BAC167 MK88 Strikemaster's have taken to the skies in a formation display over Ardmore as part of the Warbirds D-Day commerations. Inclement weather saw plans changed with initial thoughts no flying would take place however the cloud base lifted and precipitation retreated making for difficult photographic conditions but just right for aviation to be committed so the day went on albeit with changes in the order of events.

Ardmore Action Again - more warbirds

As this post goes to air the NZ Warbirds Association D Day event will be underway at Ardmore and leading upto the event there was a hive of activity with participants preparing themselves so yesterday was an ideal opportunity to catch them on the move.

Harvard ZK-ENF

Harvard ZK-ENG

Harvard ZK-JJA

Harvard ZK-TVI

Harvard ZK-MJN

Stearman ZK-PJS (thanks for correction!)

Yak 3 ZK-VVS

Yak 52 ZK-XXS

Ardmore Action Again - some jets

Ahead of the NZ Warbirds Association D Day get together being held today there was a flurry of activity from the airworthy and non airworthy aircraft of warbird status. From a jet perspective, NZ6372/ZK-BAC reportedly arrived in the morning and is seen here while conducting a local flight mid afternoon. Is this aircraft now based out of Wellington?

NZ6370/ZK-STR was static adjacent to its normal roosting spot (not photographed).

Meanwhile, outside the Warbirds hangar sat retired MB339 Macchi NZ6471 and CAC 31 Sabre A94-922. The latter has been resident at Ardmore for many moons now with early expectations that it was going to become airworthy but it seems this idea has been sadly shelved and it has languished in a hangar awaiting its fate. During the week it was moved from its place of storage and is now on static display for the D Day event with a proposal tabled for it to remain stored with Warbirds joining the Macchi and of course A4 Skyhawk. Also worth mentioning is the yet to fly Trojan ZK-TGN was also nestled inside the Warbirds hangar on static display.

I had photographed the Sabre not long after its post restoration to non airworthy status some years ago but it wasn't until yesterday that the Papua New Guinean roundel on the top of the wings was noted.

Ardmore Action

A pleasant late autumn day and the sound of a Mark XIV Griffon powered Spitfire audible from home saw a rushed trip to Ardmore 29 May that ultimately saw much of the day spent snapping photos and yarning with those gathered to enjoy the day.

MK XIV Spitfire ZK-XIV returns from a brief local flight.

  

Agusta A109 ZK-ITR makes it way back to Ardmore after a local flight from maintenance provider Heliflite.

Akrotech G202 ZK-NUT returns for a touch and go.

Tecnam Astore ZK-AST makes short work of launching from runway 03.  

Lancair 360 ZK-MHS - sweet machine!

Cessna 172M ZK-DXJ returning to Ardmore

Stampe ZK-BBV - first sighting. See the NZ Civair blog for a history on this aircraft.

Kittyhawk ZK-CAG on the numbers after a local flight. 

Registered to a Dunedin address is the Falcomposite Furio ZK-NJS. Its been at Ardmore for the last couple of months however. 

Visiting VH'ers

Careflight's Learjet 45 VH-VVI has been a regular visitor to New Zealand over the years but it has recently underwent a makeover and made its first visit with the new look arriving at Wellington 27 May from Bali via Broome and Sydney. After overnighting it departed lunchtime 28 May for Brisbane before operating a medivac flight which saw it head straight off to Nadi then back to Brisbane via a techstop at Noumea.

Little Aviation Gulfstream G550 VH-LAL arrived at Auckland from Melbourne early afternoon 28 May. VH-LAL was delivered to the owner's then Essendon base on 19 April 2010 and made its first NZ foray in August the same year with a few nights spent at Queenstown. It went onto make several visits during 2011 associated with Rugby World Cup events however its last appearance this side of the Tasman was way back in March 2012 when it spent several days at Queenstown.

And one last VH registered aircraft appeared in NZ 28 May with Maule M9-235 VH-VRF c/n 36001C arriving at Kerikeri from Norfolk Island and later the same day making its way down the North Island's western shores towards New Plymouth.

Air NZ B777-300ER Departs Wellington - March 2011

Another video stumbled upon while hunting around the net. Airside TV did a fab job catching Boeing 777-300ER ZK-OKM departing Wellington in March 2011 after a promo visit to the Capital. The same aircraft had also visited the previous month also on promotional duties.

VJ photo

Air NZ Beech 1900D Airshow display - Tauranga 2004

I'm sure the organising team at the Tauranga Airshow in February 2004 were delighted when Air NZ Link subsidiary Eagle Airways  made themselves available to display a Beech 1900D. This must be one of less than a handful of air displays flown by Eagle Air 1900's.

Falcon 7X PP-CFJ

Brazilian registered Falcon 7X PP-CFJ arrived at a soggy Rotorua on the afternoon of 23 May from Papeete.

Soon after its arrival at Rotorua. Thanks to "Hairy Mole Rat" for making the drive from Tauranga to catch it!

RNZAF Texans

The Royal New Zealand Air Force Beechcraft Texan II's have been exploring the countryside in recent days with NZ1403 noted arriving at Whangarei while NZ1407 visited Dunedin, both on 22 May. This is the first known visit by a Texan to Dunedin and most likely Whangarei.