Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Great pics Grant. The Nord/'108 makes a very 'usable' warbird, handy for touring, and (relatively) inexpensive. Do you happen to know which unit that one was with?
Classic Fighters Easter Weekend
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- #22
Thanks for the comments, guys, much appreciated. Terry, not sure which unit the Bf 108 flew with, but it has probably flown more hours here in NZ than it did in the war. Its owner Colin Montgomery has used it as his personal transport for years, his family was based at the other end of the country from himself and at one stage he was making the trip back and forth every couple of weeks in the Messerschmitt.
The Anson is a real beauty; the standard of restoration is just extraordinary and is to be seen to be believed. Bill sourced as many original fittings as possible, down to bakelite switches, Aldis Lamps and other fittings for the interior. It wears the markings of the aircraft of New Zealander Pilot Officer Laurie Edwards of 206 Sqn Coastal Command, who was shot down two days after war was declared, by an He 115, which proceded to pick up survivors, including Edwards, who became the first RAF Officer POW of the war. What was remarkable was that Edwards attacked the He 115 armed only with the Anson's forward firing .303 and a .300 in the top turret!
The Anson is a real beauty; the standard of restoration is just extraordinary and is to be seen to be believed. Bill sourced as many original fittings as possible, down to bakelite switches, Aldis Lamps and other fittings for the interior. It wears the markings of the aircraft of New Zealander Pilot Officer Laurie Edwards of 206 Sqn Coastal Command, who was shot down two days after war was declared, by an He 115, which proceded to pick up survivors, including Edwards, who became the first RAF Officer POW of the war. What was remarkable was that Edwards attacked the He 115 armed only with the Anson's forward firing .303 and a .300 in the top turret!
Wildcat
Major
It does look nice in those colours, though it would to great to see it in its original RAAF markings.
Airframes
Benevolens Magister
Thanks for the info Grant. If I was ever in a position to afford to own and run a warbird, I think the '108 would be ideal. That said, I'd still need help to get in and out of it, with this darned arthritis!
- Thread starter
- #25
Hi Guys, the last lot of Classic Fighters images.
Its always impressive watching airliners do airshow routines and one of the most impressive is the RNZAF's 757, which regularly struts its stuff at venues around the world, including RIAT and Waddington in the UK.
With the RNZAF's NH-90 helicopter now in service, the good ole UH-1 is nearing the end of its life with the air force, but it is still entertaining to watch and will be missed at airshows (and operationally).
The RNZAF brought along an NH-90 for their display, its an impressive machine.
A battle rages in the sky above with Nanchangs sensible enough to remain on the ground since they regularly play the bad guys and the NZ Warbirds DC-3 in the foreground. This aircraft spent the entire airshow doing joy flights, which meant it didn't display, but was coming and going throughout the entire day.
A peculiar little machine that caught my eye in the Marlborough Aero Club hangar; it's a Penguin and was used for ground handling training, being powered and taxiable, with full movement of the controls available to the pilot. Just don't try and get airborne - they fly like a brick.
View from the Marlborough Aero Club hangar with former RNZAF A-4K in the foreground.
These guys kept the noise levels at a peak during a lull in the flying display. This guy overhauled this Britsol Hercules from a Bristol Freighter here at Omaka and frequently runs it. Makes a heck of a racket.
The Allison is even noisier. Very cool to see and hear.
This DHC-2 Beaver has been around on the NZ ag scene for many years, but is now working solely as a family hack and airshow performer.
Another long time stalwart of the NZ civil register is this pretty Fox Moth; one of, if not, the first commercial airliner in New Zealand. It has been modified with a blown canopy.
These big booted Pipers, a Vagabond and Super Cub, are becoming more frequent as their value for being able to get into inaccessible areas is immense. ZK-BOY did a quick display of short take-off and low speed handling whilst bouncing down the flight line.
For many years now, this F-27 has been operating out of nearby Woodbourne carrying the mail around the country after hours, so to see it flying in daylight is a rarity. In honour of the fact that light sleeping residents in Blenheim have had to put up with it departing at all hours, the aircraft put on a short display since its going to be retired soon. It is the last operating F-27 in New Zealand; NZ Post's other F-27s are being grounded and one has already been broken up. Its pilot, Tim Sullivan also flies one of the Fokker Dr Is, making him the only rated pilot on the oldest and youngest Fokker aircraft on the New Zealand register.
The Yaks aerobatic display team awaits its turn in the air.
This Australian built D.H.84 Dragon offered joy rides at the end of the day.
Finally, a couple of immaculate Tiger Moth ZK-SSA departing at the end of the day.
That's all folks. Thanks for the kind comments throughout and I hope you've all enjoyed my photographic coverage of the aircraft of Classic Fighters 2013.
Its always impressive watching airliners do airshow routines and one of the most impressive is the RNZAF's 757, which regularly struts its stuff at venues around the world, including RIAT and Waddington in the UK.
With the RNZAF's NH-90 helicopter now in service, the good ole UH-1 is nearing the end of its life with the air force, but it is still entertaining to watch and will be missed at airshows (and operationally).
The RNZAF brought along an NH-90 for their display, its an impressive machine.
A battle rages in the sky above with Nanchangs sensible enough to remain on the ground since they regularly play the bad guys and the NZ Warbirds DC-3 in the foreground. This aircraft spent the entire airshow doing joy flights, which meant it didn't display, but was coming and going throughout the entire day.
A peculiar little machine that caught my eye in the Marlborough Aero Club hangar; it's a Penguin and was used for ground handling training, being powered and taxiable, with full movement of the controls available to the pilot. Just don't try and get airborne - they fly like a brick.
View from the Marlborough Aero Club hangar with former RNZAF A-4K in the foreground.
These guys kept the noise levels at a peak during a lull in the flying display. This guy overhauled this Britsol Hercules from a Bristol Freighter here at Omaka and frequently runs it. Makes a heck of a racket.
The Allison is even noisier. Very cool to see and hear.
This DHC-2 Beaver has been around on the NZ ag scene for many years, but is now working solely as a family hack and airshow performer.
Another long time stalwart of the NZ civil register is this pretty Fox Moth; one of, if not, the first commercial airliner in New Zealand. It has been modified with a blown canopy.
These big booted Pipers, a Vagabond and Super Cub, are becoming more frequent as their value for being able to get into inaccessible areas is immense. ZK-BOY did a quick display of short take-off and low speed handling whilst bouncing down the flight line.
For many years now, this F-27 has been operating out of nearby Woodbourne carrying the mail around the country after hours, so to see it flying in daylight is a rarity. In honour of the fact that light sleeping residents in Blenheim have had to put up with it departing at all hours, the aircraft put on a short display since its going to be retired soon. It is the last operating F-27 in New Zealand; NZ Post's other F-27s are being grounded and one has already been broken up. Its pilot, Tim Sullivan also flies one of the Fokker Dr Is, making him the only rated pilot on the oldest and youngest Fokker aircraft on the New Zealand register.
The Yaks aerobatic display team awaits its turn in the air.
This Australian built D.H.84 Dragon offered joy rides at the end of the day.
Finally, a couple of immaculate Tiger Moth ZK-SSA departing at the end of the day.
That's all folks. Thanks for the kind comments throughout and I hope you've all enjoyed my photographic coverage of the aircraft of Classic Fighters 2013.
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N4521U
Colonel
Now That would have been worth the trip to NZ. great shots. thanks.
Good shots!
Wildcat
Major
Fantastic shots!
A4K
Brigadier General
Great shots Grant!
Why the mod to the DH 83? Isn't she the last, or one of the last airworthy examples extant?
Why the mod to the DH 83? Isn't she the last, or one of the last airworthy examples extant?
- Thread starter
- #32
Hi Evan, the Fox Moth is one of two airworthy in NZ at the moment, with a couple in the UK. I don't know why they put the new canopy on, it probably improves visibility though. Aaron, yeah, I heard Jerry Chisum's name being mentioned over the weekend but I'm not sure what he was flying.
- Thread starter
- #34
Yeah, its the aircraft that his wifes grandfather bought down from England I think, so there's a big family connection.
It all went very well. Plenty of pre-sales for the tickets, which helps pay the bills early! But, I was surprised with the amount of press we got this year, and all of it good. Even the coverage of our little 'incident' was well-balanced.
- Thread starter
- #36
