RNZAF Historic Flight

[Baz62]

I've always been a fan of the RAF Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and until now the RNZAF version only had a Tiger Moth and a Harvard. Now it can really show off at airshows and special occasions with a MK IX Spitfire PV270 owned by Brendon Deere (nephew of Al Deere)now looked after and flown by the Historic Flight.
And news just to hand is the flight is getting a Devon. Devons have been used as training aids at RNZAF Base Woodborne but are being replaced with more modern aircraft. They have been well looked after and ground run so shouldn't be a big job to get one airworthy plus the Base has all the airframe and engine spares from when they were retired from frontline duties in the 1980s (including brand new canopys!!)

[RLN]

Good news, Baz.

[Mayfly]

Good News all round then Baz - Pleased you & the Harvard escaped the Earthquake.

[Xplumberlives]

Thanks Baz, please obtain photos and post them!

[Baz62]

Your wish is my command.
These are photos of the Historic Flights Harvard and Brendon Deere's Spitfire painted as his Uncle's MK IX "AL" at Classic Fighters 2009 at Omaka. Brendon has written a book about the restoration and is very very good. Its split into 4 sections: History of the Spitfire as a type, biography of Al Deere, history of Spitfire PV270 and the story of the restoration with oodles of photos.

Ok here is the Spitfire taxiing from her debut.


A shot taken after the show warming up before heading back home to RNZAF Base Ohakea


And some handsome devil posing in front of her. Love the Prop blade "warmers".


In the background of this shot is Harvard NZ1015 of the Historic flight. The markings she wears is the final RNZAF training when the Harvards were retired in 1977. The civilian owned NZ1098 which retired with the RNZAF in 77 wears the late 1960s markings and the early style Red Checkers Display team cowl markings compared with the later ones NZ1015 is wearing. The red on the wings (and fuselage out of shot) should actually be Day-Glo Orange but this fades fairly quickly in the sunlight hence the easier to maintain red. Also 1098 has the correct font for the serial number unlike 1015!! Hopefully the next repaint will fix that.


And a very historic photo of NZ1015 taken the day of the last RNZAF Harvard to fly from (ex RNZAF Base) Wigram. Where many of her sisters snarled to and from this airfield it is now to be mostly housing although the original piece of airstrip gifted by Sir Henry Wigram will remain as will 4 hangars including the control tower and HQ building and of course the Air Force Museum


And to clarify: The Red Checkers are called this NOT because they have Checkered cowlings but because they are made up of CFS(Central Flying School) Instructors who were "Checkers" of other Instructors and pilots.

Incidentally the Avro 626 in the Air Force Museum was on the books of the Historic Flight until grounded by an engine problem and put on display.

[Mayfly]

Interesting Baz - thanks for the pics

[Lucas1860]

Great report. Thanks

[Xplumberlives]

Thanks Baz, some of the pictures are not showing, any idea?

[Mayfly]

I can see 5 XP and non indicating there not showing??

[Xplumberlives]

I can see 5 XP and non indicating there not showing??

Yes I've just rebooted and they are ALL there now!

[Baz62]

Glad to hear you are not missing out! I'll post some more from Classic Fighters tomorrow including some WW1 aircraft and a survivor of the pre-war RNZAF ,actually the NZPAF (New Zealand Permanent Air Force) forerunner to the RNZAF formed in 1934!!