History - Aircraft at the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow 2006

de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth The most famous of all de Havilland aircraft in this country is the Tiger Moth. Flown in its hundreds in the Air Force, topdressing, aero club, gliding club and private use it was once the primary trainer for NZ fighter pilots. It is being seen in increasing numbers as more long term rebuilds take to the air.
Cessna L-19 (O-1) Bird Dog Cessna has long had a proven name in the light aircraft business and it was this reliability that won the US Army contract in 1950 to produce a light two-seat utility and observation aeroplane, with an initial order for 418 examples. Designated the L-19 and based upon the Cessna Model 170, the Bird Dog provided good visibility and a wider access door gave room to load a standard stretcher. A total of 3431 examples were produced and initially saw service during the Korean War. During the Vietnam conflict they were used by forward air controllers, circling known enemy positions at low altitude and pinpointing targets before calling in strikes for the waiting bombers.
Supermarine Mk XVI Spitfire The Spitfire, one of the most famous aircraft of WWII, was designed in 1934/35. By the 3rd September 1939 when England declared war on Germany, 400 Spitfires were in service. Production of the many and varied marks of Spitfire lasted through and beyond the war years, with the final Spitfire coming off the production line in February 1948. This particular aircraft was purchased by the AFC in 1987. It saw active service with 453 Squadron (RAAF) and later featured in the film "Reach for the Sky" about Douglas Bader, before its subsequent restoration.
Douglas C-47 Dakota The most versatile workhorse aviation has known. Born in the 1930's it became the standard pre-war airliner, went to war in uniform the world over and returned to civilian clothes afterwards. This C-47 was built in 1943 and served with the RAF. It is painted to represent a C-47 flown by New Zealander Sq. Leader Rex Daniels over the D-Day beaches on 6 June 1944. The WB on the nose stands for Warbird.
North American Harvard In RNZAF service as a pilot trainer for more than three decades the Harvard was first flown in 1937. Known as the Harvard in the British Commonwealth, T-6 Texan in the USAF and SNJ by the US Navy, over 21,000 examples were built. The Harvard was used as the primary trainer for most Commonwealth aircrew during WWII, after they had flown solo in the Tiger Moth. Fully aerobatic, it was a delight to fly, but not too easy for the novice who one day would move onto single seat fighter aircraft.
Yakovlev Yak 3-m Nicknamed “Dogfighter Supreme”, the Yak 3 was the ultimate refinement in Soviet wartime fighter development. The smallest and lightest combat fighter of WW11, upon entering combat with the Luftwaffe it was found to be so much superior to the Focke-Wulf 190 and the ME-109 that a signal was sent to all squadrons saying, “avoid all combat below 10,000 feet with any Yak fighter lacking an oil cooler under the nose."
Polikarpov I-16 In the Soviet Union, the I-16 was one of the most famous and loved aeroplanes. First flown in December 1933, it was the first fighter in the world to go into service combining cantilever monoplane wings with retractable landing gear. Blooded in the Spanish Civil War, the I-16 also saw service with the Chinese as well as becoming the mainstay of the Russian Air Force. Operated by them against the Japanese and in the Winter War against Finland, by 1941 the I-16 was still the most numerous Russian fighter. The German attack on Russia was to be the swan song for this nimble aircraft and many were destroyed on the ground. A total of 7,005 single seat and 1,639 two-seaters were produced.Six wrecks were restored in Russia for Sir Tim Wallis and are the only flying examples in the world.
Thunder Mustang There are just ten of these amazing planes flying in the world. The Thunder Mustang, built from high-tech modern materials and powered by a 640 horse power Ryan Falconer V12 racing engine, it out performs the original P51-D Mustang . This aircraft is a most exciting addition to the New Zealand aviation scene and will make its airshow debut at WOW 2006.
Polikarpov I-153 One of the fastest biplanes ever produced, the Polikarpov I-153 first flew in 1938. Developed from the I-15, production began in early 1939 and continued until late 1940 with 3437 examples being built. The type first saw action in the Far East in the summer of 1939 against the Japanese Army Air Arm on the Manchurian border at Nomonhan. The I-153 also saw service in the Finnish War of 1939-40 and in early 1940 was supplied to the Chinese Nationalist Government for use against the invading Japanese. When the Germans invaded Russia in June 1941 the type still represented a significant portion of the Russian fighter force. Suffering heavy losses the type was then utilised in the ground attack role and remained in service until late 1943. Three wrecks were rebuilt in Russia for Sir Tim Wallis during the 1990’s.
de Havilland Vampire The Vampire was the UK's first single-jet fighter, the prototype flying in September 1943. Entering service with the RAF in 1946 the type also became the RNZAF's first operational jet aircraft. The first Vampires arrived in 1951-52 and went to form No.14 and No.75 Squadron at Ohakea. Remaining in service until 1972 when replaced by the Strikemaster the type was flown by 21 countries including Australia - where 109 were built under license. The Vampires at WOW 2006 are the Tll 2 seat trainer version.
North American P-51D Mustang The British inspired, American built Mustang was one of the most potent and versatile fighters of WWII, operated as a long range escort and in the close air support role. (It became the first fighter capable of accompanying American bombers all the way to Berlin and back) When first flown in 1940 it was powered with an Allison engine. But later models were powered by a Packard Merlin which provided it with considerable extra power at higher altitudes. This aircraft is the 'Dove of Peace.'
Consolidated PBY Catalina The RNZAF operated 56 Catalinas in the Pacific during WWII. Stabilizing floats which, when retracted in flight formed streamlined wing tips, were unique innovations which made this aircraft ideal for use in the surveillance, anti submarine, air/sea rescue and convoy patrol roles. ZK-PBY, flown by the Canadians in WWII, was purchased by the Catalina Group and arrived in New Zealand in 1994.
Hawker Hunter The UK’s most successful post war military aircraft, a total of 1,972 were built, including 445 manufactured under licence in Belgium and the Netherlands. First flown in July 1951 the Hunter was not only an extremely capable warplane, but an absolute delight to fly. It has served with 19 air arms and has only recently been retired from service. Powered by 10,150lb thrust Rolls Royce Avon turbojet the Hunter is capable of speeds up to 700mph (1127 km/h) at sea level.
Lockheed 12 Electra Junior First flown in June 1936, the Electra Junior was designed as a feederline aircraft with capacity for six passengers. A total of 130 were built and the type also saw service with the US Army Air Corps and US Navy. One of the most unusual applications of the Lockheed 12A was by Australian Sidney Cotton who, under the cover of his position as an executive of the Dufaycolour Company, used his specially modified camera carrying version to take clandestine reconnaissance photographs of German military installations in the three months leading up to the beginning of World War II.
L-39 Albatros The Czechoslovakian L-39 was built as the successor to their earlier trainer, the L-29 Delfin. Design work began in 1966, and the first prototype made its initial flight on 4 November 1968. The idea of the design was to marry an efficient, powerful turbofan engine to a sleek, streamlined fuselage, resulting in a strong, economical performer which would become the next standard jet trainer for the Warsaw Pact. Full-scale production was delayed until late 1972 due to apparent problems with the design of the air intakes, but these difficulties were overcome and the type went on to be a great success with the Soviet, Czech and East German air forces, among others.
Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun Designed and flown in 1934 the Taifun was used to make a number of record flights and gained competition successes. With cabin seating for four the type was used by the Luftwaffe in the communications role and was also exported to Bulgaria, Hungary, Japan, Romania, the Soviet Union, Switzerland and Yugoslavia. Manufactured in France from 1942, a total of 885 had been built by wars end. The French continued development of the type after the war and today a few original Bf-108’s and a number of NORD-built examples are still flying.
Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk First flown in 1938, the Curtiss Kittyhawk operated in almost every theatre of war in WWII. The RNZAF operated 297 of these fighters in the Pacific during WWII and were responsible for downing 99 Japanese aircraft destroyed. Replaced by the Corsair in 1944 the P-40 returned to New Zealand as an advanced fighter trainer.
Nanchang CJ6 Based on the Russian Yak-18, over 2,500 Nanchang’s were built in China from 1950-1994 to be used as a basic military trainer. Powered by a 285hp radial engine, the CJ-6 is wonderful to fly - being very light on the controls. Stressed to +6/-3G and with a 2.5 hour endurance this aircraft is now being seen in increasing numbers in New Zealand.
Corsair F4U The Goodyear FG-1D Corsair is powered by a 2000hp Pratt and Whitney radial engine and can cruise at 44,000ft. It can travel at 450mph with a range of 1500km without refuelling. Nicknamed “Whispering Death” by the Japanese because of its exceptionally quiet approach, the Corsair soon helped gain air superiority. Corsair NZ5648 is the last remaining of the 400 operated by the RNZAF during WWII.
Lavochkin LA-9 Built by Syemon Lavochkin (a pupil of Ilyushin) in 1945, the Lavochkin La-9 took its first flight on June 26 1946. Very similar to the La-7 and La-11, its 1850hp Shvetsov radial piston engine can reach over 400mph at top speed. Pilots rear-view was constricted by a deep aft end fuselage so the very similar, and more famous, long range escort La-11 was produced as an alternative. The North Korean Air Force, at the outbreak of the Korean War in mid 1950, bought numerous La-9s. Over 1630 single-seater La-9s were produced, the majority of them finding service in the air war over Korea.
Yakovlev Yak-52 Emerging from the Yak-18 design, the Russian Yak-52 was not used as a military trainer. Differing in many ways from the Nanchang, the '52' is powered by a 360 hp radial engine, has a shorter straighter wing and a different landing gear. The type is still in production.
Hawker Hurricane The first RAF monoplane fighter, and its first capable of more than 300mph, the Hurricane proved throughout the war to be a highly adaptable and versatile fighter. After serving valiantly in the Battle of France in 1940 it equipped more than 60% of Fighter Command squadrons during the Battle of Britain. The type shot down nearly half the total of enemy aircraft destroyed in the first year of the war; in the Western Desert it was an effective light bomber and tank buster; at sea it was a valuable convoy protector; in the Far East it served as a night fighter; and in Russia it did sterling work with the Soviet Forces. Over 14,000 examples were built during WWII and now Hawker Hurricane P3351/DR393 is one of only ten airworthy examples in the world. It is a survivor of the Battle of France, Battle of Britain and Battle for Russia.
Bleriot XI The first aircraft ever to fly the English Channel, flown by it’s maker Louis Bleriot, in 1909 in a time of 36 minutes, a Bleriot XI made history. In 1913 an American, “Wizard” Stone brought one to New Zealand and undertook several flights before writing it off at Napier. This Bleriot XI is an original, built in 1918 and brought to New Zealand by it’s owner, Mikael Carlson, exclusively to fly at Warbirds Over Wanaka. Powered by a 50hp Gnome Omega, it cruises a sedate 42 knots.
Fokker Dr. 1 Triplane The Dr.1 was made famous by the Red Baron (Manfred von Richthofen). This German aircraft was designed to counteract the English Sopwith Triplane and entered service in mid 1917. The Dr.1 was plagued by structural problems so was modified with strengthened wings and resumed service in December 1917. It was known for its excellent manoeuvrability and reached a top speed of 165kmh although it could not perform as effectively as its enemy aircraft at altitudes above 20,000ft. It was because of this the Dr.1 was retired from service in May 1918 and no originals remain today.
Pfalz D111 The Pfalz D111 entered WW1 in 1917. Powered by a 160 hp Mercedes engine, the Pfalz D111 was found to be heavier than the Fokker and Albatros, both of which it was to replace, and often lost height during engagements with Allied aircraft. It was, however, structurally very sound and helped improve the German Air Forces fortunes at a time when the Allies had been enjoying relative air superiority. This rare replica Pfalz was one of the stars of the movie Blue Max.
Nieuport 24 bis The French designed Nieuport 24 bis was introduced in 1917 as an ongoing development of the highly successful line of fighter aircraft beginning with the Nieuport 11. A feature of the Nieuport 24 is that the bottom wing is only half the width of the top. The aircraft was also produced in Japan as the Nakajima Ko.3 at the end of WW1 hostilities. Powered by a 130hp Le Rhone engine, the 24 had a top speed of 176 km/h.
Sopwith Camel First produced in 1917 there are no original airworthy examples of the Sopwith Camel currently flying. This biplane was one of the most significant aircraft to emerge from the First World War by claiming more victories than any other Allied aircraft during the time. Nearly 1300 enemy aircraft were shot down by Sopwith Camels, but Camel pilots encountered 385 non-combat deaths due to inexperienced piloting. Pilots often found that the Camel flipped at a very low speed so taking off and landing were done with extreme caution. It is a highly manoeuvrable and agile aircraft that is 5.72m long, 2.59m high, and can reach a top speed of 199km/h.

de Havilland DH82A Tiger Moth

Cessna L-19 (O-1) Bird Dog

Supermarine Mk XVI Spitfire

Douglas C-47 Dakota

North American Harvard

Yakovlev Yak 3-m

Polikarpov I-16

Thunder Mustang

Polikarpov I-153

de Havilland Vampire

North American P-51D Mustang

Consolidated PBY Catalina

Hawker Hunter

Lockheed 12 Electra Junior

L-39 Albatros

Messerschmitt Bf-108 Taifun

Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk

Nanchang CJ6

Corsair F4U

Lavochkin LA-9

Yakovlev Yak-52

Hawker Hurricane

Bleriot XI

Fokker Dr. 1 Triplane

Pfalz D111

Nieuport 24 bis

Sopwith Camel