Aircraft Lineup

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Designed in the 1940s, the Venom served as a single seat fighter-bomber with the RAF. The type was also used by the RNZAF during the Malaya

conflict. ZK-VNM is the only airworthy example left in the world.

The DHC-1 Chipmunk was developed by De Havilland Canada after World War 2 and was intended to replace the DH82 Tiger Moth as a primary trainer. WZ865 was among the last built in the UK and has a manufacturer’s serial of C1-0895. After serving mainly with Glasgow University Air Squadron it was sold in 1975 to a US owner and was acquired and restored by its current owner from 2021 to 2024 as ZK-CHP. WZ865 is fully aerobatic and appears regularly at air shows around New Zealand.

Strikemaster ​NZ6372 was operated by the Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1975 till 1992. It was one of 16 Strikemasters flown by 14 Squadron and today is the only remaining ex-RNZAF Strikemaster flying in New Zealand. Several ex RNZAF Strikemasters are still being flown by Blue Air Training in the US where they are used for Close Air Support and ground attack missions.

This Tiger Moth, ZK-BEF, was built in 1940 in the UK under license by Morris Motors Ltd. Initially operated by the RAF through WWII, it subsequently joined the civil register in ‘46 as G-AIDR. ZK-BEF gained it’s NZ registration in 1954 and has been operated by Tauranga Aero Club (1954), Central Hawkes Bay Aero Club (1993) and several private owners.

DC3 ZK-AWP, is the pride and joy of Air Chathams fleet. While in National Airways service, the Air Chathams DC3 was originally named "Pouwhaitere", the Maori name for a red-crowned parakeet found on Chatham Island and other remote pacific islands. Following a later conversion to a "Skyliner" with bigger windows, heating and sound proofing, ZK-AWP was rolled out again with the new name "Kaitaia". New, but also old, as the aircraft has returned to National Airways Corporation (NAC) colours in recognition of its long and extensive history with domestic flights in New Zealand. The aircraft flew NAC passenger services from April 1953 until the late 1960's. Changing from the green of Air Chathams, the DC3 is now radiant in red and white. Red and white were the NAC company colours at that time with the logo featuring a stylised kūaka (godwit) because of the bird's association with long distance flying.The DC-3 is a dream way to travel, with wide doors and aisles, large ‘skyliner’ windows, comfortable seating, and great in-flight service options available.

The North American T-6, also known as the Harvard in the Commonwealth, is an aircraft that can make or break a pilot during their

training. Nicknamed the "pilot maker," the aircraft was the advanced trainer of choice during World War II for preparing pilots to transition into single-seat fighters or bombers. With 15,495 Harvards produced in various marks, several hundred of these iconic planes still fly around the world today. Even after 80 years, the Harvard remains a mainstay of any warbird collection. This Harvard will be here and available for joyrides over the weekend, so visit legendaviation.co.nz to enquire.

Piper J2 Cub was built in 1938 and operated from new by Wanganui Aero Club. This aircraft was the first of the Piper line to be imported in NZ and is the only J-2 left flying in the country.

The Skycraft Scout was designed by Ron Wheeler in NSW, Australia in 1974. Commercial production of the Scout by Skycraft Pty Ltd began in 1976 following certification by the Department of Transport, the first such certification of an ultralight aircraft in the world.

The Cub ZK-BTU was imported into New Zealand in late 1957 by the local agent Airwork (NZ) Ltd. and joined the NZ register on 7 January 1958.

The Piper Tri-Pacer, introduced in the ‘50s, was designed as a follow-up to the Cub line of aircraft. The Tri-Pacer was a tricycle landing gear, which simplified ground handling and was meant to compete with the new ‘Land-o-matic’ Cessnas. The aircraft was nicknamed the ‘Flying Milk Stool’.

The SA Bulldog was developed by Beagle Aircraft from their civilian ‘Beagle Pup’, then manufactured by Scottish Aviation and later, British Aerospace. The Bulldog entered RAF service in 1975, to be used as a basic trainer, replacing the de Havilland Chipmunk.

This Auster J/1B Aiglet, ZK-BAQ, gained its UK CofA in September 1950 with Auster Aircraft Ltd at Rearsby registered as G-AJYW and became a Company demonstrator. It was sold to a member of Waikato Aero Club in 1952 and became ZK-BAQ.