Wanganui Vintage Weekend - Wellington Anniversary Weekend - 18 January 2026
Wanganui Vintage Weekend - Wellington Anniversary Weekend - 18 January 2026
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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.
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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.

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.

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.

The Supermarine Spitfire was a fighter used by the Allied forces during, World War II. Many variants of the Spitfire were built, from the 1030hp Mk 1 to the 2340hp Rolls-Royce Griffon powered Mk 24. It was the only British fighter produced continuously throughout the war. From its first flight in 1936 to production ceasing in 1948 20,341 were built. The Supermarine Spitfire Mk.26b model is a 90% scale replica. The Supermarine Aircraft company is now based in Texas USA and manufactures quick build kits.

Pitts Special ZK LDJ has an established reputation for delivering exceptional aerial displays, both within New Zealand and internationally. Owner and Pilot Lincoln Jones' spectacular smoke and aerobatics display promises to be an unforgettable experience

This Auster J/1N Alpha, ZK-ATS, joined the UK Civil register in September of 1946, originally as a J/1 Autocrat. It was sold to Nelson Aero Club in 1949, and suffered an accident in ’52. During its rebuild, the underpowered 100hp Blackburn Cirrus Minor engine was replaced by the Gipsy Major 1 engine, along with a few other modifications to recertify it as an Auster J/1N. Auster Aircraft has a long and distinguished history, starting with its formation as British Taylorcraft in 1938 and ending with its absorption into Beagle Aircraft in 1960.

Like its predecessors, the Sling TSi has been critically acclaimed for its capabilities, effortless handling and all-round functionality. The Sling TSI is a kit-built aircraft which prides itself as a generously proportioned 4-seater that handles like a fighter jet, controls that are a natural extension of the mind and a superbly balanced buy that will stoke your love of flying.It comfortably seats four with luggage and still cruises effortlessly and efficiently, making it the ultimate in affordable cross-country flying.

This Cessna 172, ZK-BUE, was registered in NZ in May of 1957 to the NZ Cessna agent in New Plymouth. Since then, BUE has never left the Harding family and currently resides at their hanger-museum in Wanganui. BUE spent most of its life as part of Wanganui Aero Work supporting the aerial topdressing work.

This Tiger Moth, ZK-AUZ, was built in 1942 and taken on charge as DE315 to serve with the RAF until the end of the war. In ‘47 it was sold to Scottish Aviation Ltd. and registered as G-AJHR. In 1950 it was sold to Wally Harding of Wanganui Aero-Work Ltd and was used operationally for aerial topdressing for several years. Richmond Harding now owns AUZ and keeps it at his hanger-museum.

The Pitts Special is a series of light aerobatic biplanes designed by Curtis Pitts. It has accumulated many competition wins since its first flight in 1944. The Pitts biplanes dominated world aerobatic competition in the 1960s and 1970s and, even today, remain potent competition aircraft.

We are please to have Ravensdown Aerowork supporting us for the Aero Day. Visitors will get to see several Aerowork aircraft up close.
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