![]() The first two RNZAF P-8A Poseidon's on the Boeing assembly line in Seattle This is great news and we look forward to having the aircraft make its airshow debut at Wanaka 2024 along with Brendon’s two other aircraft – his Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX and the Grumman Avenger affectionately known as ‘Plonky’. ![]() Its original factory fitted Packard Merlin V1650-7 has been zero timed in the US but is substantially the same engine as it left the factory with in July 1945.” NZ2423 was the last of the stored RNZAF Mustangs to be put into service and the last to be withdrawn from service in May 1957, completing only 262 hours flying before it was put into storage. This is testament to the inhibiting work done by the RNZAF in 1957 and the careful storage provided by the late John Smith for 60 years. The aircraft has proved to be in particularly good condition and has yielded some nice surprises, including the remarkable condition of the wing fuel tanks and also the coolant and oil radiators. When the wings arrive in late July, there is still a lot of work to be done completing all the fit out and wiring of these before they are ready to mate with the fuselage. The structural rebuild of the fuselage and tail feathers at Ohakea is also largely completed and work is progressing on the aircraft systems including all of the necessary electrical wiring. We still aim for a first flight later in 2023. Shipping delays have meant around two months of the project schedule have been lost already. “The structural rebuild of the wings was completed in the US recently and they are in the process of being shipped back to New Zealand. The aircraft is owned by Brendon Deere who has provided this restoration update: One of the planned star attractions at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024 is the P51D Mustang currently being restored at the Biggin Hill Trust facility at RNZAF Ohakea. ![]() If you need a hand contact the friendly team at the Wanaka i-site who can help you source the right accommodation for your needs. If you are coming from out of town then it would pay to sort out your accommodation as soon as possible. By the time our next event rolls around it will have been six years since our last airshow and we know interest is extremely high so if you're keen to secure your tickets, especially for our premier ticket offerings, then make sure you book early (also note you save money by pre-purchasing tickets). Keep an eye on our website early next year when we will confirm the ticket launch date. Warbirds Over Wanaka has confirmed tickets for the next airshow at Easter 2024 will go on sale mid-2023. RNZAF prepares for arrival of first P-8A PoseidonĪ rare sight in NZ these days - 11 Harvard trainers display at Wanaka 2018 (credit: Bernhard Baur) P-51 Restoration on track for Wanaka 2024 WARBIRDS OVER WANAKA NEWSLETTER JULY 2022
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