It’s here.
Just arrived from Austria, notice that containers never arrive on Mondays.
We will be unpacking on Monday, any guesses?
Breaking in.
Wings and things
Fuselage
Photos.
Every now and then we get asked if someone can come in and look around and take photos, we are generally more than happy for this to happen. Every now and then we even get some shots that we think are noteworthy, this is the case here.
Attached are some photos taken by young photographic student Olivier Longley, these are just a small selection of what he took , great shots Olivier, we wish you well for the future.
Exhausting work
Bearhawk trailing edge
Communicate
In reflection
Ready and waiting
Staggerwing engine
ZK-BAC First touchdown
Bittersweet moment.
It is always a good feeling to be able to send someone thier aircraft, but we all had mixed feelings about this pack up.
Going into the box for it’s trip to Canada was the lovely Beech Staggerwing formerly owned by Eric Hertz. Eric purchased the aircraft in the US and it was restored there before heading to Oshkosh 2012 were it picked up a bronze “Lindy” for champion WWII era aircraft and then on to New Zealand. It has been a welcome edition to the classic aircraft scene here for the last couple of years but now it is time for it to move on.
We hope it is appreciated as much in the Canadian skies as it was here.
Staggerwing into container for trip to Canada.
It turns it burns.
Both Father (Brett Nicholls) and Uncle (George of Ardmore Sky Station) are pleased to anounce the rebirth of NZ6362.
Turning and burning.
NZ6362 on it’s wheels.
Strikemaster 6362 now has it’s wings fitted with new bolts (A big thanks to Tony from C.A.M.S.) and is back on the ground on it’s wheels. Hopefully early next week we will be runing the engine and then be carrying on with the work required to get her certified.
Work has started dis-assembling the Staggerwing which is heading to a new home in Canada, it should be going into a container in about 2 weeks from today.
Work continues on the T51 with the fuselage and wing now having been mated for the final time, engine and prop on shortly.
Fuel tanks both Mosquito and Spitfire, the P40 fuselage, the Bearhawk and a couple of other smaller projects mean we are all keeping busy.
End of the month we are also expecting a new arrival from Austria, not a warbird is the only clue I will give.
NZ6363 On wheels May 14.
Pre Easter update.
Strikemaster 72 has now completed 2 test flights the second one which was curtailed because of weather, it is now sitting in the hangar awaiting Dave Browns return from HK. Hopefully the weather will play the game on Tuesday when the next flight is scheduled .
Strikemaster 62 is making steady progress towards looking like a proper Jet, the wings are being offered up now and the bushes reamed before Tony from CAMS make us new wing bolts, the old ones were just outside the service limits.
Kittyhawk CAG has had a post engine fit going over with a couple of minor oil leaks being rectified it is now all set to again grace the skys at the Wanaka Airshow.
The T28 after several false starts with incorrect parts is now largely back together having had the elevator and rudder hinges replaced and several areas of corrosion on the flight controls dealt to. Typical a week before Wanaka to have something “captured” in the shed.
Going on jacks April 14
T28 April 14
Test Flight Day?
The day is less than perfect but finally Strikemaster 72 is ready for it’s test flights. Lets hope the weather gods are kind to us.
Waiting!
More Strikemaster photos
It must be 20 years + since 3 Strikemasters graced the same piece of tarmac in this country. Looks a bit like the unofficial reforming of some sort of STRIKEmaster force.
New Arrival
On Friday we hosted all of the owners of New Zealand’s flying Strikemaster Jet fleet.
And at 8.00am Monday morning the latest acquisition NZ6362 hit the ground at Ardmore. Hopefully by the end of the day i will be able to post a photo of the 3 ex RNZAF jets together.
NZCAA due here on Wednesday to certify NZ6372, we move ever closer to a multi Strikemaster photo shoot.
Brett Nicholls, Charles Davis and Brian Hall.
Proud new owner.
Wanaka Deployment.
A big congratulations for all involved with the Strikemaster ltd deployment to Wanaka. 25 rides in the Strikemaster and 15 in the P51 over 3 flying days is a huge achievement. Also worth noting that the Strikemaster on 2 of the days carried out 10 flights this could well be some sort of record for this aircraft type.
Wanaka Deployment