Long shot question regarding an Ardmore Open Day? 1999/2000

[jtoml3]

Hi all,

Long term lurker and first time poster! As a kid I attended quite a few of the Whenuapai Airshows in the 90s with the last one being 2001 before moving to Australia. I recall attending an Ardmore Open Day type event with dad, likely in 1999/2000. Dad had a friend who knew someone, and gave me the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of what I recall possibly being a Kittyhawk or Spitfire. I can't remember enough of the exterior or cockpit layout to identify it. Unfortunately dad can't remember what the aircraft was either, however it was on display outside one of the hangars. Dad recalls it being air worthy. Even though vague, its still one of my most fond aviation memories as a kid, and I was hoping someone here may remember this event, and even more, recall this aircraft.

As per the title, I acknowledge its a long shot, however this seems like the best place to ask the question. I've tried researching to see what was restored/around at that time to try and narrow it down without much luck.

[Dave Homewood]

If it was an airworthy Spitfire it could only have been the Alpine Fighter Collection's TB863.

[Dave Homewood]

Regarding airworthy P-40's on the NZ register at that time, P-40E NZ3009 (ZK-RMH) went to Britain with Ray Hanna in February 1999 and did not return to NZ till 2003 or so.

However P-40N ZK-CAG "Currawong" flew for the first time post-restoration on the 17th of March 2000. So it may have been that one you sat in.

[planecrazy]

Posted by jtoml319 hours ago
Hi all,

Long term lurker and first time poster! As a kid I attended quite a few of the Whenuapai Airshows in the 90s with the last one being 2001 before moving to Australia. I recall attending an Ardmore Open Day type event with dad, likely in 1999/2000. Dad had a friend who knew someone, and gave me the opportunity to sit in the cockpit of what I recall possibly being a Kittyhawk or Spitfire. I can't remember enough of the exterior or cockpit layout to identify it. Unfortunately dad can't remember what the aircraft was either, however it was on display outside one of the hangars. Dad recalls it being air worthy. Even though vague, its still one of my most fond aviation memories as a kid, and I was hoping someone here may remember this event, and even more, recall this aircraft.

As per the title, I acknowledge its a long shot, however this seems like the best place to ask the question. I've tried researching to see what was restored/around at that time to try and narrow it down without much luck.

One thing you may remember, was it roomy or a tight fit, a Spitfire your are almost
incased as apposed to a Kittyhawk a lot more roomy and you sit higher. I'm jealous
regardless, really like stories like this where people remember when the light flicked
for them so to speak.

[jtoml3]

Jan 4, 2021 6:54:57 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

If it was an airworthy Spitfire it could only have been the Alpine Fighter Collection's TB863

Jan 4, 2021 17:43:48 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

One thing you may remember, was it roomy or a tight fit, a Spitfire your are almost
incased as apposed to a Kittyhawk a lot more roomy and you sit higher. I'm jealous
regardless, really like stories like this where people remember when the light flicked
for them so to speak.

Thank you both for responding! In my mind visually it looked like a Spitfire, particularly the colour scheme, and now that you've prompted me planecrazy, I recall (maybe incorrectly though) it being a tight fit (even for a 9/10 year old). This discussion has led to an interesting find. On that day we purchased a drawing/copy of a drawing of a Spitfire (which thankfully we've kept) by a Kevin/Kelvin? Andrews. I had to go digging for it, but I wanted to see if the drawing had a tail number. Turns out the tail number on the drawing is TB863. I don't think it would be a coincidence these were being sold on the same day. I've scanned it and attached it below:

[Dave Homewood]

If it was the Spitfire you got into, the little door would have been folded down. Does that ring any bells?

Like this

[planecrazy]

Hey jtoml3 at the start of this thread you mentioned moving to Australia, your Spitfire
has also moved to Australia, has been for a few years now, with the Temora Aviation
Museum's collection, has flown regularly at many airshows around the country.

[jtoml3]

Jan 6, 2021 14:05:10 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

Hey jtoml3 at the start of this thread you mentioned moving to Australia, your Spitfire
has also moved to Australia, has been for a few years now, with the Temora Aviation
Museum's collection, has flown regularly at many airshows around the country.

dave, unfortunately I can't remember the door. When thinking about it, the control column on the Spitfire is more familiar to me than that of the Kittyhawk. planecrazy, Yes, I had read up on it moving here. Unfortunately its based in New South Wales and I'm Queensland. It would be neat to see it fly in person.