Warbirds Over Wanaka 1998

[Dave Homewood]

I'm just watching the 1998 DVD from the Wanaka airshow.

I note the commentator states that the P-40E (ZK-RMH, NZ3007) had a week before the airshow suffered a wheel retraction on landing and had been damaged. Does anyone know where, when and how this happened? And who was flying it?

It seems despite the incident, the plane was magnificently restored to flight by the mechanics, in time for the show. Amazing what they can do under pressure.

Also, I note there's that ex-SAAF Harvard in the bright orange and silver SAAF colours. Is that still in NZ? If so, is it still flying in those colours? Where's it based? I've never seen it in the flesh.
At the time the buzz was a lot of them would come to NZ as they were being pensioned off but it seems this hasn't happened.

Another thing that made me think too was they show 12 Harvards in formation. Beautiful site. Has this number flying together at one time been beaten as a record since then? And does anyone know what the total record for a formation of Harvards in NZ is? Was it in wartime or postwar?

[amitch]

admin said:

I note the commentator states that the P-40E (ZK-RMH, NZ3007) had a week before the airshow suffered a wheel retraction on landing and had been damaged. Does anyone know where, when and how this happened? And who was flying it?

I think it was Mark Hanna and it was at Wanaka.

admin said:

Also, I note there's that ex-SAAF Harvard in the bright orange and silver SAAF colours. Is that still in NZ? If so, is it still flying in those colours? Where's it based? I've never seen it in the flesh.

Forest Field near Christchurch and yes it's still here.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Alex.