Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 26, 2007 20:58:18 GMT 12
This article is sourced from the Waikato Times, 4th of February 1987
Spitfire May Make Flight
Christchurch (PA)
A World War II Spitfire (pictured) could be the "star attraction" at the Christchurch Airport's two-day air show next month.
No Spitfires have flown in New Zealand before, air force officials said.
Arrangements have been made to use a Mark 8 Spitfire, built in 1943, to take part in flying displays at the airport on March 28-29.
The Spitfire, owned by a pilot in New South Wales, will also take part in Royal New Zealand Air Force displays in the North Island following the Christchurch air show, being held to mark the airport's 50th Anniversary.
But the Bring The Spitfire To New Zealand project will cost about $100,000 and arrangements are being made to raise the money.
The Spitfire project involves two contestants in the Singapore-Christchurch air race.
One of the contestants, Brian Souter, an Air New Zealand Boeing 737 captain in Wellington, said "if the Spitfire comes to Christchurch for the air show, I'm sure people will drive from Invercargill to see it."
He and Dick Thomas will fly a Piper Cheyenne 400LS turbo-prop in the race.
"We think we've got a good chance of winning the handicap prize, a vintage Tiger Moth.
"If we do win it, we'll donate it to the Historic Flight section of the air force museum, at Wigram," Mr Thomas said.
So far 30 light aircraft have entered the race.Thirteen from New Zealand, 12 from Australia and five from Singapore.
There will also be an RNZAF Orion and Boeing 727, a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 and an Air New Zealand DC8 Freighter.
Spitfire May Make Flight
Christchurch (PA)
A World War II Spitfire (pictured) could be the "star attraction" at the Christchurch Airport's two-day air show next month.
No Spitfires have flown in New Zealand before, air force officials said.
Arrangements have been made to use a Mark 8 Spitfire, built in 1943, to take part in flying displays at the airport on March 28-29.
The Spitfire, owned by a pilot in New South Wales, will also take part in Royal New Zealand Air Force displays in the North Island following the Christchurch air show, being held to mark the airport's 50th Anniversary.
But the Bring The Spitfire To New Zealand project will cost about $100,000 and arrangements are being made to raise the money.
The Spitfire project involves two contestants in the Singapore-Christchurch air race.
One of the contestants, Brian Souter, an Air New Zealand Boeing 737 captain in Wellington, said "if the Spitfire comes to Christchurch for the air show, I'm sure people will drive from Invercargill to see it."
He and Dick Thomas will fly a Piper Cheyenne 400LS turbo-prop in the race.
"We think we've got a good chance of winning the handicap prize, a vintage Tiger Moth.
"If we do win it, we'll donate it to the Historic Flight section of the air force museum, at Wigram," Mr Thomas said.
So far 30 light aircraft have entered the race.Thirteen from New Zealand, 12 from Australia and five from Singapore.
There will also be an RNZAF Orion and Boeing 727, a Singapore Airlines Boeing 747 and an Air New Zealand DC8 Freighter.
