Spitfire to feature in flypasts marking 100 years of NZ military aviation Regional reporter 16:38 Jun 13 2023

A historic Spitfire will take part in a flypast of North Island centres on Friday to honour the centenary of military aviation in New Zealand.

The Spitfire, piloted by Squadron Leader Sean Perrett, will take off from Ohakea and fly as far south as Wellington with a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) formation before returning north.

“The Spitfire is a classic and a well-known example of such an aircraft,” Perrett said.

“Although the RNZAF itself never operated Spitfires, many Kiwis flew them in the Second World War, mainly in Royal Air Force squadrons.

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“This is a great opportunity for the Flight to pay tribute to 100 years of military aviation in New Zealand, by displaying an iconic aircraft in which many New Zealanders did their bit, including some who were killed in Spitfire operations. They will be especially in our minds during Friday’s flight.”

On Saturday, Perrett, who also acts as flight commander of the Air Force Heritage Flight (AFHF), which operates the Spitfire and other heritage aircraft at Ohakea, will fly the Spitfire in formation with T-6C Texan II aircraft to Christchurch for another flypast featuring most aircraft currently flown by the RNZAF.

A range of events will be held at Wigram in Christchurch, the site of New Zealand’s first military air base.

RNZAF’s predecessor, the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, was established on June 14, 1923. A week later the New Zealand Government purchased a large portion of Sockburn Airfield from Christchurch businessman and politician Sir Henry Wigram. The airfield was subsequently renamed Wigram in his honour.

The destinations and approximate timings for the Friday flypast are (route and timings are all subject to weather conditions and other operational considerations):

Ohakea, 14.30; Oroua Downs School, 14.33; Foxton, 1435; Levin, 14.37; Speldhurst (Kimberley),14.38; Ohau, 14.38; Manakau, 14.39; Otaki, 14.40; Waikanae, 14.43; Paraparaumu,14.44; Paekakariki, 14.45; Pukerua Bay, 14.46; Porirua, 14.48; Tawa, 14.49; Johnsonville, 14.50; Wellington Airport, 14.52; Wellington CBD, 14.54.

Spitfire alone: Petone, 14.54; Trentham, 14.57; Te Marua, 14.58; Featherston, 15.01; Martinborough, 15.04; Greytown, 15.06; Carterton, 15.07; Masterton, 15.09; Eketahuna, 15.15; Pahiatua, 15.19; Woodville, 15.21; Ashhurst, 15.23; Feilding, 15.25; Marton, 15.28; Ohakea,15.32.