Easter return for Spitfire

Press, 14 August 1989, Page 2

Easter return for Spitfire

By

DAVE WILSON

The first privately owned Spitfire fighter in New Zealand, which force-landed in the North Island in January, is expected back on the airshow circuit by next Easter.

The World War II vintage aircraft will share the sky with an American P4O Kittyhawk fighter, due back in the air at the same time. Both aircraft are owned by the Wanaka-based Alpine Deer Group’s Warbirds division, under the control of Mr Tim Wallis. Mr Wallis made headlines in January when the $1 million Spitfire made a forced landing while returning from its first public flying display, at Ardmore.

Since then the aircraft has been stripped at Safe Air’s Blenheim facilities while a worldwide search for spare parts has gone on to get the 45-year-old aircraft back in the air.

Rejigging of the engine bearers might be done in Britain or the United States. A new propeller is being made in West Germany. Restoration work is continuing on Mr Wallis’s Kittyhawk. This will be the only flying example of a fighter widely used by the R.N.Z.A.F. during World War 11.

Both aircraft are expected to star at next Easter’s War Birds Over Wanaka airshow, an event quickly becoming the premier vintage aircraft show in the South Island.

Last year’s Wanaka airshow attracted 14,000 people, and raised $23,000 for Wanaka’s new swimming pool. Planning for next Easter’s airshow is well under way. The Spitfire and Kittyhawk will be joined by another famous wartime design and airshow favourite, the PSID Mustang.