Spitfires rebuilt in Aukland.

[Olderndirt]

Interesting article, with pics, of this operation in Aukland. http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/battle-britain-se...zealand-1456094

[Ian Warren]

You gotta love the engineering with this team, If I moved, too be to Auckland .. maybe an old hanger or shed and work there.

[Naki]

Great link ...my favourite restored Spitfire...pity I didn't get to see it. Next off the line is the Spitfire Mk XIV which is due to fly soon. Will live at Omaka.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Naki @ Nov 25 2014,11:30 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Next off the line is the Spitfire Mk XIV which is due to fly soon. Will live at Omaka.

Paul , when you see this 14 in action your favourite will change your mind .. this is the prettiest Spitfire off all .. well with beginning - the teardrop canopy , five blade prop.

[Naki]

Yep I saw it at Wanaka ...but it was while ago so my memory needs refreshing!

[Ian Warren]

Thinking about the time .. Its 20 years back, last large public display was VE Day Wigram in 1995 was spectacular, course the crash in 1996 ended it and almost Sir Tim, hell of a piece of Warbird!

[emfrat]

Not many people know about this, either:
http://www.hangar7.org.au/ataiu.htm

[Naki]

No!...not in Aussie..interesting link..thanks for posting

[emfrat]

QUOTE (Naki @ Nov 25 2014,7:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

No!...not in Aussie..interesting link..thanks for posting

Only became aware of it meself a few months ago, as our museum was involved in some aspects of the Eagle Farm site.
Of course in Europe, both sides had plenty of enemy aircraft, lost, stolen or strayed, but it was a different story in the Pacific theatre.

[Ian Warren]

Amazing to think of the very limited types rebuilt in New Zealand, not here anymore but the 'Oscar' displayed for a couple seconds - least was not aloud to fly but the pilot Simon Spencer Bower had it of the ground momentary doing his angle Japanese fighter pilot impression back in 1996.

[deeknow]

Fabulous place. Went up for a visit to their workshop for a day a couple of years back, while they were still working on the Mosquito.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (deeknow @ Nov 26 2014,1:45 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Fabulous place. Went up for a visit to their workshop for a day a couple of years back, while they were still working on the Mosquito.

One off the biggest luxuries we have across the NZ, do the walk, talk the talk and many of these guys gluing/rebuild aircraft really appreciate it, even in some cases have the knowledge and were to find those little bits and pieces.

[Yob]

Yea they have a beautiful set up, also the mk-14 is really nice.

And no the one in the photo's anit a mk-14 i know.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Yob @ Nov 26 2014,10:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yea they have a beautiful set up, also the mk-14 is really nice.

You can get a book call 'Spitfire The New Zealand Story' by Gerrard S. Morris , http://pageandblackmore.co.nz/product/5936...y-9780790006963
That would have suited you perfectly, but it maybe a mission to find a copy now but sure let the fingers do the walking you may find one.

[Yob]

Avspecs is an awesome set up, and yea the book would be nice.

[Ian Warren]

QUOTE (Yob @ Nov 27 2014,1:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Avspecs is an awesome set up, and yea the book would be nice.

I did a swiz this morning, looks the book is out off print which surprises me, 376 pages covers a lot just on New Zealand Spitfires, every unit, pilot and course the NZ rebuilds and even the history and photos of the Christchurch airports Spitfire Bevet clubs history, impressive book.