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For more information on any upcoming events please don't hesitate to contact or email New Zealand Warbirds.
New Zealand Warbirds Members remember to refer to notams for any relevant information.

21 July 2011

A Message from President Frank Parker

Dear Members

Skyhawk Funding

As you are aware we have been allocated Skyhawk NZ 6209 for display in our hangar at Ardmore. We are hopeful that it will be in place by the end of this year once the various approval formalities have been completed.

One of the challenges facing us is the task of raising funds to transport the aircraft from Woodbourne and re-assemble it at Ardmore - this cost is very significant at $30000. I am pleased to advise you that through the generosity of Graham Bethell we are now assured of the funds to cover the Skyhawk deployment to Ardmore.

Graham, well known as the owner of the Mustang P51D based at Ardmore, presented a cheque to NZ Warbirds at the recent President's Party held last Saturday evening. In his usual manner Graham does not want us to make a great song and dance about his contribution.

Nonetheless, I think it is important that all members are aware of this generous and timely contribution and on behalf of all Warbirds members extend our sincere thanks. Graham has always been an avid supporter and participant in the Warbirds movement and this is consolidated by this generous gesture.


We will still need funds to establish a suitable display area for the aircraft and the ongoing upkeep, but Graham's contribution has certainly given us a real kick start.

Frank Parker
President

8 July 2011
MEDIA RELEASE

Skyhawk bound for Ardmore

Warbirds enthusiasts will be elated at the news that they will be able to see and touch a real Skyhawk at Ardmore.
Minister of Defence Wayne Mapp has announced the allocation of the remaining Skyhawks to 3 sites including the NZ Warbirds Association at Ardmore.

NZ Warbirds President Frank Parker said "This allocation of Skyhawk NZ 6209 is great news - we had a visit from the Minister in May followed by a very recent inspection by Defence force personnel and the vibes certainly appeared to be very positive. It will be a major drawcard to our on-going development of the Visitors Centre at the Warbirds hangar and although there are approval formalities to be concluded, we are hopeful that the Skyhawk will be in place by year-end.

There is huge anticipation amongst Warbirds members, particularly those former Skyhawk pilots and groundcrew, who can't wait to catch sight of this important part of Royal New Zealand Air Force history". Plans will be announced shortly to raise funds not only to cover the transport but also the on-going care of this aircraft to keep it in pristine condition.

Donations can be made to the 'NZ Aviation Heritage Trust', C/- NZ Warbirds,
Private Bag 14, Ardmore Airport, Papakura 2110.

Click here for full press release

30 March 2010
MEDIA RELEASE

"Rags to Rivets" - Biography of Warbirds Founder Launched

Trevor Bland, founder of the New Zealand Warbirds organisation, is the subject of a biography launched to members and friends at a function held last Sunday at Warbirds Headquarters at Ardmore.

Compiled and written over a 4 year period by fellow member, Ron Pemberton, the book provides an in-depth analysis of Trevor's passion for flying, from his childhood days in Wellington- rushing out every time an aircraft flew overhead- through to his absolute dedication in establishing and developing the Warbirds movement in New Zealand.

The story portrays Trevor's desire to succeed in his quest to join the RAF's Blue Diamond aerobatic team and to excel as a flight commander and combat tactician with the elite RNZAF A4 Skyhawk squadron.

At the launch Trevor said "I am humbled by the number of people who have attended this evening and I express my thanks to Ron and all those who have contributed in any way to launch my life story".

The public launch will occur at the 2010 'Warbirds over Wanaka' Airshow at Easter.
"Rags to Rivets" retails at $29.95 and can be obtained from the author at harvard1078@yahoo.co.nz , NZ Warbirds during office hours or purchase online at
www.flyingbooks.co.nz/books/trevorbland.php

Ends

For more information contact the author, Ron Pemberton 027 282 6688

Warbirds flying high after 60 years

By IMOGEN NEALE - Papakura Courier
Last updated 05:00 06/01/2010
The collection of grand old military planes in the New Zealand Warbird Association's Ardmore hangar bears testimony to the adage that time heals all wounds.

Most of the planes hail from the World War Two era but with the end of the war came the end of the planes' purpose in life.

To many people the hulking giants became nothing more than a painful reminder of the horror the world had managed to survive.

Sixty years later people have a greater awareness of the role the military planes played in both peacekeeping and combat.

In New Zealand that's in large part because of the efforts of the Warbirds Association.

Established in 1978 the association is dedicated to the restoration, preservation and operation of service aircraft in flying condition.

President Gavin Trethewey says the association's unique on the international stage because it has a headquarters and a social facility and many of its members' planes are gathered together in hangars at Ardmore airfield.

And while some of those hangars might have closed doors or private signs hanging from their handles there's one the public are more than welcome to peruse.

The Warbirds visitor centre is home to a medley of planes - from T28 Trojan to the smaller scale Isaacs Fury.

Carefully packed into the hangar, the planes all have gleaming paint jobs that proudly display their service heritage.

In November the association celebrated the opening of a new library, briefing room and viewing platform in what used to be "a junk storage area" in the cavernous hangar.

"We thought the space should be better utilised - the vision is to get more people interested in the history," Mr Trethewey says.

The library is named after Trevor - better know as TT - Bland, the patron and founding president of the association, and its shelves are full of donated books, magazines and memorabilia.

At the library's opening Mr Trethewey called it "one of the most comprehensive aviation reference libraries in the country".

"We deal with lots of groups - from school kids to seniors. We've never had a facility to entertain them that was safe and comfortable."

He says they'd prefer not to have people on the floor "bashing their heads against aeroplanes".

The visitor centre is expected to be completed by early next year and the association is aiming to offer guided tours of the hangar with access to the library, viewing platform and display cabinets.

The hangar is located off Harvard Lane at the Ardmore airfield.

For more information and opening hours see www.nzwarbirds.org.nz.