P51 Mustang set to take to Napier's Art Deco skies

The P51 Mustang, a WW2 fighter plane, is winging its way to Napier for the Tremains Art Deco Festival.

The spectacular squadron of aircraft set to take to the skies for the Tremains Art Deco Festival has been boosted by a familiar and popular fighter from World War II.

As it has in many past festivals (although was grounded last year due to wet weather) the North American P51 Mustang will fly in for the event, arriving on Friday and remaining based at Hawke's Bay Airport until Sunday.

The Mustang will share the runways with a DC3, five Harvards, five RNZAF Texan trainer aircraft and up to a dozen vintage Tiger Moth bi-planes.

Napier Aero Club spokesman Dave Nash said they were delighted to have the Mustang return for the festival and said it would be available for rides, as would the DC3 which is operated by Air Chathams and which was once owned by the King of Tonga.

Anyone interested in taking a historic flight over Napier can call 027 351 1314 for details.

As part of the Brebner Print Memorial Flying Displays the Warbirds Harvards team will go into action over the Sound Shell end of Marine Parade between 7pm and 7.15pm on Friday evening.

After a 30-minute break the RNZAF Black Falcons will put on a 15-minute aerobatic display.

Displays will also take place on Saturday at 12.15pm and Sunday at 2pm.

The aircraft will be on display for at Hawke's Bay Airport for those wanting a close-up look, with a $10 charge per car — the proceeds going toward the cost of bringing the aircraft to the Bay.

Mr Nash said the club was grateful for the support in being able to stage Aero Deco from the Art Deco Trust, Hawke's Bay Airport Ltd and Fulton Hogan as well as a number of other organisations.