Aircraft in Anzac Day fly over Manawatū, Rangitikei and Whanganui

Supermarine Spitfire

The Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre at RNZAF Ōhakea has marked Anzac Day for the past 11 years.

This year the fly past above the Manawatū/Rangitikei/Whanganui districts will be joined for the third year by aircraft from the Royal New Zealand Air Force.

The 1944 Supermarine Spitfire and 1945 Grumman Avenger will be joined by two Beechcraft T6 Texans.

All four aircraft in the special Anzac Day formation will be flown by current RNZAF pilots.

The Spitfire will be flown by Squadron leader Sean Perrett, the Avenger by Squadron leader Jim Rankin and the two Texans flown by flight lieutenants Shane Huisman and
Mary Robertson.

The fly pasts will leave Ōhakea at 9.40am, be over Sanson at 9.50am, Rongotea 9.52am, Palmerston North 10am, Ashhurst 10.04am, Pohangina 10.07am, Apiti 10.12am,
Hunterville 10.18am, Aramoho Cemetery 10.26am, Whanganui city 10.30am, Whanganui Airport 10.32am, Marton 10.38am, Halcombe 10.43am, Feilding 10.45am and Bulls 10.50am.

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX PV270, was built in September 1944 and served with RAF in World War II, post-war in the Italian Air Force, Israeli Air Force and Burmese Air Force.
It was rebuilt to airworthy condition between 2003 and 2009.

The Grumman TBM-3 Avenger was built July 1945 and served with US Navy. After retirement in 1954 it was used for 30 years for insecticide spraying.

The Beechcraft T6C Texan 2 has served with RNZAF since 2014 with Central Flying School and 14 Squadron. It is used for pilot and instructor training.