Volume 27 #4, Issue 127

MUSTANG TWO-THREE

On Armistice Day 2023 at RNZAF Ohakea Air Force Base, New Zealand, P-51D Mustang, NZ2423, took its 25-minute first flight after a three-year restoration, with Squadron Leader Sean Perrett at the controls. On May 30, 1957, Flying Officer AJ McLeod flew 2423 off the same airfield to RNZAF Base Woodbourne for disposal. This feature explores the Mustang's survival journey, avoiding the scrap heap and a racing hydroplane, finding refuge with a large parts haul on John Smith's property. After John's passing, Brendon Deere, nephew of ace Alan Deere, bought and restored the aircraft to fly alongside his Harvard, Spitfire, and Avenger at the Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre. Fortunately, despite gas-axed wings, the aircraft is structurally sound, largely original, and flies with its factory-fitted engine.

GIANTS OF THE SKY – THE CAPRONI BOMBERS

Before the Great War, Gianni Caproni envisioned multi-engine bombers to transport bombs to enemy targets. His dedication to this vision resulted in bombers that became crucial against the Austro-Hungarians. This article covers the bomber's development, combat use, and foreign deployment, highlighting the airworthy replica for the Italian Air Force centenary celebrations. It also details the two surviving aircraft and a recreation, featuring impressive air-to-air shots of this notable plane.

MYSTERY AIRCRAFT – Curtiss/ Felixstowe Flying Boat

The Curtiss-Felixstowe series, a successful WWI aircraft, began with a 1913 competition by the London Daily Mail. Glenn Curtiss designed the 'America' flying boat, piloted by John Cyril Porte. The war disrupted their initial attempt, but Porte convinced the Royal Navy to buy two Curtiss boats, later acquiring more. Porte refined the hull to counter U-Boat threats. This overview explores Porte's design enhancements, production in the UK and the US, and the aircraft's military and post-war civilian operations. Unfortunately, no complete examples exist, but significant sections are stored with the Smithsonian.

SALT AIR SUPER WIDGEON

The Widgeon's New Zealand connection started in 1950 with Amphibian Airways, aiming to fly from the lower South Island to Stewart Island, where no air strip existed. The aircraft, ZK-CFA, built in 1946, spent two years in the US and a decade in Cuba from 1949 before being imported into NZ in 1963. After serving with various airlines, the Harnish family acquired it, using it for tourist travel until 1996. After major maintenance, the Widgeon was stored in pieces until a decision was made to restore it for PR purposes. This article provides an overview of the type, its NZ operations, and ZK-CFA's return to the air, 25 years after its last flight.

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