Warbird Information Exchange

Avspecs Ltd. Daniel Paul we made sure everything needed for John's aircraft was kept aside. We have found the substantial remains of TE881 which is good news.

Avspecs Ltd. Bruce Gordon we definitely have at least one identity. TE881 (NZ2345).

From what I've gathered (DaveM2 may be able to assist?):
- the two Harvards have been transported to Ardmore Airport, Auckland, with NZ1068 to be restored to airworthy by Nick Sheehan
- the P-40E has gone to Omaka and is to fly with Mike Nicholls and John Saunders
- the P-51D is for sale
- the Vampire parts cache is for sale as a lot
- The Mosquito, P-40N and Tiger Moth ZK-BQB will be conserved and placed on public display at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
...

Brendon Deere Joining our collection at Biggin Hill will be ex RNZAF P51D Mustang NZ2423. This aircraft has been part of the historic collection of the late John Smith at Mapua near Nelson for the last sixty years. The aircraft is a complete time capsule but like the other RNZAF Mustangs sold surplus from Woodbourne in 1958, it had its wings cut off just outboard of the main undercarriage for transport to the buyer in Nelson (these are with the aircraft). Once the aircraft is at Ohakea, we will begin the process of planning its return to airworthy.
NZ2423 was based at Ohakea for its entire operational life, serving with No.2 Territorial Air Force and also 42 Squadron. It conducted the last ever RNZAF flight of the Mustang when it was flown to Woodbourne for disposal in 1958. It was built at North American‘s Dallas factory in 1945 and was part of an order of 160 Mustangs purchased by the RNZAF to replace the Corsairs. ...

Yeah Andy, it's hard for me to hide it. I would love a visit to New Zealand, but for a great many other reasons as well (it has always struck me as gorgeous country).

Errol, thank you for mentioning that book, it definitely sounds like one I should have. It also has one of my favorite Gavin Conroy photos on the cover.

It is fantastic news! Being one of the most complete of the few unrestored time-capsule P-51's still in existence, I hope those that will be performing the restoration on the P-51 will take note of every detail as it is disassembled and that it is restored to the nth-degree of accuracy. I'm very glad that it will continue to have a great home in New Zealand.

P51D NZ2423 out in the sun today for the first time in nearly 60 years as it prepares for its journey up to Ohakea next week. A container full of all its other parts, spares and the remains of several other RNZAF Mustangs started the journey north today. The main radiator and a bunch of other stuff is journeying back with me tonight on the ferry Kaiarahi - marking the first stage of the return of NZ2423 to RNZAF Ohakea where it spent its operational life.

A great team did a magnificent job over the last two days. Led by John Saunders and Mike Nichols, a lot of really hard work was done by Mit Brereton, Graham Andrews, Ryan Southam, Robbie Smith and Jo Smith - all under the watchful eye of George Smith who fittingly closed the doors on the container today.

It was a magnificent weekend here in the Top of the South which saw a large team from the Omaka aviation community, head to Mapua to prepare the John Smith Mosquito fighter bomber for her journey to Omaka in Marlborough. It was a big day and a productive one with fantastic team spirit shared by a great crew of dedicated supporters. Thank you to everyone who participated and the many more that offered. We look forward to sharing more of this epic journey with you. Click on the images for more details & if you would like to contribute financially any assistance big or small is much appreciated, please visit see our Give-A-Little page https://bit.ly/3jvpAL6

Start of the day - John Saunders at left explains the journey travelled so far to reach the point at which the gathered team could prepare to ready the aircraft for its big shift. This line-up features key people in the mission. from left, John, Mike Nicholls, family members Jo, George and Robbie Smith, Bill Reid, and newly appointed Project leader, Al Marshall.

By the late afternoon, much progress had been made with a key milestone being reached with the removal of the propellers by a team from Airbus at Woodbourne. By this stage Cowls and flaps are off, props, gun access doors, ammo boxes, bomb bay doors. Jay's JEM Aviation Ltd team has the port engine ready to lift out (that was a huge job) and the starboard nacelle is off with the port nacelle nearly ready to come off too.

The innards of the Mosquito expose just how complex it is to create a multi role aircraft. Not only does this Mossie carry 4x 20 mm Cannon and 4 x .303 machine guns but there’s still room for bombs and Chelsea golden syrup as well. Awesome.

P-51D Mustang NZ2423 45-11490 with Brendon Deere

I have her s/n as 45-11513?