A P-51D Mustang warbird from the Ohakea-based Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand (AFHF) will conduct flypasts over Palmerston North and Marton to mark Armistice Day today.
Armistice Day – 11 November, 1918 – marked the end of the First World War, when hostilities between Germany and the Allies, including New Zealand, came to an end.
The AFHF’s Mustang will fly over the Cenotaph in Palmerston North’s Square at 11am and the Marton Park War Memorial at 11.20am. With the Royal New Zealand Air Force focusing on the delivery of military air outputs in the current financial environment, the flypasts have been enabled by generous support from the Biggin Hill Trust, which owns and operates the aircraft.
The 1945 Mustang is a genuine ex-RNZAF aircraft and was the last of the 30 bought for the RNZAF and the last to fly, in 1957. It has been in service with the AFHF since early this year, with today’ s flypasts also marking a year since its first flight since 1957.
AFHF pilot Squadron Leader Michael Williams says it is a privilege to fly the historic machines.
“Actually piloting these aircraft is a huge thrill, but the over-riding feeling we all have is how privileged we are to be entrusted with them.”
“The aircraft are tangible examples of when our RNZAF core values were called upon in a time of war, when New Zealand joined with its international partners to stand up for what is right.
“RNZAF personnel just like us put themselves in harm’s way to conduct military air operations in these aircraft, so it’s an honour to present them to both our peers and to the public,” he said.
Squadron Leader Williams said the AFHF played a key role in today’s Air Force.
“The aircraft represent the military aviation heritage of all New Zealanders. We fly them to not only to commemorate the past, but to engage the next generation, who, like us, will be flying our modern fleet of aircraft for years to come.”
