Something Really Different at Wanaka - How About a Max Holste Broussard?

A recent arrival at Wanaka looks pretty spectacular and is set to display at next year's Warbirds Over Wanaka:

The Max Holste MH 1521 Broussard (meaning Bushman I think) photographed at Wanaka recently by Steve Bunting.  It arrived at Wanaka earlier this year from Denmark registered as OY-SLV.  It was built in 1961 for the French military and was civilianised as F-GGKP in June 1990.  It then went to Hungary as HA-SLV in October 1996 and then to Denmark as OY-SLV from May 2013.  It is destined to receive a very French New Zealand registration.

The type was first designed in the 1950s with the prototype flying in 1954.  It is a six seat utility aircraft and is often is referred to as the "French Beaver".  In fact it shares the same Pratt and Whitney R985 radial engine as the Beaver and has similar performance and capability.  

It has been assembled by Twenty24 Aviation at Wanaka and is awaiting registration and test flying.

Thanks very much for the photo Steve.

A brief call into Taieri.

The Airbus MBB-KB117 D-3 ZK-IDH2 c/n 21242 must have seen me coming armed with my camera and tried to avoid me. This into sun shot was taken in desperation.

This helicopter was built as D-KBKR5 by Airbus Industries before joining Helicopters Otago Ltd from 09-01-2024.

On the pad was the slightly younger Airbus MBB-BK117 D-3 (H145) ZK-IDU2 c/n 21300 which was registered to Helicopters Otago on 28-08-2024.

 Over at the Otago Aero Club was their Tecnam P92 Echo Mark II ZK-OAJ c/n 1761. it joined the Club on 25-10-2024.

In the hangar was the Clubs Vans RV-12-UL ZK-OPT c/n 121045.

This was built by Bachelor of Engineering and Technology students of Otago PolyTechnic - with the kit arriving on Campus on 20-07-2017. It first flew at Taieri on 16-08-2022.

Another Photoshoot Flight, with Moth Minor ZK-AKM on 7-12-2025

Before the NZ Warbirds Beaver arrived at Kaipara Flats airfield on 7/12/25, Michael Bach had already flown up in the DH 94 Moth Minor ZK-AKM and this was the Beaver's first photoshoot assignment.  I was invited along to be in the Beaver - what a smooth machine!

Moth Minor waiting in the sun

During Gavin Conroy's photoshoot I was able to get a photo of my own, looking back through the Beaver's rear window.

Taxying back in at NZKF after a successful photoshoot.  Maybe Gavin will share some of his photos in time - I reckon they will be spectacular!

The Photoshoot Beaver for Our Flight of 2 Messengers on 7-12-2025

The conditions were about as perfect as they could be for our photoshoot of the 2 Messengers yesterday and Gavin Conroy was taking his photos from the NZ Warbirds Beaver ZK-CKH that arrived at Kaipara Flats airfield with its port door removed:

The Warbirds Beaver and Messenger - photographer and subject.  Colourful aircraft and green grass!

Lift off from NZKF in Messenger ZK-AKE2.

The Beaver was flown by Pete McCombe and it ranged up alongside us to starboard.

Then followed an intensive period of close formation flying by Michael Bach and we were later joined by Graeme Wood in the other Messenger off to our port side.  It was neat to see Gavin directing Michael to fly up or down or in and out with his gloved hands (as well as occasional radio messages).  And as a courtesy I could only take photos of the Beaver when Gavin was between shooting as it is not a great look to have a photo with the subject photographing back.  You can see how great the conditions were.

The Two Messengers on the Ground at NZKF Today 7-12-2025

 

After today's photoshoot the two Messengers pulled up for another photo - ZK-AKE2 and ZK-CMM2..  That is the Moth Minor ZK-AKM in the background.

Some more from the New Zealand Airline Academy at Oamaru

 At Oamaru yesterday afternoon 06-12-2025 I managed to catch five of the recent additions to the New Zealand Airline Academy.

Tecnam P2008 JC ZK-NYA is c/n 1265.

Tecnam Mentor ZK-NYC is c/n 1121.

Tecnam P2008 JC ZK-NYX being c/n 1266.

ZK-NYY c/n 156 is a Tecnam P2008 LSA.

Tecnam P2008 ZK-NYZ is c/n 196.

A Couple of Miles Messengers Over Sandspit

I am still buzzing from a couple of flights this morning!  Gavin Conroy flew up to Kaipara Flats in the NZ Warbirds Beaver to get some air to air shots of our two Messengers, and Bruce Lynch graciously offered me a seat in his "Wilbur" for the photo flight.  The conditions were amazing!

Michael Bach flew ZK-AKE2 while Graeme Wood flew the Warbirds ZK-CMM2.  After the photoshoot Woodsy flew off to our starboard side which allowed for some great photo opportunities.

Thanks Bruce, Michael and Woodsy.

R44 II ZK-HYF 2

Visiting Pauanui airfield today from Hamilton was HeliCorp's R44 II ZK-HYF2 in a new grey & black colour scheme.   This was originally imported new back in 2004 and has been with HeliCorp since 2017.

Ashburton 05-12-2025

 I blew into Ashburton on Friday the 5th - alas not a pie run - and snapped the following aeronautical machines of some interest to me.

The late Peter Irvine's Cessna A188B Agwagon ZK-CSD c/n 1880204 was being worked on in the Ashburton Aviation Museum workshop to bring it up to display standard.

Having just been refueled was Brian Hall's very tidy looking and sweet sounding Piper PA-28-235B ZK-DFB c/n 28-10917. It now totes a three bladed propeller.

Michael Fowlers Piper PA-34-200T Seneca II ZK-MKW c/n 34-7970041 was parked facing the breeze.

It has had a brief previous mention Here

Neutron Nosecone Down the Mahurangi!

Back in May I posted about Rocket Lab in Warkworth building a nose cone for their new 43 metre tall Neutron rocket, and you can see that post HERE  There have since been further developments:

A couple of nights ago the now completed Neutron nose cone was transported from Rocket Lab's factory through the streets of Warkworth to Robertson's boatyard on the Mahurangi River, where it was craned onto a barge.  It was subsequently barged down the river as when I went to look yesterday it was gone.  I assume it will be shipped from Auckland to Rocket Lab's Neutron production facility at Wallops Island in Virginia.  From Warkworth to the stars!