Aerobatics gathering at NZMS.

  Our roving reporter Geoff Lloyd called in on Masterton late yesterday afternoon and snapped these pics of aircraft involved with the aerobatic champs being held there this weekend.

 Up from Rangitata Island is the Brodie's AESL Airtourer 150 ZK-DAC (c/n A545).

This began life as an AESL Airtourer 115 but following an incident at Matamata in January 1976 returned to the air with the 150hp engine in 1981.

 Non competing I presume - but the Canterbury Aero Club's Piper PA-28R-200 Arrow II ZK-DUY (c/n 28R-7535019) was on site. 

This had been with the Club since new in late 1974.

 The Pitts S-1 Special ZK-EES (c/n AACA/28) was built up by Max Clear in the mid-1970's.

It was rebuilt in 1994 when a 180hp engine was installed and by the look of it - ailerons where added to all four wings.

The Vans RV-3 ZK-WCO (c/n 11504) was an eight month build project by Chris Schadler of Whakatane. 

It has a modified wing for aerobatics and is powered by an O-320 from a dead Cessna - pulled along behind a Brent Thompson modified Omega 79 inch propeller.

It first flew on 11-02-2015.

The Canterbury Aero Club's Robin R2160 ZK-RBN2 is parked beyond with ZK-LGT out of shot to the right.