Random Wanaka Photographs #9

BAC-167 Strikemaster Mk88 ZK-STR (c/n 310) was previously with the RNZAF as NZ6370 during the period November of 1972 until taking part in the final Strikemaster formation flypast on 17-12-1992. It was sold by tender and ended up in Australia to became VH-RBA2. It was purchased by Brent Nicholls and crated back to NZ with it flying here again on 20-04-2011. At that time it was still in full RNZAF markings, but as you can see it has now been touched up a little.

Grumman TBM-3E Avenger VH-TBM (c/n 4015) was built by GM for the US Navy in

about mid 1945. It was sold off in 1958 and popped up on the US register sometime about 1963 as N6827C. The Alpine Deer Group picked it up and registered it in NZ as ZK-TBM on 18-11-1992. They painted it up to represent NZ2518 'Plonky".

It ferried out of NZ via Auckland, Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands to Toowoomba on 05 and 06-05-1999 for Malitone Pty Ltd of Clayfield, Queensland.

It was recently purchased by Brendon Deere and flown back to NZ on 23 and 24-03-2012 just in time for the RNZAF 75th Ohakea display. It is likely that it will become ZK-TBE in the near future.