This page contains some of my favourite images from visits to a variety of New Zealand Airfields, and other sites of aircraft operation. Remember - the page contains a few samples (the actual number of images available is noted) - from which you can link to the page for each airfield. Where there are only a few images, they appear on a 'miscellaneous' page. The places are in chronological order - or you can use the 'quick index'!
My local airfield - now more commonly known as Hamilton Airport. Pictures include a P51D which called in while enroute to an airshow (5 images), 75 SQN aircraft on exercise (4 images), a DC-3 in for maintenance (2 images), and Piper L-4B (5 images).
For more information, and pictures (19 images) - click here.
Situated in South Auckland, this airfield was constructed during WWII as a B17 base, but was eventually not required for use by the bombers. Today it is a centre of General Aviation activity, and keeps much of the light aircraft traffic away from Auckland International. Used for training and a host of other activities, it is also home to a bunch of Warbirds, and restoration activity.
The pictures were produced during a number of visits in the 1989 - 90 period and include images of aircraft such as Mustang, Harvard, Tiger Moth, DC-3, Sea Fury, Venom, and more.
For more information, and pictures (24 images) - click here.
Raglan-by -the-Sea is a small community, much boosted in the summer months by holiday-makers, and increasingly by folks who commute to Hamilton (about 40 minutes away). Periodically, the Warbirds association holds fly-in weekends. Four images from the 1989 Fly-in are available.
For more information, and pictures (4 images) - click here.
Te Rapa is a stores base at the northern end of Hamilton City. The base was closed in the early 1990's. I took the opportunity in 1991 to get some pictures of the Gate Guardian before the final closure. The aircraft, a DH100 FB.5 Vampire (NZ5785) is now in store with the RNZAF museum.
For more information, and pictures (6 images) - click here.
In 1990 I had the opportunity to visit the home of Peter Pippen - the only man I know who can claim to have had an F-86F Sabre Jet parked in his driveway!
For more information, and pictures (9 images) - click here.
In 1991 the RNZN celebrated its 50th anniversary with a number of port calls. I managed to catch up with HMNZS Southland at the Port of Tauranga - and got a few photographs of the frigate, and its HAS.1 Wasp in the hanger
For more information, and pictures (10 images) - click here.
You don't generally expect to find a Mig 21 parked in a tent in the centre of one of New Zealand's largest cities - but sometimes it happens. These images show the ex-Polish airforce aircraft on display during a tour of the North Island.
For more information, and pictures (6 images) - click here.
This is an interesting airfield for classic aircraft activity. A number of classic aircraft are based here, a number of restoration projects are in progress, and it is the New Zealand base of the Confederate Airforce. While travelling north on holiday, I took the opportunity to locate this airfield - and found a Bird-dog doing touch-and-goes, and an Auster departing.
For more information, and pictures (4 images) - click here.
The foreshore at Paihia, in the Bay of Islands, is the operations base for several scenic flight operators, who utilise helicopters and seaplanes. The following images were made at the end of 1994 and feature the Aquatic & Vintage airways Super Widgeon.
For more information, and pictures (6 images) - click here.
10 April, 1996 Bristol Freighter NZ5906
After a long career with the RNZAF, followed by a short period in civil service, this aircraft has taken on a somewhat new role. Now known as the 'Wings' restaurant it is located to one side of the airfield, providing an interesting venue for aviation enthusiasts, tourists, and locals alike.
For more information, and pictures (4 images) - click here.
11 April, 1996: A visit to this airfield was made primarilay to view the huge AN-2 biplane, but I found one or two other items of interest - particularly a Yak-52.
For more information, and pictures (4 images) - click here.
11 August, 1996: Taupo Airport, near the shores of the Lake of the same name, caters to commuter and scenic operators. These folk mainly deal with the many tourists who visit this lovely area each year - Taupo is situated between the Thermal Wonderland of Rotorua, and the Tongariro National Park, which contains several ski fields. With the Lake on offer as well, the tourist season extends year-round. The AgCat illustrated below is used for scenic, and more exciting rides.
For more information, and pictures (3 images) - click here.
17 August, 1996: Although located in Mount Mounganui, the airport serves Tauranga city and the surrounding districts. There is a lot of commercial activity with regular services by Air New Zealand and SunAir, maintenance services, plus Aeroclub and Gliding activities, and a good number of microlights. I visit this area frequently (my partner's family live locally), but do not get to the airport very much - more often seeing the aircraft flying over the city, around the Mount in the case of the gliders, or in the circuit.
For more information, and pictures (3 images) - click here.
Various views of operations and aircraft at New Zealand's largest airport.
For more information, and pictures (24 images) - click here.
Various views of operations and aircraft at Rarotonga and Aitutaki in the Cook Islands.
For more information, and pictures (9 images) - click here.
There are a number of no-longer operational DC-3's to be found around the country. Here are some images of a few I've found.
For more information, and pictures (6 images) - click here.
© 1997 - 99 Phillip Treweek, all rights reserved