The people behind the Tauranga based Hawker Hunter say they will try and keep New Zealand's fastest aircraft flying.
The Hawker Hunter flew both days at the weekend's Tauranga City Airshow after a hiatus of about four years.
Videos by Tracy Hardy.
Returning the aircraft to operational status involved months of work by engineer Jim Lawson, and a team of dedicated Classic Flyers volunteers.
Jim says keeping the aircraft flying will involve ongoing ground support.
'It has to be re-serviced between each flight.
'All the engine systems and hydraulic systems - all have to be checked each time.”
Jim enjoys the high speed passes, as pilot Dave Philips takes the aircraft past the crowd at low level at speed.
One such pass during the weekend's airshow saw the 1958 built jet aircraft passing the tower at just over 900km/h.
Dave compares the Hawker Hunter to a Maserati and says it is a solid, well-constructed and designed aircraft that is a pleasure to fly.
5 comments
dane
Posted on 31-01-2012 11:09 | By Dane
Absolutely wonderful
Awesome
Posted on 31-01-2012 11:49 | By Jolene Publique
I loved seeing this fly over the weekend, it was the star of the show. I hope to see it flying again in the Tauranga skies.
Best in show
Posted on 31-01-2012 14:07 | By RVF400
This plane is fantastic and when it was in the air my family was running out to have a look and dropping everything to see it.hope it can be keeped in service as kids these days never get a chance to see jet fighter plane as we dont have a air force.
Great pilot
Posted on 31-01-2012 17:04 | By Garret
Dave Phillips is a great pilot and a real gentleman. He told me that now the Hunter is airworthy again, he will definitely fly it more. He explained to me that is was "Very sensitive to the controls, and a dream to fly". I can well imagine that.
Posted on 31-01-2012 20:33 | By enjay
What a highlight for a great airshow weekend, so glad to see it back in the air again.
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