Spitfire ⅩⅣ completed for Omaka show debut

摘要

Spitfire ⅩⅣ NH799/ZK-ⅩⅣ made a first post-rebuild flight at Ardmore, New Zealand during the early evening of 2 April with John Lamont at the controls. After a few minor adjustments and more test flights the following day, it transited down to Omaka to become one of the stars of the Classic Fighters Airshow over the Easter weekend. The former Indian Air Force fighter had been very seriously damaged in a take-off accident at Wanaka on 2 January 1996, in which pilot Sir Tim Wallis was gravely injured. The machine was then sold to Paul Page of Erie, Colorado, but is now owned by Zambia-based crop-spraying pilot Murray Miers, who will keep NH799 in New Zealand.