The aircraft for the 2026 Airshow are listed below as they are confirmed.
A reminder that the Warbirds flying programme for both Saturday and Sunday are traditionally the same but aircraft availability on the day may change that at the last minute. We have also added more flying to our Friday programme for 2026 with most of the major acts in action.
CONFIRMED AIRCRAFT/DISPLAYS FOR 2026 AIRSHOW |
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DOUGLAS DC-3The DC-3 heading to Warbirds Over Wanaka was built in 1942 and was first used by the US Air Force in the China-Burma-India theatre during WWII before transitioning into civilian roles. The aircraft was acquired by Christchurch businessman Mark Stewart in 2023. Earlier this year it set off on a World Tour to celebrate the aircraft's designer Donald Douglas and the 90th anniversary of the DC-3 (first flight December 18, 1935)
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SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE PR.XIThe Mk XI variant was specially designed to perform high altitude, long-distance photographic operations. One of the type's most famous exploits was taking the first images of the damage caused following the "Dambuster" raids. Armaments were removed to make way for extra fuel tanks to allowfor a significantly increased range meaning the only real defences the "Eleven" had were height and speed. The aircraft will be display at Wanaka by owner and top UK Warbird pilot John Romain. |
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SUPERMARINE SPITFIRE MK IXOne of the most famous aircraft of WWII, the Spitfire was designed in 1934/35. By the outbreak of War in 1939, 400 Spitfires were in service. The final Spitfire came off the production line in 1948. An estimated 22,579 Spitfires served in all spheres of the War and afterwards. No. 485 Squadron, based in England and Europe, was a specific Spitfire Squadron flown by New Zealanders. The Spitfire featured here is owned by Brendon Deere and is part of the Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand. |
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NORTH AMERICAN P51D - MUSTANGEx-RNZAF P-51D Mustang NZ 2423 made a triumphant return to New Zealand skies at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024 following a full restoration. Before that the aircraft had spent 67 years in storage as part of the legendary John Smith's collection which was kept in sheds on his property at Mapua near Nelson. The aircraft is now owned by Brendon Deere and is part of his Biggin Hill collection at Ohakea Air Base and is part of the Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand. |
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GOODYEAR FG-1D VOUGHT CORSAIROne of the best Warbirds news stories of 2023 was confirmation a new owner had been found for New Zealand's only airworthy WWII Corsair and that the new owner, Mike Jones, wanted to see her once again be a regular on the airshow scene. This aircraft was one of the most admired at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024 and is due to return in 2026. Designed as a carrier-based fighter-bomber, the Corsair has folding wings for space-saving on deck. |
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YAKOVLEV 3 - 'FULL NOISE'A superior Russian dog-fighting machine, the Yak-3 was small, light and very dangerous to its enemies. It ws favoured by pilots because of its fast climb, manoeuvrability and well-designed cockpit which allowed good visibility. 'Full Noise' is owned and displayed by Graeme Frew. Apart from performing at many NZ airshows Graeme has had plenty of adventures in this aircraft twice taking on the fastest and best at Reno and setting a NZ speed record along Southland's Oreti Beach. This Yak-3 will be available for rides over the Wanaka airshow weekend. |
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YAKOVLEV 3 - 'STEADFAST'In the early 2000s the decision was made to build brand new Yak-3s based on the original prototype, this time fitted with powerful Pratt and Whitney R-2000 radio engines. Built in Romania, they were snapped up by Warbird owners around the world. 'Steadfast' is one of these aircraft and was exported to the United States in the mid-2000s, embarking on an illustrious career at the famous Reno Air Races, before ending up in Australia. In 2019 'Steadfast' was brought into New Zealand and had been due to fly at the 2020 and 2022 Wanaka airshows before they were Covid cancelled. The aircraft finally debuted at Wanaka 2024 and pilot Mark O'Sullivan's impressive display proved a huge hit with the fans. |
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GRUMMAN AVENGERGrumman Avenger TBM-3E is expected to make a long-awaited return to the skies over Wanaka after an eight year absence. This aircraft had been due to make its post-Covid return at the 2024 airshow but mechanical issues saw it stay behind while its Air Force Heritage Flight of New Zealand stablemates at Ohakea the Spitfire and P-51 Mustang made the trip south.This aircraft was purchased by Wanaka airshow founder Sir Tim Wallis in 1993 from Ray Hanna's UK-based Old Flying Machine Company. Sir Tim was keen to have it painted in RNZAF colours and chose the livery of the Avenger flown by legendary NZ pilot Fred Ladd and affectionately known as 'Plonky'.. |
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LOCKHEED MARTIN C-130J SUPER HERCULESThe RNZAF recently received five new C-130J Hercules aircraft to provide both strategic and tactical airlift as well as participation in international training exercises. Tasks are flown in support of combat, peace-keeping and humanitarian relief operations. The RNZAF rates the agility of the aircraft which means it can be operating in the cold of Antarctica one week and the heat of the tropics the next. The Hercs are operated by No 40 Squadron. The C-130J is 34.4m long with a wingspan of 40.4m. The aircraft are powered by four Rolls Royce AE 2100D3 eingines. |
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BOEING P-8 POSEIDONThe RNZAF's P-8 Poseidon aircraft are designed primarily for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare as part of the Airborne Surveillance and Response. The aircraft conduct maritime surveillance, mission support and intelligence operations. The RNZAF received the first of four new P-8s in late 2022 with the fourth entering service a year later. The P-8s are 39.4m long with a wingspan of 37.6m and are powered by two CFM56-7B engines producing 27,300 lbs of thrust. |
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BOEING 757-2K2The Royal New Zealand Air Force received two Boeing 757-200 aircraft in 2003. The 757s provide strategic airlift capacity to carry personnel and equipment around the world in support of operations and deployment. The aircraft are powered by two Rolls Royce turbo fan engines, measure 47.3m in length with a wingspan of 38m. The aircraft are set to be replace from 2028 by new Airbus A321XLR aircraft. Will 2026 be the last time we will see the 757 at Wanaka? |
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NORTH AMERICAN T-6 HARVARDAfter service with the RNZAF during and after WWII, Harvard NZ1044 went into storage until the early 1970s when it was bought by National Airways Corporation (NAC) to be used as an instructional airframe for trainee engineers. The aircraft then spent more time in storage before being bought by regular Warbirds Over Wanaka display pilot Bevan Dewes in early 2020. The aircraft underwent a thorough restoration at Wanaka over the next almost three years. NZ1044 is back for 2026 after debuting at Wanaka in 2024. |
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NORTH AMERICAN T-28 TROJANThe T-28G Trojan pictured right was built in 1953 entering service with the US Navy in 1954. The aircraft spent 29 years in service at Pensacola and Texas logging just over 15,000hrs TT. She was then sent to the boneyard at Tuscon, Arizona where she sat for two years. Ownership later moved to a retired naval aviator who wanted "the best T-28 in the world". So began a 16,000 hour restoration including having the wings and fuselage strengthened and re-covered with thicker skins. A major modification was the change of power plant from a 9-cylinder Curtiss Wright 1425hp engine to a custom built Pratt and R2000 14-cylinder radial rate at 1450hp. |
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BAC 167 STRIKEMASTERThe Strikemaster is a British designed and built jet training and light attack aircraft. The type first flew in 1967 with production continuing until 1984. Affectionately known as "The Blunty" the Strikemaster was used by a number of air forces around the world including the RNZAF. Two examples of this aircraft are due to perform at Easter 2026. |
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DE HAVILLAND VAMPIREThe Vampire was the second jet fighter to be operated by the RAF after the Gloster Meteor and the first to be powered by a single engine. It came into service in the UK in 1945. The RNZAF purchased a number of Vampires which were in service from the early 1950s until 1972. |
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BEDE BD-5 MICROJETThe Bede BD-5 was designed in the USA by Jim Bede in the 1970’s as a single seat homebuilt kitset aircraft. With a wingspan of just over five meters and an empty weight of 185 kg, the BD-5 is one of the smallest aircraft in the world. This particular model is powered by a TJ100 jet engine producing 250 pounds of thrust. There are nine BD-5 jets currently flying in the world, with ZK-XBD being the only airworthy example in the southern hemisphere.” |
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BEECHCRAFT T-6C TEXANThe RNZAF's T-6C aircraft are purpose-built for military training and have the latest technology including ejection seats, collision-avoidance and ground proximity warning systems, a pressurised cockpit and an on-board oxygen generating system to provide supplementary oxygen for each pilot. The T-6C Texan II is expected to remain in service with our Royal New Zealand Air Force for 30 years.The RNZAF's 'Black Falcons' Texan display team will perform at Wanaka. |
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AERO VODOCHODY L-39 ALBATROSThe Aero L-39 Albatros is a high-performance jet trainer developed in Czechoslovakia by Aero Vodochody. It was the first trainer aircraft to be equipped with a turbofan powerplant. The type was exported to a wide range of countries as a military trainer. The L-39 Albatros was designed to be a cost-effective jet-powered trainer aircraft, which is also capable of performing ground attack missions. Now the plane has found wide popularity all over the world, both among private owners and aerobatic jet teams. Fighter Jets NZ Ltd is providing 4 x L-39s for Wanaka 2026 when they will be flown by some of the United State's best civilian jet pilots as part of the "American Eagles" display. |
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'SOUTHERN FORCE' PITTS SPECIAL AEROBATIC TEAMThe Southern Force Pitts Special Aerobatic Team will be making their debut at Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2026. This group of pilots has been working hard over the past two years to perfect their routine to International Airshow standard. They are promising lots of thrilling manoeuvres, noise and smoke to herald their arrival on the New Zealand airshow scene. |
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'NZ RED STARS' YAK-52 12-SHIP DISPLAY TEAMDesigned in Russia and manufactured in Romania, the Yak-52 was not used as a military aircraft but by para-military and sport flying groups throughout the Soviet Union. Stressed to +7/-5G's and powered by a 360-hp Vendeneyev M-14 P nine cylinder radial engine, the aircraft makes an ideal trainer and aerobatic performer. It has rapidly become the 'warbird' of choice for many New Zealand pilots including the NZ Red Stars Aerobatic Display Team. The Red Stars debuted its 9-ship loop in a world-first at Warbirds Over Wanaka in 2018. The team has now expanded and in 2026 will be displaying with no less than 12 aircraft. . |
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'ROARING FORTIES' HARVARD DISPLAY TEAM
The NZ Warbirds Association's Roaring Forties aerobatic display team were at the first Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow in 1988 and have been regular performers ever since. The Pratt and Whitney R 1340 radial engines create a great sound, going into new Harvards in 1937, with around 18,000 thereafter built. The RNZAF flew Harvards from the 1940s until the 1970s. |
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MH.1521 BROUSSARDThe MH.1521 Broussard is a French, six-seat utility monoplane designed by Max Holste primarily for French Army requirements. The first Broussard flew in 1954 and a further 362 were built. The type was prominent in the Algerian War of Independence. The Broussard is often referred to as the 'French Beaver' due to having the same engine (P&W R985) and a similarity in capability and performance to the Canadian-built de Havilland Beaver. |
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PITTS SPECIAL S-1C
This highly modified Pitts Special was hand built by Ray Philpot of Rotorua in 1988. It features a 160hp fuel injected 10-320 Lycoming engine, 377KG’s rated +6 and -6 G’s. Maximum speed of 184 knots and cruise at 145 knots. The Pitts was first flown at Warbirds Over Wanaka in 2024 by Te Anau-based advanced aerobatic pilot Ivan ‘Krazzy’ Krippner. What will he have in store for 2026??
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DE HAVILLAND CHIPMUNKThe de Havilland Chipmunk first flew in 1946 as the RAF's replacement for the Tiger Moth. The aircraft is fully aerobatic to 6g and has a 145 horsepower Gipsy Moth engine. Chipmunk 65 served in the RAF from 1953 till 1975 and started a 2-year restoration in New Zealand in 2021. Its ex-RNZAF owner flies it with NZ Warbirds at Ardmore and at airshows around the country. This aircraft will fly at Wanaka for the first time in 2026. |
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HELICOPTER DISPLAY
Warbirds Over Wanaka is world famous for its helicopter displays. Helicopters are a big part of the story of the Southern Lakes regon. From the early days of live deer recovery through to their multi-use today they are an integral part of the local landscape. Warbirds Over Wanaka is proud to salute helicopters with our mass display at next Easter's airshow.
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NH90 HELICOPTERThe Royal New Zealand Air Force has eight NH90 helicopters in its fleet, which are operated by No. 3 Squadron and have been in full service since 2015. They are a twin engine, medium utility helicopter featuring a fly-by-wire flight control system, full ice protection system, and fibre-glass composite structure. The NH90's central role is to provide tactical air mobility operations. This includes support to special operations, casualty evacuation, and movement of troops and equipment. Additionally, the NH90 provides a range of support services to government agencies including search and rescue, police operations, disaster relief, and counter-terrorism response. |
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A-109 HELICOPTERThe Royal New Zealand Air Force has five AgustaWestland A109 Light Utility Helicopters (A109LUH). They are a lightweight, twin-engine aircraft with a modern glass cockpit and a retractable wheeled undercarriage. The A109LUH is part of the NZ Defence Force's helicopter training system that includes a virtual interactive procedural trainer, a full flight simulator, and the fleet of five helicopters. This provides a comprehensive and cost-effective means of training aircrew prior to operational conversion onto the NH90 or Seasprite helicopters. In addition to its training role, the A109LUH is utilised in various operational tasks, including support to other government agencies, disaster relief, and personnel transport in a light utility role. |
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SH-2G (1) SEASPRITE HELICOPTERThe New Zealand Defence Force has eight SH-2G(I) Seasprite maritime helicopters, operated by No. 6 Squadron. They are flown by Royal New Zealand Navy aircrew and maintained by Royal New Zealand Air Force maintainers. The Seasprite helicopter is operated by a three-person crew: a pilot, an observer who specialises in warfare and mission command, and a helicopter loadmaster who directs utility operations. Delivered in 2015 to replace the previous SH-2G(NZ) model, these helicopters have an important role in enhancing the capabilities of our naval fleet and fulfil a range of roles. |
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'KIWI BLUE' SKYDIVING TEAMThe RrNZAF skydiving team, Kiwi Blue, is a regular display at Warbirds Over Wanaka. The team is made up of members of the RNZAF Parachute Training and Support Unit. Their display traditionally features lots of smoke and the flying of the New Zealand and RNZAF flags. |
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SCHIEICHER ASH 25
The ASH 25 Glider has one ofthe largest wingspans of any glider in the world at 25m. The two-seater Open Class glider has an empty weight of 478kgs and is capable of a top speed of 280kp/h. The glider will be flown this weekend by Doug Hamilton, a veteran of Wanaka Airshows and a leading New Zealand glider pilot. |
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C-17B BEECH STAGGERWING
One of the more beautiful aircraft on the display line at Wanaka will be Cam and Tracey Hawley's 1936 Beech Staggerwing. Built in Wichita, Kansas VH-UXP was shipped new to Australia where it was impressed into the RAAF from 1942 to 1952. Cam and Tracey bought the aircraft in 2005 and shipped it to Wanaka for a full restoration by Callum Smith and his team at Twenty24 Ltd. The aircraft now calls Wanaka home..
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DE HAVILLAND DH.82 TIGER MOTH
The Tiger Moth featured here was a Hatfield build and was taken on charge by the RAF in March 1940 serving with many training units, mainly for ab-initio (initial) training. The aircraft first came to New Zealand a few years after the end of WWII. In the recent past the aircraft spent time at Wanaka Airport where it underwent some restoration work including a new paint job (which led to the nick-name 'Queenie'). Owner Lucy Newell will fly 'Queenie' at Warbirds Over Wanaka. |
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TRANSAVIA PL-12 AIRTRUCKThis unconventional looking aircraft was designed in New Zealand as a replacement for Tiger Moths for aerial topdressing operations. A prototype first flew here in 1960 but the aircraft never went into commercial production. Instead Transavia from Australia started producing the aircraft in the mid-1960's with a final tally of 120 being built. The 'distinctive' aircraft is something of a movie star featuring in Mad Max - Beyond Thunderdome. The aircraft will display at Wanaka in 2026 for the first time.
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