The Alpine Fighter Collection – Oh what might have been…

I knew I’d read about a previous Buchon sale to the Alpine Fighter Collection. I just found the report in New Zealand Wings magazine dated July 1985. This reads: (no author credited so probably editor, the late Ross Macpherson).

German Warbird of Finals
Alpine Classic Aircraft Restorations” of Wanaka have acquired a Messerschmitt 109 from a United Kingdom collection for restoration to original Bf 109G-2 configuration. Due in New Zealand in four months time, the aircraft was manufactured in Germany in 1944 and was one of 200 railed to Spain to be assembled by Hispano Aviacoa as a Bf 109G-2. However a shortage of Daimler-Benz enginesdue to Allied bombing of the German led to the Spanish fitting the Hispano-Suiza V 12 engine for Spanish Air Force use. This proved unsuccessful and, instead, a Rolls Royce 500/45 V 12 Merlin was instaed used to engine the Ha 1112M-1-L-C4K, as the aircraft was designated with the Spanish Air Force.

Operated in this configuration by the Spanish Air Force into the late 1960’s, the fighter became one of several sold to a United Kingdon buyer for the classic “Battle of Britain” film. Sold afterwards to the United States, it returned to the United Kingdom in 1979 for the airshow curcuit. A minor landing accident resulted in the Messerschmitt being placed on display in a London museum until its sale recently at the museum’s closing to well-known United Kingdom collector Rob Lamplough who, in turn, has contracted to sell the aircraft to Alpine Classic Aircraft Restorations.

Alpine Classic Aircraft Restorations is a newly formed division of Alpine Helicopters Ltd., managed by well-known aviation industry identiy Ray Mulqueen. Ray, prior to joining Alpine, visited the United States on behalf of the company to locate a suitable P51D Mustang. This project came to fruition with the arrival and first flight of NL769MD at RNZAF Wigram’s ‘Wings and Wheels’ earlier this year.

The Mustang was not original in the cockpit area, having a second seat fitted along with a modern avionics package; a 1944 exterior with a 1984 cockpit – an aircraft in an immaculate condition. The aircraft was purchased when the restoration was 75 per cent complete; Alpine’s future policy however will be toensure originality is paramount. Each aircraft collected will be restored to original flying condition as of the date of manufacture.

Special emphasis is to be placed on the peak of development of the piston-powered fighter in the early 1940’s – specialising in the in-line engined aircraft of the era which included the North American P-51D Mustang, Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, Spitfire, Hurricane, Messerschmitt and Yakolev Yak fighter to name just a few.

It is Alpine’s intention to align itself with the RNZAF Museum at Wigram. When not attending airshows the aircraft will be on display at either Wigram or the new Alpine Division’s base at Wanaka. Alpine’s policy is to wholeheartedly support the efforts of the RNZAF to establish their museum at Wigram and in preserving relics of the world’s largest aerial conflict.

Alpine is very concious of the sensitivity and feelings of many New Zealanders who lost family and friends in aerial combat with the Me 109 but is also aware of the mounting worldwide concern to preserve relics of the era. The growing trend towards flying exhibits allows the public greater access to and appreciation of a unique part of history.

Considerable research preceded thepurchase in order to enable the Messerschmitt to be converted back to the original Bf 109 configuration with a Daimler-Benz DB 605 engine. Some 60 per cent of the original componentary is to hand and all other items necessary for an authentic restoration , including the cannon and machine guns, are being acquired. The restoration and conversion from the firewall forward are to be carried out over the next two years at Wanaka. During this time the Messerschmitt will be on display at the RNZAF Museum in the desert markings of Hauptmann Hans Joachim Marseille, the leading Luftwaffe ace with an official total of 158 Allied aircraft destroyed.

Wow, they have fulfilled every single prediction/promise apart from the Bf109. Good on the Alpine team.

Thanks for that Dave. I was afraid there was a “new” aeroplane which hadn’t been counted. ZK-AWP is currently operating regular airline services in Tonga with Peau Vava’u Air.

Note – Alpine Helicopters also leased ZK-BBJ (c/n 16962/34222 ex 45-959 NZ3552) in 1970 for their deer recovery operation. This of course is where Sir Tim made his money to start his wonderful collection.

Ron,

from here
http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/aviation.html

“ZK-AWP (c/n 33135/16387 ex 44-76803 NZ3543, 5W-FAI) Is the only ex-RNZAF Dakota still airworthy in New Zealand. Built in 1944 as a C-47B , the aircraft served as NZ3543, being brought on charge on May 13 1945, and struck off on July 3 1952. During this time the aircraft was issued to 41 Squadron, including time based in Singapore. As noted above, it served with NAC from July 1952, and was one of the last 2 DC-3s retired from their fleet. Initially operated as ‘Powhaitere’, after conversion to Skyliner staus in May 1963, the aircraft was named ‘Kaitaia’. Between February 2, 1970 and June 8, 1973 the aircraft was operated by Polynesian Airlines as 5W-FAI. Sold to Southern Air Super Ltd on August 3, 1973, ZK-AWP was converted as a top-dresser. Passed to Fieldair on July 14 1975, the aircraft was used as a top-dresser until May 11, 1985, and then converted back to freight work. It operated from Wellington with AMR and BBJ under the FieldAir Freight and Speedlink titles. Sold to the Alpine Fighter Collection in August 1993, it then spent time with Classic Air at Paraparaumu before passing to Mackley Aviation at Ardmore in December 1995. Ownership passed to NZ Aerial Mapping at Napier in 1998, and the aircraft has subsequently been returned to NAC plumage. Recent activity has been charter work (passenger and film). Latest reports indicate this aircraft is up for sale. (illustrated below)”

Dave H

Do you know the identity of the AFC DC-3? I’ve not seen one there on my several visits to Wanaka. It doesn’t appear on the NZ DC-3 Census or is it listed at a different location?

Ohhhh…….got the wires burning now, didn’t realize it was that close, AFCs Ray Mulqueen was only over there a few months back visiting the shop. :confused:

Dave

The AFC was also to have the new build Emil , now owned by the FHC, Seattle. Dave

…and taxiing this past couple of weeks I gather.

I am surprised a photo hasn’t escaped. 🙂

Mark

Yep, one (110F) is fully restored and will be on display at the new Berlin museum..this was the one the AFC had plans to restore to fly. The 110E is in store and the third was basically a collection of parts.
The AFC was also to have the new build Emil , now owned by the FHC, Seattle.

Dave

Ended up in Germany with one being restored to static

What became of the 3 Bf-110s?

Still, despite all of that, the AFC has some good stuff, and Sir Tim is still going strong.

He certainly is – had the pleasure of meeting the gentleman last April too 🙂

Still, despite all of that, the AFC has some good stuff, and Sir Tim is still going strong.

TNZ

And Spencer Flack

I agree with all your sentiments Mike and Mark V

Yes we have to be grateful for the collections and the people behind them that we have got.

Its still a great place to go and the 2004 show was superb but yes there is an element of sadness that many plans did not come to fruition.

Quite frightening to have purchased three AN-2’s and ‘lost’ them.