Two in New Zealand, both two-seaters: ZK-RVM, an ex-Swiss Mk.55, with Brett Emeny at New Plymouth flies in RNZAF colours; and ZK-VAM, ex-RAAF Mk.35W, with the Currie family of Christchurch in RAAF marks. I know there’s at least one two-seater flying in Australia.

There was an ex-Swiss FB.9(I think?) imported by Sir Ken Hayr to fly, however after his death this was put into storage and hasn’t really been seen since.

Unfortunately I don’t have much in the way of photos:

ZK-RVM

And hopefully this photo of RVM and VAM together is just what you’re looking for :stupid:

One question, which I think I asked on Facebook without response (that I noted): who or what is “Reevers”?

Depends on your definition of ‘fender bender’ I suppose, if you consider a six-figure repair bill to be insignificant!

I saw owner Murray Miers on Friday night – just after his Spitfire XIV arrived – and overhead someone pass on their sympathies about the FW190. He just shrugged his shoulders!

Lovely photo of NH799 Duxman, I’m torn as to whether I like that scheme or the one she wears now. Either way, it’s great to have her back 🙂 And, on the door at least, G-BUZU lives on:

NH799’s rego plate is the same today as when I first saw it in the Warbirds Over Wanaka ’94 book as a Spit-mad eight-year-old:

I was looking to the north every ten minutes or so on Friday, waiting to see her come around the bend. When she appeared around 7pm – after sunset!!! – I was ecstatic. There was a beautiful low pass before landing, which we greeted with applause and cheers, likewise when she taxied in and shut down. What an experience!!

I was on the field at Omaka for all three days of the show, from 7am to 9pm or later….except for one hour on Friday, when Frank had the accident. I came back to my spot on the fence and everyone said “you missed all the excitement…”.

I’m glad I missed it, sounds like a terrible thing to have witnessed. Folks said one of the prop blades flew up 100ft or more after impact. I was so relieved to hear Frank was ok – every time I saw him over the weekend he was cheerful and laughing – but disappointed as that morning was the first time I’d seen the machine in the flesh, and I was away when it flew. Everyone you spoke to had a different version of the aircraft’s condition and “rebuildability”, but it’s not my place to speculate.

Disappointing, but it could have been much worse. Bravo Frank, and my best to the owner who seemed to shrug it off when I saw someone pass on their sympathies to him.

Here it was around 8.20amish on Good Friday, my first time laying eyes on it.

Probably appropriate there’s a Lycoming-engined Bf108 sitting next to it, considering how this thread has gone! 😀

BTW I don’t advise you read Minget’s book, you’ll end up building one – its an infectious read.
I can see how the Flea craze happened in the 30’s.
“If you can nail together a packing case, you can construct an aeroplane.” Henry Minget ” Long live the sport of the air”

That was my mistake. I’m thinking I’ll start by building a mockup fuselage out of cardboard – I need to see if I fit before I try it for real!

Here’s something to scare you away from Le Petit Pou, if you’ll allow me to go temporarily O/T:

It’s a lot more fun than I expected, but nowhere near as fun as I bet the real thing is.