Spitfire star in the wars

Wairarapa News

THE SHOW WILL GO ON: The Spitfire that was to be the sar of Wings Over Wairarapa crashed at Masterton Airport. But organisers said the air show would still take place this weekend.

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The jewel in the crown of one of New Zealand's largest air shows has crash-landed just two days before its debut appearance.

The Supermarine Spitfire Mk IX a rebuilt two-seater and one of only five in the world suffered severe damage on landing during a test run for Wings Over Wairarapa at Masterton's Hood Aerodrome yesterday.

The war plane's undercarriage malfunctioned, the propeller blades snapping as it belly-landed at the end of the runway.

The plane's owner computer company developer and champion aerobatics pilot Doug Booker walked away unscathed.

The Spitfire was to star at this weekend's show but will now be grounded as it is pored over by crash investigators. Civil Aviation Authority staff were on site as part of the air show's preparations.

The Spitfire was to have taken part in a mock aerial attack of downtown Wellington today, with decorated World War II Spitfire pilot John Pattison who last flew in the warplane in 1945 on board.

Mr Pattison, 91, told The Dominion Post from his Hastings home yesterday, that he was relieved he was not in the plane when it crashed.

"My plane got shot down once and I was badly wounded and I had to land the thing on its underbelly. Jolly difficult things they are to land when the wheels are up. The propeller is the poor old thing that gets chewed up.

"So I don't get to fly in it. It doesn't matter. I am still going down to the show."

Wings Over Wairarapa director Tom Williams said the loss of the Spitfire was a real blow.

"To have her taken out is bitterly disappointing, but the show will go on."

- © Fairfax NZ News