NZ’s only flying Corsair returns to the skies after six years
Recently, on September 1st New Zealand’s only flying Corsair returned to the sky after over six years in storage at Hood aerodrome in Masterton.
Image: Oren Rozen
Mike Jones, a businessman from New Zealand, has always been interested in warbird aircraft. Despite considering buying one several times, he never found the right opportunity. However, Kiwi warbird enthusiasts can now be excited as Mike has become the new custodian of NZ5648. This Goodyear-built FG-1D Corsair was previously operated by The Old Stick And Rudder Company and will remain in New Zealand.
After receiving several recommendations from independent warbird operators, Mr. Jones was advised to consider purchasing a complete aircraft, given that the Corsair he was interested in remained unsold after being put up for sale by tender in late 2022. We are thrilled to confirm that Mr. Jones has now completed the purchase of ZK-COR, his very own WWII fighter aircraft, and is now its proud and rightful owner.
Image: Oren Rozen
The aircraft was flown from Masterton to Omaka aerodrome on September 1st following multiple engine runs. The flight was held under special ferry flight rules so had to keep the landing gear down for the entire flight. The flight was flown by Frank Parker, NZ’s newest Corsair pilot while being escorted by Bevan Dewes in his T-6 Harvard.
The aircraft is currently undergoing maintenance in Omaka and will hopefully grace the skies over Wings over Wairarapa this year in November.
Image: Oren Rozen
The 1945 built FG-1D Corsair had its last display at Classic Fighters Omaka in 2017, it then was put into into storage inside the Vintage Aviator at Hood aerodrome.
Around October 2022 the aircraft was put up for sale. Once this happened kiwi aviators were concerned that the aircraft would be sold to an international buyer and thus leave New Zealand, leaving Aotearoa corsair-less.
However, this year it was announced that the aircraft will stay in New Zealand for years to come.