Images Dated 2021 May

Grumman TBF-1C Avenger NZ2504

(ex Royal New Zealand Air Force) - Grumman TBF-1C Avenger NZ2504 (msn 5219, ex INST182, ex BuNo 24336), on gate guard at RNZAF Te Rapa, near Hamilton. Taken before the underside was painted in target-tug black and yellow stripes, with the reflections from the concrete plinths giving amazing lighting effects. Date: circa 1972

© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans A The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans

McDonnell F-4E-31-MC Phantom II 66-289A

United States Air Force - McDonnell F-4E-31-MC Phantom II 66-289A Thunderbird 8 (msn 2310). Seen at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Alaska on 19 August 1969 Thunderbird 8 : 1969 Thunderbird 7 : 1970 it served as number 7 as the Narrators aircraft. Thunderbird 3 : 1971 Thunderbird 5 : 1972 Thunderbird 6 : 1973 December 1973, went to 6512th TFS at Edwards AFB, as a chase plane and redesignated NF-4E. Now on display at Castle Air Museum, California since Apr 1995, painted as Thunderbird 6'. Date: 1969

© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans A The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans

Beechcraft F-2-BH

United States Army Air Corps - Beechcraft F-2-BH. (The 14 F-2s were given the msn 340 to 353 and serial numbers 40-682 to 40-695) This variant was the first specialised high-altitude photographic reconnaissance type used operationally by the USAAC. The F-2 had two 450hp Pratt & Whitney R-985 -19 engines, two multiple-lens mapping cameras mounted in tandem in the cabin, and a piped oxygen system for the crew. A special device was installed in the entry door permitting side-view or oblique-angle photography. The first aircraft was delivered to the USAAC on 21 December 1939 and the last one in July 1940. Date: circa 1940

© The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans A The Peter Butt Aviation Collection / Mary Evans