BAe Strikemaster ZK-ZLS

[K5054NZ]

G'day all

To the uninformed, a quick message - in 1991 New Zealand replaced her Strikemasters with Aermacchi MB.339CBs, which have now in turn been replaced by thin air. As of today, most of the surviving ex-RNZAF Blunties (as the Strikemaster was affectionately known) are in private hands and airworthy. The USA and Australia sport the most examples, but not a single Blunty has flown in private ownership in NZ.

^_^ This is where Lana and I step in.

A couple of months ago we travelled to Australia to inspect NZ6361/VH-ZEP, one of several Blunties flying in Australia. It just so happened that Lana and I had a few hundred grand to spare, so we took a leap of faith and purchased ZEP.



To get her home we flew, rather than shipped, her across the Tasman. Brisbane - Sydney - Norfolk Island - Auckland - Wanganui, a unique flight and one which we can wholeheartedly recommend to any warbird pilot.



It was only last week that she received Civil Aviation Authority certification to fly in New Zealand and on the NZ Civil Register - First Of Type, in fact! Now registered ZK-ZLS ("Zac and Lana's Strikemaster", of course!), but not yet bearing the rego, she has been flying all around the Wanganui skies.



Due to uncertainty over the certification, we were careful not to make any promises we couldn't keep about airshow appearances. But now, thanks to several CAA employees, we are hoping to make a surprise appearance at Warbirds Over Wanaka at Easter. And we can't wait!



In the accompanying photos you can see myself in the left seat and Lana in her blue helmet, specially bought for flying ZLS. Much thanks to the CAA and to ZLS' previous owners for keeping her in such good nick! Nonetheless, before her Wanaka appearance we plan to give the old girl a makeover!

[gooberliberation]

Were you two having engine troubles flying that thing home? Or did you have the giant hold the planes just so you can take pictures?  

[AeroplaneDriver]

Great looking Strikemaster you got yourself there Zac!

Still....as a fairly inexperienced pilot I think it would be prudent for you to get a more experienced pilot, oh, from say...the southeastern US, to fly with you in your Strikemaster!!  

I used to know a guy who had 2 Jet Provosts, 2 Vampires, and a T-33.  Got to taxi around in the two-holer Vampire a bit, but he got killed in a Helio Courier before I got my promised JP ride    

[K5054NZ]

Now that's a sad story Nick. But sounds very familiar - what was the pilot's name?

In the meantime, here's another pic of our latest acquisition:


And a couple with a friend:

[Brian da Basher]

That's a fine looking Bluntie there Zac! I really like that three-tone camo scheme, and as we all know, Kiwi roundels really make a build special! I think Lana looks lovely in her blue flying suit too.

Nice work, my friend.

Brian da Basher

[BlackOps]

ZacAttack comin' in low and fast!





Couldn't resist

Jeff G.

[John Howling Mouse]

I couldn't resist, either!

[BlackOps]

You know I had to fight the urge to go back in there and add strings holding it up


Jeff G.

[K5054NZ]

Guys, thank you so much! Those are fantastic shots! No offence to you Baz, but I love Jeff's Zac Attack! Hello, new avatar!

Thanks again guys, Lana    and I much appreciate your work.

       

[gooberliberation]

I love how Zac takes pictures against the sky, so dramatic that way B)  

[NARSES2]

Nice little Strikemaster there Zac

[lancer]

Very nice little Strikemaster you got there Zac.  

[cthulhu77]

Look out! It's got us again !!!!

            Nice job, sir.  One of the neater jets out there, and yours looks fantastic.

[Captain Canada]

Looking good, Zac !

I love the camo colours....that Hunter is especially nice. What paints did you use ?

And it sure didn't take you guys long to mess that new pad up.....even my daughter who was looking over my shoulder said " who's house is that ? It's even messier than ours ! "

 

[K5054NZ]

Hi Todd's daughter!

Tamiya acrylics. XF-49 Khaki, XF-13 JA Green and XF-5 Flat Green. Tried and trusted, I've never used anything else. Same on both, believe it or not. And the starboard side camo on ZLS is purely speculative - I thought I had only once reference picture, but once I'd finished painting I looked at the other side of the page. Tada - starboard side camo!

And the place was messy the instant we moved in! Never looked back!