Iconic Spitfire to attend Warbirds Over Wanaka 2026
A rare UK-based aircraft will be one of the International stars of next Easter’s Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow as the event marks the 90th anniversary of the first ever flight of the iconic Spitfire.
The aircraft is one of only two Mk XI Spitfires still flying in the world and will be displayed at Wanaka by its owner, and the world’s most experienced Spitfire pilot John Romain. It will join New Zealand’s only airworthy Spitfire, the Mark IX owned by Brendon Deere which is based at Ohakea.
John can’t wait to return to Wanaka. “The last time I flew at the Wanaka airshow was in 2018 when I brought over my Buchon ME-109 and I had such a good time I have always wanted to return.”
“Marking the 90th anniversary of the first flight of the Spitfire at such a well-known airshow will be a great honour,” says John.
The Mark XI variant was specially designed to perform high altitude, long distance photographic operations. One of the type’s most famous exploits was taking the first images of the damage caused following the famous “Dambusters” raid.
Armaments were removed to make way for extra fuel tanks to allow for a significantly increased range. This meant the only real defences the ‘Eleven’ had were height and speed.
Following the war this aircraft had a varied career including featuring in civilian air races in the UK piloted by famous Air Transport Auxiliary pilot Lettice Curtis and later starred in the TV series ‘Piece of Cake’ before being put into storage.
Many years later G-PRXI was acquired by The Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford and a full restoration was commissioned including locating and refurbishing it’s factory original Rolls-Royce Merlin 70 engine. The aircraft finally flew again in 2018 adorned in the authentic ‘PR blue’ livery which was so effective at camouflaging the aircraft at height.
Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow is being held April 3, 4 and 5, 2026. Tickets are on sale now at Ticketek.
ENDS
Photo Credit: Courtesy of ARC Duxford.
