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RNZAF Video from Wings over Wanaka 2024

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Wings over Wanaka 2024 Official Video

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SKPMA Newsletter 23 Oct 2023

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Wings & Wheels, January 27 2024

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AIR FORCE NEWS

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WATCH: Keith Park - The Man who won the Battle of Britain

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82ND BATTLE OF BRITAIN COMMEMORATIONS

Image caption: A NZ Warbirds Harvard piloted by Frank Parker, President of NZ Warbirds - a Thames boy from the past. ...

WOW, A GREAT ACCOLADE FROM OUR MAYOR!

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SUN SHINES FOR 82ND BATTLE OF BRITAIN ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIONS

Thank you everyone for joining us at Thames Airfield under the hurricane....

82ND BATTLE OF BRITAIN 2022 ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATIONS - EVENT PROGRAMME

Join us for the 82nd Battle of Britain Anniversary Commemorations on Sunday 11 September, 11am at Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield with performances by the Kerepehi Brass Band. Everyone is welcome, this is a free event. Check out our Facebook page for event updates. ...

BATTLE OF BRITAIN 2022 COMMEMORATIONS - 11AM ON SUN 11 SEPT 2022 AT THAMES AIRFIELD

The 82nd Battle of Britain Commemorations in Thames will be held at 11:00am on Sunday 11 September 2022 at the Thames Airfield. Event itinerary to be released soon! A degree of uncertainty shrouds our ability to hold a Battle of Britain Commemoration this year due to COVID-19. We have decided to put arrangements in place and make a go/no-go decision nearer the time....

CALLING ALL VISITORS ... BOTH LOCAL AND OUT-OF-TOWNERS!

A roadside sign is planned on the Ngati Maru Highway to the south of the entrance to the Airfield as a way of attracting more visitors. We will keep you posted on the progress! ...

THE HURRICANE - SURVIVED RECENT ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS

We're very pleased to say that the Hurricane has survived unblemished from the recent adverse weather, particularly the strong winds. This initial stage of the Memorial continues to attract a steady stream of visitors, both local and out-of-towners....

TAKE A LOOK AT OUR FABULOUS, NEW DONATION BOX!

Thank you Adrian Catran for the donation of our new, custom built, on site donation facility next to the Hurricane at the airfield! ...

BATTLE OF BRITAIN 2021 - CANCELLED

Sadly we need to advise you that this year’s Battle of Britain Commemorations are now cancelled, due to the forward uncertainties of COVID-19 and the Lock Down. Many thanks for your commitment and participation, but unfortunately there is not enough certainty for us to continue preparing for an event this year. Cancelled are: Military Vehicle Display on Saturday 11th September; RSA Cocktail Party of that Saturday evening;Wreath Laying Service at the Thames Airfield on Sunday 12th&nbs...

FULL SIZE MILLED ROUGH FOAM HEAD BY JOANNE SULLIVAN

Once the maquette was complete, it was scanned and a rough foam milled. The entire enlargement has been made this way. 80kg of oil based clay will be sculpted over the foam base to create the finished enlargement. These photos show Sir Keith Park’s face being sculpted....

CLAY MAQUETTE PROCESS BY SCULPTOR JOANNE SULLIVAN

Beginning with a wire armature, Joanne has constructed a basic skeleton and then builds up the muscular structure using an oil based clay. These photographs show the progression of the maquette. ...

SCULPTURE CONCEPT DRAWING BY NZ ARTIST MICHAEL ROWLAND

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STAGE 2 OF SIR KEITH PARK MEMORIAL UNDERWAY

Stage 2 of the Sir Keith Park Memorial at the Thames Airfield will be a 2.3m high bronze statue of Sir Keith in his flying outfit which will be mounted under the existing replica Hurricane Fighter. The pose reflects Sir Keith awaiting the return of his fighters after a sortie, with watch in hand. Replicas of his medals and awards will be incorporated into the statue around Sir Keith’s feet. The statue is currently scheduled for completion in time to be erected on site at the Thames Airfiel...

HURRICANE PROUDLY FLYS OVER THAMES

Hurricane Memorial Completed A bit close to the wire, but we’ve done it! The Hurricane replica decorated as Sir Keith Park's aircraft has been hoisted into place at the Thames airfield which bears his name. Thanks to Geoff and Warren and all those individuals and businesses that helped. The unveiling of the monument is at 8.30 AM on Sunday 13th September 2020 at the Thames Airfield. See you there !! See the website for details....

SEPTEMBER PROGRESS REPORT

Hurricane Support Trusses Erected! The three trusses to support the Hurricane are now up!! Next concrete foundation work, painting of the trusses and placing the Hurricane on its destined pedestal. The photo above shows the third truss being lifted into position late this morning. Sighs of relief all round! I can assure you that this is right to the wire . . . . !! This has not been without some (severe!) challenges, but we will get there thanks to the extraordinary efforts of a dedicated team....

AUGUST PROGRESS REPORT

At last – we have made a start on site this week !! The stump of the old English Plane Tree has been removed and the foundation piles have been installed ready to accept the supporting, laminated timber trusses, which is likely to happen week  beginning 17th August. After that will be some concrete work to tie the three main timber piles together in advance of the Hurricane being added. The two pipe stands alongside the fence will connect through cables to the tail of the Hurricane to pr...

AUGUST PROGRESS REPORT 2

Hurricane Replica Arrives in Thames! The Hurricane has arrived in Thames and was de-vanned at Toyota Plant on Monday 17th August. The fuselage was a very tight fit in the container but expertise by Rodney Smythe (TV Hiabs) and Allan Benson and his Toyota Team successfully came to the fore. The Hurricane will remain in the Toyota yard for a short while to enable Kopu Engineering to finalise the mounting brackets linking the Hurricane with the trusses. Meantime, the trusses are in Geoff's shed h...

SUPPORT TRUSSES FOR HURRICANE DELIVERED

The Glulam trusses provided by A&G Price have been delivered and are in storage until the construction and assembly of the memorial in August. This is expected to begin soon to be ready for the arrival of the Hurricane replica, confirmed to be arriving at Tauranga on August 9th. Approvals for the construction of the memorial are being processed by TCDC after determining which type of approvals were required. Thanks again to our supporters for enabling this to happen. It is coming together!...

JULY THANKS TO PARTNERS AND SUPPORTERS

A grateful thanks to the following companies, organisations and individuals who have made it possible for our memorial to be built in time for the commemoration, or have helped with the arrival, transport or erection of the replica Hurricane. Altogether their generosity totals $38,835.00 in cash or like donations of services, materials or time. Please support them with your custom for generously supporting us. And thanks to you, if you have donated personally....