In March 2020, Bevan Dewes purchased the aircraft and had it transported to Wanaka where Callum Smith’s maintenance & restoration company Twenty24 Ltd is based. Over the next 2.5 years they ran a full systems & components overhaul and restoration, which Bevan has been heavily involved in. The aeroplane repaint was completed by Heli Support. NZ1044 aircraft has been painted in the colours it wore during its time with No.2 FOTU at Ohakea during World War 2.
The aircraft is expected to fly in the first quarter of 2023, and with a bit of luck we’ll see it debut at Classic Fighters, where it will make another welcome addition to the ever-growing flying display, and we cannot wait to see it with its proud owner!
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