Warbirds general manager Gavin Johnston said yesterday it would be the first time a New Zealand airshow would include working guns.
The Auckland-based Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk is owned by Garth Hogan, Frank Parker and Liz Nedham. Mr Hogan, the chairman of the Warbirds Over Wanaka Community Trust, said all six machine guns would be fired in a historic reenactment of attacks on shipping over Rabaul during 1944.
New Zealanders in both the Middle East and the Pacific used the Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk extensively during World War 2. Fitted with six 0.50 calibre guns, the aeroplane was very successful in air-to-air combat and ground attack roles.
‘‘The sound from these guns firing is seriously loud. As the aircraft passes along the display line at over 240mph [386kmh], it will fire at the barge in two-second bursts.
‘‘In that time, the aircraft will have travelled over 700ft [210m] and the guns fired more than 60 rounds.
‘‘The sight, sound and smell of these guns firing is a unique opportunity to see what it was like when these aircraft flew in anger during the war,'' Mr Hogan said.
The event is exclusive to Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2008 and will take place on both the Saturday and Sunday of the show.
Pioneer Aero Restorations manager Paul McSweeney said yesterday the firing was unusual for non-military displays and the owners had obtained special permits and endorsement from the police.
Mr McSweeney's company had trial fitted the guns recently and they were now in secure storage.
The aircraft would be flown at a display at Ohakea and the guns would be refitted just before the March 21-23 show, Mr McSweeney said.
