The T-6C Texan will arrive in New Zealand on March 28 and will be flown at the Warbirds Over Wanaka Airshow at Easter by specialist display pilot Michael "Gameshow" Rambo.
T-6C Texans, complete with ejector seats, advanced avionics and aerobatic capabilities are built by the Hawker Beechcraft Defence Company, in Kansas.
Marc Harrelson, regional executive of Hawker Beechcraft Defence Company, will accompany the single-engine, turboprop in New Zealand.
"Flying the T-6C all the way to New Zealand is a rewarding logistical challenge. One can now better appreciate the significant distance travelled and staunch commitment New Zealanders have made in international conflicts," he said.
Among the countries the aircraft would visit on its 15,731 nautical mile journey to New Zealand were Canada, Greenland, Iceland, England, Italy, Dubai, India, Thailand and Australia.
Mr Harrelson said the aircraft are used to train pilots, navigators and weapons system officers from more than 20 different countries around the world.
"It is the primary flight trainer for the US Air Force and US Navy, as well as the primary trainer for Nato Flying Training Canada, the Hellenic Air Force, the Israeli Air Force, the Iraqi Air Force, the Royal Moroccan Air Force and the Mexican Air Force.
"The Texan has a top speed of 316 knots, G limits of +7g to -3.5, hard-point wings, an integrated glass cockpit and an advanced avionics suite
"It is equally adept at teaching the most advanced aerobatic manoeuvres and simulated combat training tasks that could previously only be accomplished in far more expensive aircraft."
The airshow is on April 6-8 at Wanaka Airport.
