Grumman Avenger TBM-3E.
This historically significant torpedo bomber aircraft, the high powered WWII-era Grumman Avenger, was the largest single engine aircraft of its time. An important RNZAF type from the Pacific campaign, this particular aircraft has a Kiwi connection from being owned by New Zealander Ray Hanna in the UK, before Sir Tim Wallis imported it to New Zealand in the 1990s. It was later sold to an Australian owner.
Built in 1945 it was allocated to the US Navy at San Diego. Later used for crop spraying, it was retired, then eventually restored for the Old Flying Machine Company in the UK. The high-powered, rugged machines were designed as carrier-borne torpedo bombers and have folding wings.
In 2011 Brendon Deere purchased the aircraft and brought it back to New Zealand. Its home base is at Ohakea where it has recently undergone a full strip and paint job which has returned it to the markings of a former RNZAF Avenger. Original public domain image from Flickr