> Skip to content

Article  •  31 July 2023

 

5 Amazing Aircraft Featured in From the Pilot's Seat

Take a sneak peek at 5 impressive aircraft featured in From the Pilot's Seat!

This beautiful Curtiss P-40E Warhawk (41-13570), restored by Pioneer Aero is based at Ardmore, Auckland. It was shot down and crashed into a lake west of Murmansk, Russia in World War Two and recovered on 31 August 1997.

 

This top dresser, Transavia PL-12 Airtruk, featured in the 1985 movie Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome. The one pictured is owned by Stephen Death, flying at the Temora Aviation Museum, NSW, Australia.

 

SCOTT 'MACKA' MCKENZIE pictured in the pilot’s seat of the rare Royal Aircraft Factory BE 2c-1L. Reg ZK-CBE. Powered by The Vintage Aviator’s 1a V8 engine. 

 

This F-35 Lightning II is the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF) premier 5th Generation fighter. A very agile, versatile, high-performance, 9G capable, multi-role fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion and unprecedented situational awareness. 

 

The 1944 PBY-5A Catalina, a World War Two amphibious flying boat. One of only a few operational Catalinas left in the world and the only one able to carry passengers. 

 

Read more about these aircraft and their pilots in From the Pilot's Seat.

 

Photos credit to Gavin Conroy 

From the Pilot's Seat Fletcher McKenzie

Enthralling tales from New Zealand pilots - both men and women - who fly a variety of aircraft around the world in a range of situations, from the domestic to the heart-stopping.

Buy now

More features

See all
Article
Our Favourite Film & TV Tie-Ins for 2025

Read on for some of the Film and TV tie-ins we're most excited about at the moment!

Article
Real Readers Review: Our Infinite Fates by Laura Steven

A star-crossed lovers romance that spans a millennia, what do readers really think about The Favourites?

Article
Pick a Patterson

Find your next thrill with these new James Patterson books!

Article
DK Catalogue 2025

Knowledge is adventure.

Article
Penguin's 2025 Bingo

Play the new Penguin Bingo with us. How long will it take you to get bingo?

Article
Real Readers Review: The Favourites by Layne Fargo

A reimagining of the tempestuous romance of Wuthering Heights set in the cut-throat world of professional ice skating… what do readers really think about The Favourites?

Article
How to read more this year

Got 'read more books' on your resolution list? We've some hacks to help with that.

Article
Great audiobooks for your summer reading

Looking for some summer audiobook inspiration? Here are our top picks of great reads to listen to on your summer adventures!

Article
What we're gifting this Christmas

Want some insider intel on the best books to gift this Christmas? Read on for what the Penguin Random House New Zealand team are ACTUALLY gifting!

Article
QUIZ: Which Murakami book should you start with?

Never read Murakami and wondering where to begin? Take this fun quiz to figure out which book you should read first.

Article
Some of the most anticipated YA books of 2025

Check out some of the best YA books coming in 2025.

Article
Where to start with Jilly Cooper

Always wanted to try a Jilly Cooper book but weren’t sure where to start? Here's why you'll fall in love with her books and a recommended reading order to get you started, from super fan Alex Collingwood

Looking for more articles?

See all articles
penguin pop image
penguin pop image