> 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
Help us personalise your Penguin emails

Tell us what you love reading so we can personalise the books, recommendations and emails you receive from Penguin.

Article
Look Inside: Astromancer 3: Ariā and the Monster Island

Read the first three chapters of Ariā and the Monster Island!

Article
The Best Interactive Hairy Maclary Books for Toddlers and Babies

For generations, Lynley Dodd’s Hairy Maclary stories have introduced young children to the joy of reading…

Article
Laugh-out-loud books to encourage a love of reading

There is nothing kids love more than a big old belly-laugh, and when it comes to reading, a book full of laugh-out-loud moments can unlock a joy of reading for life!

Article
The Perfect Mother’s Day Brunch

Treat Mum to an amazing meal at home this Mother’s Day! We’ve curated the perfect Mother’s Day brunch using some of our most popular recipes.

Article
The Migrants Author Talks

Join Christopher de Hamel as he travels across New Zealand for a series of author talks, exploring the connections between his South Island childhood, medieval manuscripts and 19th century Aotearoa.

Article
Why readers LOVE Lottie Brooks: Real Reader Reviews

In their own words, younger readers review their favourite Lottie Brooks books and why they love the series!

Article
Your guide to Matt Dinniman's Dungeon Crawler Carl series

Not sure where to start with the Dungeon Crawler Carl series? Find out which to read first, and learn a little bit about each book.

Article
15 of the best vampire books to add to your TBR

Discover some of the best vampire books – from paranormal to gothic and beyond.

Article
10 debut authors share where the ideas for their first novels came from

Learn about the inspiration behind debut authors’ first novels.

Article
Jacinda Ardern to appear at NZ writers festival events

Penguin Random House is delighted to announce that Jacinda Ardern will be doing three book events in New Zealand in April and May.

Article
Books for reluctant readers post-Percy Jackson

They've closed the final Percy Jackson book. Now what?

Looking for more articles?

See all articles