Piloting the fastest machine by far at the New Zealand Grand Prix at Manfeild will be a fleeting experience for Sean Perrett, but he can assure his ‘here and gone’ contribution will be a perfect crowd and competitor rev up for February 14’s big race.
The Feilding resident is looking forward to his contribution to the biggest sporting event hosted annually by his home town – dropping by in a special model whose 27-litre V12 engine creates roughly the combined output of 10 of the GP-contesting Toyota Racing Series cars and potentially run three times as fast.
What’s it all about? To honour the premier race contested by the premier wings and slicks category, Manfeild decided to call in New Zealand’s slickest wings: A World War II-era Supermarine Spitfire.
“We treasure this great race and have a proud tradition of bringing a special something to the event – whether it’s reuniting Chris Amon with his famous Maserati racing car or, as we did last year, arranging for the Air Force to helicopter in a much-loved ‘son of Manfeild’, Greg Murphy.”
“This year we’re sticking with the aviation theme with a historic twist – not only is the Spitfire a legend but Ohakea, from where it operates, was the site of the very first New Zealand Grand Prix, back in 1950.”
So right before race start attendees need to take their attention from the track and instead scan the skies for an aviation icon that Perrett, a Royal New Zealand Air Force Squadron Leader who flies the 1944-built PV270 on behalf of owner, Manawatu enthusiast Brendon Deere, assures simply cannot be ignored.
A Spitfire is all about sight and sound, he says. “One special aspect about the aircraft is how it looks; some aircraft are beautiful from some aspects. The Spitfire is an aircraft that looks beautiful from whatever angle you view it.”
The display aircraft is presented in the livery of a famous New Zealander who became a Royal Air Force ace, Alan Deere, for very good reason. The owner is the nephew of the Kiwi great who retired from the RAF as an Air Commodore in 1971.
Prior to its five year rebuild in Feilding, PV270 was a gate guardian in Burma, where it last flew, back in 1956. Before that it logged RAF, Italian, Israeli and Burmese air force service – the flying duty in WWII and Burma means it is holds the rare achievement of having served in two disparate war zones.
Squadron Leader Perrett also has a fascinating past. In 2003, after 18 years’ service with the Royal Air Force, with much fast jet time including three seasons with the prestigious Red Arrows’ display team, he joined the RNZAF to become a flying instructor and flight commander of the historic flight.
The latter involvement that took him to the Spitfire role, something he admits he would have never contemplated when he was in England.
“I joined the RAF during the Cold War; my mind was on fast jets. I’m remarkably lucky to be given the opportunity – I’d seen Spitfires flying back in Britain, and the RAF has one with the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, but had never imagined I would ever be flying one.”
He has flown in 350 displays in 20 countries and more than 8000 hours, of which 90 hours comprises Spitfire time.
“Flying the Spitfire is also a great thrill and a huge privilege for me – I always think about all the young fellows during the war. I get to fly a Spitfire on a really nice day without anyone shooting at me – they did it as 19-year-olds and went to war in it.”
What are the main points of flying a Spitfire? The tiny, unheated cockpit and the Merlin engine’s roar but primarily that “it’s a delight. Very light controls, lots of power – even though we are very gentle with the engine – and that it flies beautifully.”
“If you read the WWII accounts you often see former pilots talking about they felt it became an extension of themselves and that’s true. It’s a very intuitive airplane and a real thoroughbred.
“I have to admit that when people ask me about what it’s like to fly, I always say I’m also always pleased – given its age, value and that it is the Deere family’s pride and joy– that I can get it back down safely on the ground again.”
The New Zealand Grand Prix weekend, on February 12-14, is the biggest domestic circuit motor racing event in New Zealand and has been hosted by Manfeild since 2008 and is contracted to remain at the Feilding circuit until after the 2017 race.
The meeting spans three days, with practices and some qualifying on Friday, February 12, followed by two full days of racing.
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