A delay within United States Customs and Defence Departments has led to the cancellation of a planned appearance by a Supermarine Spitfire at Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow this Easter.
The aircraft's owner, Doug Brooker, of Auckland, said in a statement yesterday that the recently-rebuilt fighter he was importing to New Zealand had become the subject of a paper trail between departments.
The wrangle over export approval had already dragged on for close to two months, Mr Brooker said.
The two-seater plane was expected to be cleared for exportation within the next week but had now missed the last freight vessel that would have got it to New Zealand on time for Warbirds Over Wanaka.
It was to have joined a hugely varied group of aircraft that are set to perform spectacular solo and formation displays at the show.
Airshow general manager Gavin Johnston said he and the Warbirds Over Wanaka executive had faced a situation that was entirely out of their hands and were very disappointed the Spitfire would not be flying at Wanaka.
Mr Brooker will fly his MX 2 aerobatic plane at the show and plans to make Warbirds Over Wanaka 2010 the debut show for the Mk IX Spitfire.
