Poor Man's Spitfire

Apr 2, 2026

0h 32m

★ 0.0

A 1953 De Havilland Chipmunk's return to the skies.

Overview

Some projects grab you and don't let go. Following Chipmunk 65 back to the sky has been one of those - two years of patient work, problem-solving, and persistence, captured alongside the people who know these aircraft best.

Genres

Documentary

Production Companies

The Goat Farm

Aotearoa Science Agency

Poor Man's Spitfire Trailers

Cast

Self

Vaughn Davis

Self

Stan Smith

Self

Iain McCoubrey

On an expedition through Latin America, Italian General Italo Balbo made the Atlantic crossing with his seaplane squadron, which left Boloma, entered Brazilian territory via Natal and now ended its journey in the capital Rio de Janeiro. Arrival of the fascist squadron at Enseada de Botafogo. People, many in boats, applaud the descent of the seaplanes. A group of officers searches the soldiers in profile. Italo Balbo, Ambassador Vittorio Cerrutti and Royal Consul Onorevole Mammalella watch the parade of troops. A group of officers with Col. Magdalena, "the intrepid hero of several aerial feats". At the Catete Palace, Balbo and Cerrutti are received by the President of the Provisional Government, Getúlio Vargas, and his ministers. The Italian delegation leaves the Catete Palace.

8.0

Avions de chasse : Une technologie XXL

Feb 28, 2023

No overview available.

0.0

Concorde: The Race for Supersonic

Invalid Date

No overview available.

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7.0

Shoot Down

Mar 3, 2007

Documentary describing events leading up to the February 1996 shoot down by Cuban Air Force Migs of 2 U.S. registered Cessna 337 aircraft operated by the Cuban exile organization Brothers To The Rescue based in Miami, USA.

0.0

Air France 747-400

Jan 1, 2014

Air France was an early operator of the Boeing 747 taking delivery of its first 747-100 in 1970. A dozen years later it operated well over 30 "Jumbos" and eventually had one of the world's largest 747 fleets. Until a few years ago it had operated most types of the aircraft including the 100, 200B, 200F, 300, 400, 400ERF and 400BCF. Soon though the type will be leaving the fleet with most aircraft already gone, freighter service is scheduled to end in 2015 and passenger service sometime in 2016 ending nearly 50 years of operation! AirFrance 747s have been seen nearly everyone on earth! We are very lucky to have Captain George Mercovik, a 747 instructor, on this program. He and is 2 copilots will give you a great tour and presentation of this fantastic aircraft!

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0.0

Taking Back Our Beach

Oct 5, 2023

This is a film about the response by a community to New Zealand’s largest environmental disaster, seen through the eyes of that community. The film captures the shock, anger and grief driven into the heart of the local community, but also the humour, purpose and overwhelming positivity when people join together with a common goal.

0.0

The Wings of the Fame

Dec 8, 2003

It is the epic of the heroes of the first century of aviation, since the flight of the first plane on December 17, 1903 until today. A striking collection of portraits of outstanding men and women like Louis Blériot, the first to cross the Channel, to Lindbergh who crossed the Atlantic and Amelia Earhart and many more...

7.8

Living in the Age of Airplanes

Apr 25, 2015

A fresh perspective on a modern-day miracle that many of us take for granted: flying. Narrated by Harrison Ford and featuring an original score from Academy Award® winning composer James Horner, the film takes viewers to 18 countries across all seven continents to illuminate how airplanes have empowered a century of global connectedness our ancestors could never have imagined.

0.0

New Country - New People

Jan 1, 1978

A documentary about the history of settler groups that came to New Zealand from Europe.

6.2

The Lion Has Wings

Nov 3, 1939

This early, influential propaganda film blends documentary and studio footage to show the valiant efforts of the Royal Air Force to defend the British people against the Nazis.

0.0

Aboard Air Force One

Jun 4, 2020

Air Force One is a marvel of military engineering. For more than half a century, the presidential fleet of armed jumbo jets has served as a flying fortress for America's commanders-in-chief, carrying them in victory, in shame, and even death. Join us as we take an unprecedented look at the world's most famous aircraft: how it was born, how it has developed over the decades, and the role it has played in historic events, from the death of Kennedy to the 9/11 attacks to a morale-building, surprise Thanksgiving visit to Iraq, and more.

0.0

Flare - A Ski Trip

Oct 11, 1977

A short documentary about freestyle skiing made for the New Zealand Tourist and Publicity Department.

0.0

Four Shorts on Architecture

Oct 10, 1975

A visual essay on contemporary Kiwi architecture.

0.0

All Aboard! New Zealand by Rail, Sea and Land

Jan 19, 2020

Take an epic overland train, boat and car journey through New Zealand’s breathtaking landscapes. The voyage begins in Auckland, but the city soon gives way to rolling pastures, volcanic extremes, tranquil waterways, the snowcapped grandeur of the Southern Alps and the beauty of Fiordland.

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0.0

Sky High: The Story Of TWA

Jan 1, 2001

This 2001 Nine special tells the story of St. Louis-based Trans World Airlines (TWA). The story of how the company went from barnstorming to bankruptcy is the story of American air travel.

0.0

The Castle, Rebuilding History

Aug 5, 2025

Step inside the most complex heritage rejuvenation project ever to occur in Europe. Norwich Castle is being restored to its former glory - a unique and ambitious plan to return this 900-year-old building to its original Royal Palace design. Curators and craftspeople pore over every detail to ensure its historical accuracy. Will they run out of time, money and endurance before they can unveil one of Britain’s most iconic royal buildings? Filmed every step of the way over seven years, this is the story of a heritage makeover like no other.

0.0

Max Gimblett: Original Mind

May 19, 2017

Max Gimblett: Original Mind documents the life and process of eccentric, creative genius Max Gimblett. One of New Zealand’s most successful and internationally prominent living painters, Gimblett has been working in America since 1962. The filmmakers spent a week in Gimblett’s Soho loft where he and his devoted studio assistants generously revealed the techniques and philosophy behind his beautiful art.

0.0

Carrier at War: The USS Enterprise

Jan 1, 2007

Going from 0 to 150 mph in three seconds, withstanding three Gs of force, and taking off from what's often called "the most dangerous place on the planet" are just parts of everyday life for an aircraft carrier pilot-and it's no different for the crew aboard the USS Enterprise. After being stationed in the Middle East for a year, these pilots have seen heavy action in Afghanistan and Iraq. Now, finally, they're returning home. With amazing personal stories and real-time footage from missions, this is an exciting insider's peek at life onboard a wartime aircraft carrier.

7.0

Erebus: Operation Overdue

Jul 13, 2014

On 28 November 1979, an Air New Zealand jet with 257 passengers went missing during a sightseeing tour over Antarctica. Within hours 11 ordinary police officers were called to duty to face the formidable Mount Erebus. As the police recovered the victims, an investigation team tried to uncover the mystery of how a jet could fly into a mountain in broad daylight. Did the airline have a secret it wanted to bury? This film tells the story of four New Zealand police officers who went to Antarctica as part of the police operation to recover the victims of the crash. Set in the beautiful yet hostile environment of Antarctica, this is the emotional and compelling true story of an extraordinary police operation.

0.0

Backroom Troubles

Jan 1, 1997

Women talk about the circumstances that drove them to seek illegal abortions and the often traumatic result. Interwoven with historical photographs and newsreel footage, the stories expose how the reality of women's lives were counterposed to what was socially and morally expected of them.

Poor Man's Spitfire

Overview

Genres

Production Companies

Poor Man's Spitfire Trailers