Episode Details

Guest: Brett Emeny

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 24th of November 2022

Released:  30th of November 2022

Duration: 1 hour 21 minutes 14 seconds

November 2022 marks 50 years since the RNZAF’s de Havilland Vampire fleet retired from service. The Air Force operated 58 Vampires within New Zealand, and at least 44 more leased Vampires in Cyprus and Singapore.

In this episode of the WONZ Show, Dave Homewood talks with well known Warbirds pilot Brett Emeny. Coming from a family of pilots, his father Cliff flew in the Air Force during WWII as an Air Gunner, then a Navigator and then as a Pilot. Brett’s brothers are all in aviation, Craig owns Air Chathams, John is an ag pilot and Derek is aviation accident assessor. Brett’s daughter Fay Rice is also a pilot.

Brett discusses his journey into aviation and the various Warbird aircraft he is involved with, from the Catalina ZK-PBY which he flies and maintains, to the Yak 52 team, to the T-28 Trojan, and most importantly for Vampire Month, his two-seat de Havilland DH115 Vampire Mk. 55, ZK-RVM.

Note: Unfortunately the evening that we recorded this interview the Zoom connection was not quite as clear as it should have been, so apologies in advance for the audio quality.

Quick Links:

New Zealand Defence Force Serials for de Havilland Vampires

The WONZ Episode with Rod Dahlberg

WONZ 263: Vampire Month – Tommy Thompson

WONZ 264: Vampire Month – Dave Greenlees

WONZ 265: Vampire Month – Mayn Hawkins

WONZ 266: Vampire Month – Jim Barclay

The following photos have kindly been supplied by Gavin Conroy of Classic Aircraft Photography: