Pilots hope to speed into record book

Simon Gault (left), with pilots Chris Bromley and Rob Burns. Photo / Steven McNicholl

A Ponsonby pastry chef has stepped out from behind the counter to set a speed record in a three-quarter replica of the plane that helped win World War II.

Rob Burns was one of two pilots who flew a P51 Mustang replica 1098km from Auckland to Norfolk Island return in a journey they expect will be ticked off as the fastest time on record.

And the plane's four owners have even higher hopes, as the flight was just practice for another world record bid - a trip from New Zealand to Australia next year.

The outward flight took 2hr 26 mins (at an average speed of 447.8km/h), with a return leg - into a headwind - of 2hr 32 (average 433km/h) But it took the group - which includes Auckland chef Simon Gault, Telecom project manager Chris Bromley and a silent partner - 18 months to complete the feat.

Mr Burns said setting the record involved ensuring every aspect of the flight was planned in fine detail.

He and co-pilot Mr Bromley needed passports because Norfolk Island is Australian territory, and thus an international flight.

They had help from SkyCare International, an organisation that helps private flights arrive and depart New Zealand, and from Auckland airport's air traffic control staff, who made sure their record attempt didn't upset other flights.

"We had our own personal customs guy, then our own personal MAF person. They didn't frisk us or anything," Mr Burns said.

To meet world record criteria, the plane had to weigh under 1750kg, and use a propeller and piston engine. They stopped on Norfolk for just an hour - to exercise their "sore bums", get cleared by customs, and refuel.

The flight was met by a group of bystanders who were fascinated by their plane - one of only 14 in the world.

The group took photos and cheered them on as they took off from the island.

The idea of attempting a world record came from a desire to achieve something significant, Mr Burns said.

"I thought, what sort of great thing can I put my name to? I'm 47, getting older, I can't play rugby, and tennis is out. I'm hopeless at triathlons."

The group is awaiting the official sign-off for the records, which will be recorded by Federation Aeronautique Internationale, which specialises in aviation records. Details of the flight, which took place on Friday, were sent to Switzerland yesterday for official sign-off, but confirmation of the record is expected to take months.

The speed record from Auckland to Norfolk Island stands at 270km/h, set in a Mooney aircraft in 2000. The speed record from Norfolk Island to Auckland stands at 177km/h, set in 1991 in a Cessna Cardinal.

Modern mustang

Rob Burns' P51 Mustang is a far cry from the World War II original - and not just because it is a three-quarter-scale replica. The new-look Mustang was manufactured in 1995, boasts a carbon-fibre body and on-board computer. It is unarmed.

The original P51 came into service in 1940, and over the course of the war was responsible for 4950 air kills and a further 4131 ground kills.

According to mustangsmustangs.com it also took out 230 German V-1 flying bombs. Fewer than 300 P-51s exist today, though half of those are still flying.