General manager of New Zealand Warbirds at Ardmore Airport Trish Reynolds and office administrator Gary Graham in front of an original Consolidated PBY Catalina used in World War II for anti-submarine, shipping escort, air-sea rescue and transport missions.

Colourful vintage military and war-era aircraft are going to fly over Auckland to commemorate Anzac Day this Wednesday.

It's a tradition of the New Zealand Warbirds, based at the Ardmore Airport.

About 20 of its aircraft, including originals, reproductions and replicas of the combat, surveillance and trainer planes used in the two world wars, as well as the Korean War and Vietnam War, are joining the grand fly past.

GAVIN CONROY / CLASSIC AIRCRAFT PHOTOGRAPHY Drury resident Liz Needham, a member of New Zealand Warbirds at Ardmore, piloting in a Harvard (front). She is the only female warbird display pilot in New Zealand.

There are potentially Harvard, Boeing Stearman, Tiger Moth, Piper Cub, Supermarine Spitfire, P51 Mustang and P40 Kittyhawk, depending on weather and serviceability of the aircraft on the day.

Piloted by club members, the warbirds will take turns to leave Ardmore at around 10am for more than an hour's flight over Anzac Day service venues in different towns.

They aim to arrive at the first destination in Pukekohe at 10.40am, which is then followed by Manurewa, St Heliers, Orakei, Devonport, Northcote, Hobsonville, Point Chevalier, Auckland Domain, Mt Eden, Motat and Howick.

The fly-past culminates at the cenotaph in Auckland Domain at around 11.10am, with a bigger gathering of the aircraft flying in at the same time.

"We're really pleased to be part of the whole day, commemorating the day and all the people who lost lives for it," general manager of the club Trish Reynolds says.

"It's just special for us to be involved, because of the aircraft from the era. Our vision for the next 30 years is to keep them flying."

SUPPLIED Farm Cove resident Gavin Trethewey in a Harvard. The returned serviceman has been with the club for 26 years and participated in many Anzac fly-pasts.

She says this year's event is going to be more memorable because it marks the 100th anniversary of Armistice Day later in the year on November 11, and the 40th anniversary of the club.

Farm Cove resident Gavin Trethewey has being involved with the club for 26 years and participated in many Anzac fly pasts.

As a returned serviceman from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, he thinks it's meaningful for them to carry on the tradition of fly-pasts.

LIU CHEN / STUFF New Zealand Warbirds office administrator Gary Graham says he enjoys being part of Anzac Day and the public also values their efforts.

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"It's a recognition of people who suffered from the war. It's really important to those of us in warbirds because we're interested in the history of war."

Office administrator of the club Gary Graham says he enjoys watching the packed aircraft hangars becoming empty and being filled up again.

"It's almost like we were back in the war and you're counting how many planes have come in. You would see your mates all taking off, and you want them all to come back.

"You can sort of feel how those guys back in the war would be feeling the same way, except usually those guys [the missing ones] didn't come back."

The club will also lay a wreath at the Papakura commemorative service at the cenotaph on the corner of Great South and Opaheke Roads on the day.

* Get in touch with NZ Warbirds at Ardmore Airport on phone 09 298 9207, or send an email to office@nzwarbirds.org.nz. The club is at 824 Harvard Lane, with the visitor centre open displaying aircraft on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 10.30am to 3pm.