FRIENDLY MISSION: The Aero Vodochody L39 Albatros.
It was compact, fast and left a distinctive jet-engine echo across Napier on Saturday, leaving some wondering if the RNZAF had fired up its jet squadron again.
The sleek blue and white single-engined jet was seen and heard during the middle of the afternoon and appeared to be doing relatively low-level circuits of Napier, and over Hawke's Bay Airport.
It left two people who contacted Hawke's Bay Today mystified - and wondering if the air force had fired up one of its parked-up Macchi jet trainers.
While not one of the air force's grounded planes, and not bearing military colours, the jet is a type which is used by several air forces around the world as a light attack aircraft.
It was identified by aircraft controllers at the airport yesterday as an Aero Vodochody L39 Albatros - built in the Czech Republic and one of three known to be in New Zealand.
The aircraft is privately owned and based at Ohakea where it is used for advanced commercial jet training.
The sophisticated two-seaters have a top speed of about 750km/h and have featured at air shows throughout the country, although they are relatively rare visitors to Bay skies.
Source: http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz
Source: http://www.hawkesbaytoday.co.nz
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