The New Zealand-owned Spirit of Douglas - a historic DC-3 aircraft - has been confirmed for next Easter’s Warbirds Over Wānaka international airshow as part of an ambitious round-the-world tour.

Built in 1942 by the Douglas Aircraft Company in California for the United States Air Force, the DC-3 first served in the China-Burma-India theatre before going on to a long and varied civilian career.

Now known as Spirit of Douglas, the aircraft has earned a unique place in aviation and popular culture - from a starring role in the 1994 film Richie Rich to appearances at Duxford and Normandy for the 75th and 80th major D-Day commemorations.

Warbirds Over Wānaka general manager Ed Taylor said he was rapt to have such a significant example of the DC-3 coming to New Zealand.

“The DC-3 is one of the most enduring aircraft types ever built and to be able to celebrate its 90th anniversary year with this particular aircraft is going to be special,” he said.

The aircraft was acquired in 2023 by Christchurch businessman Mark Stewart, whose lifelong passion for flying, travel and adventure drew him to the historic DC-3.

Mark said the more he learned about the aircraft and its lineage, the stronger the connection became - ultimately inspiring a modern recreation of a round-the-world journey, echoing the pioneering feats of early Douglas aircraft.

The Spirit of Douglas project is “a chance to honour the endurance, elegance, and spirit of exploration embodied by the DC-3, and to celebrate the remarkable legacy of Donald Douglas”, Mark said.

The global tour marks a series of major aviation milestones: 100 years since the first circumnavigation of the globe by a Douglas World Cruiser in 1924, and 90 years since the first flight of the DC-3 in 1935.

The tour began in August, with the Spirit of Douglas departing the United States and making a multi-stop crossing to France before continuing across Europe and beyond, making its way to New Zealand in time for Warbirds.

The Warbirds Over Wānaka international airshow will take place during Easter weekend 2026 at Wānaka Airport.

PHOTO: Supplied