One of the stars of the Tauranga City Airshow on this weekend is the World War Two Corsair – and it has arrived.

While it is now painted in US Air Force markings, the aircraft is the sole surviving Corsair that was flown by RNZAF squadrons in the Pacific during World War Two.

Tauranga City Airshow co-director Andrew Gormlie with the Corsair in the Classic Flyers hangar.

It will be flown during the airshow this weekend by display director Keith Skilling.

Show co-director Andrew Gormlie says the $4million aircraft is now based in Masterton.

The aircraft was built by Goodyear under licence and was one of 424 Corsairs flown by the RNZAF in the Pacific theatre during the war.

Known as ‘whispering death' the distinctive gull-winged aircraft was fast, could carry a good load and was a good gun platform.

'Apparently they are a delight to fly,” says Andrew.

'Corsair pilots very much enjoy them.”

This Corsair is scheduled to fly at this weekend's Tauranga City Airshow ‘Classics of the Sky'. Photo Garret Horwitz.

The gull wing makes the Corsair a distinctive aircraft. Its wings fold vertically for improved aircraft carrier stowing. Photo: Garret Horwitz.