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Avenger
Mar 5, 2010 19:09:43 GMT 12
Post by 43willys on Mar 5, 2010 19:09:43 GMT 12
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Avenger
Mar 5, 2010 19:25:17 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 5, 2010 19:25:17 GMT 12
What a huge shame.
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Avenger
Mar 5, 2010 19:45:42 GMT 12
Post by baz62 on Mar 5, 2010 19:45:42 GMT 12
Thats not looking good at all.  |
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Avenger
Mar 8, 2010 16:34:10 GMT 12
Post by John L on Mar 8, 2010 16:34:10 GMT 12
Which Avenger is that?
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Avenger
Mar 8, 2010 17:52:45 GMT 12
Post by baz62 on Mar 8, 2010 17:52:45 GMT 12
NZ2539, was at a playground at Havelock North at one stage. She needs to be undercover and some serious corrosion control undertaken or she will disappear for good!
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Avenger
Mar 8, 2010 18:43:30 GMT 12
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Mar 8, 2010 18:43:30 GMT 12
NZ2539, was at a playground at Havelock North at one stage. She needs to be undercover and some serious corrosion control undertaken or she will disappear for good! I used to play in that Avenger when I was considerably younger than I am now! ;D |
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Avenger
Mar 8, 2010 19:14:08 GMT 12
Post by FlyingKiwi on Mar 8, 2010 19:14:08 GMT 12
Not looking very happy. In the first photo it looks to have acquired some plant life. |
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Avenger
Mar 9, 2010 12:04:57 GMT 12
Post by Deleted on Mar 9, 2010 12:04:57 GMT 12
My maternal grandfather helped "demilitarise" the Avenger for its playground duty. So sad to see her so far gone. I would love to see someone take the care she deserves. However, its not my aeroplane, so I'm not one to judge.
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Avenger
Mar 9, 2010 15:26:04 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 9, 2010 15:26:04 GMT 12
Zac, isn't a demilitarised Avenger a topdresser in this country? ;D
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Post by beagle on Mar 9, 2010 16:13:56 GMT 12
actually it does not look too bad, bit of a clean up, some new wings, a bit of money, new engine, a bit more money, new tyres, a lot more money and there you go a static display, way more money and you might get it to fly again.
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Avenger
Mar 9, 2010 19:52:21 GMT 12
Post by Peter Lewis on Mar 9, 2010 19:52:21 GMT 12
Ken Jacob's place?
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Avenger
Mar 9, 2010 20:03:29 GMT 12
Post by Bruce on Mar 9, 2010 20:03:29 GMT 12
Is the owner still resistant to doing anything with it? I understand he's not interested in selling.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 9, 2010 23:19:00 GMT 12
I love your optimisim Beags!
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rhys
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1
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Post by rhys on Mar 15, 2010 19:21:56 GMT 12
What a shame - We had the garage next to the playground, and I was the un-witting vandal employed in early 1966 to make this Grumman 'kid-safe' when it was mounted at the park at Havelock Nth. We rivetted plates over any aperture that might attract sticky little fingers, and secured anything movable that could trap children's hands, feet, what-ever. The fuselege was complete at that time and apart from the missing engine, it looked ready to fly away. It was hugely popular as a climbable play item. No digital cameras then, so no photos. It is listed here www.adf-serials.com/nz-serials/nz2501.shtml as NZ2539 5782 TBF-1C with a few little snippets of history.  Rhys Bartle - Mt Pleasant - Adelaide. |
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Avenger
Mar 15, 2010 20:05:48 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 15, 2010 20:05:48 GMT 12
Welcome to the forum Rhys
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fb6
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 96
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Avenger
Mar 16, 2010 18:52:24 GMT 12
Post by fb6 on Mar 16, 2010 18:52:24 GMT 12
I reckon American restorers would froth at the bung at the sight of that- What a shame...
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pinhole
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Avenger
Mar 27, 2010 17:28:52 GMT 12
Post by pinhole on Mar 27, 2010 17:28:52 GMT 12
Hi there, A contact has directed me to this forum so this is my first posting.
I am doing a photographic project recording boats and planes in improbable places. These are mostly incomplete projects that started out life as someones dream but have ended up hanging around the house or in a field. The Avenger looks like perfect subject matter!
The Photographs will be shown as part of the Auckland Festival of Photography in June. I always seek property owners permission before photographing and assure discretion.
Would your contact mind me approaching them? I'd appreciate an email off-forum if that's a possibility. Thanks
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Avenger
Apr 19, 2010 17:47:30 GMT 12
Post by zman280 on Apr 19, 2010 17:47:30 GMT 12
Dose any one know how to get in touch with Ken Jacob
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Avenger
Mar 28, 2013 17:19:06 GMT 12
Post by arcticrain on Mar 28, 2013 17:19:06 GMT 12
This fuselage is still there untouched. The plant on the starboard wing is still there and growing happily. The aircraft still has evidence of the 1945 target towing paint scheme and has the aluminium cover plate still fitted over the empty turret position. For some reason a mild steel sheet has been fitted over the missing radio operators canopy area. Interesting to note that the ventral gunners position, where the target drogue winch was mounted, has concrete in the floor. Likely to aid balance after the turret and radio gear were removed. According to the land owner the plane is owned by a friend, who has the rest of the airframe in storage along with tons of other aircraft parts. Does anyone know where the builders ID plate was mounted in these? I wasn't able to find it.
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Avenger
Mar 28, 2013 20:50:43 GMT 12
Post by emron on Mar 28, 2013 20:50:43 GMT 12
Hi arcticrain,
The concrete was poured by the local Council when it was in the playground to make a safe walkway. Likewise the galvanised steel covered over the canopy section after the perspex and frame were smashed. The TBF manufacturer's plate is attached to the shelf on the left side of cockpit beside the trim wheels. The one from NZ2539 has long gone with only the four locating holes remaining.
It was possibly removed for safe keeping by the owner but more likely souvenired long ago and stashed in some trophy cabinet. The other two playground Avengers are missing their's too. I understand the constructors number is stamped into the fuselage somewhere to give positive identification. If someone knows where, I'd like to hear. All the major components such as wing , stabiliser, flaps are stamped with the own serial number which are in different sequence to the airplanes production number. Also any of these components could have changed in the lifetime of the plane so they don't help with identification.There's been some past speculation on this forum about the true identity of the the 3 playground Avengers but I haven't seen evidence that puts in doubt their declared registrations.
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