Auckland Gliding Club Birthday Celebration

Good photos, thanks Peter. Poor old GOD.

I was one of the 4 Squadron ATC cadets in 1982 that helped with some of the work on ZK-GAA. This glider is a piece of aviation history.

I am after any fairly recent photos to use in an article on ZK-GAA. Have already contacted Peter, but if anyone else has shots, please let me know. I am aware that the NZ library service also has photos in their archive as well BTW.... Cheers SF

Hi SD,

I have been close contact with Roger Brown and he has been liaising with me with regards to access to drawings etc here in the UK. If you need any parts, let me know as I am coming down your way in October.

Not trying to tell you how to suck eggs or anything, have your inspectors had much past experience with Aerolite glue? I sent some general do's and dont's to Roger. If you want an article we did on Aerolite glue, let me know and I will get it to you. Makes for interesting reading if nowt else.

Whats the general condition under the fabric like? It should be ok if she has been under cover all these years. Not being funny or anything, have the inspectors down there done much on old Vintage gliders? They are not like wood aircraft/homebuilts etc and need a little bit of re-jigging your thinking due to the lighter structures, especially when re-fabricing. For Annex II gliders most people here use a lightweight fabric like ceconite. Dont over-taught the fabric as the trailing edges will start going in all sorts of directions a few weeks later! Most tend to over-tighten, (you can get away with it on more robust structures), but resist the temptation to get a really drum-tight surface, but no doubt your inspectors know this already. 

Finally, dont start tapping the glue joints to check how sound they are with any hard object as Aerolite crystallises and you will shatter the glue joints, but again, I am not trying to tell you how to suck eggs, your inspectors should already know this if they have any working knowledge of Aerolite (which is NOT a glue you guys deal with down there as far as I am aware on a regular basis at all). 

Any doubts, get in contact with Mike Strathern down in the South Island, he has had plenty of experience with Aerolite and British wooden gliders.

Happy restoration,

SF

I remember when the Auckland Gliding Club were operating from Ardmore in the 50s. Three Gliders I remember were GAA, GAD (training dual), and GAF. Mainly auto tow launches. Did have a wnch at one stage and also Aero tows with Tiger Moth. I have a photo of our old farm taken from one of those gliders. Can't remember who gave it to me.