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MOTAT
Jan 7, 2018 14:20:31 GMT 12
Post by l29 on Jan 7, 2018 14:20:31 GMT 12
The Fin is waiting to be replaced with a uncut spare they have in store, the rudder has already been replaced. For those that dont know the fin was cut and hinged so it could fold down and fit into 7 hangar many years ago.
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MOTAT
Jan 7, 2018 17:47:27 GMT 12
Post by saratoga on Jan 7, 2018 17:47:27 GMT 12
I don't think that makes sense Dave. When the Bristols left service (1978)we didn't have any dark grey paint in use.The Andovers were still in their RAF desert colours. Don't get me wrong, from what i can see it looks to finally have had some TLC and cleaned up good. Perhaps when the rudder was replaced it was repainted in what was to hand, what looks to be green/grey,never worn on a Bristol.
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Post by nuuumannn on Jan 8, 2018 13:33:19 GMT 12
Here's a piccie I took of it on an outing from the hangar some years ago. Different colour rudder visible. Looks like newer paint against older, faded paint? NZ5903 1
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MOTAT
Jan 8, 2018 14:09:52 GMT 12
Post by saratoga on Jan 8, 2018 14:09:52 GMT 12
well at least that side the colours are similar.
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MOTAT
Jan 8, 2018 16:33:40 GMT 12
Post by nuuumannn on Jan 8, 2018 16:33:40 GMT 12
Personally, I'd like to see A-4 'NZ6207' out of storage and back in the foyer. Sorry guys, I'm turning this into a thread about the Air Force Museum, when it should be about MoTaT. Do we have a generic thread on the Air Force Museum?
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MOTAT
Jan 8, 2018 16:49:59 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 8, 2018 16:49:59 GMT 12
No, but start one and I'll sticky it, and this one can get back to MOTAT discussion.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jan 8, 2018 19:43:11 GMT 12
Personally, I'd like to see A-4 'NZ6207' out of storage and back in the foyer. Sorry guys, I'm turning this into a thread about the Air Force Museum, when it should be about MoTaT. Do we have a generic thread on the Air Force Museum? Good idea considering the AFM are currently thinking about future displays once they have full use of the new building. Some feedback and ideas would be helpful I'm sure.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 8, 2018 21:48:41 GMT 12
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MOTAT
Jan 9, 2018 13:21:17 GMT 12
Post by nuuumannn on Jan 9, 2018 13:21:17 GMT 12
Good, thanks Dave.
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Post by emron on Feb 11, 2018 16:55:54 GMT 12
Workshop Update. Since returning from holidays the major project has been to remove and rebuild the DC3 flaps which is still work in progress. Getting all the hinge wires, push rods and linkages freed up has been a major undertaking. Most of the skins were too badly corroded to salvage so a lot of drilling and rivetting needs to be completed. Out under the shelter a start has been made to remove and repair engine cowls off the Solent. Work is ongoing to rebuild floorboards and other interior fixtures. Bulk paint strip of the fuselage is still pending a decision on suitable method and raising of funds. The interior green paint for the Sunderland turrets arrived during the week so the base of the front turret will be finished in this colour first. Then the cupola can be attached as soon as it is re-assembled. That’s waiting on two of the smaller panes of perspex to be replaced. I’ve moulded both of them now and once trimmed they can be fitted.
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Post by Richard Wesley on Feb 14, 2018 15:30:22 GMT 12
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MOTAT
Feb 15, 2018 13:20:33 GMT 12
Post by ZacYates on Feb 15, 2018 13:20:33 GMT 12
They're still fascinating to see, thanks for sharing, Richard!
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motat
Warrant Officer
Posts: 38
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Post by motat on Feb 26, 2018 9:11:25 GMT 12
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MOTAT
Feb 26, 2018 10:08:13 GMT 12
Post by ErrolC on Feb 26, 2018 10:08:13 GMT 12
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Post by emron on Mar 10, 2018 14:43:32 GMT 12
Sunderland Turret update
Instead of a trial batch of hot cross buns I’ve just put a perspex panel in the oven to fanbake at 180c for 15 minutes. It came out all soft and rubbery and moulded nicely over the broken piece that I patched up with superglue. This is the final of three of the smaller panels that were in for replacement on the Sunderland front turret cupola. Tomorrow I’ll look at trimming and test fitting them back at the MOTAT workshop. The base unit of the spare front turret is now painted green again. The gunner’s seat, that swings back to allow access from below, has been painted to match, greased and is ready to fit. The front half of the spare cupola is now re-assembled and almost ready for final paint. A myriad of 2BA screws and nuts secure the perspex panes to the frame of this half of the cupola. All the panes were removed, cleaned and inspected. They are in remarkable condition for their age, free of cracks and cloudiness and with only minor crazing. The scuff marks and scratches on the outside should polish out. It’s obvious that this spare cupola has never been used and must have always been stored away from sunlight to remain in such good condition. It had suffered crush damage on the top which appears to have happened years ago and may have been the reason it was never put into service. That damaged section is now opened up and repairs underway. So the cupola should be back together by Easter.
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MOTAT
Mar 10, 2018 15:34:52 GMT 12
Post by baz62 on Mar 10, 2018 15:34:52 GMT 12
Great update. It's amazing what still turns up unused and what is still out there.
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Post by emron on Apr 15, 2018 19:25:28 GMT 12
Sunderland Turret Update
Oh dear, Easter has come and gone and the big plastic egg is still to be finished. Never mind, the front turret cupola isn’t far off being re-assembled and painted. The replacement panes have been cut to shape and fitted. It just remains for cleaning and paint touch up inside before joining the front and back shells. But there’s been a change of plan. Originally the turret was going to be displayed empty of armament, now I’ve been urged to devise a simple bolt-on gun package that could be installed, something like the replica in the ex NZ4108 turret at Bull Creek. I’ve searched out a few more original small parts but will need to replicate the larger pieces. I haven’t yet found a detailed diagram for the Sunderland turret but am assuming it has much in common with the Lancaster one which I have drawings and photos of.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 15, 2018 20:26:50 GMT 12
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MOTAT
Apr 20, 2018 14:54:35 GMT 12
Post by Richard Wesley on Apr 20, 2018 14:54:35 GMT 12
Fantastic, thanks for posting the photos, can't wait for my next visit up north to check her out in person.
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Apr 20, 2018 19:20:30 GMT 12
Same. I was born in Fiji while Dad was serving at Laucala Bay as a crew member on the Sunderlands, including NZ4115. I look forward to reacquainting myself with "Queenie".
A story Dad once told me was that one quiet Saturday afternoon at a loose end he had boarded while she was tied up at the jetty and spent some time in the cockpit and generally wasting the afternoon away before dozing off in one of the crew stretchers. He awoke with a start as strong late-afternoon sunlight beamed through either the astrodome or one of the fuselage windows directly on to his face. Climbing into the cockpit he was just in time to see about 100 metres away the tender that had towed her from the jetty to her mooring to which she was now tied and swinging in the breeze for the remainder of the weekend. Some frantic shouting failed to catch any attention from the tender so he flipped on the master switch, fired up the radio, and called for help... Guess who was shouting a round for the tender crew?
Another story was how, from the bowels of the 'boat while airborne, he would give a sharp tug on the rudder cables running above head-height in order to give the Captain a few anxious moments. Apparently it wasn't welcomed. Back in NZ he used to try the same trick in the B-170.
There's always one...
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