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Post by emron on Sept 16, 2018 19:58:05 GMT 12
Flying Boat Update
I turned out this morning thinking I would continue with the Solent float project but there was a change of plan. We’ve been given an extension on the deadline to complete the Solent paint job. So it’s been decided to leave the final coats on the major surfaces (wings and fuselage) until more favourable weather and concentrate on the peripherals (engine cowls, floats and control surfaces) first. The fin and rudder were removed a few years back so that the Solent could clear the display hall doorway. The fin was earlier repaired and painted and is stored ready for re-attachment. The rudder is work in progress in the workshop and has already been recovered in ceconite fabric. The workshop team has a production line going overhauling the four sets of engine cowlings together with their air and oil cooler intakes and spinners. The first batch of these components that have been repaired are already finished in the grey colour. The flaps and elevators have been repaired in place and they don’t need to be removed for painting to be completed around them. Now that we have some extra time it was decided to take the ailerons off so we could properly clean and paint their leading edges as well as being able to access the fairings and recess in the trailing edge of the wing. With the help of Tom and Frank, I tackled the right hand aileron first and it came away with little drama. Remembering the horrible corrosion that we encountered in this area on the Sunderland wings, we were lucky to find the Solent in much better condition and will only require surface treatment. After lunch we removed the left hand aileron and that side was in similar good condition. Only a couple of the big hinge fittings suffered bad corrosion and have delaminated, so we’ll need to unbolt them and make new out of 3/8 or 1/2in plate before the ailerons can be rehung. Next time I’ll probably be back on the float job.
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MOTAT
Sept 16, 2018 20:12:10 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2018 20:12:10 GMT 12
Great stuff, thanks Ron!
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Post by emron on Sept 22, 2018 14:22:17 GMT 12
Flying Boat Update
I was able to join the Wednesday team again this week and we continued with the ailerons. Frank took up the challenge to remove the corroded hinge fitting. It‘s always the way, the attachment bolt was seized into the self-centering bearing and there was little access to force it free. I kept out of the way and paint-stripped the leading edge of the other aileron where the water blasting hadn’t reached. Rex tackled the flaking paint and corrosion on one wing trailing edge. By early afternoon I’d been able to cut through the stubborn layers of paint and fabric dope on the left aileron and get back to bare metal which only had minor corrosion. That was dealt to by a wire brush and scotchbrite pad and once degreased was ready for etch priming by Andrew. After the others had finished working on the right aileron I stayed behind to paint strip that next. It had fewer layers of paint and went faster so I was able to finish cleaning it in time for it be primed as well. So that just leaves the one hinge fitting to be replaced, two others to be repaired and some minor skin damage dressed out before both ailerons will be ready for final paint once more. Meanwhile there was plenty of other activity going on in the workshop with engine cowls being repaired and air intake housings rivetted back together after rebuild. Once they had been paint stripped the spinners were found to be in poor condition with holes eaten right through, caused decades in the past by the damp from bird nests packed inside. Instead of replacing the damaged skin, the corrosion has been chemical treated, major dents dressed out and a light coat of filler was being applied. A more thorough refurbishment may be attempted later.
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Post by emron on Sept 23, 2018 20:21:17 GMT 12
Flying Boat Update
When I returned this morning I found that both ailerons were now under-coated all over. Following good conservation practice we decided to salvage the corroded hinge plate that Frank had removed. He ground back to solid metal and will splice in a spacer between the two halves to regain the correct thickness. I discovered that one of the other hinge arms had sheared rivets and was was about to fall off. I managed to remove the two side plates remaining attached to the bearing but not without a struggle and further damage. It took the rest of the day to join it back together and refit. Learning my lesson I decided to repair the other two arms in place. They just need corrosion sawn out and the split drawn closed by a bolt. Meanwhile in just some of the other Sunday work underway Tom started on the wire brushing of flaking paint corrosion on the trailing edge of the left wing, Steve and Mark closed off more rows of rivets on the hull plates and Don and John were putting the finishing touches to the four oil cooler intakes.
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Post by emron on Oct 1, 2018 19:12:54 GMT 12
Flying Boat Update
Loose paint has now been wire brushed from both wing trailing edges and the corrosion uncovered can be further treated and patching done. Frank and Tom put the finishing touches to the outer hinge plate that needed to be rebuilt. I repaired the other two that had been split by corrosion and patched the skin damage around the hinge slots on both ailerons. That will complete the refurbishment of the ailerons for this phase. I selected a new set of bolts ready for them to re-attached once painting is done. I wasn’t able find the correct size of clevis pins for the control rod ends but I can make do with bolts in the mean time. Afterwards I started back on the floats. I’d already overhauled the four bracing struts so started renovating the eight trunnion blocks and 16 3/8” bolts that they are attached by. There’s still one last stubborn bolt seized in the wing bracket. I’ll deal to that next week.
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Post by emron on Oct 7, 2018 18:10:09 GMT 12
Flying Boat Update
When I started back today Frank was fitting the last repaired hinge plate back in it’s slot on the right aileron. Mark cleaned up the two access covers for us and once I replaced some of the rivets holding their anchor nuts, the covers screwed back on easily. Mike followed through with etch primer on any bare patches left and both ailerons are now ready for final painting. I next tackled the strut attachment bolt that was seized in the wing fitting. I had to cut it off on either side of the block before I could take it back to the workshop. I put a smaller size drill half way down the stub that was left inside and was then able to drive it out with a punch. That allowed me to collect all eight blocks together, sand off any rust, degrease and prime. I checked over the bolts, cleaned the threads. painted the heads and found out fresh washers. Before I went home I was able to fit the set of four back on the right float and put aside the other set ready for when we assemble the left float again. While I’ve been picking off jobs around the edges most of our Wednesday and Sunday teams were putting maximum effort into sheetmetal repairs on the fuselage and wings. I haven’t checked on progress topside yet but the underside of both wings is all but complete as is the hull. The bulk of the engine cowls are now repaired and ready for the paint shop. Frank and Rob have started removing the elevators next. They were jammed in place by the scaffolding and easier worked on at floor level like the ailerons.
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Post by emron on Oct 10, 2018 21:54:39 GMT 12
Flying Boat Update
After tidying up the bracing strut attachments last time, today I loosened off the remaining two fairings that cover the brackets that the main float struts hang on, so I could inspect for condition. I uncovered damage to the top end of the front strut that deserves better repair than what was able to be done back in 1980 after it was broken in a bad storm. I secured it better and if time permits may swap out the cracked part but will need to ensure that the bolt holes on the spare do align before attempting that. The rear strut and both bracing cables were fine. In the afternoon I took the fairings back to the workshop and began to repair them together with the other six that make up the sets of 4 for each float. They are a mixture of alloy originals and fibreglass copies. Once I’ve replaced missing screws and anchor nuts and straightened out buckles and dents I’ll add a layer of fibreglass to support some of the weaker sections.
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Post by emron on Oct 14, 2018 20:43:16 GMT 12
Flying Boat Update
First up this morning I tried to extract the end cap from the spare strut. I got the two attachment bolts out and drilled the rivets but wasn’t able to draw the cap from the outer tube. So I won’t go further with that fix. Thinking about it later another repair option is to strap a steel band over the break. I’ll try that next time and see if it can be done with the strut still in place. So I moved on to the next job which was to lay the fibreglass cloth patches over the fairings, brush on the resin and leave to set. Last week we rolled the left float over so it lay on its side in the cradle and we could inspect the planing surfaces and keel. Not unexpected there were missing rivets along the keel strip and around a drain hole but not as bad as on the other float. With the main struts now down at floor level I was able to remove paint residue off them and treat some corrosion around the top. There are just a few rivets to replace and both struts will be ready to prime. Before that I had started on the overhaul of the two bracing cables. I slackened off the fork ends, cleaned and re-greased the threads. I wasn’t able to finish clearing paint of the wires before home time but they will soon be ready for test rigging and we’ll leave them bare metal.
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Post by emron on Oct 21, 2018 18:34:09 GMT 12
Flying Boat Update
I returned this morning to find that the fibreglass patches on the strut fairings had adhered and set nicely, so I trimmed off the excess around the edges. But I had to set them aside once that was done because I wanted to make and fit the safety strap to the top of the front strut first. To gain access to that job I had to slacken off and remove one of the bracing wires. The weight of the float was still hanging on the main struts but just in case I propped up the front of it with a trestle. But once the smaller cable was loosened the float sagged backwards under the strain of the larger cable. So before disconnecting the small cable completely, I hauled the float forward again using a ratchet strap. Then I was able to punch out the top clevis pin and unthread the cable out of the bottom fork. I found a suitable thickness of steel and cut a 3/4” strip. Before I could finish though, I was called away by Rob to give him a hand to buck some rivets that were out of easy reach up inside the carb air duct that he was fixing. We soon got through that job and I was back to trimming and shaping the strip to fit inside the wing bracket and clamp down over the broken cap. I fastened it tight with four large monel rivets and that will now be much stronger. Once that was secured I was able to clean, grease and refit the bracing cable. I rigged it to the original length and strain and tightened the locking nuts and replaced the split pin in the clevis. That had pulled the float back into shape and the larger cable was also under load again. Now that’s done I can permanently attach the bracing struts followed by the fairings when complete.
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MOTAT
Oct 23, 2018 18:42:27 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 23, 2018 18:42:27 GMT 12
Oh, this is interesting. I am not sire if it's good or bad Auckland museum shake-up could see Motat split in two and surplus land sold off23 Oct, 2018 5:04pm By: Bernard Orsman Super City reporter, NZ Herald. bernard.orsman@nzherald.co.nz @bernardorsman Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology could be split in two with the science, technology and innovation arm merged with Stardome. These are among the recommendations in a review of the city's cultural and heritage bodies that attempts to address concerns over funding, governance and poor relations with council. The final report by a firm of Australian consultants, Stafford Strategy, proposes a new centralised body to oversee and fund Auckland Museum, Auckland Art Gallery, New Zealand Maritime Museum, Motat, Stardome and other cultural and heritage bodies funded by council. Ratepayers stump up about $60 million a year for the five main cultural and heritage bodies and a further $25m for dozens of other organisations that make up the city's cultural tapestry. The review said there is a general concern that council is insufficiently connected to the culture and heritage sector and there is a case to simplify funding, control and accountability. It has proposed a new statutory entity in the medium term with an independent governing board that receives all of council's culture and heritage funding and allocates it across the sector. Among the recommendations are: Auckland Museum remain as it is with its own governing body. Auckland Art Gallery should move to independent or semi-independent status. Motat could be split in two, one focused on science, technology and innovation, and one on transport heritage. Science, technology and innovation could be moved to a "socially and economically disadvantaged area of Auckland", such as south or west Auckland. Transport could stay at Western Springs, where surplus land could be sold. Stardome remains as it, but could merge with Motat's science, technology and innovation arm. New Zealand Maritime Museum should be at least a semi-independent entity. The five institutions and Regional Facilities Auckland would not comment on the review, issuing a joint statement saying they endorsed the comments of Mayor Phil Goff and looked forward to working collaboratively to develop an "exciting and vibrant arts, culture and heritage sector". Goff said the "discussion paper" concludes the current arrangements are no longer fit for purpose and outlines a number of options as the basis for consultation. "It is important that we have a coherent and consistent system of governance and funding that ensures our city's most iconic institutions are getting the best from the large investment the council makes in this important area," he said. Goff said the council will take whatever time is needed to deliver a strong and enduring future for Auckland's cultural institutions. Earlier feedback to the consultants, published in the final report, showed dissatisfaction with council and Regional Facilities Auckland, and a desire for greater independence. Motat was opposed to being split in two, Stardome supported the idea of having a true science centre and Regional Facilities Auckland wanted to be the single culture and heritage body. www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=12147362&fbclid=IwAR1rQRRQCoXpw1MmPIDp8uS_k7NooWY3X5pO7HJyvFMTSo4UOPFoVp6Ph_0
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MOTAT
Oct 23, 2018 20:13:54 GMT 12
Post by saratoga on Oct 23, 2018 20:13:54 GMT 12
"socially and economically disadvantaged area of Auckland"..Doesn't really narrow it down much then !
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MOTAT
Oct 23, 2018 21:23:30 GMT 12
Post by AussieBob on Oct 23, 2018 21:23:30 GMT 12
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MOTAT
Oct 25, 2018 13:45:33 GMT 12
Post by pjw4118 on Oct 25, 2018 13:45:33 GMT 12
Anyone with an interest in MOTAT should read the report as it holds some surprising and seriously concerning suggestions. It affects the Navy Museum and Maritime museum as well as the Auckland War Memorial Museum ( called the Auckland Museum!) as well as MOTAT. It is fortunate that the latter have some protection under Acts of Parliament so any changes may be protracted. Motat has done a lot over the past few years and the aviation display is world class and continues to improve . If , as the report suggests that it moves across to MOTTAT 1, we can expect to turn back decades of work and have an open air aero museum again. Perhaps its a land grab and the domain and Meola road sites are destined to be covered in tiny three level boxes . The Bomber Command veterans (along with the Solent Society and FAA ) who worked so hard to establish a covered museum would be turning in their graves.
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MOTAT
Oct 25, 2018 14:44:31 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 25, 2018 14:44:31 GMT 12
Why is the Navy Museum affected? Are they council funded?
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MOTAT
Oct 25, 2018 15:23:51 GMT 12
Post by kiwiruna on Oct 25, 2018 15:23:51 GMT 12
Well Bags the Lancaster,when it's sold they should get enough for a couple of tents for infill housing
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MOTAT
Oct 25, 2018 15:39:10 GMT 12
Post by pjw4118 on Oct 25, 2018 15:39:10 GMT 12
Dave the Navy Museum seems to be included in the report as it is part of " the Auckland Cultural Heritage " scene , although it is funded by the NZDF. Will that remain though ,as I understand that the RNZAF museum at Wigram is now run by a trust with funding responsibilities. The Army museum at Waiouru may also NZDF funded , but I dont know.
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MOTAT
Oct 25, 2018 19:22:37 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 25, 2018 19:22:37 GMT 12
The Air Force Museum has always been run by a trust board. They still get some defence funding and defence staff members are posted in. I think the other two museums operate in the same way.
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MOTAT
Oct 25, 2018 20:11:17 GMT 12
Post by markrogers on Oct 25, 2018 20:11:17 GMT 12
I would seriously hope that MOTAT is left alone as well as the others.
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MOTAT
Oct 27, 2018 22:54:44 GMT 12
Post by emron on Oct 27, 2018 22:54:44 GMT 12
Back in the early 60’s an abandoned Water Works depot and the recently closed municipal rubbish dump nearby, were hardly considered prime real estate. Since then MOTAT has made significant progress with the development of both sites and much of that with the support of the ratepayers of the Auckland Region. The recently restored Pumphouse remains the centrepiece exhibit at Western Springs and a part of the Council’s own technological past. That can’t be relocated !. Early on, it was realised that there was not enough space there to store or display the growing collection and the two flying boats were first to occupy the Meola Rd site. It was 50 years before funding was obtained for a building adequate to house them long-term. The Museum’s goal to display them together centre-stage and within sight of the Waitemata harbour that they served on so well, is still to be achieved. Why would you want to upset those plans?
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MOTAT
Oct 28, 2018 7:20:50 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 28, 2018 7:20:50 GMT 12
Hopefully the process can be stalled long enough till you can coot Goof and the other council members out at the election and replace them with a more heritage minded council...
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