Gisborne Aviation Preservation

[Peter Lewis]

During my recent trip down the East Coast I called (of course) into Gisborne Airport.

The GAPS hangar was all sealed up, but several phone calls over a few days unearthed Paul Corrin, who kindly unlocked the place for me and allowed me to look around.

Since my last visit a few years ago, they have completed the walling in of the building and now have everything under cover. The next stage is to complete the concreting of the floor, and once this is done then they can spend time on aircraft restoration work.

In the meantime, most of the artifacts are in 'as found' condition.

The hangar is dominated by DC-3C ZK-BYF still wearing its pseudo-RNZAF colours



Next in line is the ex-Fieldair Lockheed 18-07 Lodestar ZK-BUV which spent around 25 years up on the poles before being rescued



Under the wing of the Dak is the remains of Fieldair Tiger Moth ZK-AZG. The 'strangled goose' logo can still be seen on the cowling.





In the pile of parts nearby is a wing off brother Fieldair Tiger ZK-AZV. No doubt this will be incorporated into any restoration.



At the rear of the hangar was parked airworthy Tiger ZK-BAL. This has been a Gisborne local since arriving in NZ in 1951, and did see use as a topdresser with East Coast Air Services.



Grumman American AA5 Traveller ZK-DLG worked with the Wellington Aero Club from 1977 until withdrawn in 1983 suffering from structural delamination. Stored at Rongotai until sold to John Reid of Reid Aviation/Air Gisborne. The centre-section went to ZK-JER and the balance was used to build this displayaircraft wich carries the markings ZK-EIL (for Eastland Infrastructure Ltd.)



The Grumman TBF-1 Avenger NZ2505 was sold to Waitomo Aviation 23Sep59, went to a playground at Opunake Beach 1964. Removed to Wellington for restoration 1972, storage at RNZAF Museum Wigram, then to Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society from Oct99.







Finally, Fu-24N is still resident on the poles but is now missing its port aileron.



(All photos 7Jan2013)

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Did you head around to Banks Street to check out how ZK-BKD is doing at Smash Palace?

[Dave Homewood]

Nice to see these photos Peter, thanks for that. Were the Avenger's wings around anywhere?

[kiwibeavers]

What a disgrace and an embarrassment to the town.

[kiwibeavers]

I saw BKD in August, it will fall off the poles in time, nobody is allowed up the stairs and into the aircraft as it is deemed unsafe. Another disgrace.

[corsair5517]

Pardon? That's a big call....

We lived in Gisborne for a while and called in here on the off chance that someone would be around. Someone was and my sister in law - a PPL holder with an avid interest in civil aviation in NZ - and I were shown around. They, like every other organisation like this in the country, are always short funded and short handed and are doing their very best to get this up and running in decent surroundings.

[rhyno]

I visited a few years ago, and they also kindly opened (GAPS) up for me.
I think people tend to think most museums (aircraft in particular because of the high skill set required) that progress is slow, I remind myself that these places are run on a shoestring budget, by people who do it for the love, and in their spare time. I certainly do not have the spare time required (but wished I did) so I guess it will just have to come down to a donation and some patience ! And from the kid of a AG DAK driver I too think it a shame about BKD.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

I was talking to Alex Miller (of Mount Cook Ski Planes) about four years ago about ZK-BKD and the state it is now in. He said he would love to obtain possession of it and move it to Mount Cook Village and restore it to display standard in Mount Cook colours, but that the cost would be really high. Unfortunately, Alex passed away a couple of years ago, so I guess that dream of his will never happen.

[corsair67]

Jan 17, 2013 18:16:54 GMT 12 corsair5517 said:

Pardon? That's a big call....

We lived in Gisborne for a while and called in here on the off chance that someone would be around. Someone was and my sister in law - a PPL holder with an avid interest in civil aviation in NZ - and I were shown around. They, like every other organisation like this in the country, are always short funded and short handed and are doing their very best to get this up and running in decent surroundings.

Of course, it doesn't help when one of the only active volunteers is now in the big house!

[kiwibeavers]

The Fletcher needs to be pulled down before it rots away like the Lodestar did. It has absolutely no relevance as Fieldair has long gone and it was the Tiger then the Beaver that got Fieldair off the ground. The Fletcher they got in 1955 was sold as it was no match for the Beaver. It is covered in bird droppings and is missing parts and needs to be dumped. Inside the Museum are the remnants of 4 aircraft which all have profound significance to the district but are an embarrassment. They are in worse condition than they were in 2010 and will never be returned to any state worthy of display. The Lodestar is rotten throughout and needs a total fuselage replacement to be worthy as a display feature. The current state of this Museum is a disgrace and nothing inside it should be able to be viewed by the Public. None of the former Fieldair pilots and many other ex staff want to have anything to do with the outfit mainly because of the people in charge. Several previous members, one in particular, got well and truly screwed over by these people, hence the lack of aid from a lot of folk who would have otherwise helped.

[craig]

At least they are doing something. What would otherwise be the fate of these aircraft? How are they funding this effort? I'm sure they would be open to offers if someone out there, thinks they can do better. But as is the Kiwi way (unfortunately) much rather criticize and complain.
Good on them for at least getting some of these relics under cover....

[corsair5517]

I've been out of NZ since 2009 so don't know the ins and outs of what's going on there; in fact I never did, but I wondered at the time how on earth they were going to get these a/c up to any sort of display standard as apparently all the volunteers were in that day, and I think I saw 5 people all told!
However, the a/c are under cover and, okay, they may be in a parlous state, but what's the alternative? Would you willingly give up your history if it meant the airframe was to go away and never come back? I thought not!

[Bruce]

I was in Gisborne 5 years or so ago and the DC3 was outside then, and the hangar was open to the elements - Progress has been made getting the stuff indoors and under cover, and that is actually a big thing - even compared to other well known museums around NZ. Yes the aircraft are in poor condition, but they wont be deteriorating as fast now and future generations will have a chance to see them.
The big problem is lack of volunteers to do anything with them. Gisborne is a long way from the main centres and the town has had some economic hits which mean that suitably skilled people are leaving the area. KiwiBeavers hints that there may be some clashes within the group which have caused members to leave. I always think this is sad that NZers will leave an organisation when they disagree with the leadership, rather than nominating someone to stand against the disputed leader at the next AGM. If there is the widespread dissatisfaction that they say there is, the new representative will be elected and they'll get the change. Seems people are happier to whinge about something than to commit to do anything about it.
So long as the group can continue to occupy the hangar, things will be OK, down the track someone new will come along and revitalise the group and it will be back up and running again. Hopefully it will eventually get to a stage where it will be open at set hours for people to visit without prior arrangement!

[kiwibeavers]

I would dearly love for these aircraft to be restored to display standard (in my home town) but being realistic, the Museum needs a massive Cash injection for starters. Another angle, could the Avenger be uplifted back to the RNZAF to have this accomplished and then returned? Just throwing out alternatives to get things happening. As for the DC3 and Lodestar, I don't know what the answer is. Maybe Peter Jackson or someone with the financial backing could step in. It is a tricky one to overcome. I tried to help the current regime out but all I got was abuse and knives in my back. They had the perfect opportunity to make themselves known to a large number of ex Fieldair (and other) employees but decided to hide in the hangar and not participate in my event at all. The place IS a disgrace and an embarrassment to MY home town and nothing will eventuate while the current REGIME has any involvement. I will celebrate the day the Fletcher on poles is WFU and scrapped.

[Deleted]

I will gladly take the fletcher from the pole and keep it. ZK-BWV was the last fletcher my old man flew for Fieldair after he sold out to them. The beaver he got buggering up so got BWV for a replacement. The fletcher deserves its place as it ended up being the back bone for the company in the latter years as most beavers were starting to be retired from 1982 on.

[kiwibeavers]

I think it would belong to Eastland Council or they would have some input in it being there.

[denysjones]

to Kiwisbeavers

You seem to have a lot of grizzles about what in your view isn't happening in what you so proudly proclaim as your home town.

Have you ever got involved and tried to help the group by either raising funds or working on the aircraft?

If not butt out and respect the fact that as other posters have pointed out progress is being made. If it it's not at the pace you want well get a into g and make it happen yourself by helping.

[kiwiwreckdiver]

Considering the current financial trouble NZ is in, I'm extremely happy to see these aircraft with a roof over their heads, better than sitting in someone back yard still rotting.
Motat had most of their aircraft out in the open for years back in the day now look at the collection.
As the old cheese add says - Good things take time

And a bucket load of cash

[emron]

Thanks the update Peter,
The occasional posts on this forum seem to be the only news I get about progress at GAPS.
Their website appears to be on pause since 2000. I agree with others that GAPS are to be applauded for rescuing and protecting these exhibits which have much local sentimental and heritage value. While they remain financially solvent it's their business how quickly they achieve their aims and objectives but the reality is that 15 years has passed since their museum was officially opened. They need to look to Classic Flyers to see what can be achieved in half that time. The dilemma is that if they need income from public entry plus community funding, will the present exhibits (even if dressed up) be a big enough attraction by themselves. Regardless of how fond we are of a C47/DC3 , Avenger or Lodestar they aren't as rare or glamorous as other exotic types drawing the crowds at shows and museums elsewhere. GAPS may need to diversify or expand their collection to be popular. Another issue already raised is that it could easily take 7 years to thoroughly restore these three and we'd be looking at 2020 as a display worthy date.
I'd welcome feedback from the Society about their immediate future plans.

[jp]

Classic Flyers in Tauranga has a much bigger population to draw funds and manpower from than Gisborne. I agree with some of the above - it would be nice to see some pristine exhibits in a nice big hangar, but the owners/custodians are under no obligation to do anything at all with them, let alone supply time frames of what they are going to do, and when, which without huge injections of cash and manpower, will resemble nothing but speculation anyway.