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Post by Bruce on Apr 18, 2016 17:50:53 GMT 12
The wreckage distribution on the west coast beaches in entirely in line with the supposed wreck location. My Family were original settlers in the Kaipara area and have been involved in shipping in that area for generations. Not a Stanaway descendant, perchance? No, Witherfords, Moffats and Heavens from Port Albert...
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Post by pepe on Apr 18, 2016 19:44:25 GMT 12
From good Albertlander stock then. My background is a bit further north in "Coates" country..
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Post by oj on Apr 28, 2016 22:47:40 GMT 12
I had an update from big brother yesterday. One item of the salvage equipment (which is all privately provided) was not available due to business commitments and is now expected to be available to allow the salvage attempt about 14th May. So I guess the river mullet just have to hang about with baited bated breath for a while.
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Post by oj on May 17, 2016 22:18:23 GMT 12
Oh dear, my credibility is fading. Signal from BB today tells us the salvage is further delayed for 2-3 weeks. Still, not everything in aviation happens at transonic speed....
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Post by ZacYates on May 18, 2016 10:37:51 GMT 12
Very little does these days - you'd be in the majority! I appreciate you keeping us updated.
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Post by noooby on Sept 9, 2016 7:12:24 GMT 12
Any update on this???
I thought we would have heard by now if it had been raised successfully.
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 9, 2016 8:41:18 GMT 12
I'm keen to hear updates too. Hopefully oj will see this and can let us know
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Post by oj on Sept 9, 2016 21:09:55 GMT 12
Latest is October. Noel has been ill and the availability of the (donated time) salvage equipment has oscillated due to revenue jobs taking precedence. It takes some logistics to get everything harmonised for the same day. There is going to be some more preliminary work; the jet-boat is going to endeavour to sluice away the mud so that better and more convincing sonar images can be taken.
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Post by Venomnut on Dec 4, 2016 18:51:31 GMT 12
Any updates on progress?
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Post by shorty on May 30, 2017 14:55:07 GMT 12
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Post by scrooge on May 30, 2017 16:32:03 GMT 12
So, anyone but the maori?
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Post by ZacYates on Jul 31, 2017 14:39:23 GMT 12
oj - any word from big brother?
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 14, 2017 10:14:43 GMT 12
Lifted from the NZ Aviation Obituaries thread: I have just been informed by Owen Jones (OJ) that homebuilder, pilot, historian and shipwreck diver Noel Hilliam has passed away. He was leading the team hoping to recover the P-51D Mustang in the Dargaville river. HILLIAM, Noel Edward. on 10 September 2017 at his home Dargaville. Now at peace. Dearly loved husband Julie. Loved father of Maryanne, Patricia, Tex, Tina, Joel and their partners. Loved grandfather of his 7 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. In accordance with his wishes a private funeral service will be held. A public celebration of Noel's life will be held at the Lighthouse Function Centre, Harding Park, Dargaville on Thursday 14 September 2017 at 1.30pm. All communications to 16 Ranfurly Street, Dargaville. 0310
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 14, 2017 10:39:56 GMT 12
OJ did say yesterday that he understands the plan to recover the Mustang will continue despite Noel Hilliam's death.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 28, 2020 21:01:51 GMT 12
Has there been any further development with this recovery since Noel Hilliam passed away?
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 30, 2020 14:03:54 GMT 12
I re-discovered this thread the other day and was wondering the same.
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Post by oj on Sept 30, 2020 22:26:36 GMT 12
Big Brother, who now lives permanently in Dargaville, told me just last week that attempts to sluice away the mud for better sonar imaging are just waiting for covid free-up of people to bring in their equipment. So there is preliminary work still being done towards getting into the starting blocks. Favourable tides in daylight hours are also only present a few times per month.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 1, 2020 1:01:53 GMT 12
Thanks OJ, great to hear it is progressing slowly.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 15, 2021 14:16:02 GMT 12
Nearly a year on, has there been any progress on this OJ, or anyone?
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