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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 17, 2007 23:44:08 GMT 12
In 1991 when the Motat Lancaster was finally indoors and under proper restoration to the glory it is now, the RNZAF volunteered a small team of Safety and Surface Workers to repaint it.
The team were Warrant offcier Peter Gardner, Corporal Malcolm 'Mal' Chambers, Corporal Paul 'Sid' Wakelin and Leading Aircraftman Ray Marshall.
I was wondering, when it was originally painted from its French colours into RAF Bomber Command markings in the 1970's was this also done by the RNZAF? If so, was this done at Whenuapai before the aircraft went to Western Springs? Or done on site?
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Post by kiwi on Jun 21, 2007 20:48:37 GMT 12
It was in RAF colours when I first saw it which I believe was in 1974.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jun 23, 2007 13:51:04 GMT 12
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Post by Richard Wesley on Feb 2, 2008 21:55:16 GMT 12
I’d be interested in the answer to this one too.
From what I have learnt from seeing photos of the Lancaster and talking to people, it was repainted some time after it was moved from Whenuapai to Western Springs, and so this work was not carried out by the RNZAF.
It was repainted at least twice and maybe three times during its time on display outside at Motat. Generally water based paint was used (understandable due to cost considerations), and this at least made paint stripping of the aircraft a little easier. It was great to keep ‘discovering’ French markings underneath the layers of black, brown and green. Paint stripper turns water based paint to slimy paste, rather than the bubbling and pealing effect when used ‘real’ oil based paint.
As an aside, I can completely understand the desire to have the Lancaster painted up in war time colours, but it means all the surviving Lancaster’s around the world are going to look pretty identical. I thought at the time it would have been quite unique to have the aircraft in the brilliant white colours it wore when donated to Motat.
The RNZAF guys did a great job on those few days it took to repaint the entire aircraft. The paint that had taken many years to remove was back in an instant. I have a few photos somewhere back home. One interesting argument had at the time was whether to use flat or gloss. The ‘Wednesday’ Bomber Command crew were keen on flat (historical) and we the ‘Sunday’ Aviation Section guys wanted full gloss (lowest possible maintenance). I think the outcome was a compromise semi gloss as it is now.
The Solent crew have also had problems with the paint they used, which I believe was donated to the cause. It was very hard to keep clean, and another layer of vanish was applied on the upper surfaces to try and fix the problem. Unfortunately this has now yellowed in the sunlight. Pity, but not really too noticeable on such a large airframe.
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Post by Richard Wesley on Feb 3, 2008 23:04:07 GMT 12
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