RNZAF Museum's vehicle collection

[Dave Homewood]

Something often overlooked by people who visit Wigram is their collection of RNZAF vehicles.

I am creating a page about the vehicles in their collection for my website.

However, I'm one of those people who's never taken much notice of them and now I need info.

The vehicles I can think of there include these:

The David Brown tractor towing a bowser (or is it an accumulator?) driven by a WAAF beside the Anson. Does anyone know more about the tractor, such as year of manufacture, model number, etc? Was it a genuine wartime RNZAF example? How and when did it come to the Museum's collection?

The JEEP that is parked next to the TBF-1 Avenger? Do we have any JEEP fans here who know its history? Is it in 30 Squadron colours? I know that the squadron did have a jeep. When and where did the musuem acquire it? Did they restore it? Was it genuine RNZAF?

The Vauxhall limousine which is nowadays parked by the red carpet that leads to the C-47. When i was there in 2004 this was in Hangar 3 and the guide ssid it have belonged to Christchurch Mayor Vicki Buck. She brought it out to Wigram one day, and it broke down. I think he said she couldn't get the parts to fix it so she rang the museum and told them to keep it. he said at the time they had no idea what they were going to do with it. I think it suits very well where it is now with the VIP transport. Does anyone have any more details, such as the model number and history?

Petrol Tanker - believe it or not between the C-47 and the Canberra, hidden in the dark, is a fairly sizable petrol tanker. I only noticed it in 2006 when they turned the lights on in the hangar but I was told it had always been there. Does anyone know any details of it? or have a photo? (my camera battery was dead by the time the lights came on).

GMC Truck - The RNZAF had an old GMC 2.5 ton 6x6 truck in poor condition in the 1980's which was being restored to represent an RNZAF one. We used them in the pacific and maybe also at home. Does anyone know more about where it is now and any details of it?

Hucks Starter - Two guides from the RNZAF Museum were building a replica WWI Hucks Starter on a Ford Model A chassis. Has this been completed? I read an article about it in Air Force News in 2005.

I've read they also had or were getting a Queen Mary aircraft transporter. Where is that now?

I'm sure the RNZAF Museum has other vehicles but I don't know if any are on display. Some used to be stored in No. 6 hangar with the reserve aircraft - I think that there was a Chevrolet 15CWT flatnose truck. I know there was a very large Bofors gun there too.

Does anyone know of any other vehicles belonging to the musuem, or ones they owned that have since moved on? Any photos?

Lastly, I hope the museum has got or will eventually get some of the trusty types from the days when I was in the RNZAf: My wishlist would include:
- The Bedford RL
- The Shop Bike - every section had one! (yes, like Granville's)
- The Toyota Hiace van
- One of those lovely Hino buses when their time is up.

[denysjones]

Dave, some years ago Dave Provan showed a few of us from Ferrymead through Weedons and I recall a number of vehicles jammed in a corner there (certainly nor more than 5-6).

I only recall the specifics about a short wheelbase landrover that Dave specifically mentioned as he wanted to paint it up as one that was used on the Kaipara (hope that's the right spelling) Flats range and which he had been involved with there. (He was an armaments man by trade)

hth

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Denys, that's helpful.

Cheers
Dave

[Dave Homewood]

After a bit more research my list now stands at the following vehicles:

David Brown Tractor (beside the Anson)

JEEP (beside the Avenger)

Vauxhall Limousine (beside the C-47)

Refuelling Truck (beside the C-47)

Hucks Starter

GMC 2.5 ton 6x6 Truck

Queen Mary Trailer (and maybe a truck?)

Landrover

Coles Crane

Butler Crane

"Hippo" Tanker (this may be the same tanker as by the C-47?)

GMC Engine Testbed Truck

[Bruce]

When I saw it, the landrover was tied down inside the Bristol Freighter! a Hippo tanker is one of those odd looking tractor type refuelling things, It does ring some bells but I cant remember where I saw that one displayed (if at all). The Hucks starter was still being built / converted but the work seemed to be to the museums normal immaculate standard and this vehicle will be quite eyecatching.

[Dave Homewood]

Good point re the Landrover, of course it's in the Bristol. I forgot that. ;D

Here's an article on the Hucks Starter

[corsair67]

Here's some photos that I took of the Model T Hucks Starter project:

[Dave Homewood]

Brilliant, thanks Craig. It certainly looks like a 'from the gound up' restoration. It will be good to see it complete.

[30sqnatc]

I'm glad the RNZAF vehicles will be recognised. Many years ago I did some research (which lost many years ago) and it was amazing just what has been operated over the years. The National Archives in Wellington have four RNZAF official photo albums packed with photos of RNZAF vehicles in the 50 - 60 period. Lots of WWII survivors.