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Post by agalbraith on Aug 6, 2017 9:20:15 GMT 12
Oh, sorry....
Yes correct, it is the allu fairing that was fitted over the space where the turret was
Cheers and thanks! Anthony
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 12, 2017 0:39:51 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 12, 2017 0:44:02 GMT 12
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Post by agalbraith on Aug 12, 2017 8:15:22 GMT 12
Great photos! Especially thanks to Mike.....yes that was exactly what I was looking for, perfect!
Thanks again, and thanks for the update as always
Cheers Anthony
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Post by baz62 on Aug 12, 2017 16:50:10 GMT 12
The circular patch was the only bit covering the turret, the rest of the structure is from around the turret opening. Here's NZ2504 during the conversion back to her original 1943 state. Turret position by Barry Tod, on Flickr
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Post by baz62 on Aug 12, 2017 17:01:59 GMT 12
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Post by kiwi285 on Aug 12, 2017 17:52:00 GMT 12
The engine mount was lifted out on Friday and is being sent away to be sandblasted and if okay will be painted and put aside.
Anthony - glad the photos were what you needed to see. Someone said that the Air Force, at the time of taking the turret out, left the main fairing in place and cut the oval section to cover the hole left. It is certainly professionally built and matches the structure around the turret area. We have saved the fairing, although it is ripped and battered, to use as a pattern for the new one. On 2505 we didn't have any pattern piece and had to make large papers patterns to transfer the shape onto the metal. This will be much easier.
HELP. At the moment we only have the two top (left and right hand) upper bomb bay doors. Both bottom doors are awol at this time and if any suitable doors cannot be located we will have to contemplate manufacturing them from scratch. Guess who will probably be on the team to handle this task. The doors are about 20 feet long by about 16 inches wide and have all of the actuation arms attached so will be a biggie. If anyone has a pair in their rafters would we love to hear from you.
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Post by chbessexboy on Aug 12, 2017 19:15:21 GMT 12
"We have saved the fairing, although it is ripped and battered, to use as a pattern for the new one."
Has a decision been made on the configuration that '39 will be restored to?
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 12, 2017 19:18:28 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Aug 12, 2017 19:35:39 GMT 12
Often handy to give a link to the album as well, easier for people to look at a batch and look more closely at ones that interest them. flic.kr/s/aHsm15Cm6s
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Post by planewriting on Aug 18, 2017 23:09:46 GMT 12
Hi Zac
Given the number of photos you took and the smiling face cropping up from time to time, it looks like you approve of Classic Flyers museum. What a shame you came on the week I was out of the country as I could have shown you through our Archives library at the back of hangar 3, You can see the library windows in the background in that photo of the Sabre canopy sitting on a bench. The Sabre is moving into hangar 3 very shortly for its refurbishment. As you recorded, Avenger NZ2539 has now got its new undercarriage fitted and after about 10 days away from the scene I can see some real improvements have been taking place. Regards Peter
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 20, 2017 17:29:02 GMT 12
it looks like you approve of Classic Flyers museum. I certainly do! I'll definitely have to get in touch with you ahead of my next visit. My grandfather, now in Oz, said this in response to my photos on Facebook: "I cringe when I remember the unthinking vandalism committed on this old lady. We thought we were doing a good thing! It is very encouraging to know that she will live on in a more functional state, and be a source of interest and education to coming generations."
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 25, 2017 19:55:35 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 25, 2017 22:16:09 GMT 12
Here's another update, this time from Peter Layne: An update for the NZ2539 thread On Wednesday this week, the Hunter ZK-JIL was removed from hangar 3 and parked outside. In its place now resides the Sabre. On the opposite side of the hangar is Avenger NZ2539. When was the last time someone saw a photograph of that aircraft hangared or that that matter merely witnessed it in a hangar? The RNZAF disposed of it along with NZ2527 and NZ2505 in 1959 and it may be even well before then that it was last out of the weather. The starboard inner wing is now surrounded by scaffolding and the tail wheel has since been raised making the fuselage more readily accessible. A considerable amount of corrosion has already been cut out and various parts have been removed for refurbishment and repaint. The other aircraft portions to be seen in the Sabre photograph are Harvard ZK-ENC (NZ1091) port wing tip. Schleicher Ka6Cr ZK-GFD starboard wing tip, Hall Cherokee ZK-GBT and behind that is the black and orange nose of Foka 4 ZK-GHS. It is going to be interesting observing the work on these two aircraft in due course. Regards Peter
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 26, 2017 19:13:59 GMT 12
Fantastic.
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Post by jp on Aug 27, 2017 11:49:05 GMT 12
I hope the Hunter isn't staying outside?
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Post by kiwi285 on Aug 27, 2017 20:01:27 GMT 12
NO - she will be back in the hangar when the Sabre is repainted and back on display elsewhere at the museum.
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 27, 2017 20:49:42 GMT 12
I'm glad to hear that. It made me sad to see her in the corner covered in dust.
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Post by planewriting on Aug 27, 2017 22:26:07 GMT 12
I checked with Andrew Gormlie, Classic Flyers CEO today as to what is planned. The Hunter will be given a thorough wash and tidy up before being hangared once more in about two weeks time. I gather it is planned to put it back in the main hangar rather than in hangar 3, which is the workshop hangar. His policy is to rotate aircraft around the hangars partly to meet current requirements (for instance the Victa Airtourer ZK-CDN project is going to require space soon)and also so that repeat visitors will get a bit of a surprise as to where the various aircraft are located from one visit to the next.
Just been reading the latest Aviation Historical Society Aero Letter published today, which in part says, "(Sunnyside Park) arrived (from Fiji) in early January (1945)...both (NZ2539 and NZ2527) were flown to Rukuhia for long-term storage where they arrived on the 23rd. This was the end of their flying. Stored in the open they gradually deteriorated until August 1959 when they were available for disposal. Bennett Aviation Limited, Te Kuiti, purchased NZ2539 along with 05 (at Ohakea) and 27 plus spares for £600 and they were taken to Te Kuiti where they languished until rescue.
This comment explains that these two Avengers (Classic Flyers and Motat's) last flew 72 years ago and further to my above comment on 25 August, it would seem that NZ2539s placement in the Classic Flyers maintenance hangar this week was its first time inside a building in approximately 72 years. All things considered I think she has survived remarkably well.
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Post by agalbraith on Aug 28, 2017 11:57:20 GMT 12
Great stuff guys....appreciate the update!
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