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Post by flybynight on Aug 29, 2019 19:01:26 GMT 12
Hi All
With the recent passing of Mr John Smith, has anyone heard what is becoming of his marvelous collection?
I had heard on the grapevine that things were being put in motion for a sale (at a very hefty sum) but all 3rd hand Chinese whispers.
Anyone more in the know? I sure hope it's not destroyed as rumoured were his wishes
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Post by planecrazy on Aug 29, 2019 19:40:17 GMT 12
I hope Mr Smith is recognised for his insight, the collection stays in the country and the items are put on public display, may be asking a bit much, hope not!
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Post by rayo on Aug 29, 2019 19:54:57 GMT 12
Dave H as a way of honoring Mr john Smiths legacy would it now be an opportune time to lift the Moratorium on the posting of photos of the Collection on this Forum?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 29, 2019 19:55:37 GMT 12
The official word is wait and see, but I have heard that John's family are in no rush to dispose of anything.
And no, nothing will be destroyed.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 29, 2019 19:57:02 GMT 12
Rayo, no. Now more than ever they need security at that place and we do not need every Tom, Dick and Harry looking up what's there an turning up to see what they can grab. Down the track yes it will be lifted, but not yet.
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Post by 30sqnatc on Aug 29, 2019 22:07:24 GMT 12
Rayo, no. Now more than ever they need security at that place and we do not need every Tom, Dick and Harry looking up what's there an turning up to see what they can grab. Down the track yes it will be lifted, but not yet. Thats a very sound and necessary approach.
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 30, 2019 0:29:44 GMT 12
I have been pondering this question myself very much of late, but I didn't know where and when would be appropriate to ask. Thank you Dave.
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Post by rayo on Aug 30, 2019 8:27:58 GMT 12
Rayo, no. Now more than ever they need security at that place and we do not need every Tom, Dick and Harry looking up what's there an turning up to see what they can grab. Down the track yes it will be lifted, but not yet. Thats a very sound and necessary approach. Maybe, but it naively assumes Tom Dick and Harry are Google illiterate and that the details of the Collection are not in Print in the Public Domain already issuu.com/craigprint/docs/nelson_aviation_look_inside/10
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Post by Richard Wesley on Aug 30, 2019 11:47:42 GMT 12
I hadn't heard that John had passed away, very sad to hear after his life of collecting and preserving New Zealand's aviation history. He was a great guy and I enjoyed my two visits very much, he was friendly and helpful once you had jumped through a few hoops to prove you knew what you were talking about.
I certainly hope he is honored with as much of his collection as possible remaining in the country.
Just to ensure it is recorded on the forum the newspaper notice was worded:
SMITH, John Reginald: Late of Mapua. Passed away on August 7, 2019 in his 85th year. Cherished brother of George, and uncle of Rob, Alison, and Jo. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Fred Hollows Foundation. The funeral service to honour John's life will be held in the Chanel Arts Centre, 31 High Street, Motueka, on Wednesday, August 14, 2019 at 1pm.
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Post by shorty on Aug 30, 2019 16:10:14 GMT 12
Those two photos of Johns aircraft are at least forty years old!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 30, 2019 16:36:04 GMT 12
It was posted on the obituaries page, Richard. But it never hurts to have it again.
Believe me matters are in hand behind the scenes but the last thing the family and those professionals involved want is people making random enquiries, suggestions and demands, which serve no purpose and only add to their issues.
A very well known and respected warbird individual is involved in the sorting of the collection. I do not know if he wants his name made public because that too may lead to further bothering from the tyre kickers and the circling sharks. Please just let the get on and sort it their way.
And rest assured the years rumour that the collection will all be burned was just a stupid rumour.
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Post by Richard Wesley on Aug 30, 2019 17:20:27 GMT 12
Ah, righto, missed that sorry.
It will be great to hear in good time what is to happen to all of John's wonderful treasures, but it is quite right that any more un-needed pressure on the family at this time is very unhelpful.
I'd like to second the proposal though, that when the time is right in the future (as judged by you Dave), a sharing of peoples photos and stories would make a great tribute to John.
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Post by rebelp51d on Nov 18, 2019 16:50:07 GMT 12
Very sad to hear of his passing.. As a child I heard about this collection as my Dad (mid 90's) was building 1/4 scale Competition RC aircraft back in Australia, we regularly visited Scone and Wanaka for chances to glimpse and photograph important parts and were always on the lookout for any restorations etc. We had heard rumours of this guy up near Nelson with quite a collection but it wasn't until much more recently when I moved to the area that I collated a few stories and actually found John out in the yard one day. We got along well, I think he was surprised how much I knew for a young fella, and I helped him around the yard on a couple of occasions, once with a fallen tree across the driveway so guess I earned his trust and eventually he opened up the door and I got a glimpse of a shed full of aircraft. He allowed a few photos (only 4 months ago) and I was able to get past the Mozzie into the rear of the shed and get a few snaps with my SLR which I would love to share if the forum allows. I know the Air Force Museum at Wigram were not on good terms with him at all but hopefully Omaka can come to the rescue and keep the collection somewhat locally. I had someone suggest a short movie would be fitting to honour him, maybe involving a visit to Mapua with Peter Jackson and a team of enthusiasts? This would be the last stash of this kind anywhere in the world..
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Nov 18, 2019 18:40:07 GMT 12
IMHO, in whatever shape or form, he should be remembered/honoured in some tangible way
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 22, 2020 3:34:30 GMT 12
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Post by agalbraith on Jan 22, 2020 6:35:39 GMT 12
Yes Zac, I saw that mate! Exciting news indeed. How amazing will it be to see "Gloria Lyons" (and the other airframes) out in the open to get a good look at.
Very awesome, and exciting to find out what's happening to them all?
Cheers Anthony
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Post by curtiss on Jan 22, 2020 14:12:11 GMT 12
The Smith family have asked a couple of us to help sort & catalog the collection- and this is the focus currently. As part of this process, P40N NZ3220 - Gloria Lyons - has been moved to Omaka for inspection, preservation and Static Rebuild - and will then be returned to Mapua. P40E NZ 3043 will also be going to Omaka. The current intent is for the other aircraft/parts to remain at Mapua.
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Post by dazz on Jan 22, 2020 20:03:18 GMT 12
Good to hear of the progress on John’s collection, It’ll be great to see a few of his treasures out in the sunshine and getting some TLC! It’s a shame that his knowledge of the history of the collection has been lost, I was thinking the other day he would have been an awesome subject for one of Dave’s podcast interviews, although I do realise he was a very private, and somewhat reclusive guy who wouldn’t have wanted the publicity.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 22, 2020 20:26:30 GMT 12
I would have loved to interview John, Dazz, and I did actually try to find a way to make it happen, making enquiries through loads of different channels, but it just did not work out, sadly.
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 22, 2020 23:58:35 GMT 12
The Smith family have asked a couple of us to help sort & catalog the collection- and this is the focus currently. As part of this process, P40N NZ3220 - Gloria Lyons - has been moved to Omaka for inspection, preservation and Static Rebuild - and will then be returned to Mapua. P40E NZ 3043 will also be going to Omaka. The current intent is for the other aircraft/parts to remain at Mapua. Thank you Mike, it means a lot to hear this update. Zac will be peeing his pants when he sees what is coming out of that shed.... I thought I had a pretty fair handle on what John had, so a Fletcher would be a surprise for sure
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