NZ2024

[stingray]

Just wondering, does anyone know if NZ2024 was partially recovered from the crash site, or has it slowly been buried?
I tried ADF serials but my computer won't open it..
Thanks in advance.

[Dave Homewood]

The ADF site has been down for a while, it comes and goes. Not sure what is wrong with their server. As for NZ2024, my understanding is that though the bodies, weapons and other parts of the aircraft were removed, the mud it is dug into made it too hard to recover at the time so it is largely intact. People on this forum have said they've been right up to it and it's fairly complete. There's not a lot of point trying to recover it though after 65 years in the tidal creek.

[hairy]

I am one of the people who has schlepped out there and I have a couple of small pieces which are in not too bad of a condition. It seems that if it is buried in the mud it has survived relatively okay.

I meaning to go back some day, any one got a tinnie?
('cause wading through the mud sucks..........literally.)

[Dave Homewood]

I tried the wading when I was based at Hobsonville. A few mates and I didn't get too far, it's the worst backwater mud I've ever tried to walk in, dangerous in fact I'd think.

Maybe we could all club together to hire a larger boat and hold a forum meet beside the Hudson, and wait onboard till the tide recedes.

[hairy]

I went in from the causeway, it took awhile.

One of the things I got was a nice brass plaque from an oxygen regulator.


It's not too clear in the scan but it reads;

OXYGEN REGULATOR MARKVIII A
_{REF N^o.6D/124}

______DELIVERY_____________________________OXYGEN
ALT._{THOUSANDS OF}FEET___________________SUPPLY AVAILIABLE

[Dave Homewood]

Do you mean the Herald Island causeway? That would be a very long way to go in that mud!

At the time I wanted to see it back in 1990, I never realised two men had lost their lives in it. Sad.

[hairy]

Nope, the one to the Greenhithe bridge.

Interestingly, I have been told (by John Smith) that the oxygen systems were supposed to have been removed from the Hudsons.

[Dave Homewood]

Ah yes, the Greenhithe Bridge causeway makes more sense. That's where we attempted it from. Most dangerous part being crossing that road.

The Hudsons generally would not have needed an oxygen system as their patrols were usually only at around 2000 feet. However I can imagine they'd need it for long distance ferry flights over the Pacific etc in case they needed to get up over storms. I know the Baffins and Vincents etc never had oxygen, despite sometimes on occassion they took them up to maximum altitude of 13,000 feet.

[stingray]

Hey guys, to let you know i found a way out although still very hard to get out.
still very complete, im guessing that the fuselage must still be there. the wing is in fair condition, im sure if te fuselage is still there it will be in very good condition..

[hairy]

By my recollection, there is not much fuselage left, thea/c is basically nose down into the mud and every thing aft of the spar has gone. Both main wheels are there and I assume the engines also.

I am interested to hear of your plan to get out there, I think the easiest (and safest) method would be to go out in a small boat (aluminium dinghy) and wait for the tide to subside. Going from the Greenhithe causeway is basically out of the question as it now basically a motorway and access to the mud is fenced off.

There is also a v.large eel lives next to one of the wheels.

All that said I wouldn't mind visiting again.

Cheers.

[stingray]

Got out there yesterday. Neither wheel was visible?I think I found an axle though. Everything is very solidly in place, no sign of an eel either

[sleemanj]

Sounds like a hovercraft is what is needed.

[Dave Homewood]

I'm told that at the right time of the year, that area is infested with sharks. Herald Island is their breeding ground apparently.

I recall when the tide was in you used to be able to see the aerial sticking out above the water. When it was low you could see the forward fuselage siching out of the mud. Is it still like that?

Did you get any photos Ryan?

[hairy]

Jan 1, 2009 13:06:09 GMT 12 stingray said:

Got out there yesterday. Neither wheel was visible?I think I found an axle though. Everything is very solidly in place, no sign of an eel either

Interesting that the wheels have gone, how did you get out there? Slog through the mud?

Any pics?

Shame you missed the eel, it scared the bejesus outta me.

[ErrolC]

When I was in the Scouts, I made a bit of a stuff-up, and had to drag a kayak over those mudflats. Bl--dly hard work!! Breaking paddles chasing eels in the streams was fun, however!!

ObAviation: It was the Whenuapai Air Scouts.

[stingray]

I built a hovercraft a while ago,not quite the required pressure in it for mud though.
there are no aerials/fuse visible at the moment,gonna go back with a metal detector soon though.i have photos but no bucket account,will email them to you dave

[hairy]

Let me know when you are going out again, I'd be keen to tag along and help out where possible.

Cheers

[Dave Homewood]

Here are Ryan's photos - it looks a lot more eroded from how I recall it but that was nearly 20 years ago. A sad sight to see.

Great photos Ryan. I'd like to see a photo of your hovercraft too someday, that sounds like fun.

[hairy]

Man, it's gone down hill quite alot since I was there.

[Tony]

Just found this thread.
When I was posted to Base Auckland in 1988 I made the trek out to the wreck in company with fellow fireman Johnny Hobart.

The only items I could recognise were some small shackles (bomb shackles?) on the underside. I was unable to get too close as the trip out had cost me my shoes, the last thing I needed was to slice my feet open on jagged metal.

The most dangerous part I agree was crossing Hobby Road and the clean up once we returned home took forever. I still feel satisfied to having been out there everytime I drive past it.