MOTAT

[agile]

StuartG, would you happen to have a hi-resolution version of the shot of the Sunderland instrument panel?

[shorty]

Dec 5, 2010 9:32:56 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

I have no problem with security if it keeps me and others safe.

The only thing it keeps safe is the jobs of the security staff and the department that runs them!

[Richard Wesley]

The new Motat hangar looks pretty impressive and is getting closer to finished, though it seems that March will be about actual handover date...

[baz62]

Now thats a hangar!

[corsairarm]

I agree that is a hangar to be proud off. Nice photos Richard. I as there on the 23rd. Called in on my way home from work. I will just add a couple of photos. One of the other side of the hangar and one from a recent previous trip showing the inside and what looks like an elevated walkway. Now that would be good for photos. The main doors were shut when I went so I couldn't tell if the floor has been laid.

[Dave Homewood]

It is very interesting to see that this new hangar (not hangar!) has opening hangar doors, unlike the previous hangars at MOTAT. Therefour it will make it much easier to shift things about in future, without having to dismantle the wall. Good stuff.

That walkway is pretty low down, you'll still be beneath most of the bigger aircraft, and the ones hanging from the ceiling, surely.

[corsairarm]

Oops my mistake. I usually type quickly as my brain thinks of what to say and then go back and correct the spelling but I missed that one. If you were my primary school teacher then I would have got the strap for that!

[Dave Homewood]

Have is a silver sticky star for apologising. ;D

[shorty]

Looking through some old records I see that in 1961 the Hawker-Siddeley group in the UK offered to send a Hawker Hunter to MOTAT (which was just being established) for permanent display. The cost of this item was said to be £3,500 plus a further £2,400 for crating and shipping to NZ.

Needless to say, it didn't happen.
In the same year the Auckland Manufacturers Association offered to buy a F-86H Sabre for them at a cost of £267 but a later report states that the Government had refused an import licence for the aircraft.

[aeromedia]

I too had the opportunity to visit Meola Road a few days ago. I hadn't seen the excellent photos posted recently here. I was Mighty impressed. It's a magnificent building for sure, . . and if the interior displays match the recently re-worked pavillion around on the other site, it will be world class.
There is some serious work required on some of those aircraft before they go on display though. But as they say, a big job is just a series of little jobs.

[Dave Homewood]

That's sad about the opportunities lost with the Hunter and the Sabre. There are probably many more stories like it. I know historian and former No. 488 (NZ) Squadron member Les Hunt tried to get the British Government to donate a Hurricane to the people of New Zealand but no-one listened.

[kiwithrottlejockey]

When I was at MOTAT in early December, I noticed a display board showing the intended layout of everything once the new display hangar is completed and handed over. It showed a Fokker F.27 Friendship amongst the aeroplanes on display. When I querried that, one of the staff said they had been offered a F.27 but the management board of MOTAT were too slow to make up their mind whether or not to accept it with the result that a South Island museum put their hands up and grabbed it instead. I presume that would be the F.27 which ended up at Ashburton?

[obiwan27]

Probably is. never mind, they have plenty of space for a Skyhawk display in future ;-)

[vs]

Are aeroplanes like the Lexington going to get a tidy up before being put in the new hangar?

[corsairarm]

Earlier this month I visited for my 4-6wkly catchup on what's going on and took this photo of the new Hudson nose being fitted. Its looking good.

[Dave Homewood]

That's looking great.

[pjw4118]

I took the opportunity to tour the new hangar yesterday. They are almost ready to pour the floor (150 truck loads)
Of interest is the viewing gallery along the southern side, although its 3 metre height won't give an overview of the bigger flying boats.
Also surprising was the western polycarb clad wall has had a battle wall built inside it becoming a gallery. The hangar itself will have no natural light unless the doors are open (rarely).
Both the new and old hangars will be closed to the public for about six weeks while the gap between them is filled and exhibits moved around. Reopening day will be before the Rugby Cup kicks off. The contractors also need to prepare a 'runway' so the outdoor aircraft can be safely towed into the new hangar. Norm McElvie the Aviation Manager plans to have the Solent cleaned of the yellowed varnish and the Sunderland resprayed in two pack poly paint before they go back. The Ventura has suffered and will need to be stripped back. On the restoration scene, the Hudson, Avenger and Harvard are all due to be ready for the opening, although some work is planned to continue on them once they are under cover. For the BC boys our Gland Slam full size model bomb is ready for assembly.
Someone asked who runs MOTAT and I will post the organisational chart later but Jeremy Hubbard is the Director.

[pjw4118]

Motat has two aviation events this month. Currently running is the photographic exhibition 100 Years of Kiwi Flying, weekdays 10 to 2.30. It details the Walsh bothers days.
On March 19 and 20 10 til 4 is their military weekend including helicopter rides along with tanks and half tracks. Should be a fume filled weekend.

[flyjoe180]

How much are the rides on tanks and half tracks?

[pjw4118]

I think they are included in the entry price, the helo is extra.