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Post by emron on Jun 30, 2021 17:11:57 GMT 12
Confirming - Eagle has landed.
MOTAT is delighted to announce the arrival of Aerospatiale (Eurocopter) AS 355 F1 Ecureuil 2 (Twin Squirrel) ZK-HKG, former NZ “Police 1” Eagle helicopter.
See more on MOTAT Facebook.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jun 30, 2021 21:56:40 GMT 12
They were just finishing settup of the AS355F1 Twin Squirrel when I was there on Tuesday. ZK-HKG/2 ex VH-NWA arrived in NZ in 1994 and its registration was cancelled in January 2021.
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MOTAT
Jul 1, 2021 16:30:35 GMT 12
via mobile
Post by andrewpit on Jul 1, 2021 16:30:35 GMT 12
I have just read that the Aviation Hall is closing from 27 July until Feb 2022 while they build a new carpark
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MOTAT
Jul 1, 2021 17:19:20 GMT 12
Post by ZacYates on Jul 1, 2021 17:19:20 GMT 12
I saw photos of the Squirrel last night on Facebook, what a great addition to the museum.
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MOTAT
Jul 1, 2021 22:58:13 GMT 12
Post by errolmartyn on Jul 1, 2021 22:58:13 GMT 12
I have just read that the Aviation Hall is closing from 27 July until Feb 2022 while they build a new carpark If correctly reported, then a sad commentary on New Zealand poor productivity rating - over six months to construct a car park, for heaven's sake! Errol
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MOTAT
Jul 1, 2021 23:05:21 GMT 12
Post by Peter Lewis on Jul 1, 2021 23:05:21 GMT 12
I have just read that the Aviation Hall is closing from 27 July until Feb 2022 while they build a new carpark If correctly reported, then a sad commentary on New Zealand poor productivity rating - over six months to construct a car park, for heaven's sake! Errol The reports is correct. There is a bit more to it than just building a carpark. As you probably know, the Meola Road site is on top of a rubbish tip - which has already caused problems with the floor in the main display hall. Thus deep piles need to be driven down to create a stable surface before the parking area can be constructed. Once that is achieved, the carpark is intended to be pretty hi-tech, with light sensors that will track the number of empty spaces available at any time with the results then being visible at the entry gate on an electronic sign board. All in all, not just a matter of flattening off the ground and chucking down some tar seal.
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MOTAT
Jul 2, 2021 7:13:18 GMT 12
Post by ErrolC on Jul 2, 2021 7:13:18 GMT 12
I wouldn't call that hi-tech these days! I'm glad I didn't renew my MOTAT Mates (last done pre-COVID, and they informally extended it last time I was there) before I saw this.
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MOTAT
Jul 2, 2021 13:10:36 GMT 12
Post by ErrolC on Jul 2, 2021 13:10:36 GMT 12
More detail at www.motat.nz/visit/motat-redevelopment-projectNote especially: Will the Aviation Display Hall (M2) be open during construction? No, the Aviation Display Hall will be closed from the 27 of July until the end of February 2022 (approx.). The car park is part of our larger plan to re-design the MOTAT experience, starting with re-developing the way you interact with our collection objects. We will also be taking our time to upgrade the walkways and cycle paths in the area, making travel between our two sites easier than ever! I have an education or event booking at the Aviation Display Hall – what does this mean for me? Education and other groups bookings for the Aviation Display Hall will proceed as planned and the MOTAT Bookings Team will be in contact about your booking with more information regarding access while construction is taking place. Events planned and booked through Montana Food and Events will not be affected by the car park construction works. Event organisers will be contacted with full information regarding their booking. MOTAT Aviation Display Hall access exceptions If you are only in Auckland for a short period of time and have family history or heritage assisted with Bomber Command, the Sir Keith Memorial Collection, or other aircraft or objects located in the Aviation Display Hall we may be able to organise a private visit. Please contact makingmotatbetter@motat.org.nz to enquire and we will respond to you within 48 hours.
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Post by emron on Jul 2, 2021 13:48:09 GMT 12
I know that the closure is disappointing news but there just isn’t any car parking space available (either on-street or off-street) adjacent to our back entrance and no provision for pedestrian access.
Before the entire 500m long strip of land between Motions Rd and Meola Rd can be developed it requires a massive storm water upgrade with pipes running the full length of the property. This is the first stage of the project and why the building has been closed to the public for the duration. There will be major excavations through the current car park, under the driveway and Meola Rd, beyond to a new outfall in the nearby estuary. The contractors will need to deal with both the old landfill and the underlying basalt outcrops in the process.
If you were planning a visit in the next six months there’s still time in July if you could bring it forward. There’s a shiny new exhibit recently added to see too!
After the display is closed to the public, staff and volunteers will continue to work behind the scenes, on-site. My colleagues and I will maintain regular updates to this thread and the Aviation collection will feature prominently on MOTAT’s website and Facebook.
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Post by shuttlewalk on Jul 7, 2021 23:44:42 GMT 12
It’s been a month since I was able to last work on the Kestrel but in the meantime I’ve continued to assemble components onto the Hind bulkhead AB. This is the rectangular frame of steel tubing behind the firewall, the front one of three that comprise the airplane’s centre section. It’s made of heavier materials than the rest of the airframe because much of the other structure is joined to it. As well as the firewall and coolant tank mounted on the front of it is the engine mount bolted to each corner, behind are the four fuselage longerons which support the main fuel tank, oil tank and radiator. Connected to the top joints are the upper centreplane struts with their bracing wires and to the side of each bottom joint are the main bracing wire to the upper wing and the oleo legs below. Without any of these other parts attached this bulkhead's quite compact so my next step will be to see if it’s feasible to build it (or even just one side of it) on to the existing Kestrel display. I’ll check that out tomorrow. Are you restoring a Kestrel? My Mum is currently looking to rehome our Kestrel engine (still runs) that was originally in Dick Shuttleworth's (my Dad's uncle) power boat Flak TOO. We have pallet loads and boxes of Merlin and Kestrel parts if you were interested I can put you in contact with Mum? Here is a video of my Dad starting the engine with a chainsaw after it had been in storage for 10 years!
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MOTAT
Jul 8, 2021 8:14:27 GMT 12
via mobile
Post by johnnyfalcon on Jul 8, 2021 8:14:27 GMT 12
Brilliant!
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MOTAT
Jul 8, 2021 9:42:35 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 8, 2021 9:42:35 GMT 12
There is no video showing
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MOTAT
Jul 8, 2021 10:12:46 GMT 12
Post by delticman on Jul 8, 2021 10:12:46 GMT 12
Must be the garage find of the year? Nothing so interesting in my garage.
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Post by emron on Jul 8, 2021 14:15:16 GMT 12
It’s been a month since I was able to last work on the Kestrel but in the meantime I’ve continued to assemble components onto the Hind bulkhead AB. This is the rectangular frame of steel tubing behind the firewall, the front one of three that comprise the airplane’s centre section. It’s made of heavier materials than the rest of the airframe because much of the other structure is joined to it. As well as the firewall and coolant tank mounted on the front of it is the engine mount bolted to each corner, behind are the four fuselage longerons which support the main fuel tank, oil tank and radiator. Connected to the top joints are the upper centreplane struts with their bracing wires and to the side of each bottom joint are the main bracing wire to the upper wing and the oleo legs below. Without any of these other parts attached this bulkhead's quite compact so my next step will be to see if it’s feasible to build it (or even just one side of it) on to the existing Kestrel display. I’ll check that out tomorrow. Are you restoring a Kestrel? My Mum is currently looking to rehome our Kestrel engine (still runs) that was originally in Dick Shuttleworth's (my Dad's uncle) power boat Flak TOO. We have pallet loads and boxes of Merlin and Kestrel parts if you were interested I can put you in contact with Mum? Here is a video of my Dad starting the engine with a chainsaw after it had been in storage for 10 years! Welcome to the Forum. You’ve captured our interest. I’ve replied to your PM now. To Everyone else: Please form a queue, in orderly fashion, starting after MOTAT.
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Post by emron on Jul 13, 2021 14:42:32 GMT 12
Sunderland Update We’re getting there now. On Sunday Mark was able to get back to refitting all those loose parts that had been removed from the turret for painting. Meanwhile I finished the set of clamps for the ammo boxes and then prepped them for paint along with all of the parts for one of the cradles. Here’s a selection of the parts for the second cradle which will also be ready tomorrow for final painting. fn4_cradle_parts by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Jul 14, 2021 16:27:32 GMT 12
“A Field of Poppies” fresh from Steve’s Studio and which were later firmly planted in place. fn4_clamps by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Jul 20, 2021 16:32:17 GMT 12
Sunderland Update
The paint had set on the parts of the first cradle, sufficient for me to assemble it on Sunday. I was able to fit it into the clamps but there was one bolt in the way preventing it from swinging fully up and down. I’ll attend to that issue tomorrow and hopefully the paint will have dried on the second set by then. We’ve cut the metal for the two sealing strips that will complete both assemblies and the next job is to roll them to the correct curve and align them with the slots in the cupola so they can be fixed on for good.
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Post by emron on Jul 24, 2021 18:52:09 GMT 12
Sunderland Update On Wednesday I got the second cradle assembled and fitted along with it’s set of ammo feed reels. Taking a brief break from them, I got back to the rivetting on of the missing brackets for the left inner ammo box. Next was to make a start on the 3 new box lids, first up the second outer one. I had a problem getting the flare correct on the exit chute but with a little heat I managed to coax it into shape. I’m not sure if I have the patience to make five copies of the elaborate little lid latch, we should be able to make do with some small spring loaded barrel bolts from the hardware store. Before I fold the back part of this lid, I’ll use it as a template to mark out the longer lids for the inner boxes. Progress to date. fn4_box_lids by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Jul 29, 2021 13:09:09 GMT 12
Sunderland Update On Sunday I did a test fit of the set of ammo boxes and then sorted out fasteners so we could re-attach some of the covers and brackets up front. I tapped out the holes for one plate but couldn’t find screws short enough, so set to cutting some down. Mark made a start on stripping down the control hand pieces so we could free up the jammed triggers and bowden cables. On Wednesday I continued where he left off and then finished screwing on panels. Just as well I didn’t have time to do more with making the new box lids, because in the afternoon while searching in one of the sheds for Ceres parts I was amazed to find another stack of ammo boxes on the top of a shelf. Amongst them was an intact L.H. inner box and I was even happier to see what was rattling around inside! fn4_box_and_lids by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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MOTAT
Aug 2, 2021 17:17:37 GMT 12
Post by Richard Wesley on Aug 2, 2021 17:17:37 GMT 12
Oh wow, fantastic find there Ron! Great to see the store sheds still have some treasure hidden away.
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