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Post by emron on Dec 12, 2021 14:41:40 GMT 12
Thanks to all those who offered to find a spring for me but Frank’s the champion. Here is one of the turret exit chutes ready for test fit. The parts for the second are behind, just waiting to check if I got the measurements right for the first. fn4_exit_chute by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Four months to the day since that report I’ve got back to the Workshop. Volunteer activities restarted during the week and I returned today to finish fitting the chutes and their cover strips. They’re now ready for trimming and paint, which we’ll do next time. We’ve only got three more work days to make the most of before Christmas having lost the previous thirty.
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Post by emron on Dec 14, 2021 17:02:29 GMT 12
Kestrel Update On Sunday I measured up for the control rods missing from the back of the Kestrel. A couple of rainy days in the shed at home and all but one are now finished along with the extension for the main control shaft which was broken/sawn off. I’ll test them for fit tomorrow and measure up the final one. kestrel_rods by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by ZacYates on Dec 14, 2021 17:03:18 GMT 12
Sorry Ron, I was typing this post as yours came up! Well done that man, some clever work on display. Via information on another post by flyernz: "ZK-BPX Widgeon: Built postwar, civil use in US and South America, then to NZ in 1959. DBR Pegasus Bay, Stewart Island, 15Jan64. To MOTAT, then Owen Harnish who has it stored." From kiwiaircraftimages: "Another accident occurred on January 1, 1974, when ZK-BPX made a wheels down landing on Halfmoon bay, resulting in the aircraft being written off (although it still exists)." I would be keen to hear more if others know some more of the story behind the Wigeon, maybe a photo of it at Motat if it ever actually made it onto the museum grounds at any stage? WONZer Luis Rozas and I are discussing this airframe via Facebook right now as according to Aeropedia.com.au BPX is restored and on display at MOTAT! Whatever happened to it? Still with the Harnish family?
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Post by emron on Dec 14, 2021 18:02:14 GMT 12
Parts of BPX were donated to MOTAT by Mt Cook Airlines in the mid-1970s. That was the stripped out fuselage and outer wings only, no centre section, engine mounts, engines, cowlings, tailplane or floats. It had been stored out the back at Mechanics Bay. It was briefly stored on site at MOTAT, if I recall both in the workshop at Western Springs and later at Meola Rd. But probably around 1980 Sea Bee Air asked for it back as they wished to rebuild it and MOTAT agreed to return it.
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MOTAT
Dec 15, 2021 13:37:35 GMT 12
Post by ZacYates on Dec 15, 2021 13:37:35 GMT 12
Thanks Ron, that answers our question rather well! Much appreciated.
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Post by andrewpit on Dec 16, 2021 8:09:41 GMT 12
Thanks Ron, I had always wondered what happened to it. Many years ago I saw a trailer leaving Sea Bea Air with a couple of stripped out fuselages and parts and wondered where they went. I talked to Owen Harnish at an airshow when he CFA as Aquatic and Vintage and he said that I had seen him taking the parts back to his place. I assume it was CHG and maybe bits of BPX.
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Post by emron on Dec 16, 2021 13:14:45 GMT 12
I don’t think Sea Bee did much more with BPX and can’t remember if they ever gave MOTAT a second chance at the restoration. IMHO both AVM and CFA are equally deserving of Protected Object status as the P40 discussed elsewhere. MOTAT would make an ideal retirement home for either when their flying days are over. In the meantime perhaps we could recreate a scene something like this, using one of the derelicts. Tourist Air Travel - Museum of Transport and Technology, New Zealand (motat.nz) collection.motat.nz/objects/97164/tourist-air-travel
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MOTAT
Dec 16, 2021 17:00:13 GMT 12
via mobile
ZacYates likes this
Post by andrewpit on Dec 16, 2021 17:00:13 GMT 12
I really hope one ends up at Motat. CHG is still sitting at Ardmore as a donor for AVM
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MOTAT
Dec 16, 2021 17:19:23 GMT 12
via mobile
ZacYates likes this
Post by andrewpit on Dec 16, 2021 17:19:23 GMT 12
Is anyone in contact with Owen Harnish who could confirm which airframe bits he ended up othe than AVM and CFA
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Post by emron on Dec 18, 2021 14:04:53 GMT 12
Cutting it a little fine but here are this year’s Christmas decorations out to dry and ready just in time for Santa to hang on the Kestrel. kestrel_decorations by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Dec 19, 2021 15:28:03 GMT 12
I hear the tree was more admired than the decoration. Anyway, the star’s taken down now and the parts fitted temporarily to the Kestrel for Christmas. Here are the before and afters. When we return in the New Year I’ll fasten the control rods more permanently. kestrel_rear by Ron Wilson, on Flickr kestrel_rear_2 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr kestrel_rear_3 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by sputnik767 on Dec 20, 2021 3:34:13 GMT 12
Looking good Ron, Will be exciting to see what is there on the return after Christmas....
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Post by corsairarm on Dec 22, 2021 15:21:07 GMT 12
Today was the last day for us with our usual Xmas fish and chips for lunch. Mike and I did some spot painting in the Sunderland so when we get back next year we can start painting in ernest with a brush and roller. Spray painting is off the cards as we tend to fume out the ADH. Ron (Emron) worked on the rear turret of the Sunderland, having a rest from the Kestrel whilst Bob and Albert worked on replacing some panels on the DC3. Wishing all the people in aviation land and in particular to New Zealand's restoration seen, a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. We are back on the 19 Jan. Cheers Richard
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Post by emron on Dec 23, 2021 15:07:14 GMT 12
Perhaps not to be completed this year, but all going well early next, a promised treat for down back of the Sunderland. The ammo exit chutes now added to the turret cupola with help from Steve for paint and to deftly fasten those last awkward rivets. fn4_turret_cupola by Ron Wilson, on Flickr And another for up front on the Kestrel. A start soon to be made on sculpting the flowing lines of the propeller once more timber is glued. kestrel_prop3 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Seasons Greetings to all. May you find something great under the Christmas tree. Stay safe and Covid-free.
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MOTAT
Dec 24, 2021 11:01:09 GMT 12
Post by baz62 on Dec 24, 2021 11:01:09 GMT 12
Those chutes look great. Look forward to seeing the prop. Have a great Christmas to you and the MOTAT Team.
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Post by ZacYates on Dec 28, 2021 15:24:46 GMT 12
As I said in the Ferrymead thread, I may not always comment but I enjoy reading each and every update. Thanks to the team for sharing so much and more power to you and all the volunteers for 2022!
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MOTAT
Jan 7, 2022 8:40:04 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 7, 2022 8:40:04 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 16, 2022 7:02:51 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 16, 2022 10:22:52 GMT 12
Terrific photos!
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MOTAT
Jan 16, 2022 20:20:04 GMT 12
Post by oj on Jan 16, 2022 20:20:04 GMT 12
Gift from the French Navy?
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