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Post by shorty on Jan 16, 2022 21:07:46 GMT 12
the Lancaster was presented to the people of New Zealand by the French Government in 1964 as a gesture of goodwill, and in recognition of the contribution of New Zealand aviators during World War II.
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Post by emron on Jan 23, 2022 15:36:30 GMT 12
Sunderland Update Barely two hours into the first Sunday workshop session of 2022 today and we paused for a news break!. To Mark: I remembered how the hand controller parts went back together so I thought it best to assemble them just in case. We should be able to finish painting in place. turret_controller by Ron Wilson, on Flickr On Wednesday I got the freshly painted side plates for the chutes fitted to the turret chassis in preparation for the cupola to be attached to them. chute_sideplates by Ron Wilson, on Flickr ammo_chute by Ron Wilson, on Flickr At this stage hoping to continue workshop activities business as usual over the coming weeks.
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MOTAT
Jan 24, 2022 5:24:00 GMT 12
Post by sputnik767 on Jan 24, 2022 5:24:00 GMT 12
Looking great Ron, thanks for posting. Must find some of my earlier photos to add
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Post by emron on Feb 24, 2022 14:10:34 GMT 12
Sunderland Update The time-consuming job continues of cleaning flaking paint and corrosion from the hard-to-reach recesses between the ribs in the cavernous rear compartment of the flying boat. We’ve removed the two waist gun hatches and back to the workshop bench so their inner sides could be more easily sanded and for one of the windows to be replaced. The turret doors have now been re-assembled and painted and ready for sign writing and to hang on the back shell of the cupola. turret_doors1 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr turret_doors2 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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MOTAT
Feb 27, 2022 10:55:35 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 27, 2022 10:55:35 GMT 12
That looks great!
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MOTAT
Mar 4, 2022 7:22:52 GMT 12
Post by ZacYates on Mar 4, 2022 7:22:52 GMT 12
Superb work!
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Post by emron on Mar 6, 2022 18:21:52 GMT 12
Sunderland Update A couple of weeks back Mark had bolted the main turret arch frame loosely back on. I picked up on Wednesday and finished securing it firmly in place and then followed with a touch up paint of the nuts and bolt heads. Next up was to sort and clean an assortment of 2BA bolts so that we could re-attach all the fittings, tubing and panels back on to the arch, once they were painted. Most of the original bolts could be re-used but I put them through the die to clear the threads of rust and choking paint. Then I thought I’d gather together the sets of screws to fix down the two safety belt brackets alongside the seat. safety_belt_anchorage by Ron Wilson, on Flickr I found one set of screws still in place on the left side so removed and cleaned them. The other set had already been taken out but I couldn’t push their replacements up from below because part of the turning ring mechanism was in the way. This morning with Mark’s help we rolled the turret on it’s side so we could see the turning ring underneath. First up we found the hand operated rotation lock was jammed down, so that was cleaned and soon moving freely and locked in “up” out of the way. rotation_lock by Ron Wilson, on Flickr I was surprised to find that the turning ring then moved quite easily one way and came up against the stop. Going the other way I discovered it was binding on a section of the cupola base plate that had got bent down. I soon had that straightened and now with the correct clearance gap it rolled smoothly to that side stop too. With that issue sorted we returned the turret upright and continued fitting the gun sight radius arm to the top of the arch and then clamped on the hydraulic accumulator tube on the left side and reconnected the lines to it. Mark, you’ll be pleased to see that I’ve tracked down all the correct clips to mount the rest of the tubes and side panels as well. I’ve left them to secure properly next time. left_panel by Ron Wilson, on Flickr right_panel by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Now that we’re confident that the turret will rotate evenly when it’s mounted back in the hull, we need to re-instate a hand turning crank. The original was borrowed to activate another turret. Meanwhile here’s the hydraulic motor that can be fitted next, shown here with some of the tubing fittings. However it lacks the pinion drive gear and a source of hydraulic power. turning_motor by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2022 12:59:12 GMT 12
With Papers Past now adding The Press up till 1971, there are some interesting stories of how MOTAT acquired various exhibits. Some of the history may not be remembered today, so I'll post a few aviation related ones. From the PRESS, 16 DECEMBER 1964 Kingsford Smith Bust For Mangere Terminal"The Press" Special Service AUCKLAND, Dec. 15. The persistence of a Warkworth photographer, Mr Tudor Collins, won two life-size busts of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith for New Zealand from Australia. One of the busts will probably grace the Auckland International Airport at Mangere. The deputy chairman of T.E.A.L. (Mr G. N. Roberts) told the Auckland branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society how Mr Collins had obtained the busts. Noticing them in a "doomed-for-demolition" Sydney hotel, the Arcadia, on a trip to Australia two or three years ago, Mr Collins tried unsuccessfully to “beg, borrow or steal” them. But on another trip to Sydney a few weeks ago, with the hotel in the process of demolition, he persuaded the demolition contractor to let him have them—free. T.E.A.L. flew them across the Tasman this week—also free of charge. Blackened by many years of hotel cigarette smoke, but otherwise in good condition, the two busts of Australia’s famous “Smithy” are now crated in T.E.A.L.’s basement, awaiting a new resting place. Proposals expected to be considered by Mr Collins, T.E.A.L. and the Royal Aeronautical Society are that one bust be installed at the Auckland International Airport and the other at the Museum of Transport and Technology, Western Springs. However, a proposal that one of the busts may go to "Smithy’s” first New Zealand landing point at Wigram will also be considered. LINK to MOTAT page on this bust
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2022 13:01:48 GMT 12
From the PRESS, 24 DECEMBER 1965 Engine With A History(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, Dec. 23. Four apprentice mechanics at Auckland airport are spending their lunch hours and tea breaks restoring an engine from Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s recordmaking aircraft, the Southern Cross. Air New Zealand’s management liaison representative, Mr G. N. Wells, found the 200 horsepower Wright Whirlwind engine about four years ago, rusting away in a garage in Orange, 260 miles from Sydney. With the help of the Australian Civil Aviation Department he moved the engine to Sydney, and with the help of Qantas engineers had it broken down for its flight to Auckland. The engine was presented to the Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology. It still has the original spark plugs. The apprentice mechanics believe that if they can discover “a few more pieces” they could have it in working order. LINK to MOTAT page on this engine
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2022 13:06:34 GMT 12
From the PRESS, 20 APRIL 1965 REBUILDING PLANEAuckland Man Kept Busy (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 19. A Mount Roskill engineer, Mr R. McNamara, has almost finished rebuilding a Tiger Moth topdressing aircraft in the basement of his home. For the last six months he has spent 10 to 12 hours each week-end on the task. The finished aircraft will be made up of parts from Tiger Moths from airfield and private enthusiasts as far away as Matamata. Tauranga, and Hawke’s Bay. After Mr McNamara has mounted a Gypsy Major fourcylinder engine he rebuilt, the Tiger Moth will be put on display in the aviation section of the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. Mr McNamara is a former flight engineer for Air New Zealand and Pan American Airways, but has never held a pilot’s licence. I assume it is the ex-Barr Brothers NZ775/ZK-AIN LINK to MOTAT's page on this Tiger Moth
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2022 13:12:12 GMT 12
From the PRESS, 9 MAY 1966 (I think from memory there are photos of this move in Shorty's stash?)
Solent Loses Tip Of Wing
(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 8.
A Solent flying-boat on an overland journey to the Museum of Transport and Technology was shorn of a wingtip this morning.
Cutting through the wing-tip about a foot from the end made it just possible for an Auckland City Council bulldozer to haul the Solent between two power poles beside Meola road, Westmere. The incident, which kept Meola road closed for about 90 minutes, was the second unforeseen happening of the Solent’s last journey, which began early on Saturday morning at Hobsonville. The Solent, which logged 14,500 flying hours with Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd., was towed without trouble down the harbour towards the Meola road spit
But with the hull very light because the four big engines had been removed, a gust of wind caught the flying boat and it grounded. It was refloated at high tide on Saturday night and hauled ashore on to steel mesh matting. When the tow began again at 10 a.m. today, a steel skid at the rear replacing the tail wheel, all went well until the power poles were encountered.
Once the problem was resolved the rest of the journey went smoothly and the Solent, resting on a special site recently allotted by the City Council to the transport museum, is now an eyecatching distraction for Meola road motorists.
It is planned to replace the engines, which are being brought from Hobsonville by road.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2022 13:35:34 GMT 12
From the PRESS, 23 MARCH 1967 GIFT OF ELECTRAUnion Airways Flagship (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. March 22. The fuselage of a Lockheed Electra aircraft the original flagship of Union Airways, has arrived at the Museum of Transport and Technology at Auckland. N.A.C. successor to Union Airways, is sponsoring the reconstruction of the aircraft. Wings, rudder and other parts will be assembled from different centres and will be built on to the original body. The fuselage has been stored for some years Waitara. LINK to MOTAT page on this fuselage
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 7, 2022 14:02:05 GMT 12
From the PRESS, 6 DECEMBER 1969
Appointment Missed
N.Z. Press Association AUCKLAND, Dec. 5.
The fuse of a 1918 aerial bomb caused a minor stir at the Museum of Transport and Technology today and caused a schoolboy to miss his dental appointment. The fuse, said by an Army expert to be capable of causing severe injuries, was found by Llewellyn Thorp, aged 14, of Elliott Street, Riverhead, three weeks ago as he searched for a missing lawnmower part under his house.
This morning Llewellyn decided to hand it in at the museum on his way to a dental appointment. On one occasion after its discovery a neighbour of Llewellyns tried to dismantle the fuse but gave up when he saw what looked like a cartridge inside it.
When Mrs B. V. Barton, a receiving clerk at the museum, heard the story of the cartridge she rang the police who told the Army. While arrangements were made to get a bomb disposal expert to the museum it became too late for Llewellyn’s dental appointment.
The expert found the fuse safe enough to be moved, and it was taken to the Northern Military District depot by police car.
An Army spokesman said today that anyone having similar items in their possession should not tamper with them but should tell the Army through their local police station.
“Age can make ammunition inert but can also make certain types of explosives more sensitive.”
The 1918 fuse, he said, was almost in factory condition apart from some superficial marks on the outside.
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MOTAT
Mar 7, 2022 15:48:26 GMT 12
Post by oj on Mar 7, 2022 15:48:26 GMT 12
Have MOTAT got a Lawrence APU for their Sunderland exhibit? After de-commissioning the Sunderlands some of the APU's were farmed out to Ground-Equipment Bays on various bases. They were put on wheels and used quite regularly in the 1960's. Pretty temperamental to start, and very noisy in operation. There might still be one at Ohakea.
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MOTAT
Mar 7, 2022 16:58:53 GMT 12
Post by davidd on Mar 7, 2022 16:58:53 GMT 12
I have an idea the name of these engines is not the "usual" spelling, think it should be Laurence, but stand to be corrected. It is possible these are the same as those factory-fitted in the Catalinas.
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MOTAT
Mar 7, 2022 17:16:44 GMT 12
Post by oj on Mar 7, 2022 17:16:44 GMT 12
Lawrence or Lawrance is correct, but I was not. You are right on the Catalina. The Sunderland might not have had an APU. Both types too early for my working on them.
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MOTAT
Mar 7, 2022 17:37:44 GMT 12
oj likes this
Post by emron on Mar 7, 2022 17:37:44 GMT 12
The Sunderland used the ABC Generating and Pumping Unit MkII. MOTAT has one which is complete and could be made to run again. It last operated back in the 1980’s. They also have parts of a second one which is disassembled. MOTAT has a Lawrance Auxiliary Power Plant as well.
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Post by emron on Mar 9, 2022 16:32:12 GMT 12
For your eyes only, oj. Sunderland_APU_1 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Sunderland_APU_2 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Sunderland_APU_3 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Manufactured by A.B.C. Motors Ltd, Walton-on-Thames. Surrey, England. I think it was only the generator and bilge pumping modes that were utilised when installed in the Sunderland. It was mounted in it’s own compartment in the leading edge of the right wing, near to the fuselage and only accessible from the outside. The crewman had to climb on to the wing and open the ventilation hatches to start it. So it was only operated when the aircraft was on the water.
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Post by emron on Apr 28, 2022 13:16:38 GMT 12
Sunderland Update
The rear turret has been a little neglected of late but we’ll resume work on that soon, because the Sunderland is almost ready to accept it back.
Now that painting is at an advanced stage in the rear compartment we’ll also soon be ready to reinstall much of the other equipment that should be housed there. A lot of it has been out for years so I’ve been searching through the back rooms and upstairs racks to retrieve them, so we can repair and paint as necessary. So far we’ve gathered up the two flare chutes, camera mount, parachute holders and fire extinguishers. Once Mike and Richard have finished repairs and painting in the bilges we’ll be ready to refit the flooring, A couple of the wooden duck boards on the walkway to the turret had succumbed to the weather long ago and we’ll be able fill in those gaps at last. While working in that area we’ve removed the rear door and the two waist gun hatches so that we can complete their interior restoration back in the workshop.
Once this area’s finished, that will leave only the bow compartment to be redecorated. There’s quite a bit of loose equipment to be put back in the bow once it’s done too, including the bow ladder, anchor, navigation mast and bomb sight. The wooden storage box for the sight is in a sorry state, warped and rotted. I might need to watch a few more episodes of Will Kirk in action on the Repair Shop before I tackle that one. There will be other marine equipment about like ropes, chains, drogues, etc. that we can put back as well. I’m also on the look out for second boat hook as our only one is taken by the Solent.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 28, 2022 20:12:39 GMT 12
Great stuff, it is good to hear so much progress is being made inside the big old Sunderland and that the end of its restoration is in sight. It is a magnificent aircraft and must be one of the real prizes of the collection.
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