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Post by ErrolC on Aug 4, 2022 7:25:32 GMT 12
There is lots of free parking, including in highly inappropriate places like Park and Rides. It might not be in places that you want it to be. On the other hand I used to have to go to MOTAT 2 early in the day in the weekend or not at all. When the rail tunnel is done public transport might be a reasonable option for me.
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MOTAT
Aug 4, 2022 19:52:41 GMT 12
Post by Peter Lewis on Aug 4, 2022 19:52:41 GMT 12
So MOTAT's free carpark, which must have been the only free parking left in the whole city, is no more? The new carparks will be operated by Auckland Transport. So you know what that means - on yer bike!
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MOTAT
Aug 5, 2022 12:37:39 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 5, 2022 12:37:39 GMT 12
This makes my blood boil, thank goodness it was not destroyed! From The Press, 12 January 1974:
VANDALISM AT MUSEUM
(N.Z. Press Association)
AUCKLAND, January 11.
Vandals tried to destroy a Lexington B34 — believed to be the last aeroplane of its type in the world — at the Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology, on Thursday night. The vandals forced a locked window of the plane, and set fire to the interior. Fortunately, the fire fizzled out — with gallons of highly inflammable paint and cleaning spirits just beyond its reach and only minor damage was caused.
"This is pure vandalism,” 'said the chairman of the aviation division of the museum (Mr T. R. Craiil) today. “Why would anybody want to destroy this when it is the only one in the world? It is particularly distressing after the many hours of work put into restoring the plane by volunteers.
“It’s just $550 of scrap metal to some people,” he said. “But it’s really worth $20,000 to $30,000 anywhere in the world.”
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Post by emron on Aug 5, 2022 13:31:38 GMT 12
There is lots of free parking, including in highly inappropriate places like Park and Rides. It might not be in places that you want it to be. On the other hand I used to have to go to MOTAT 2 early in the day in the weekend or not at all. When the rail tunnel is done public transport might be a reasonable option for me. Not speaking on behalf of AT, but just to clarify, it’s not only those that use MOTAT’s new car park that will soon be paying a charge. Auckland Zoo’s car park and the Zoo car park outside TAPAC are also set to become paid parking zones. For any visitors that are unable to manage or are unwilling to pay this extra fee, for the present there remains unrestricted on-street parking nearby on Old Mill Rd, Motions Rd, Great North Rd and Meola Rd. Although these free spaces will no doubt fill up all the faster once charges start.
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 8, 2022 11:04:35 GMT 12
Forgive me if it's been discussed ad nauseam, but what's the story of NZ3039? I've read that it's an anonymous Russian aircraft with some parts from NZ3039, other sources stating it is indeed a Rukuhia recovery. Not wanting to demean the aircraft's provenance at all or start any uncomfortable discussions, only (as a P-40 fan) to clarify the backstory for my own nerdy needs!
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Post by Antonio on Aug 8, 2022 11:41:11 GMT 12
Our nerdy needs
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Post by emron on Aug 9, 2022 19:27:35 GMT 12
Forgive me if it's been discussed ad nauseam, but what's the story of NZ3039? I've read that it's an anonymous Russian aircraft with some parts from NZ3039, other sources stating it is indeed a Rukuhia recovery. Not wanting to demean the aircraft's provenance at all or start any uncomfortable discussions, only (as a P-40 fan) to clarify the backstory for my own nerdy needs! Zac, I’m sure the Museum would welcome any photo or documentary evidence that your sources can provide in support of those statements.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Aug 10, 2022 22:38:50 GMT 12
The Official MoTAT Aviation Host manual (which I have in front of me) states for NZ3039: "The airframe incorporates an unknown number of parts from others. Its war service needs elucidating"
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MOTAT
Aug 27, 2022 6:59:08 GMT 12
via mobile
Post by ErrolC on Aug 27, 2022 6:59:08 GMT 12
PARKING We recommend our visitors park at the MOTAT Aviation Hall located at 98 Motions Road, Western Springs. We have recently finished construction of a new 155+ space car park at this location.
Parking at the MOTAT Aviation Hall is currently free of charge, however, will convert to paid parking in Summer 2022. More information on the car park can be found here.
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Post by Richard Wesley on Aug 27, 2022 22:15:11 GMT 12
Forgive me if it's been discussed ad nauseam, but what's the story of NZ3039? I've read that it's an anonymous Russian aircraft with some parts from NZ3039, other sources stating it is indeed a Rukuhia recovery. Not wanting to demean the aircraft's provenance at all or start any uncomfortable discussions, only (as a P-40 fan) to clarify the backstory for my own nerdy needs! I'm sure many people would be very interested to understand the history of the airframe now on display at Motat. Charles Darby is one person who will know, although I guess there may be some information with Pioneer Aero?
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Post by Antonio on Aug 27, 2022 22:27:04 GMT 12
For sure. I'm not after excuses to rub dirt in but I'm just interested in the airframe for its sake. The source of the airframe, the wings, who assembled it etc. I realise that it is not a 'complete' aircraft. Correct me if I'm wrong but I just get the feeling that she is 'unloved' which if so is sad because she DOES have a history. My tuppence worth anyway.
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Post by emron on Aug 28, 2022 17:39:49 GMT 12
Oh no, you’re probably saying, not another one! After 7 years practice it’s time to resurrect the real thing. The Sunderland rear turret as removed and looking a little worse for wear after a mighty long and uncomfortable retirement outdoors. NZ4115_turret by Ron Wilson, on Flickr The turret bowl stripped down to it’s bare bottom and ready to assess for skin repairs. turret_bowl by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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MOTAT
Aug 28, 2022 17:57:52 GMT 12
baz62 likes this
Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 28, 2022 17:57:52 GMT 12
I am sure you will have that looking great again in no time.
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Post by Richard Wesley on Aug 29, 2022 22:39:32 GMT 12
It's certainly had a hard life, water pouring through it during the winter, and the temp feeling like 40 degrees inside there in summer. I remember well finally making it all the way to the tail on my second or third look inside back in the late eighties. It's a long way back there! It will be great to have this turret back up to standard, I guess for display at ground level?
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MOTAT
Sept 8, 2022 10:40:26 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 8, 2022 10:40:26 GMT 12
Air salvage attempt
(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 3.
Three volunteers of the Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology left Hobsonville today in a Royal New Zealand Air Force helicopter to recover a Hawker Hind biplane which crashed near Waikanae 30 years ago. They hope to clear bush around the wreckage so that it can be lifted out by helicopter and flown to Paraparaumu Airport later today. The helicopter will land the team about two miles from the crash site and the men will walk in. An R.N.Z.A.F. spokesman said the helicopter was being flown to Woodbourne so the opportunity was taken to take the men to the site. Another machine going north would attempt to winch the crashed aircraft out of its resting place.
PRESS, 4 MAY 1972
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MOTAT
Sept 8, 2022 13:16:12 GMT 12
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 8, 2022 13:16:12 GMT 12
Ventura parts from jungle
(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, August 28.
Parts of a Royal New Zealand Air Force Ventura bomber which failed to return from a mission nearly 30 years ago have been plucked from the New Guinea jungle and will be used at the Auckland Museum of Transport and Technology.
Two Auckland men arrived home yesterday after stripping parts from N.Z.4522 needed to complete restoration of a Ventura bomber owned by the museum. The men, Messrs A. H. Rowell and R. R. Lapwood, left Auckland on August 17. The plane parts are now on the beach at Talasea, New Guinea, awaiting shipment to Rabaul and then to New Zealand.
The Ventura was shot by the Japanese and the pilot made a successful landing on the Talasea airstrip which was too short for him to take off again. Together with a United States Mitchell bomber which suffered a similar fate, the Ventura was overrun by the jungle. Mr Rowell said he thought the pilot who landed the Ventura was now growing tobacco near Nelson.
“The co-operation we received from the local natives was fantastic,” Mr Rowell said tonight. "They helped us clear away all the growth and drag the parts out.
“There was no power for electrics tools and it was fairly hard going,” he said.
PRESS, 29 AUGUST 1972
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Post by emron on Sept 11, 2022 18:03:52 GMT 12
Rear Turret Update When Brian and I eventually removed the ring gear that was meant to rotate around the bowl we discovered why it wouldn’t budge and uncovered another horror story. The corrosion has expanded so far that it burst the steel ring gear away from it’s aluminium base plate and sheared off the 4BA screws holding them together. You can see here where the ring was deformed around the remains of a ball bearing and with enough force to eventually crack the hardened outer shell of the bearing. The remaining steel parts became welded together with a heavy layer of rust. turret_ring_gear_a by Ron Wilson, on Flickr turret_ring_gear_b by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Here are some survivors of the two types of bearing assemblies that support the rotating ring. The top ones are what the ring rolls on, the lower ones ensure that the ring remains circular and space it from the bowl. The turret has 14 of the first type and 16 of the second. Most of the larger ball bearings were destroyed but they are still a standard size and replacements should be readily available. turret_bearings by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Anyway I’ve already chiselled out the worst of that corrosion, straightened the ring gear and done initial grit and bead blast ready for finishing next time. Here’s progress to date on these and other parts, Thanks to Bob for help with paint stripping and bead blasting. turret_cleaned_parts by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by Antonio on Sept 12, 2022 8:57:23 GMT 12
You guys do such amazing work, it is a pleasure to watch your progress
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MOTAT
Sept 12, 2022 12:04:30 GMT 12
Post by ZacYates on Sept 12, 2022 12:04:30 GMT 12
Hear hear!
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MOTAT
Sept 12, 2022 12:10:03 GMT 12
Post by davidd on Sept 12, 2022 12:10:03 GMT 12
Me too!
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