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Post by rumourman on Dec 21, 2010 6:44:04 GMT 12
A full size Spitfire model donated to OSWAK by WGCDR(Hon) Craig Walker is being restored and will be erected on a plinth as a gate guardian at WP. Working for completion by Mar 11
26 Aug 10 - The Spitfire needs to undergo frame strengthening and the moulds owned by the RNZAF Museum Board are required for this. They have loaned them until Dec and they were uplifted 25 Aug by MT AK. The target date for an unveiling is Feb 2011
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2010 12:06:16 GMT 12
I was told this in March by someone involved, but at that time I was told it was Doug Brown funding the venture. Who is Wing Commander (Hon) Craig Walker? Is that an Honorary rank or is he an Honourable, ie nobility?
I wonder who's colours the aircraft wil be in. Obviously a No. 485 Squadron scheme.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2010 21:57:13 GMT 12
Thanks Mike. Much appreciated. It's good to hear of a businessman who is supporting the RNZAF in this way, good on him.
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Post by raymond on Dec 27, 2010 17:06:04 GMT 12
If I recall correctly there is a photo of Craig Walker in the "History of Hobsonville" Book I saw on sale at the RNZAF Museum. He was with his dad who I think was CO 5 or Base Cdr.
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Post by McFly on Dec 30, 2010 20:20:38 GMT 12
Honorary Wing Commander, Craig Walker. WGCDR Walker’s involvement with the RNZAF started much earlier. Craig is the son of the late GPCAPT Mick Walker who was a previous Base Commander at RNZAF Base Hobsonville. In addition to the donation of the Walker Lounge, Craig has donated and moved buildings for the local Scout Den, No 30 Squadron Air Training Corps, and the Aviation Sports Club Hangar - to name a few. In recognition of his outstanding services and support to the RNZAF, Craig Walker was made an Honorary Wing Commander in 2008. Craig was the main benefactor of the Spitfire to RNZAF Base Whenuapai and Doug Brown (485 Sqn) and Sir Tim Wallis have both made significant contributions to funding its refurbishment and eventual plinth mounting. However, following a thorough survey of the Spitfire and its internal frame construction, it was found that additional engineering was required to strengthen the fuselage and wing mountings + the fiberglass work (the original replica was made for being suspended from the upper surfaces and not vertically mounted on a plinth) unfortunately has meant a delay in the project and the original Feb/Mar 2011 date (to coincide with the 485 Sqn reunion) now cant be met, however BOB day in September is now a more likely target. A couple of artists impressions of the eventual hoped for end state location and mounting etc.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 30, 2010 20:35:50 GMT 12
Thanks for that. So that is well inland of the gate then, and won't be visible to the public I guess. If it's that low on the plinth the infamous Whenuapai taggers will get easy access to it.
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Post by McFly on Dec 30, 2010 21:11:13 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 30, 2010 21:51:22 GMT 12
Great stuff, thanks for posting these shots.
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Post by oggie2620 on Dec 31, 2010 0:26:59 GMT 12
I hope the taggers use what little brains they have and dont touch this very beautiful aircraft...
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Post by baz62 on Dec 31, 2010 8:51:25 GMT 12
Thanks god it was an artist's impression in the first photo as my eyebrows shot up when I saw a 2 bladed prop that looked more at home on a homebuilt! Yes it will be a welcome addition to the base and a salute to the veterans still with us and long since fallen.
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Post by McFly on Dec 31, 2010 17:27:05 GMT 12
A couple of photos of the Spitfire now safely in the workshop. Note the internal (or lack of) fuselage bracing structure/mounting frame etc, hence the need for more. Look even closer and you'll see the still extant (but no longer functional) red fire sprinkler piping that was a requirement when suspended inside the cinema. (Now that would have been an interesting war time modification..! Water bomber perhaps?) I think the pilot has seen better days too.. Cheers Marty
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 2, 2011 13:48:41 GMT 12
Great shots. Is that a non-standard canopy? It looks flat rather than bubbled.
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Post by McFly on Jan 2, 2011 20:15:17 GMT 12
Yup - Non standard repo. It's a pretty thin perspex canopy fitted to a rudimentary frame and fixed in the open position (doesn't close). Hopefully the Air Force GRP lads are able to 'blow' a suitable period canopy or copy the Air Force museums one (Mk XVI Spitfire), or they may have to use someone like Auckland based 'Composites International Ltd' who made the Spitfire canopy for Brendon Deeer's Mk IV (PV270). Doug Brown (485 Sqn) has also asked for 'wingtips' to be fitted to this replica aircraft. He says they (Spitfires) just don't look right without the full elliptical wing, although he added that the clipped wing versions he flew in combat had a pretty quick roll rate at low level.! Brendon Deere has kindly supplied a set of drawings for the wingtips which will be helpful (the wingtips are bolt-on bolt-off and pick up on the end of the spars). Doug has also expressed a desire for his personal aircraft codes OU-Q and scheme to be used on the finished example. Long way to go yet and nothing firmed up on the end scheme, however the Air Force Museum is advising on much of this historical detail to ensure an accurate representation (if that is the end decision?) or a generic aircraft representation that covers all bases and satisfies all. 485 Sqn did fly Mk XVI clipped wing 'low back' Spitfires late in the war, however whether any were the full elliptical wing is not currently known. Nevertheless I tend to agree the full wing does look better (correct..) and there are a few nice examples of the MkXVI flying today in the full wing (see below). UK based MkXVI G-OXVI/TD248/CR-S (photo Tim Storr)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 4, 2011 11:24:24 GMT 12
Great stuff, I also agree a Spitfire looks better with the full wing shape, wingtips included. However I also prefer the highback and rounded tail of the Mk IX to the lowback pointy tail of the XVI.
Did Doug's Mk XVI have any nose art? He had a classic nose art on one of his aeroplanes called "Wine, Women and Song" but I suspect that was his earlier Mk IX.
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Post by McFly on Jan 4, 2011 11:44:33 GMT 12
Not sure if he carried his nose art through to the other Spitfires he flew? (he wrote a few off too). I'll see if I can find out. Here is his photo of 'Wine, Woman & Song' (Mk IX..?). (Photo RNZAF official via Doug Brown)
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Post by McFly on May 11, 2012 17:27:40 GMT 12
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Post by beagle on May 11, 2012 17:39:57 GMT 12
so you won lotto too mr McFly
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Post by skyhawkdon on May 11, 2012 19:46:17 GMT 12
Looks like a plastic one!
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Post by Tony on May 11, 2012 23:47:49 GMT 12
Looks like a plastic one! Previously 'hangared' at the Westgate Multiplex
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Post by raymond on May 11, 2012 23:51:07 GMT 12
looks like its in the Hobby apron hangar. Isnt it being painted up to be mounted at WP?
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