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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 10, 2005 20:59:55 GMT 12
The Vampire fighter on page 8 of the latest Classic Wings magazine (Issue 49) looks fantastic. Congratulations to the team who've restored it.
The colour scheme is fasinating. I never realsied the RNZAF flew any in camouflage, I thought all ours were boring silver. The camo misxed with the bright yellow and red of No. 75 Squadron's diamonds look great.
I didn't even know the RNZF had bought second-hand examples from the RAF. I thought all ours were new except a few trainers from the RAAF. You live and learn.
It looks great next to Philip Burns's two seater. Ashburton Aviation Museum seems to be a really go ahead place now with its Harrier and Canberra cockpit coming. Plus several other projects. Well done to all.
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Post by turboNZ on Mar 10, 2005 21:06:07 GMT 12
I concur...isn't it beautiful.
TNZ
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Post by hairy on May 20, 2005 12:25:39 GMT 12
I was down there last week, great bunch of guys, awesome museum. All of their a/c are fantastic condition.
The Canberra cockpit (some poms are really upset that it came down here) has arrived and is awaiting its instruments and seats etc. that are with the Harrier which is still on the water.
-*pictures soon*-
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Post by hairy on May 22, 2005 18:44:52 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 22, 2005 19:23:51 GMT 12
Excellent photos, thanks Marcus. I really like the look of that museum and must get down there someday. It looks like they are a really dedicated team.
The Vampire is gorgeous.
Is that a genuine RNZAF Auster? Does it still fly? Also, is the RNZAF Musuem's lovely old Porterfield still at Ashburton?
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Post by Bruce on May 22, 2005 22:35:53 GMT 12
ZK-AVH looks like an auster Mk 2 to me, it is ex military but not RNZAF (who used J1s and a C7) It has the flat panel windscreen, enlarged rear windows but has a lycoming or Franklin in place of the Gyspsy major (as on the J1) or Blackburn Cirrus (J5 series) There are one or two ex RNZAf austers still flying around the south island, but I think AVH is ex British Army Air corps - very nice too I might add.  Ashburton have a really good looking museum down there. As a quiz for everyone (except Hairy...) can anyone identify the aircraft "ZK-CPW" and what aircraft it was derived from  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 22, 2005 22:51:46 GMT 12
It's a Yeoman Cropmaster, built in Australia by converting an ex-RAAF Wackett trainer. Quite an interesting plane. The museum has a website here. www.ashburton.co.nz/aviation/aircraft.htm I see the Porterfield is still listed as in thier care. The site doesn't mention it being owned by the RNZAF Museum, has ownership passed to the Ashburton museum? I note their site states "The Vampire was the first jet aircraft to see service with the RNZAF" - surely that would be wrong? The Meteor was the RNZAF's first jet aircraft I thought. |
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Post by hairy on May 24, 2005 15:26:47 GMT 12
The Porterfield is indeed with the guys in Ashburton it was only on loan to the RNZAF Museum, as it is only on loan to the Ashburton Aviation Museum it is still owned by the family that has owned it since the war.
Sorry no pics, very crowded hangar, the Airtruck was in the way.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 24, 2005 21:37:47 GMT 12
Oh, thanks Hairy. I didn't realise it was still privately owned. Does anything there fly?
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Post by hairy on May 27, 2005 14:15:25 GMT 12
As far as I know only the Auster flys, but most of the aircraft are superficially airworthy.(the Yeoman and airtruck were flown in)
The Cropmaster, Porterfield, Airtruck, Harrier and I think one of the Vampires are all privately owned and on loan to the Museum.
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Ashburton have a really good looking museum down there.
