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Post by Bruce on May 1, 2005 22:45:43 GMT 12
A while ago we had a discussion about the various aircraft disposed of after the war, and the odd places they turned up. Some of those odd places were childrens playgrounds.
When I was quite young my folks took me to a playground where there was a "Big aeroplane" I was really young at the time but I remember the sliding canopies and a hatch on the back which allowed access to a cool hiding place. many years later I tracked the location down to a Park in Morrinsville where there was a Harvard on poles. This Harvard was taken down in the late 1980s and used as a spares source for sevral Harvard rebuilds. i can still remember my visit there even if was only 5 or so. I know that for many years Kuirau Park in Rotorua was home to a Grumman Avenger and a Valentine tank. I remember the Tank quite well but I think the Avenger had gone by the time I arrived on the scene. The Tank is now at Horotiu, north of Hamilton awating restoration, but I have heard several stories abou the Avenger. One story says it went to the RNZAF museum to use in thier restoration, but I think it the one now derelict near Bethells beach west of Auckland (Not a good place for preserving aircraft).
I know that there still is a Harvard in a Playground at Pahiatua, but for how much longer is anyones guess. Aparently playgrounds were popular uses of surplus aircraft, and there were a number more after the war - can anyone recall any others?
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Post by Ivan on May 2, 2005 16:07:50 GMT 12
NZ2527. Arrived in New Zealand on "Royal Arrow". Assembled by No.1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville and BOC 04 January 1944 with Unit 36, Hobsonville. To Nausori in 1944 for use by the Communications Flight. To No.42 Squadron, Ohakea for target towing. One of the last 3 Avengers on strength with the RNZAF. Sold by GSB tender number SR228/59 dated 23 September 1959 to Bennett Aviation, Te Kuiti. To Barr Brothers, Ardmore and entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-CBO in 1959. It was intended to convert the aircraft to a topdresser but in the end the conversion did not go ahead and the aircraft was towed by road from Ardmore to Rotorua on 26 October 1964. It was then installed in a children's playground in Kuirau Park still painted as NZ2527. Recovered to MOTAT and spent some years on display outside the Confederate Air Force Headquarters at Dairy Flat Airfield. Present whereabouts unknown.
Any update on these details would be welcome.
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Post by Bruce on May 2, 2005 16:14:23 GMT 12
ah! if its that Avenger it is still at Dairy flat, although last time I saw it wasnt in great condition. At least its in safe hands with the CAF flight though- the one at Bethells is likely to be a total loss before long  I understand an ex FAA Fairey firefly was a playground item at Hobsonville Kindergarten at some stage - this would have to be the most unusual playground aircraft surely? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 2, 2005 17:05:57 GMT 12
When I was at Motat last May 2004, I was told the Avenger is now in a shed at Sir Keith park Memorial Airfield, and is to be restored properly for display in the new museum. It was curator Bill Raynor who told me this.
I recall a Harvard at Rotorua in a park I think. It was orange and in poor condition.
I reckon the Pahiatua Harvard slide is one of the best landmarks there is. I love it. Ron Makrs suggested in Parliament last year that the Skyhwks should all be turned into slides too, rather than being scrapped. Cool idea!
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 2, 2005 17:07:49 GMT 12
By the way Bruce, the RNZAF Museum's spare Avenger came to them from Silverstream, and is now on loan to GAPS at Darton Field, Gisborne, nicely restored. homepages.ihug.co.nz/~av8or/GAPS/ |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 2, 2005 17:25:07 GMT 12
On Ivan's Harvard page at www.adf-serials.com/nz-serials/NZ946 used to be in a playground at Methven NZ980 used to be in a playground at Tauranga NZ1077 was displayed in a backyard in Ashburton NZ1100 was in a park at Takapau (where's that?) NZ1102 was the one at Morrinsville So why do I remember one at Rotorua in the mid-1980's? I don't think I am thinking of the Avenger - it was the park with Little Toot, the train. |
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Post by Bruce on May 3, 2005 8:30:01 GMT 12
the park with Little toot is kuirau park, so would be the Avenger site, but the 1980s seems a little late for that - maybe they replaced the avenger with a Harvard for a few years?
The Bethells Avenger is another of the former Bennetts aviation machines, But I have no idea of the serial or other history - perhaps Ivan can help?
Good to hear the other Avengers are in safe hands!
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Post by Ivan on May 6, 2005 17:09:07 GMT 12
The Avenger at Dairy Flat disappeared from there a few years ago and I would agree that it is the one now at MOTAT.
I don't know about the Bethells one but there are not many options left. It could be NZ2539 which was also in a playground at Havelock North in the 1960s and when last heard of was believed to be in storage with Ken Jacobs somewhere in Auckland.
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Post by Bruce on May 6, 2005 18:42:56 GMT 12
Awesome, thanks Ivan. Ken Jacobs is a name I have heard associated with the Bethells machine, so that makes sense - And another playground machine as well!  I have heard unfortunately that Ken is one of those unfortunate collectors of aircraft that really dont have the facilities or knowledge to properly preserve aircraft, but refuse to sell or dispose the aircraft to those who can..... |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 7, 2005 16:15:39 GMT 12
Not strictly playground aircraft, but there were/are few other aircraft that have turned up in odd places... Like the Walsh brothers' Corsair here in Cambridge. See my site www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Cambridges%20Corsair.htmThe McDonalds C47 at Taupo There was another 'billboard' C47 at Mangaweka wasn't there? The Corsair at Asplins Garage - now flying at Masterton Any more??? |
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Post by Bruce on May 7, 2005 18:19:13 GMT 12
I was up north a few weeks ago at my Grandmothers funeral and found out a bit more about the Catalina that was at Wellsford. My family comes from that area and my uncle could tell me about and where it was. It was right on the main street and he remembers that the wings were removed, the fuselage was stuck down beside the owners house!
The DC3 is still at Managweka (ZK-APK from memory) and when I last saw it it was painted with chocolate Chips! (advertising "Cookie time" Cookies) the odd paint scheme is really distinctive and doesnt look too bad on the old girl - Maybe Talon will do some decals for that one! ;D
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Post by hairy on May 19, 2005 17:39:02 GMT 12
Does the RAAF Canberra over the playground at Gerald Rhodes transport "museum" in Wanaka count?
As for the Avenger at Dairy Flat, it has always belonged to Motat after its time in a playground it was only on loan to the CAF and was returned to Motat about 10 years ago.
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Post by hairy on May 24, 2005 15:14:14 GMT 12
This one..........  |
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Post by Bruce on May 24, 2005 15:22:20 GMT 12
Yeah I'd say that counts as a playground machine. Wasnt this Canberra airworthy when it went to Wanaka? I know Gerald Rhodes' C60 Lodestar certainly was but is no longer flyable. It bugs me a little bit when collectors acquire airworthy aircraft when they have absolutely no intention of keeping them flying.
Hopefully this canberra will at least get a new coat of paint in the near future....
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Post by hairy on May 24, 2005 15:33:40 GMT 12
The loadstar was indeed airworthy when arrived, Caa stuffed that one up when they tried to put it on the NZ register by saying it was a new type and would have to go through full certification.    The canberra is basically just a shell and quite possibly NZs biggest bird house. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 24, 2005 21:35:11 GMT 12
Dear oh dear - Wanaka, the new Motat?
Sorry, that was a bit harsh - towards both.
How on earth can a Lodestar be a new type? It served here for decades in military, airline and topdresser service! What are they on about? It's a pity Mr Rhodes didn't keep it flying, I'd love to have seen it in the air.
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Post by hairy on May 27, 2005 14:30:00 GMT 12
How on earth can a Lodestar be a new type? It served here for decades in military, airline and topdresser service! Thats what makes the situation absurd, its basically a case of some beaurecrat has thrown out the paperwork and they can't admit to doing something soo stupid, typical govt. department.  |
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Post by turboNZ on May 27, 2005 15:18:54 GMT 12
Not strictly playground aircraft, but there were/are few other aircraft that have turned up in odd places... Like the Walsh brothers' Corsair here in Cambridge. See my site www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Cambridges%20Corsair.htmThe McDonalds C47 at Taupo There was another 'billboard' C47 at Mangaweka wasn't there? The Corsair at Asplins Garage - now flying at Masterton Any more??? Last time I went to Rotorua (late last year) I got some shots of both of the DC-3s. Both of them are in not too bad nick, the fresh paint schemes seem to protect them. (I also got some pics of the Mil-8 in Taupo) I'll post them when I get home tonight. TNZ |
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Post by hairy on May 27, 2005 15:22:57 GMT 12
Aircraft in or on Playgrounds, Plinths and Poles in New Zealand.
A little bit of time-wasting research by hairy who is currently off work after an arm operation and bored out of his nut. ;D
1/ Blenheim (Redwood park)- Vampire T.55 NZ5701
NOW - Wings and booms stored at RNZAF Museum.
2/ Havelock North (playground)- TBF-1c Avenger NZ2539
NOW - Derilict with K. Jacobs West Auckland
3/ Methven (playground) - Harvard II NZ 946
NOW - Stored incomplete with J.Walsh Blenheim
4/ Pahiatua (playground) - Harvard II NZ 918
NOW - Still there
5/ Rotorua (Kuian Park) - TBF-1c Avenger NZ2527/ZK-CBO
NOW - In store MOTAT Auckland
6/ Takapau (playground) - Harvard II NZ1100
NOW - B.Black & D.Lockhead, Blenheim, possibly under restoration.
7/ Tauranga (playground) - Harvard II NZ980
Now - removed in 1979 and sold to Asplins for scrap in 1980 - DID IT SURVIVE?
8/ Opunake Beach - TBF-1c Avenger NZ2505
NOW - At GAPS (on loan from RNZAF Museum)
9/ Wanaka (G.Rhodes Museum playground on poles) - Canberra B20 s/n A84-207
NOW - still there
10/ Ashburton (on pole in backyard)- Harvard III NZ1077
Now - Under restoration, C&K Horrell, Ashburton
11/ Morrinsville (playground) - Harvard IIB NZ1102
NOW - in storage at ardmore with G.Ryan
12/ Hobsonville (Kindergarten playground) - Fairey Firefly "294"
NOW - Remains burnt, date unknown.
13/ Te Rapa RNZAF base (Gate Guardian) - TBF-1 Avenger NZ2504
Now - on display at RNZAF Museum as "NZ2521"
14/ Te Rapa RNZAF base (on pole as gate guardian) - Vampire FB5 NZ5765
NOW - on display at NZ Fighter Pilots Museum, Wanaka.
15/ Ohakea RNZAF base (on pole as gate guardian) - Vampire FB5 NZ5772
Now - still there
16/ Christchurch Brevet Club (on pole) - Spitfire LF.XVIE TE288
NOW - on display at RNZAF Museum as "TB625"
17/ Christchurch, Harewood Airport (on pole) - Fibreglass replica of TE288
NOW - Still there
18/ Christchurch, Wigram, RNZAF Museum (on pole, gate guardian) - Harvard IIA* NZ1050.
Now - Still there
19/ Gisborne airport (on pole) - Lockheed 18-56 Lodestar ZK-BUV
NOW - in storage awaiting restoration, GAPS, Gisborne
20/ Gisborne airport (on pole) - Fletcher Fu24-950m ZK-BMV.
NOW - Still there.
21/ Auckland, MOTAT (on pole) - fibreglass Hurricane replica "P3854".
NOW - still there
22/ Hamilton, Mystery Creek (on plinth) - DC-3c ZK-AZL/NZ3545.
NOW - Still there.
23/ Mangaweka (on poles as cafe) - DC-3D ZK-APK/NZ3556
NOW - Still there, Cookie Time colours (would you believe that this colour scheme was airbrushed on!)
24/ Taupo (on poles as part of McDonalds) - DC-3D Viewmaster ZK-CAW.
NOW - Still there
25/ Wairakei (on plinth) - Mil Mi-8 YS-1006P
Now - still there
26/ Waitohi (on pole) - Pearse Monoplane Replica
NOW - still there, Memorial to Richard Pearse.
27/ Palmerston North, Golf club on airport perimeter (on poles) - Metroliner
NOW - still there.
ANY MORE?
I haven't included the Corsair at Asplins, P.Colemans Mustang, the Awhitu Bristol, the Waitomo Bristol or the Waihi Bristol as they were not in playgrounds, on poles or on plinths.
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Post by Bruce on May 27, 2005 15:24:28 GMT 12
I think that the CAA could be just a convenient scapegoat here, depends on whether anyone can be bothered following it up. Gisborne Aviation Preservation Soc. is rebuilding a Lodestar to fly and came across the same problem, the type paperwork being cleaned out in the late 1970s by an over eager clerk at the CAD (as it was). However GAPS has found a suitable solution, and CAA have aparently been extremely helpful in getting it sorted, as they usually are when approached early enough (even working at CityJet, the CAA field officers were far more helpful than we deserved...) and with some preparation. The fact that this Lodestar was imported without checking the paperwork beforehand puts the blame squarely in the hands of the importer. In my experience, Most people who complain about the 'feds either havent done thier homework or they are trying to pull a fast one.
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