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Post by dazz on Sept 30, 2015 0:28:55 GMT 12
Just reading in the latest Classic Wings, the U.S. Navy has relaxed somewhat the previous limitations on the recovery of Navy aircraft wreaks. Even more encouraging is the mention " it should also be noted that U.S. Allies also flew these same aircraft with great valor against the same odds, which deserves to be remembered " . I wonder if it would be on the cards for the RNZAF museum to do a deal with the Yanks to try to acquire either an SBD and/or a Corsair for restoration and display? I know a significant number of SBD's were lost into the Great Lakes during training, and are good candidates for recovery. Wigram has a great collection, but those two types would seem to be glaring holes in their WW2 displays, given they both saw significant action in NZ colours. Even if any airframe remained under ownership of the Navy after restoration but on long term loan etc, it would appear to be a good option, given the rarity and expense of these aircraft. Thoughts?
Dazz
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 30, 2015 0:55:46 GMT 12
The Dauntless saw insignificant action compared with the PV-1 Ventura, which is also a big gap in the collection.
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Post by Damon on Sept 30, 2015 7:55:33 GMT 12
Lets hope, not too insignificant Dave.
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Post by keroburner on Sept 30, 2015 8:42:38 GMT 12
Any reason why they don't restore the Dauntless they already have?
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 30, 2015 9:59:33 GMT 12
Perhaps because the crew were lost along with it?
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Post by Ian Warren on Sept 30, 2015 10:09:25 GMT 12
Any reason why they don't restore the Dauntless they already have? I seen bits and pieces of that SBD, one thing pointed out to me was the time and the cost to restore that specific aircraft, very little off it, I was also told work on one project at a time, the Vildebeest has been put on hold because they cannot get parts or further information, so I guess getting a more intact aircraft would be the idea.
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Post by Ian Warren on Sept 30, 2015 10:15:47 GMT 12
Perhaps because the crew were lost along with it? I was told the crew survived the crash but perished in the jungle, I can't recall who told me that, something that stuck in my braincase.
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Post by vs on Sept 30, 2015 10:30:41 GMT 12
Isn't there a ex RNZAF Ventura sitting on a beach in the Pacific?
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Post by baz62 on Sept 30, 2015 11:32:16 GMT 12
Not sure where it is but it was offered to the Museum...................and turned down.
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Post by John L on Sept 30, 2015 13:07:53 GMT 12
Isn't there a ex RNZAF Ventura sitting on a beach in the Pacific? This one?
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Post by vs on Sept 30, 2015 15:12:12 GMT 12
Thats the one. Would be good to get it back to NZ and at least in covered storage until they could decide what to do with it.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Sept 30, 2015 19:42:55 GMT 12
Any reason why they don't restore the Dauntless they already have? Not really a lot to go on. At The Wigram museum, some time ago:
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Post by John L on Sept 30, 2015 20:02:05 GMT 12
I think that's a powerful display as it is - it should go back out there.
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Post by planecrazy on Sept 30, 2015 20:40:16 GMT 12
Wouldn't a Corsair be easier to get hold of, which of the two is more common? Wouldn't imagine there are many Dauntless out there?
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Post by Ian Warren on Oct 1, 2015 8:39:10 GMT 12
Not really a lot to go on. At The Wigram museum, some time ago: That display go back well over 12 years ago, not much left to work with, the Ventura would be near the same, all comes down to cost.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Oct 1, 2015 17:37:53 GMT 12
Personally I also loved that Dauntless display and hope they put it back as it was in a few years when the new building can be used. If they do decide to restore it I imagine it would be not much different to the P-40 which was in a similar state.
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Post by keroburner on Oct 1, 2015 19:31:15 GMT 12
It's actually surprisingly complete. Plus considering what most spitfire restorations start out as these days, this is not a silly prospect. Museum resources or not. It's not like it was dug up from a swamp or spent 70 years under water. I recall the aft fuselage was in not bad shape and both wings were pretty complete. Wouldn't be too hard getting a engine mount and static engine to hang up the front ex USA. Keep the original motor to display next to it perhaps?
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Post by gibbo on Oct 1, 2015 20:17:43 GMT 12
Personally I also loved that Dauntless display and hope they put it back as it was in a few years when the new building can be used. If they do decide to restore it I imagine it would be not much different to the P-40 which was in a similar state. Totally agree the SBD should go back on display, and preferably as it is. The day I saw it I must've spent as much time looking around that one display as I did on the rest of the collection ...it was a truly fascinating display, quite unlike anything I've seen before! Tells a story all of it's own! In fact I've been quite disappointed not to see it on the 2 visits I've made to the museum since then. I happen to work with one of the guys who helped recover it, interesting hearing how that was all done.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 1, 2015 21:10:51 GMT 12
I wonder if it was Iroquois NZ3801 that was the one that retrieved the Dauntless out of the jungle? It would make a great juxtaposition display if it was.
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Post by tbf25o4 on Oct 3, 2015 11:25:55 GMT 12
the three Iroquois involved with the recovery of the Dauntless were NZ3803, NZ3806, NZ3812 deployed to Espiritu Santo for that exercise
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