Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 29, 2006 16:39:09 GMT 12
The August 1981 NZ Wings issue has this intriguing piece of news. I was aware of the Oxford bits, but...
"Additional exhibits for RNZAF Museum
The RNZAF Wigram-based museum recently received a collection of Airspeed Oxford components from Mr Ted Packer of Christchurch. The parts, from NZ1287, NZ1289 et al, are believed to be sufficient to rebuild a complete example of the twin engined cabin trainer.
A Lockheed Hudson fuselage and engines has been donated by Mr K. Pennell of Kaiangaroa.
Two civil aircraft representatives of types impressed by the RNZAF during the war are also in prospect for display at the Museum. Miles Whitney Straight ZK-AUK and Percival Proctor 5 ZK-AQK. Both are to be exhibited in schemes appropriate to the type's period of impressment."
So, what happened to the musuem's Whitney Straight and Proctor? Did they actually ever get delivered to the museum? If so, were they sold on later? Or did the deal fall through before they got there?
Imagine, they could have had a great No. 42 Squadron dsiplay today with the Whitney Straight and Proctor, as well as the Poerterfield they used to have on loan, with a 42 Sqn Devon, Harvard, Tiger Moth and ultimately the Andover.
Now to the Hudson fuselage, I can only imagine this must be the fuselage I saw often in the hangar during the time they were restoring NZ2013. This extra fuselage was well stripped of parts but could have formed the basis for another restoration or a good exhibit in its own right. I was told it had previosly been used in a scene in the TVNZ kids' programme "The Sea Urchins" which starred Rebecca Gibney in her first ever role.
I'm still trying to find out where the fuselage is today. The museum loaned it to an art gallery which no longer exists, and the suggestion has been made it was scrapped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I flipping hope not!!!!!!
"Additional exhibits for RNZAF Museum
The RNZAF Wigram-based museum recently received a collection of Airspeed Oxford components from Mr Ted Packer of Christchurch. The parts, from NZ1287, NZ1289 et al, are believed to be sufficient to rebuild a complete example of the twin engined cabin trainer.
A Lockheed Hudson fuselage and engines has been donated by Mr K. Pennell of Kaiangaroa.
Two civil aircraft representatives of types impressed by the RNZAF during the war are also in prospect for display at the Museum. Miles Whitney Straight ZK-AUK and Percival Proctor 5 ZK-AQK. Both are to be exhibited in schemes appropriate to the type's period of impressment."
So, what happened to the musuem's Whitney Straight and Proctor? Did they actually ever get delivered to the museum? If so, were they sold on later? Or did the deal fall through before they got there?
Imagine, they could have had a great No. 42 Squadron dsiplay today with the Whitney Straight and Proctor, as well as the Poerterfield they used to have on loan, with a 42 Sqn Devon, Harvard, Tiger Moth and ultimately the Andover.
Now to the Hudson fuselage, I can only imagine this must be the fuselage I saw often in the hangar during the time they were restoring NZ2013. This extra fuselage was well stripped of parts but could have formed the basis for another restoration or a good exhibit in its own right. I was told it had previosly been used in a scene in the TVNZ kids' programme "The Sea Urchins" which starred Rebecca Gibney in her first ever role.
I'm still trying to find out where the fuselage is today. The museum loaned it to an art gallery which no longer exists, and the suggestion has been made it was scrapped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I flipping hope not!!!!!!
