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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 6, 2007 14:03:19 GMT 12
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Post by DragonflyDH90 on Feb 9, 2007 18:39:26 GMT 12
Funny you should mention it Dave, I fly over it nearly every day and have lived here for nearly four years but have never been to have a look.
From the air it looks like and Agwagon or Cropmaster, possibly a Hughes 300 also. I do know they have a various identity, knocked together Tiger Moth. Other than that its fairly unofficial on the name.
Youve got me thinking it might be worth a look just so I can let you know whats there.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 9, 2007 20:17:08 GMT 12
Cool. Take a camera please.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 10, 2007 11:34:15 GMT 12
Was originally supposed to be an airforce museum when I first heard of it, founded with the ex-Bush Aviation Tiger ZK-BLM ex NZ1484 (possibly painted up in RNZAF colours?)
Since then it seems to have acquired Cessna Agwaggon CQZ and Evans VP2 EEN, neither of which would seem to be air force related.
The name of the guy who set it up was Ray Richardson.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jan 6, 2008 21:22:22 GMT 12
Finally managed to visit this site on the 2nd January. The museum is run by Ray Richardson from his home on the outskirts of East Gore. You will need a map to find the place (no signposting) and the entry is low key:  The area consists of his back yard, which contains a nmber of sheds, and then runs through to a grass paddock at the rear. First exhibit is a Hughes 300. This was built up from assorted parts, and spent some time as a traveling show piece fitted with an electric motor to slowly drive the rotor blades while kids paid a dollar to sit inside. Yes, the tailboom has been shortened. Ray has now replaced the motor with a volkswagen engine - more realistic sound effects! At the right rear of this pic you can see the nose of the Tiger poking out of a shed:   This airframe is painted up at NZ1484, and is seemingly complete. NZ1484 was sold to Ron Bush/Bush Aviation for use as a topdresser in the 1950s before lapsing into dereliction at Gore. How much of the airframe is actually original is a moot point, as BLM has recently been re-registered to a new owner in Christchurch as at September 2007. Ray tells me that it is in taxiiable condition, although it has not been started recently.  At the rear of the section is home-built Evans VP-2 ZK-EEN, stored outside. This was originally built in Dunedin, and may have been the one that had overweight problems at that time.  Over the fence into the paddock there are a number of vehicles and also Cessna Agwagon ZK-CQZ. This was operated by Phoenix Aviation until it crashed on t/off Acton Downs, near Mossburn, 9Jul74. There are quite a number of other Agwagon parts in store.  Under rebuild in one of the sheds is Hughes 500 ZK-HHK, the first 500 to be used for agricultural work in NZ. There are a couple of other 500 frames lying around to assist in the process.  Ray has worked in the aviation industry when SOAT and the Southland Aero Club were based just north of Gore, and his main interests are military and agricultural aviation. He has a vast collection of artifacts and printed material stored away in his sheds, and is certainly an interesting and jovial chap to talk to.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 7, 2008 14:14:20 GMT 12
Interesting stuff, thanks for making the effort to get these photos Peter. The owner looks a very prowd man, and it's good that he's trying to save these old aircraft. Did you mention the forum to him at all?
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Post by raymond on May 27, 2012 22:57:33 GMT 12
Has any one been to this place lately? Any up to date pix?
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Post by ZacYates on May 28, 2012 4:18:52 GMT 12
I must remember to look this place up if ever I'm down there, what a neat little collection!
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marwyn
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by marwyn on Jun 15, 2013 18:47:08 GMT 12
Hi guys, his name is actually Roy not Ray, and yes, hes a very jovial happy chap.....
I got the Gore Council to put up his street signs a couple of years back, so there is one on the corner of main road (railway esp)and Hamilton Street and then one on the corner of Hamilton and Maitland streets so everyone now can find it better.....
Roy is so very proud of his collections and now has a sign painted car so if going through Gore, keep an eye out for his wee postman pat wheels....
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Post by craig on Jun 16, 2013 10:10:44 GMT 12
Great guy doing his bit to preserve aviation related items at a time when most was considered junk. The 500 has progressed well and is looking pretty intact. Problem is there just are not enough buildings to cover everything, so once restored they tend to have to go outside into the weather to make way for the next project. This has been the problem with these small scale (limited funds) private collections for years. No good solutions, just as shame really......
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 5, 2013 20:46:42 GMT 12
I called in again on Roy two weeks ago. The place is still there, a bit more overgrown and weather-beaten as Roy is not getting any younger. The 'Air Force' monicker seems to have been dropped, it is now called 'The Ag-Aviation Museum'.  Aircraft previously seen are still on site. The newest addition is the Fisher FP202 Koala ZK-FMK. Apparently this suffered landing damage and the owner decided not to rebuild. As it is a fabric aircraft, it is stored inside in a very small room.   Call in if you are passing through Gore - Roy needs the support. |
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t96
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by t96 on May 6, 2024 11:33:48 GMT 12
hi guys, this is my granddad. Roy Richardson. hes still a very proud man, and loves what he dose, but as hes getting a litle older is finding it harder to maintain the place without the help he use to have.
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