The Classic Flyers Museum, Tauranga, Thread

[davidd]

NZ2505 served at Ardmore rather than Ohakea after its conversion to a drogue tower, and was withdrawn from Service in about March 1946 following the departure of 14 Squadron for Japan (the TBFs provided the drogue towing for these pilots to brush up on their aerial gunnery). Quite a good portion of the RNZAF's operational aircraft based in NZ received white side bars on their roundels from early 1944 onwards, regardless of whether they were intended for operational service in the forward area or not, although many other older P-40s at OTUs were NOT upgraded in this manner - there is, however, a great photo of a P-40E wearing bars after an overhaul at Rukuhia in Charles Darby's "The First Decade", 3095 from memory. The Corsairs based at Ardmore from July 1944 onwards are another case in point, pretty well ALL of them carried the famous white bars on all roundels, as did practically all transport aircraft (which often had to fly on overseas schedules), and even one Dominie domiciled in Fiji! Ditto a lot of P-40s at Ohakea too (and at Ardmore), as well as practically all PV-1s (but B-34s unknown).
David D

[Dave Homewood]

You make some great points there David, thanks. As they are depicting the Avenger as it was at Gisborne in 1943-early 1944 (or so I believe) the roundels are correct, in my opinion.

[kiwi285]

A lot of these questions and the answers given are contentious and the only real answer is a period photo. Unfortunately not all aircraft were photographed all through their careers and therefore someone has to make an educated guess.

[camtech]

After a visit today and looking around at what has been achieved, I am very impressed by the standard of work on the Avenger and many other displays. The skills shown by the team working there would compare to any museum.
Thanks to Peter Layne (we met 46 years ago when we both joined the Auckland branch of AHSNZ) for an interesting insight behind the scenes and great to catch up with Des Underwood (we went to the UK on the Andover deal).

[planewriting]

Thanks Les for your kind remarks; it was a pleasure to meet you again and to show you around the public and back office areas of Classic Flyers. For the record, the Avenger is back in the main hangar after returning to hangar 3 to make way for a large function in the main hangar. The Aermacchi NZ6469 is back in there too. Comments were raised recently elsewhere on the forum about it being left outside. Apart from the suspended aircraft, all the museum's aircraft are rotated around the hangars or parked outside to provide space in the hangar when large events take place. During one week this year there were three such occasions. Events have ranged between weddings, anniversary parties, school balls and national conferences We have covers for most of our aircraft and if placed outside for relatively short spells they don't deteriorate as a consequence.

[kiwi285]

On Friday 23 December at the volunteers function at the museum the team was able to fire up the Aeromacchi and to taxi it up to the main hangar. It is a rowdy little beast but really great to see it started and taxied again.

[Deleted]

Awesome!

[Dave Homewood]

With the first big New Zealand airshow of the year coming up, I talk with Andrew Gormlie of Classic Flyers Museum in Tauranga about their “Classics To The Sky 2017” airshow in the latest WONZ Show. This year’s event is subtitled “Strikemasters At Sunset” with Brett Nicholls’ two ex-RNZAF BAC167 Strikemasters headlining the event. This is an afternoon and evening event, and so like last year we can expect some magic flying displays in the late afternoon sun as it sets over Tauranga harbour to the west of the airfield. Other warbirds will include the Mustang, Catalina, Yak 52 team, and a recently returned to the air Devon. And the RNZAF will be displaying a T-6 Texan II, and a Kaman Seasprite.

Andrew also talks about recent projects that the museum has been working on, such as the project to return the Aermacchi MB339CB Macchi jet to running and taxiing condition; and the epic restoration to taxiing condition of the Grumman TBF-1 Avenger, both of which should be seen running and hopefully taxiing at the airshow. He also talks about the current project to restore three Airtourers, two to flying condition and the third as a static for the museum, Plus he hints there are some more big projects to come too.

Here's the show page link:
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2017/01/classics-to-the-sky-2017/

[planewriting]

Latest engineering project to get underway at Classic Flyers is to refurbish and repaint the Heron ZK-BBM. NAC, which operated ZK-BBM between 1953 and 1957, is holding celebrations in Christchurch and Tauranga (Classic Flyers Museum) in coming months to mark 70 years since the airline officially started operations. The old girl will be wanting to look her best for the occasion. Details of what is planned will be posted on this thread as they come to hand.

[planewriting]

Following on from my above post, work is now underway to present ZK-BBM in a correct paint scheme in time for the NAC 70th Anniversary celebration at Classic Flyers Museum Tauranga Airport on 24 May. ALL ex- NAC, TEAL, Mt Cook, Safeair & SPANZ staff are extended an
invitation and are most welcome to attend. Registrations close on 8th May 2017. To attend, please phone Graham Lister 021 1958356
or email [e-mail] Costs is $46.00 per head. Drink costs are not included.

[planewriting]

There is an interesting weekend shaping up at Classic Flyers Museum on 20/21 May: A tale of Two Turkeys and a Cat etc.! (Weather permitting) On Saturday 20 May Classic Flyers will be hosting a visit from Brendon Deere's operational Grumman Avenger “NZ2518” as well as the NZ Catalina Preservation Society's PBY-5A Catalina flying boat, ZK-PBY. This visiting Avenger is to help the museum celebrate the milestone achieved by the volunteer crew in restoring the Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society's (GAPS) Grumman Avenger NZ2505 to static-running standard. The big CAT is performing several local "Child Cancer Society" flights over the course of the day.

“NZ2518” will arrive on Saturday morning and will be on display alongside NZ2505 for the day allowing visitors to get on board (by appointment) for a good look. Also one lucky visitor will be able to sit in GAPS Avenger (NZ2505) while it does an engine run. There will also be a SPECIAL PRIZE DRAW to win a flight in “NZ2518”. Only $20.00 to enter draw (includes entry to museum). The flight is to be taken on the Saturday. Both aircraft will be available for close up inspection when you can meet and talk to the pilots and also the volunteer crew who restored the GAPS aircraft NZ2505. The Catalina will arrive earlier in the week and will be based at Classic Flyers while operating its local flights. It will be available for public viewing at Classic Flyers on the Saturday alongside the Avenger duo. If you are keen to get up close to the Catalina ask, email Garry or Sandra, [e-mail] or phone [phone] or ask on the day how you could be part of this experience.

AND if the Avengers and Catalina were not enough action for one weekend; Fighter Jets NZ will be operating their Aero L39 Albatros jet for adventure flights during the weekend too. Scenic and Aerobatic Flights are available in this high adrenaline jet fighter. To find out more information contact the owner/pilot Craig Mossman 021 732737 or check out the Fighter Jets NZ website.

[Deleted]

Unfortunately I can't make it but this sounds like a great event! All the best for good weather and a healthy turnout.

[planewriting]

Thank you Zac. Yes, one can only hope for the best regarding the weather. I want more fine weather on 24 May too for the NAC 70th anniversary luncheon for which 323 people have registered.

[Mustang51]

Do we have any pics of the completed 500lb bomb? Would be interested to see how it turned out. Was it made in fiberglass or carbon fibre?

[Dave Homewood]

Peter L, do you know if any of the original members of NAC will be in attendance, the chaps who were on No. 40 Squadron RNZAF and overnight became the airline?

[planewriting]

May 16, 2017 19:20:04 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Peter L, do you know if any of the original members of NAC will be in attendance, the chaps who were on No. 40 Squadron RNZAF and overnight became the airline?

Hi Dave

Unfortunately there won't be. The few remaining ones are now too old to travel very far. The oldest ones attending started with NAC from the mid 1950s including Jim Pavitt and his wife Suzanne who was one of the nine air hostesses from course number one from late 1956.

[kiwi285]

Here are a couple of photos of the D H Heron nearing the end of its refurbishment for the NAC 70th function to be held at Classic Flyers next Wednesday.

[Dave Homewood]

It's looking good Mike.

[Deleted]

Congrats to all involved, it looks great!

[kiwi285]

Here are a couple of photos taken today.