|
|
Post by baz62 on Nov 1, 2020 9:37:04 GMT 12
An outstanding restoration from an airframe I thought was almost beyond saving. Just need another visit from the other Plonky for a family get together!
|
|
|
|
Post by baz62 on Nov 1, 2020 9:40:13 GMT 12
Just noticed she has the different "Bump" style top cowl. I know 04 hasn't got that and fairly certain 05 and 27 don't either. So an even rarer TBF! EDIT: Just had a look online and yep only 39 has this cowling. Now did she have it in service? To the Google! |
|
|
|
Post by Mustang51 on Nov 1, 2020 12:58:59 GMT 12
Just Bloody Brilliant !!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 1, 2020 13:33:59 GMT 12
This is now the fourth Avenger to wear the Plonky nose art. The original was NZ2518.
The next was NZ2505 which had the artwork applied while with the collection at Silverstream and later to the RNZAF Museum and then GAPS.
Then we painted Sir Tim Wallis's Avenger into the NZ2518 "Plonky" colours and it once again wears that scheme with Brendon Deere.
And now the Classic Flyers example NZ2539 also wears it.
A great tribute to a famous aeroplane and a well known pilot, Fred Ladd, and his crew and the others who flew it. But I am really glad to also see the Dumbo "We Never Miss" artwork on this aeroplane too for some variety.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 1, 2020 16:17:19 GMT 12
When you go back to page 1 of this thread just over three years ago, the transformation is utterly amazing. It truly is staggering. When I saw photos of her "Up North" I truly thought she was beyond redemption. I know I wasn't the only one: look at the massive job that has been ongoing for some years now at MOTAT to repair their Avenger, which was reasonably intact and sound when they began, and you will realise there is no hope whatsoever for NZ2539. Buy a new one if you want a flyer or decent museum piece. I'm speechless at the speed and quality of finish of this project. What an incredible transformation. Bravo and congratulations to everyone involved!! I really need to get back to Tauranga! |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 1, 2020 16:22:13 GMT 12
Gee thanks Zac... I guess it is humble pie for my dinner tonight then.   Or perhaps I should take the Private Frazer stance, "I never doubted ye for a single minute!"  |
|
|
|
Post by planewriting on Nov 1, 2020 16:37:44 GMT 12
This is now the fourth Avenger to wear the Plonky nose art. The original was NZ2518... The reason NZ2539 was also given Plonky nose art was that Ken Jacobs, who it was sourced from, was a good friend of Fred Ladd and asked that Fred be remembered in this way. Can some-one confirm which RNZAF Avenger wore the other nose art "We never miss"? |
|
|
|
Post by planewriting on Nov 1, 2020 16:59:11 GMT 12
Very impressive restoration. Whats next?(just joking) ZK-"WTS" as in watch this space... |
|
|
|
Post by Venomnut on Nov 1, 2020 19:02:35 GMT 12
Well done team! Fantastic work there and i really like the 2 nose arts.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwi285 on Nov 1, 2020 19:10:56 GMT 12
Thanks to everyone who has commented during the 3 years we took to bring it back to life. As mentioned above, when I first saw the aircraft up at North Shore I doubted that there would be enough strength in the centre section to support the weight of the outer panels and the amount of mud crud and concrete that we removed was an eyeopener. As said about Ken wanted to see Plonky used again but we did manage to get another of the cartoon characters added to the port side which will make it a different photo op for photographers. We have rigged a decent light in the rear compartment so that admirers can view the work that has gone into that area and there can't be much equipment that we are missing. I know that Dave is still searching for some of the boxes for the ABS radar equipment and we might get lucky there. I understand that Andrew wants to see the engine run again now that it is complete and hopefully we will be able to taxi it during an airshow. Several members of the team spent quite some time building new brake drums, shoes and actuators to give us decent brakes to ensure safety and Bruce has said that they work very well.
It has been extremely encouraging for the team to read the positive comments that were posted up here during the restoration and the helpful comments and advice given so freely. It is very pleasing to see this project approach its conclusion and know that so many will get pleasure out of being able to look at this restored veteran and give it a pat. We would welcome anyone who wants to come in and see her to do so and come down and have a talk to us.
I am sure there will be other projects to come along next year and there will be little rest for the team. Cheers to all.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 1, 2020 19:52:12 GMT 12
I just want to say a huge thanks to you Mike (kiwi285) for keeping all of us who've been following this project all around the world updated with your regular photos and updates. And the same to Peter, Des and others who've also posted updates on this thread. We've all loved to follow along and feel like we are part of it. I love how the museums do this on the forum - Ron and Richard at MOTAT, Alex and Denys at Ferrymead, the Omaka gang, etc. It's brilliant.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwi285 on Nov 1, 2020 20:34:46 GMT 12
Thank Dave. If we didn't have access to such a forum as this it would never happen. You have provided the portal for such info to be disseminated to all interested parties. Its a two way thing and we enjoy receiving comments from people all around the world who are interested in these projects. I follow other in other countries for the same reason and enjoy the ride along and to see how they overcome problems. Money always helps but we seldom have access to endless pots of it.
I must admit it will be a bit strange not having anything to report on the Avenger but hopefully other projects will emerge to keep us amused.
|
|
|
|
Post by chbessexboy on Nov 1, 2020 20:51:41 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by tbf2504 on Nov 2, 2020 7:53:20 GMT 12
my strongest congratulations to all those involved in this restoration. As was stated above when viewing the "remains" before restoration, the daunting task taken on would have turned
many off!. We must now have the most TBF's in existence as most overseas versions are the later TBM
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Nov 3, 2020 22:41:37 GMT 12
I just want to say a huge thanks to you Mike (kiwi285) for keeping all of us who've been following this project all around the world updated with your regular photos and updates. And the same to Peter, Des and others who've also posted updates on this thread. We've all loved to follow along and feel like we are part of it. Hear hear. It's been amazing to follow along in such detail, and with such frequency. Thank you Mike and co. A friend pointed out the vertical stabiliser and rudder are painted in dark blue, rather than the medium blue we seem to see on aircraft wearing the USN-style tri-colour scheme such as ZK-TBE (my photo below). Is this peculiar to '39 or did other Kiwi Avengers feature this difference? I'm afraid I'm pretty ignorant of wartime Avenger paint schemes.  0D0BA82A-BA14-4A01-A9E7-CC7A7C59C23E_zpscrirmnb5 by Zac Yates, on Flickr |
|
|
|
Post by planecrazy on Nov 4, 2020 8:43:48 GMT 12
Three years, wow, all concerned need to be congratulated on what you have achieved,
been fantastic to follow this from afar, thanks for all the updates, just wonderful!
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwi285 on Nov 4, 2020 14:00:12 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 4, 2020 14:34:47 GMT 12
That's bloody awesome!!
|
|
|
|
Post by Mustang51 on Nov 4, 2020 14:45:50 GMT 12
That is sensational and a HUGE effort and result for everyone involved. How about when its all done and dusted a pic from Item 1 Page 1 and her sitting out with a clear background on the grass ?
|
|
|
|
Post by ErrolC on Nov 4, 2020 14:46:30 GMT 12
Great work team!
|
|
