Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 31, 2008 12:39:58 GMT 12
The following information was sent around to members of the Friends of Classic Flyers Museum at Tauranga, and I have received permission from Andrew Gormlie and Peter Borra to post the info here to raise a bit more profile on the progress.
Peter wrote in the email:
"For those members who have been unable to visit the facility of late, or wondered how the guys are progressing with the Catalina renovations.
Thanks to Bob Torr,and Ann Law for this report, and his understaffed team of enthusiasts.(any one who wishes to consider helping...call me...543 9212 for more details)
Pete"
And Bob Torr wrote:
"As I hope most members have noticed, it is up on it's wheels and fully mobile, thanks to Richard Brown's manufacture of a nose wheel and a complete main wheel ( we had only one original main wheel) so the other has been made out of two truck rims and hub. Not without quite a bit of grief I might add!!
When the hulk arrived the front top section, forward of the cockpit, was completely missing. It now has a complete new front, plus military turret, and really does look the part. Thanks to Ray and his team,Cal,Tom and Jack.
As can be seen many repairs( patches) have been done down both sides of the fuse. The boys are now working on the bubble area and have been for many weeks, as unfortunately that particular area was very badly corroded. That job is basically completed and the boys are on to building the bubble surrounds.
Our next job is to complete the windsreens, and the top screens above the cockpit, and get it waterproof before the winter. As you can appreciate this is a very big job, and the team would love some more assistance. Thanks to those who have assisted with special jobs, Marty, Roger, Trevor, Ryan and others. Anyone who would like to assist us, PLEASE WE NEED YOU.!
This hull, for that is all there is, will make a magnificient Museum Piece. Our plans are to do up the interior as a World War II Military Cat. Furnishing the cockpit with original instruments,the engineer's station up in the pylon the same, navigation table etc. Radio Operators and Bomb Aimers Station and of course Machine Gunners positions both in the bubbles and front turret.
If I have missed any members who have assisted I apologise, so Guys and Girls,this is a very big job and we would appreciate your help."
Bob"
Peter wrote in the email:
"For those members who have been unable to visit the facility of late, or wondered how the guys are progressing with the Catalina renovations.
Thanks to Bob Torr,and Ann Law for this report, and his understaffed team of enthusiasts.(any one who wishes to consider helping...call me...543 9212 for more details)
Pete"
And Bob Torr wrote:
"As I hope most members have noticed, it is up on it's wheels and fully mobile, thanks to Richard Brown's manufacture of a nose wheel and a complete main wheel ( we had only one original main wheel) so the other has been made out of two truck rims and hub. Not without quite a bit of grief I might add!!
When the hulk arrived the front top section, forward of the cockpit, was completely missing. It now has a complete new front, plus military turret, and really does look the part. Thanks to Ray and his team,Cal,Tom and Jack.
As can be seen many repairs( patches) have been done down both sides of the fuse. The boys are now working on the bubble area and have been for many weeks, as unfortunately that particular area was very badly corroded. That job is basically completed and the boys are on to building the bubble surrounds.
Our next job is to complete the windsreens, and the top screens above the cockpit, and get it waterproof before the winter. As you can appreciate this is a very big job, and the team would love some more assistance. Thanks to those who have assisted with special jobs, Marty, Roger, Trevor, Ryan and others. Anyone who would like to assist us, PLEASE WE NEED YOU.!
This hull, for that is all there is, will make a magnificient Museum Piece. Our plans are to do up the interior as a World War II Military Cat. Furnishing the cockpit with original instruments,the engineer's station up in the pylon the same, navigation table etc. Radio Operators and Bomb Aimers Station and of course Machine Gunners positions both in the bubbles and front turret.
If I have missed any members who have assisted I apologise, so Guys and Girls,this is a very big job and we would appreciate your help."
Bob"
