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Post by gibbo on Jul 18, 2020 19:01:02 GMT 12
They have most of an aircraft including the wings (which were an all aluminum structure) but much of it is crash damaged and also pretty corroded as it was recovered from various crash sites and dumps. It will be a very challenging rebuild due to the nature of the construction and lack of plans. That is why it has been such an on and off again restoration over the last 30 years. Personally I'm very pleased to see the Museum getting back into a major restoration as there was talk of them not doing any more after the Oxford. The Catalina fuselage was only supposed to be a general tidy up but once they guys got into it they didn't want to stop! Cool thanks for that info... yes a museum that stops moving forward with new projects is doomed to failure in the long term.... good to see a major project to focus the energies. My gut-feel-ometer tells me that the Catalina will move forward one day. One major project they are no doubt already planning for is a new building for the C-130H & P3-K2 to occupy. Why not shove the Hudson in there, call it the "Lockheed collection' and smooch up to LM for the dosh to build it!?! |
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Post by ErrolC on Apr 6, 2021 21:59:24 GMT 12
An overview of the Vildebeest restoration
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Post by ErrolC on May 5, 2021 17:41:56 GMT 12
Today was the first time 5 of our aircraft had seen natural light since 1987! Our Aircraft Hall renewal project has got off to a flying start this week, and has seen the space transformed from a museum gallery to empty hangar for the first time in over 30 years. #AirForceMuseumNZ
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 5, 2021 18:40:42 GMT 12
Yes very interesting to see all those aeroplanes outside in the sunshine.
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Post by nuuumannn on Jan 17, 2022 18:34:54 GMT 12
I went to the museum for the first time in a few years with Errol Martyn to try out some low light photography with the new camera. The lighting in the main hall now cycles through night and day every five minutes. In the new annex are a mix of aircraft - it's good to see a variety of stuff being shown. A-4 with Ross Ewing standing alongside it.  _DSC4026 The O-2A.  _DSC4035 Anson out of the dark.  _DSC4042 A Gnome Monosoupape that was unearthed during the construction of a car park - the display board is vague on the details.  _DSC4057 Ka-4 Rhonlerche.  _DSC4061 Britannia reproduction, nice to see it on the ground.  _DSC4063 Again, good to see the Bristol Freighter out from storage.  _DSC4068 Hudson.  _DSC4105 Avenger.  _DSC4106 Kittyhawk by night...  _DSC4102 ...And by day.  _DSC4103 Avro 626.  _DSC4112 DC-3.  _DSC4108 Hudson from the balcony.  _DSC4141 A view of the hall during "daylight".  _DSC4143 The Tiger is the only aircraft in the foyer now.  _DSC4150 More images here: www.flickr.com/photos/147661871@N04/albums/72177720296008537/with/51825867559/ |
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Post by Antonio on Jan 17, 2022 19:43:46 GMT 12
I was secretly hoping the Spitfire may have received a more accurate markings
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 17, 2022 20:48:56 GMT 12
I have to say I am not a fan of that blue lighting.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jan 18, 2022 7:01:45 GMT 12
I have to say I am not a fan of that blue lighting. Yeah I agree. When you are in there it is very dim while it is in that part of its cycle. I think it is supposed to simulate night time. The light changes every few minutes. It is quite disorientating at first but when you realise that it is constantly changing you just wait until it goes back to a daytime setting and you can start to see things in detail again. |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 18, 2022 14:55:31 GMT 12
Some fantastic shots there Grant, in particular the head-ons of the Kittyhawk and Hudson! Please forgive my ignorance: was this O-2A flown by any Kiwis in Vietnam? I know the Australian War Memorial's example has significant RAAF FAC links. |
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Post by nuuumannn on Jan 29, 2022 10:02:43 GMT 12
I was secretly hoping the Spitfire may have received a more accurate markings I can't see that happening. It is in representative markings of NZ Spitfires with 485 Sqn. TE288 doesn't have a wartime New Zealand connection and its only association with here is the fact it went to the Brevet Club.  _DSC4133More authentic markings would mean it looks exactly as it does now but without the squadron codes and nose art, but with its serial (and fuselage stripe). Basically like this...  _DSC4022 |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2022 12:18:00 GMT 12
The problem with the Spitfire is it does not wear its serial.
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Post by Antonio on Jan 29, 2022 12:19:11 GMT 12
I didn't mean authentic markings (as per the airframe) but just that if it was going to represent Murray Lind's Rongotea why can't it be finished correctly? C.1 upper wing roundels, partial serial, different code style and spinner? (After all it is not the first aircraft in the collection to wear a representative finish)   |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2022 15:20:36 GMT 12
The policy at the museum about representative schemes has changed since the days when that Spitfire was first painted into No. 485 (NZ) Squadron colours. Sadly many in the management are not so keen on the idea of a non-RNZAF airframe representing an RNZAF type, or for that matter an RNZAF airframe representing a different RNZAF airframe. I think it is best not to get them thinking about it or next it'll be back in some boring postwar RAF Auxiliary Squadron scheme that it wore in the late 1940's or something dumb.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2022 16:23:17 GMT 12
Sadly many in the management are not so keen on the idea of a non-RNZAF airframe representing an RNZAF type, or for that matter an RNZAF airframe representing a different RNZAF airframe. I make it 11 airframes with no RNZAF provenance, and three RNZAF machines painted as different identities. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2022 16:27:55 GMT 12
and three RNZAF machines painted as different identities. Which three? Harvard, and... |
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2022 16:34:29 GMT 12
I have the Harvard, Anson (although I believe it may have parts from NZ406?) and the Tiger Moth...unless it's now finished as NZ825 and I missed it!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 29, 2022 17:39:15 GMT 12
I am pretty sure the Anson is NZ406, but with later model metal wings fitted, and of course some parts that were needed to complete it.
I had forgotten the Tiger Moth is posing as a different Tiger. I wonder why the Moth Doctors or management decided not to represent it as itself at the time.
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Post by nuuumannn on Jan 30, 2022 9:30:43 GMT 12
I didn't mean authentic markings (as per the airframe) but just that if it was going to represent Murray Lind's Rongotea why can't it be finished correctly? C.1 upper wing roundels, partial serial, different code style and spinner? (After all it is not the first aircraft in the collection to wear a representative finish) Ah, I understand now, Antonio. That's a question for management. There's one of the museum painters as a member of the forum, isn't there? |
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Post by nuuumannn on Jan 30, 2022 9:32:42 GMT 12
This is the information I have on the Anson's origins.
Avro 652A Anson I c/n B137211/40 "NZ406" NZ415 (LT376) fuselage, Anson C.19 Series 2 VL352 centre section, mainplanes, tailplane. Incorporates components from Anson Is NZ410, NZ422 and D6695
The Tiger.
de Havilland D.H.82A Tiger Moth c/n DHNZ 161 NZ1481 "NZ825" (INST 150)
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Post by Mustang51 on Jan 30, 2022 10:51:28 GMT 12
Ok....I'll try this again. About to post, then a blip on the screen and it was all lost....
I would like to make a comment regarding paint schemes on the basis of an often quoted reply by Sue Parrish when questioned as to why her P-40 was painted pink...she is quoted as having said "...so what colour is your P-40..?"
I have provided about 40 paint schemes for airworthy aircraft here in Oz and around the world. They are all warbirds and range from Mustangs, Baghdad Fury, Boomerang, Harvards, T.6, T.28, Hudson, Canberra, C-40, Spitfire, Wirraway, Catalina, Tiger Moth, MiG.15, MiG.21, Strikemaster, Jet Provost, PV-1, B-25 to even a Skyraider. When I undertake the prep and drawings for these schemes, my aim is to ensure that the drawings....(most produced to full size so that paint spray masks can be manufactured), are accurate down to the smallest detail. I currently have two P-40s for which I am producing schemes and one is very controversial with regard to colours. Sometimes the research required is astronomical. Sometimes, despite the detail to which I go, the owner/s decide not to complete the aircraft absolutely to the letter of the drawings. Some add further features, some remove parts of the scheme. I provide detail for the exact paint colours but sometimes the owners just want a 'closest match' in two-pack rather than go to the effort of matching and mixing. Sometimes they finish the aircraft in gloss rather than the flatter finishes that were specified to make cleaning easier (although this with modern paints is a myth). There are times when I go to an airshow or look at a magazine where one of 'my' aircraft is featured or appears that I am disappointed. That's life.
I have no objection to 'no name' aircraft being finished in a scheme that accurately represents a more famous aircraft of the type...provided that the scheme portrayed is accurate to the original. My Birdog is to be finished in a representative scheme as its original was a 'blah' scheme seen on lines of Birdogs at Ft.Rucker or the other US stateside bases. That's my choice as owner.
What I really would like to see is a totally accurate representative scheme......but that's my preference, not necessarily that of the aircraft owner. These are my comments....and many disagree with me. That's their privilege.
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