The Air Force Museum of New Zealand (Wigram) Thread

[Bruce]

I remember seeing a reasonable selection of smaller models, as noted, they were pretty average quality. My own collection would probably be a better set than any I've seen in museums. The impression I get is that people "donate" model collections, often from deceased estates, and they arent always high quality and often a very mixed bag of subjects. However, because they have been donated, museums often feel obliged to put them on display.

[Dave Homewood]

In the olden days they had 1/72 models of every type flown by the RNZAF, except some of the impressed types, throughout all the display cabinets. These had been made specifically for the museum by a group of modellers, one of them being the late S/Ldr Cliff Jenks, and they were pretty good for 1/72 models of the 1980's.

Also stored away and never seen by the public was a massive collection of other models, many unbuilt, that had been donated. I remember being taken into that room in the early 1990's by Bill Fitzharding Jones who was one of the volunteers responsible for looking after them.

[agalbraith]

Yes I was involved with building those 1/72 models in the 80's for the Opening of the new Museum along with some others hand picked. The 1/48 Pacific ones were built by Pete Mossong. He did an unbelievable job with those old Monogram kits etc. From memory when he brought them down for the NZ Nats he cleaned up with them in the 80's...dosent seem that long ago!

[Bruce]

Needs to have a "model room"... get some of those better models out where they can be enjoyed.

[Dave Homewood]

Blimey Anthony, you must have been pretty young then?

I think some models and dioramas depicting RNZAF airfield life would be a really good addition to the new museum layouts. A 3D model that you can walk around and look at from every angle is always excellent in a museum. I always make sure I go for a walk around the fantastic model of 1942 Wigram that the two volunteer guides built, on display in the Atrium. And I love the aircraft carriers and the model RAF airfield at MOTAT, etc. There are some terrific models in the Army Museum at Waiouru too.

But these days with the vastly improved kits around in 1/32 I would love to see some new model dioramas created. Perhaps some P-40N's at a Pacific base in 1943, and/or P-40E's at a New Zealand station in 1942; maybe a Catalina in a water diorama; the upcoming 1/32 Lancaster in No. 75 Squadron markings; a TAF Mustang and Harvard scene; some Wingnut Wings Avro 504K's and Bristol Fighters, etc.

[agalbraith]

LOL, I suppose I was in my late teens, I'm close to knockin 50 now! Lets not talk about time..... but at least I will always be younger than that old bugger Baz, LOL.

Funny you should mention it Dave, I plan on doing just that with my 32nd aircraft collection. I think it adds a little life to them. I am even considering doing one of the TAF Mustangs that belly landed, or building a catapult (I now have the drawings) for my 32nd Walrus. I just have to avoid figures. I cant paint em without them looking like Disney characters. I would LOVE the HpH 32nd C47 to do as an RNZAF one, but I just dont think I will be able to afford it. Plus I have a commission Skyhawk build to finish and an Auster to get flying!

When Cameron was younger he used to LOVE seeing all the models in the cabinets

[Dave Homewood]

Maybe we could convince Mike Butler to paint the figures, he is one of the best in the world at it.

[jurisnz]

Jan 11, 2018 15:41:53 GMT 12 baz62 said:

Wow you leave the room for a minute........we certainly have some passionate people in this thread and that is something that got a lot of collections going and preserved aircraft either long thought extinct or been grounded for a long time. About running Museum aircraft, although a great sight and sound it is actually wearing the exhibit and there is a risk of something going horribly wrong. I was lucky to volunteer here at Wigram when the Avenger, Dakota,Devon and T11 Vampire(now in the Ashburton collection) were all running. Sadly the Avenger's engine had a conrod/piston failure in 1981 and will never run again and one of the Dakota's engines had a supercharger bearing fail during a run. Museums are about preservation and engine running can be detrimental to that goal. Fortunately we can still hear an Avenger and Dakota running (and most importantly fly!) here in NZ.

Dakota supercharger fail ? - Baz, not during my time at the Mus

[baz62]

I was told it happened on her last run? Unless I misunderstood? I was there til 88 as a volunteer but got told this only very recently so possibly they were in error. I think her last run was either 1980 or 81.
Ahhh Peter it's you! (For those going huh? Peter used to be George Jaunzemiz until he found out his true identity)
Pete Tolhoek told me but he may have been talking about another Dakota and I thought he meant the Museum's one.

[obiwan27]

I see in the latest Air Force Museum news that the Avenger is the latest aircraft to undergo a 6 week conservation programme.

link

[snaphead]

If I could add to the Avenger project, I would like to add the following:

I offered to reconnect the hydraulics system when the A/C initially arrived at Wigarm. But I was NOT to spend any money on this. Instead of 2024 hydraulic tubing all I could obtain was some 5000 series tubing, magnesium alloy. This was to repair the tubes cut in the rear compartment. I was also surprised to find most fittings could be obtained through the supply system, (AN parts). Another item we "borrowed" was the accumulator, Although an AN series item, could not obtain a new diaphragm, but managed, at no cost, to obtain one from a Citerion car. An other non-standard item is the tailwheel shock strut. this contains a Devon rubber bungee machined down to size by Jerry Marshall.

[snaphead]

I felt I should list these jobs as there was no record (that I signed ) of the work done. Not even a F700 or repair card. The only repair card raised was for the tail shock strut when it was sent to 1 RD.

Another interesting "thing" we did was to torque the propnut . We had the correct spanner and knew the torque required so worked out the length of the lever required. The prop has not come off yet!

The question of corrosion on the undersides. It was caused (among other things) from the Super-phosphate. We chipped off what we could but did not apply protective treatments. The Beaver also went through the same process on the rear frame.

[tbf25o4]

Although the F700 did not record the repairs, George Jaunzemis raised a F701? repair log for the Avenger and I can recall having to put entries into it such as my repair to the rudder trim cable
which had corroded at the end fitting. Fortunately there was sufficient spare length in the cable to drill out the swagged fitting and reattach it using a very expensive glue that when applied
heated the fitting and cable as it bonded.
I also made entries in that log for the alterations I made to the cockpit wiring when replacing the UV lights with substitute fittings as an interim when we couldn't locate original fittings

[Richard Wesley]

Great to hear the details of work undertaken on the Avenger during its early years with the museum, I'm sure your recollections will be picked up and cross-checked with the official service record for the aircraft. Better to double up than lose information.

[Dave Homewood]

Today the team at Wigram lost their leader of many years. This comes from their Facebook page:

"It is our team’s very sad duty to announce that our Director, Thérèse Angelo MNZM, has passed away following a long, and brave, fight with illness.

Thérèse has left an indelible mark on our Museum in her 31 years here. Her loss will be deeply felt amongst our team, as well as so many who knew and worked with her across the RNZAF and museum and heritage sectors.

We will provide an update on funeral arrangements once known. In the meantime, our love and thoughts are with her family at this very difficult time."

[Deleted]

What awfully sad news. My best to her family and the team at the museum.

[motat]

Very sad but not unexpected news. I worked with Therese on a number of projects and she was a great supporter of MOTAT - she was am amazing person to spend time with. I will miss her and my thoughts are with her family, friends and work colleagues.

M

[ErrolC]

Dammit, I was about to ask if people were up for a drink after I make of visit on the afternoon of Nov 18th (I need to be in our Christchurch office on the 19th) when I remembered that it's Warbirds Open Day!

[l29]

I see wigrams other Canberra is up for disposal, put your offers in...

[Dave Homewood]

Do you have a link to the disposal tender, Jared?