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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 24, 2018 21:29:56 GMT 12
The first engine is now installed in the "old bus", HARS's Southern Cross replica. This is HARS' update on Facebook. Doesn't it look amazing! |
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Post by ZacYates on Nov 24, 2018 21:49:03 GMT 12
Breathtaking stuff! Thanks so much for sharing Dave, I'm off to give HARS a "heart" for each photo!
Do they do flights/rides at airshows in their aircraft? I'd dearly love to fly in VH-USU.
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Post by vultee43 on Nov 25, 2018 0:04:28 GMT 12
Had the privilege of being in USU nearly 25 years ago now. HARS have done a terrific job of her. Breathtaking restoration and she looks a treat. Hope to see her again with air beneath her wings soon.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 25, 2018 10:18:13 GMT 12
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Post by baz62 on Nov 25, 2018 10:24:55 GMT 12
Last time I saw her was 2010 and the huge wing was in process of being repaired. Nice to see an Auster in the photo too. This J5G is nearly ready to fly after a restoration.
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catcrew
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 72
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Post by catcrew on Nov 25, 2018 18:10:28 GMT 12
Breathtaking stuff! Thanks so much for sharing Dave, I'm off to give HARS a "heart" for each photo! Do they do flights/rides at airshows in their aircraft? I'd dearly love to fly in VH-USU. Flights in HARS aircraft are not available to the general public, sadly. The insurance and category they are registered in makes it too difficult. |
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Post by ZacYates on Nov 25, 2018 23:16:20 GMT 12
Thanks for answering my question, catcrew. Disappointing but totally understandable. Does that mean the interior will be finished more as the real deal appeared in Smithy's time (visions of massive fuel tanks!), or will it have seats for HARS crew going to shows in support?
And thank you Dave and Peter for the pictures! (For some reason when clicking "New" on some threads it takes me to the newest post, rather than the first made since I last visited. End result is I missed the pics when I posted, and have now spent this extra time telling everyone about my woes!)
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 26, 2018 8:19:06 GMT 12
Peter has just sent me this update from Jim. "Hi Chaps. The aircraft today heading back to hangar 3 after last night’s most enjoyable Australian Aviation Hall of Fame dinner which was held in Hangar 1. The aircraft received a lot of very favourable comment. It’s now back safe back in hangar 3 in its usual spot. Thanks to everybody concerned. Best regards, Jim Thurstan"    |
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Post by oj on Nov 27, 2018 19:49:00 GMT 12
This aircraft did a tour of NZ many years ago and when it came to Hamilton, and was over-nighted in the PAC Hangar.
So we had a great chance at a good look at every detail without the hassle of any crowds.
I consider myself lucky to have been able to do that.
On a similar note in the late 1990's Captain Cook's Endeavour replica toured NZ and we were on holiday in the Bay of Islands and went to see it early on the day of the Tall Ships race day.
We were at the Opua wharf berth about 0745, as we had booked on a Fullers charter launch to watch the race live.
We were able to go on board the Endeavour and have a really thorough walk over before anyone else arrived!
And get all our questions answered instantly by the crew before they got crowd-glazed
That was also a great piece of luck.
Elsewhere in NZ and particularly in Australia, people queued for hours to get on board.
I have never sought nor found fame in anything (that's a bit of a mixed up oxymoron), yet somehow these little unique-on-the-day experiences are so very richly rewarding and indelible.
Such circumstances should never be treated flippantly like the modern "selfie" or other fashionable trend.
They are to be revered within one's personal posterity.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 27, 2018 19:58:53 GMT 12
It was March 1990 that this aircraft toured New Zealand, sponsored by ANZ, as part of New Zealand's 150th Anniversary as a nation. I recall seeing it at the airshow at Hamilton and also at Ardmore. It was terrific to see. When it first crossed the Tasman it was escorted into Wigram by four Airtrainers, just like the original had been by Bristol Fighters. These days we could put up Bristol Fighters to escort it in but it could not land at Wigram.
When the Endeavour replica was at the Bay of Islands at the same time you mention my late Great Uncle Bluey Homewood lived at Paihia and became a volunteer guide on her. He used to show people around it and tell stories about her history, which he loved. He told me it was there for quite some time, and the locals and tourists loved it.
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Post by steveh on Nov 28, 2018 20:46:33 GMT 12
I recall the Southern Cross's visit to Nelson in the 1990 tour, my Mum was still alive then & was very excited to see it, she could recall it landing at the then Nelson Airfield where Saxton field complex is now, on one of Smithy's later visits, she lived along the road at the Freezing works where her Dad was manager
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Post by ZacYates on Nov 29, 2018 12:51:24 GMT 12
For those with a couple of minutes to spare, here's a great video of The New Old Bus at Ardmore in 1990:
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Post by kevsmith on Nov 30, 2018 22:57:49 GMT 12
One of the pilots who had flown the Southern Cross Replica was Paul Daw, one of three pilots killed in the Rossair Cessna Conquest accident at Renmark, South Australia in May 2017.
Paul was the pilot, in May 2002, when an undercarriage failure on the replica meant an abnormal landing had to be made causing further damage to the replica.
I have a distant memory that Jimmy Jenkins, who once upon a time was the Airwork Ltd Engineer at Ardmore in the mid 60's, had a hand in the original build of the replica at Parafield and actually met him at Parafield late 1980 in the Hangar when it was being built.
Paul was also a regular volunteer at the Avalon Airshows and always with his camera!
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