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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 17, 2019 12:35:06 GMT 12
Here is the latest news from the AHC at Omaka. Some great new exhibits!! Graham Orphan tells me, "We are revamping the WW-II 'Dangerous Skies' hall as a result of Bill Reid building his own hangar to help facilitate more flying, including adventure flights under Pt.115, for which it made sense to take the aircraft out of the AHC and hence, reconfigure the entire display. Bill's 'other bomber' (not many people can say that!), the Hudson, is going on display in a purpose built diorama. My ex-Franz Stigler Bf108 will also go on display alongside the Fw190 in a Luftwaffe setting. Won't say too much more just yet, but it is a work in progress and the tempo is pretty high, trying to get it all done in time to reopen at the beginning of September. Here's a couple of pix FYI, taken this week (Hudson tail, just hours ago)....."   I made the comment, "It's also positive that Bill's Anson will be flying more and doing rides for the public too. That's just brilliant, where else in the world, other than the Canadian Lancaster, can you book a seat on a WWII RAF bomber? I cannot think of anywhere else." And Graham responded, "...plus of course, as you rightly point out, having an RAF bomber available for flights for museum visitors, along with the Stearman and Yak-3, will be a great facility to offer museum visitors from around the globe as they come through Marlborough for some truly unique experiences. |
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Aug 17, 2019 12:49:44 GMT 12
Is the Bf-108 a flyable project or strictly for static display? Presumably it's a 'real' 108 too judging by the shape of the cowling rather than a Nord?
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davem2
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 98
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Post by davem2 on Aug 17, 2019 12:54:44 GMT 12
FK, yes the aircraft will eventually fly again, but quite a bit of work to get it there. It is a French build Nord 1002 and has the Renault engine. The nose is distinctly longer than when fitted with the Argus. Great history to it, which will be told in the display.
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Post by FlyingKiwi on Aug 18, 2019 12:15:18 GMT 12
That's good to hear. I see the Argus engine cowling is quite a different shape, I had the other Nord 1002 in the country in mind which has a shorter cowling but from memory that has a Lycoming or something installed.
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Post by agalbraith on Aug 18, 2019 22:12:09 GMT 12
A lot of great stuff going on at Omaka!
Nice to have a thread for the going's on there!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Aug 19, 2019 9:05:50 GMT 12
I had the other Nord 1002 in the country in mind which has a shorter cowling but from memory that has a Lycoming or something installed. Yes, ZK-WFI has a 300hp Lycoming. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 21, 2019 10:53:57 GMT 12
Another update from Graham Orphan:  Leaving the museum display is Bill Reid's magnificent Anson Mk.I, now at home in her brand new hangar with custom lintel height and custom door openings to accommodate her comfortably. Pt.115 adventure flights are now available in this aircraft, creating the incentive to take her out of the museum and closer to the flight line with her very own maintenance space. There can be no better 'back to the future' flight experience than this for a sense of aviation over Southern England, 1940 style. Bookings can be made through the AHC. The ultimate gift or bucket-list item is right here!  A few tasty machines take in the sun on a crystal clear Marlborough day today. Once the Bf108 / Nord 1002 has had some IRAN work completed, all of these will be airworthy, based out of the Omaka AHC WW-II 'Dangerous Skies' display hall.  Bill Reid's Hudson NZ2049, now with tail group and starboard stub-wing re-fitted, is about to commence a career change, for a time at least. This historic combat veteran is to go on established display to the public for the first time in her seven decade + career. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 14, 2019 16:05:36 GMT 12
Update: "The official re-launch took place on Thursday evening, with an opening by Mayor John Leggett, and then the re-opening to the public from yesterday. All reactions to date have been extremely positive. Cheers, G"  CEO Jane Orphan explains the background to the new displays.  Luftwaffe Central  Hudson NZ2049 in the amazing Guadalcanal scene.  Part of the gathering - a few familiar WONZ faces there.  Mayor Leggett opens the display |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 14, 2019 16:07:22 GMT 12
The Hudson display looks very effective. What an amazing artefact that aircraft is, possibly the most important RNZAF aeroplane still extant right now.
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Post by ErrolC on Sept 14, 2019 17:06:50 GMT 12
Great! I hope to get there in 2-3 weeks.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 15, 2019 23:49:36 GMT 12
ST AND SS MAKES SIMPLY STUNNING!  Just revealed during the opening of the newly remodelled 'Dangerous Skies' hall at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre is Noel Kruse's immaculate Ryan STM accompanied by Lyndall Edwards' equally pristine SS Jaguar. The unusual pairing, both from the drawing boards of 1934, made their first public appearance together on Friday with the opening of the new hall at the AHC, along with the trio of WW-II Luftwaffe combatants, Spitfire Mk.XIVe, Yak-3, Hurricane and the remarkable Hudson Jungle diorama. A 'must-see' if in New Zealand! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2019 23:21:32 GMT 12
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Post by madmax on Sept 17, 2019 0:12:19 GMT 12
Dave, Is Noel's Ryan still airworthy?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 17, 2019 12:51:03 GMT 12
Yes.
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Post by madmax on Sept 17, 2019 13:28:25 GMT 12
that's good to know. I witnessed much of the aircraft's early restoration on Bankstown airport in the early 1990s before the move to NZ
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Post by ErrolC on Sept 20, 2019 8:23:13 GMT 12
Right, we're in Blenheim Monday-Wednesday 30th Sep-2nd Oct. So I'll be spending a solid half day at Omaka at some point. If anyone has hot tips about activities of interest (e.g. warbird flights that are booked) please drop me a line!
I went up in the Anson at Easter, so I won't be doing any joyrides myself.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 20, 2019 10:02:34 GMT 12
Burleigh Pie Shop!
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 15, 2019 19:20:33 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 17, 2019 17:51:30 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 17, 2019 18:16:42 GMT 12
A very interesting jigsaw there.
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