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Post by ZacYates on Jul 21, 2020 21:36:51 GMT 12
Turns out to have been an honest mistake - the poster in question intended to share our view that she stay in NZ!
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Post by kiwiruna on Jul 22, 2020 9:21:39 GMT 12
This is something I may have overlooked but is a comprehensive list of what is in the John Smith collection? We hear about the Mosquito and Gloria Lyons but I have no idea what else he had collected and stored.
Cheers
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Post by agalbraith on Jul 25, 2020 8:54:42 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 25, 2020 9:30:36 GMT 12
I just noticed this on the Mossie Givealittle page
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 25, 2020 9:47:40 GMT 12
That is great!!
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jul 25, 2020 10:34:25 GMT 12
Incredible that John had all that additional Mossie stuff! And great that it has gone to Avspecs who will put it to good use.
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 25, 2020 11:25:01 GMT 12
More direct link www.facebook.com/Avspecs/videos/vb.133710429995732/752519385522354/?type=3&theaterFrom the comments: Daniel Paul I met John a couple of times and he was a real gent once he realised you were a genuine enthusiast. Is any of this from TE910 or has that all gone straight to Blenheim? Must be enough to look at another rebuild out of that lot though, surely a good chunk could’ve come from one airframe to maintain ID?! Avspecs Ltd. Daniel Paul we made sure everything needed for John's aircraft was kept aside. We have found the substantial remains of TE881 which is good news. Avspecs Ltd. Bruce Gordon we definitely have at least one identity. TE881 (NZ2345).
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Post by baz62 on Jul 25, 2020 15:11:11 GMT 12
Wow another Mosquito (albeit in bits). Glad it's gone to Avspecs.
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Post by harvard1041 on Jul 25, 2020 17:10:41 GMT 12
Yes - a good outcome for the 'surplus' Mosquito spares.... in line with the Smith family wishes Cheers Hvd1041
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 25, 2020 17:45:50 GMT 12
There was always a rumour that he had a second Mosquito, no-one ever substantiated it till recently.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 25, 2020 18:45:45 GMT 12
harvard1041 has kindly sent these photos of the newly discovered TE881 to post: Back in the 1950's (Smith Family Collection) And as discovered (this fuselage had apparently been used for storing grain) The sale of these Mosquito remains to Avspecs by the Smith family is in line with John's and the family's wishes that the parts stay within NZ and goes to an 'aviation worthy' person, i.e. someone with a demonstrated history of building and restoring warbirds.
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Jul 25, 2020 18:52:45 GMT 12
Brilliant outcome and fascinating news! Dare I hope that there might one day be an airworthy local Mosquito? There couldn't be a more appropriate or "worthy" recipient of these relics. In the Avspecs unpacking video, that's a ton of non-wood parts for a Wooden Wonder!
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 26, 2020 14:55:07 GMT 12
Regarding the Mustang, does the Protected Objects Act 1975 (as referenced on the first page of this thread) come into play?
You can argue that the RNZAF Museum and ZK-TAF aren't 'comparable examples' (not being ex-RNZAF), and ZK-TAF would struggle to satisfy 'permanently held'. ZK-SAS (Dove of Peace) definitely not in a public collection. Have I missed any others?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 26, 2020 15:55:50 GMT 12
ZK-TAF is not in a public collection either, it is privately owned.
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Post by harvard1041 on Jul 26, 2020 20:20:22 GMT 12
Not really - as the intention is to keep the P-51D, and all the other aircraft, within NZ.... so this legislation really isn't an Issue. John Smith & his family have a good sense of NZ Aviation History, something all of us can be happy with Cheers John.
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Post by dazz on Jul 26, 2020 22:12:08 GMT 12
That is good news, so really the quest becomes finding an individual/group within NZ with the financial wherewithal, and knowledge to restore and operate the Mustang! My little brain shifts to options of how to display the Mossie at Omaka while keeping it as original as possible. With Weta workshops magicians at hand almost anything becomes possible, however my 'vote' ( for what it's worth ! ) would be to display it as a tribute to John, in a 'in John's shed' diorama, I look forward to seeing what AHC comes up with!
Dazz
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 26, 2020 22:17:43 GMT 12
I do not agree with all those people who reckon the Mosquito should be displayed as it was in the shed. I'd prefer to be able to actually see it.
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Post by baz62 on Jul 27, 2020 10:59:36 GMT 12
I do not agree with all those people who reckon the Mosquito should be displayed as it was in the shed. It will be up to the Smith family in discussion with the team at Omaka who will decide how best to display it. A shed like diaroma would work and still show off the aircraft. Obviously they wouldnt duplicate it by cramming P40s a P51 etc all around it. But it would be a sign of respect to John. But I doubt that will happen, more likely she will be put into her RNZAF markings. Look forward to seeing her on display.
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Post by vultee43 on Jul 27, 2020 12:29:29 GMT 12
I think it would be agreed that the most important part of a display would be to recognise John Smith's vision and passion along with his families extreme generosity. Whilst the Mosquito is historcally valuable, the real story should always de about the people who flew, built, serviced and ultimately saved her.
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Post by markrogers on Jul 27, 2020 16:16:00 GMT 12
I would rather see the Mosquito completely cleaned and repaired where needed with extra work and with a fresh new paint as the family had wanted. Displayed in an appropriate "on the ramp and ready" setting where there would be photos of it's past. I think that would be a great tribute to John.
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