NZ2084 Hudson and NZ3503 DC-3 Cockpits.

[timjones]

Dear All,


I'm trying to locate the 2 cockpits above, both in the Christchurch area? with a view to making arrangements to see them. I have contacted the Ferrymead Museum and the RNZAF Museum.

In World Military out of Service it has the Hudson as privately owned by Neville Mines stored at his home and last noted Jan 2010?

The Museum at Wigram had the DC-3 for some time but indicate it was moved on because it's identity was not 100% It ended up in a restaurant that was damaged during one of the earthquakes but then sold on?

NZ350(3) or NZ35(18)


I'm heading to New Zealand tomorrow and will no have access to pro boards so if you can please help I can be reached on

[e-mail]


Any help appreciated,


Kind regards,


Tim.

[davidd]

The "DC-3" (C-47) was NZ3503; so far as I know, it's identity was never in any doubt as I recall it was still in its original factory colour scheme, complete with its USAAF serial still intact beneath the cockpit. This cockpit was pretty well stripped of EVERYTHING, it was just the shell, but this shell also featured the remains of the "Anything, Anywhere, Anytime" nose art, including the baby being carried by a stork (a design dating from about June 1944, when a design competition was held at Whenuapai to celebrate the first birthday of 40 Squadron). I still have a photograph of this "nose art" somewhere, although probably would have a real job on my hands to find it! I had to chalk in the outline of the artwork to make it stand out against the background olive drab.
The "spare" Hudson at Wigram was 2084, and still retained (amazingly!) the beam gun mountings (against all the odds). However it was not just a cockpit, it was the bulk of the fuselage, although for reasons unknown to me the lowest part of the fuselage had been removed, including the bomb-bay doors, etc. It was still in full camouflage, and again this aircraft was only identifiable by the USAAF number below cockpit. This aircraft was (like 2049 with Bill Reid) was a combat veteran with 9 and 3 Squadrons in the South Pacific - the beam gun mountings alone would verify this fact, but its operational activity is also well recorded in squadron records.
David D

[timjones]

Thanks very much for the information David. Hopefully someone will know if they still live on.

Tim.