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Post by bevanid on Feb 19, 2020 20:25:19 GMT 12
At the beginning of the month I never imagined I would be a Harvard owner. However after an unexpected opportunity arose to purchase the Harvard project NZ1044 I couldn’t say no, I’ve been looking for a Harvard for a while now and 1044 met all the requirements. Over the next few years I hope to be able to breath life back back into the aircraft, it last flew in 1958, it’s in remarkable condition. I’m hoping to restore it back to RNZAF standard as it would have been in 1945 on No.2 OTU including the original radios, gunsight and armament and aerial mast. Thank you to everyone has given me advise and pointers over the last few weeks, this is definitely going to be a good challenge but one I hope to see through. If anyone has any photos or info on NZ1044 I would love to get copies. Also any logbook entries for pilots that flew the aircraft. The adventure begins........      |
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Feb 19, 2020 20:31:04 GMT 12
Congratulations Bevan! What an honour to be the next guardian of such an artefact
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 19, 2020 20:52:38 GMT 12
Congratulations Bevan! Owning and rebuilding a piece of history is a special thing. Although I have spent well over(I mean well over) the value of my Auster T.7, it dosent matter. WE552 and all these other old birds need people to give them attention. Keep us posted on progress!
I will look through my files and see if I have anything on 1044
Cheers Anthony
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 19, 2020 21:31:25 GMT 12
I am so pleased for you Bevan. I cannot think of a better home for it to go to. I am going to enjoy following the progress as it is restored back to flight, and contributing a little input along that journey too.
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Post by dazz on Feb 19, 2020 21:39:13 GMT 12
Awesome! She’s in good hands!
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Post by NZ1009 on Feb 19, 2020 22:21:48 GMT 12
A few more photos - RNZAF Official and Peter Lewis:  1044a by , on Flickr  1044_a3 by , on Flickr  1044_a by , on Flickr  1053 by , on Flickr |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 19, 2020 22:30:10 GMT 12
NZ1044 was bare metal when it arrived here in 1943, but camouflaged by April 1945. It was then bare metal again in the 1950's. What did they use to strip the paint with back in the late 1940's or early 1950's?
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Post by NZ1009 on Feb 19, 2020 22:42:04 GMT 12
And after it left the RNZAF:  1044_a4 by , on Flickr  1044_d by , on Flickr |
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Post by baz62 on Feb 20, 2020 7:17:55 GMT 12
Great news. I believe I have a few photos of 1044 when she was on display at Wigram for a Wings and Wheels. She had her wings off as I believe they towed her from Harewood. Yiu are welcome to have them......once I find them!
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Post by planecrazy on Feb 20, 2020 9:49:29 GMT 12
That NAC scheme is unique!
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Post by Bruce on Feb 20, 2020 11:47:59 GMT 12
NZ1044 was bare metal when it arrived here in 1943, but camouflaged by April 1945. It was then bare metal again in the 1950's. What did they use to strip the paint with back in the late 1940's or early 1950's? The 1950s Silver finish isnt actually bare metal, its Silver dope or Lacquer. Not sure what would have been used for paint stripping, probably MEK or similar since it wasnt the modern 2 pot paint. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 20, 2020 11:51:17 GMT 12
The wartime photos I've found from 1943 of this aircraft is in fact bare metal Bruce. Not silver paint or dope or lacquer.
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Post by curtiss on Feb 20, 2020 12:00:43 GMT 12
NZ1044 was bare metal when it arrived here in 1943, but camouflaged by April 1945. It was then bare metal again in the 1950's. What did they use to strip the paint with back in the late 1940's or early 1950's? Dave, I am sure you are correct that there were some bare metal aircraft, but according to the wartime tech order, exterior surfaces and undercarriage etc were listed as "aluminum " finish. Bare surfaces are listed as no finish and are mostly interior surfaces. All the parts I have had from 1950's era were also silver aluminium finish. |
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Post by curtiss on Feb 20, 2020 12:02:00 GMT 12
The wartime photos I've found from 1943 of this aircraft is in fact bare metal Bruce. Not silver paint or dope or lacquer. Interesting - can you post them? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 20, 2020 12:27:38 GMT 12
These photos were taken on the 26th of October 1943 when the aircraft was new and had suffered a wire strike just five days into its RNZAF service. These come from the accident report. Bevan and I agree that this is clearly bare metal, not painted, doped or lacquered. Bevan has inspected the paint on the aircraft as it is now too and he is certain that there is nothing under the white coat of paint, not even a primer, and certainly no evidence of silver dope or paint, only the painted roundels and yellow bands.    |
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 20, 2020 12:30:03 GMT 12
Bevan, need anyone to help with paint stripping. I come cheap....just a bed and the occasional leg of lamb!
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Post by shorty on Feb 20, 2020 13:15:39 GMT 12
NZ1044 was bare metal when it arrived here in 1943, but camouflaged by April 1945. It was then bare metal again in the 1950's. What did they use to strip the paint with back in the late 1940's or early 1950's? Erks!(or baggies) |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 20, 2020 13:21:19 GMT 12
What did the Erks use? Chemical stripper? Scotchbrite?
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Post by Bruce on Feb 20, 2020 14:55:34 GMT 12
These photos were taken on the 26th of October 1944 when the aircraft was new and had suffered a wire strike just five days into its RNZAF service. These come from the accident report. Bevan and I agree that this is clearly bare metal, not painted, doped or lacquered. Bevan has inspected the paint on the aircraft as it is now too and he is certain that there is nothing under the white coat of paint, not even a primer, and certainly no evidence of silver dope or paint, only the painted roundels and yellow bands. I was referring to the 1950s silver and yellow scheme being painted - the 1940s would almost certainly be bare metal as you suggest. In the finishing schedules the 1950s silver paint would generally be referred to as "Aluminium" as that was the pigment used, and its not a pure silver colour. Certainly paint stripping 1057 back in the 1990s, the silver on that was definitely an aluminium pigmented paint. Of course, during its life as an NAC instructional airframe it would have been completely stripped and repainted, probably several times - one of the earlier photos in the thread seems to show that... |
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Post by tbf25o4 on Feb 20, 2020 15:00:59 GMT 12
Agreed that during its NAC "Instructional" service it would have been stripped back to bare metal and painted several times for the aircraft finishing courses
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