Post by TS on Nov 22, 2020 8:52:36 GMT 12
Hi All,
I have decided to create a separate thread for this EX Navy WW2 submarine hunter that started life in California in 1942 and was one of 16 vessels 72ft long and weighing in at approximately 50 tonnes. They were shipped out to NZ to protect our waters from submarines hence made of wood so they were basically an early stealth vessel as well as harbour defense, hence the HD in HDML and the ML is for motor Launch.
There are only really 2 in the world that are left in original condition one in the UK called HMS Medusa which played an important part on D Day.
The other is this one HDML Kuparu. Of the 16 that where imported to NZ there are 5 that still survive Paea, Tamure, Koura, Parore, Takapu. Both Tamure and Koura are at Kopu Thames and are in a very bad way on the hard, Tamure is for sale on T.M. If you like doing a little bit of wood work...
The owner of Kuparu Scott Perry found her in a house relocation yard 5 years ago in Helensville and she also was basically a rotten hull. It took Scott and I approximately 16 months hard bloody work to get her seaworthy.
We painted her in WW2 colours. Since then she has done over 2 thousand nautical sea miles and is still going strong on her original Foden diesel engines.
These vessels are all made of wood and are actually bonded just like the Mosquito which has the thin copper strip running everywhere. Being a boat, she does not have the same charm as a warbird but for a boat her lines are very good. She is very much a forgotten piece of our Navy History. We would love the Navy to help but it is not easy. We have taken officers out on her for a day with lots of promises, but unfortunately nothing happened.
At this time we have her out of the water at Marsden Point Marina. Anybody who is in the general area are most welcome to come have a look, just remember the yard has a remote closing gate. BUT if you call out nicely to the people at the little shop on the left and explain who you are wanting to see they will let you in. Or phone 0272782542 Scott.
We plan to return her to her last colours she wore and the one most remember them in when in Fishery protection service. This colour is Black and White hull, Grey super structure and green decks. The reason for a green deck is it actually stops birds from shitting all over her. It does work as that is why the Navy did it in the first place.
Now, of course, this is a very large job for one person and me part time...to take on. I'm there most days, but we would love more help by way of a donation or actually help in restoring her back to these "new" colours. Something you WON'T be able to do with Warbirds of any type.
We have a long way to go to get her to Museum status but that is the aim. We plan to circumnavigate NZ with hopefully 3 or 4 other Converted MLs. One even coming over from Aussie which is also Ex RNZN in 2021/22 summer.
As time allows, I will get progress photos added to this thread. SO if you would like to lend a hand for a couple of hours or longer we will appreciate it we will be on the hard for approximately 2 to 3 weeks or if you would like to donate to the give a little page givealittle.co.nz/cause/exnavy we also will appreciate that.
Hope over the next year we will also have our Oerlikon on board and many other original artifacts returning to her.
Below are photos from the Wooden Boats Thread from a few years ago.
This is only one photo of the rot that was cut out. The hull on both side was almost completely replanked and most of her new ribs where either spliced and screw along side the original to retain her shape on the hard.
Below is the very first time that junior officers had been on an ML in over 30years. As you can see they enjoyed the day but they also had know idea of her existence or very little. Apparently that history is not so important...??
Just incase you are wondering P3552 HDML PAEA although looks original she is by know way as original as Kuparu. Paea has been altered considerably down below decks. 
This model is of HDML HAKU. The original was destroyed by the Harbourmaster at Auckland because she had sunk at her mooring off Bayswater Marina.
The colour the model is painted in are what we are now in the process of doing.
I have decided to create a separate thread for this EX Navy WW2 submarine hunter that started life in California in 1942 and was one of 16 vessels 72ft long and weighing in at approximately 50 tonnes. They were shipped out to NZ to protect our waters from submarines hence made of wood so they were basically an early stealth vessel as well as harbour defense, hence the HD in HDML and the ML is for motor Launch.
There are only really 2 in the world that are left in original condition one in the UK called HMS Medusa which played an important part on D Day.
The other is this one HDML Kuparu. Of the 16 that where imported to NZ there are 5 that still survive Paea, Tamure, Koura, Parore, Takapu. Both Tamure and Koura are at Kopu Thames and are in a very bad way on the hard, Tamure is for sale on T.M. If you like doing a little bit of wood work...
The owner of Kuparu Scott Perry found her in a house relocation yard 5 years ago in Helensville and she also was basically a rotten hull. It took Scott and I approximately 16 months hard bloody work to get her seaworthy.
We painted her in WW2 colours. Since then she has done over 2 thousand nautical sea miles and is still going strong on her original Foden diesel engines.
These vessels are all made of wood and are actually bonded just like the Mosquito which has the thin copper strip running everywhere. Being a boat, she does not have the same charm as a warbird but for a boat her lines are very good. She is very much a forgotten piece of our Navy History. We would love the Navy to help but it is not easy. We have taken officers out on her for a day with lots of promises, but unfortunately nothing happened.
At this time we have her out of the water at Marsden Point Marina. Anybody who is in the general area are most welcome to come have a look, just remember the yard has a remote closing gate. BUT if you call out nicely to the people at the little shop on the left and explain who you are wanting to see they will let you in. Or phone 0272782542 Scott.
We plan to return her to her last colours she wore and the one most remember them in when in Fishery protection service. This colour is Black and White hull, Grey super structure and green decks. The reason for a green deck is it actually stops birds from shitting all over her. It does work as that is why the Navy did it in the first place.
Now, of course, this is a very large job for one person and me part time...to take on. I'm there most days, but we would love more help by way of a donation or actually help in restoring her back to these "new" colours. Something you WON'T be able to do with Warbirds of any type.
We have a long way to go to get her to Museum status but that is the aim. We plan to circumnavigate NZ with hopefully 3 or 4 other Converted MLs. One even coming over from Aussie which is also Ex RNZN in 2021/22 summer.
As time allows, I will get progress photos added to this thread. SO if you would like to lend a hand for a couple of hours or longer we will appreciate it we will be on the hard for approximately 2 to 3 weeks or if you would like to donate to the give a little page givealittle.co.nz/cause/exnavy we also will appreciate that.
Hope over the next year we will also have our Oerlikon on board and many other original artifacts returning to her.
Below are photos from the Wooden Boats Thread from a few years ago.
This is only one photo of the rot that was cut out. The hull on both side was almost completely replanked and most of her new ribs where either spliced and screw along side the original to retain her shape on the hard.Below is the very first time that junior officers had been on an ML in over 30years. As you can see they enjoyed the day but they also had know idea of her existence or very little. Apparently that history is not so important...??Just incase you are wondering P3552 HDML PAEA although looks original she is by know way as original as Kuparu. Paea has been altered considerably down below decks. 
This model is of HDML HAKU. The original was destroyed by the Harbourmaster at Auckland because she had sunk at her mooring off Bayswater Marina.The colour the model is painted in are what we are now in the process of doing.
