|
Post by shorty on Oct 22, 2021 9:34:43 GMT 12
I was of the understanding that the full size hangar was originally destined to be No 6 hangar at Woodbourne before the more pressing need for hangars at Nelson and Omaka intervened.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 22, 2021 9:53:59 GMT 12
You could well be right there Shorty. Stories do tend to get distorted occasionally when it is veterans telling them who were not actually involved. Maybe someone can find the actual story recorded somewhere, perhaps it's in that fabled PWD history that people sometimes quote?
|
|
|
Post by nuuumannn on Oct 22, 2021 11:33:42 GMT 12
The reason I'm questioning the Nelson hangar being a half of another is because I've been informed that it is a myth. The Nelson Hangar Three was known as a "Half Hangar" but it wasn't a half per se. This came from Graeme McConnell, who has done research on Nelson Airport and was one half of the duo who wrote the Nelson aviation book.
Just to clarify again, the first hangar at Nelson was the Cook Strait hangar that came from Stoke, that was known as Hangar One. The second hangar built on site was known as Hangar Two and the third was Hangar Three. To add to the confusion for those who understood the numbering sequence, when Air Nelson built the new big hangar on Rapide Drive, that became known as Hangar One, since the original Hangar One was pulled down a few years earlier.
These numbers were known by personnel who worked at the airport in these hangars at different times, so the numbering of them has been blurred over time.
|
|
|
Post by oj on Oct 22, 2021 12:33:43 GMT 12
|
|
|
Post by emron on Oct 22, 2021 14:51:57 GMT 12
Developments prior to the construction of Hangar 3 at Nelson which was built in 1941:
Otago Daily Times, 12-July-1939
NEW HANGAR AT TAIERI AERODROME
The double unit hangar, 265 feet by 143 feet, which is at present under construction at the Taieri aerodrome. It is anticipated that the hangar will be completed in another seven or eight weeks.
Nelson Evening Mail, 30-November-1940
AIR DEFENCE
DEVELOPMENT OF NELSON AERODROME
-- RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON’S HEADQUARTERS -- BUILDING PROGRAM WELL ADVANCED --
A marked transformation has taken place at the Nelson Aerodrome since it was announced six weeks ago that an extension of the air defences of the Dominion was to be made by the establishment of a general reconnaissance squadron in the Nelson-Marlborough district, with headquarters at Nelson. Many thousands of yards of spoil have been removed to provide level foundation areas for the main camp and for hangar and other buildings, and the construction of most of the buildings and the essential services is well on the way towards completion. It has been necessary for all the construction contracts to be carried out expeditiously as it is intended that the headquarters unit and the first flight of planes will commence operation in January. At the present time there are 362 men employed on the aerodrome by contractors and the Public Works Department. The establishment of the reconnaissance station is being carried out by the Public Works Department.
NEW HANGAR
The preparation of the new hangar site entailed the shifting of 10,000 cubic yards of spoil, and about 6 inches of hard filling has been spread and consolidated as a foundation for the concrete floor of the hangar which will be of steel truss type. It is the intention of the Government to make provision for the squadron progressively and space has been reserved for additional hangar accommodation. The main store, between the main administration building (taken over from the Nelson Harbour Board) and the new hangar is already about 60% completed.
WATER SUPPLY AND DRAINAGE
The water supply for the station is being provided by the laying of a 6 inch main from the Roding water supply pipeline to the aerodrome via Quarantine and Bolt roads. Due to the flat nature of the country and the small height above sea level difficulty was encountered in obtaining suitable grades for most of the drainage but those difficulties have been overcome and the sewerage scheme is well under way. A septic tank 47 feet by 14 feet is under construction in reinforced concrete. The complete electrification is being carried out by the Waimea Electric Power Board and most of that work is well advanced.
CAMP SITE AND BUILDINGS
The establishment of a self-contained squadron has necessitated a considerable building programme to accommodate the personnel which will number about 230 men. The camp site and buildings, nearly half a mile along Bolt road from the hangars, are spread over an area of about 8 acres, which have been levelled by the shifting of approximately 9000 cubic yards of sand, and then re-turfed. The roading into the camp from Bolt road has been practically completed. All ranks at the station will in the first instance be accommodated in standard mobilisation huts or tents of a pattern similar to those used in Public Works camps. The buildings on the camp site include one mess block with a central kitchen but providing separate messing for officers, n.c.o.’s and men, a recreation institute including a Post Office, three ablution and lavatory blocks, as well as separate buildings for wet and dry canteens, and sick quarters. Good progress is being made with all these buildings. In addition to the new buildings which are in the course of erection the squadron will occupy the civil administration building recently erected by the Nelson Harbour Board and the hangar belonging to Cook Strait Airways.
CONTRACTS
The following are some of the contracts which have been let for work at the aerodrome:- Combined mess, Chamberlin and Stannard; officer’s n.c.o.’s and airmen’s ablution blocks, J.L. Pugh; institute block, B. & G.T. Holbrook Ltd; wet and dry canteen, J.L. Pugh; fuel store, J.L. Pugh; ration store, J.L. Pugh; sick quarters, B. & G.T. Holbrook Ltd; main store, J.L. Pugh; miscellaneous stores, J.L. Pugh; motor transport shed and garage, J.D. & L. Robertson Ltd; fire tender and ambulance garage, J.D. & L. Robertson Ltd; guard house, latrines, hut erection, contract No. 1, mobilisation huts, supply and erection, contract No. 2, J.L. Pugh; incinerator, J.D. & L. Robertson Ltd; main septic tank, C. Gibbons; water supply contracts, Hume Steel Co. Ltd; effluent line, C. Gibbons; sewerage reticulation, camp site, White and Taylor.
WORK AT OMAKA
The third flight of the squadron will be a detached unit at Omaka aerodrome, Blenheim, where work is also in progress for the accommodation of 90 men. All ranks at Omaka are to be accommodated in the standard mobilisation type of wooden dormitory and cubicle blocks and work is proceeding in the construction of the accommodation. Contracts have also been let and construction work is in progress on a new hangar, mess, recreation and canteen buildings at Omaka.
|
|
|
Post by nuuumannn on Oct 30, 2021 12:49:46 GMT 12
An aerial look at the original layout of the airport, numbered for clarity. This picture used to hang on the wall in the old terminal upstairs in the inside bit of the viewing gallery. Nelson Airport 1942 Numbered It's keyed as follows: 1, Hangar One, 2, Hangar Two, 3, Hangar Three, 4, the civilian terminal surrounded with blast walls, 5, the RNZAF Main Store, 6, the wartime civil aircraft movements terminal, this building still exists, 7, the other RNZAF store, as does this one, 8, line up of what are possibly dummy aircraft - for some odd reason Nelson had a few dummy Hurricanes, which was odd since the type didn't operate in New Zealand during the war. These could be P-40s though. Their location is along what is now Trent Drive past the barrier arms, 9, the wireless station, which was the first building complex completed on the site, 10, dispersal pans, these are still visible on the golf course land, 11, Bolt Road, the main access road from town at the time before Quarantine Road had been upgraded, 12, the edge of the RNZAF camp, which is now covered in housing, although Cohen Place (named after Nugget Cohen) is oriented on the main track through the camp, 13, Quarantine Road.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 30, 2021 13:04:06 GMT 12
I was told by a veteran there was a pub over the road not far from the main gate in WWII where everyone from the station used to gather in their downtime. You do not hear too often about nearby pubs associated with RNZAF stations, like you do with the RAF stations where the pubs were a really important part of life. I cannot recall the name of the pub off the top of my head, but I do not think it is still there now.
|
|
|
Post by emron on Nov 1, 2021 11:14:22 GMT 12
You could well be right there Shorty. Stories do tend to get distorted occasionally when it is veterans telling them who were not actually involved. Maybe someone can find the actual story recorded somewhere, perhaps it's in that fabled PWD history that people sometimes quote? Here are a couple of news reports about development at Woodbourne. After the second article, towards the end of 1940, wartime censorship was imposed. There was no further publication of photographs or reports in the papers that could divulge the location and strength of our defence facilities or forces. So nothing further about the origins of Nelson’s Hangar 3. There are lots of PWD documents relating to the Air Stations listed in Archway, that might be relevant, but nothing viewable on line. --- “Press” 25-October-1939. AIR TRAINING SCHOOL CONSTRUCTION WORK AT WOODBOURNE --- BUILDINGS READY BY CHRISTMAS --- “All buildings, except some permanent cottages, for the new air training school at Woodbourne will be finished by Christmas” the Hon. R. Semple (Minister for Public Works) said yesterday. The Minister flew from Wellington to Blenheim in the morning and inspected the aerodrome work before motoring to Christchurch. The three hangars covered approximately two acres and a half, said the Minister. Each measured 255 feet by 126 feet. The other buildings were going up apace, but more carpenters were still needed. The landing ground was in excellent condition for training operations. -- Nelson Evening Mail, 26-July-1940. HEAVY PROGRAMME CONSTRUCTION OF AERODROMES --- AIR FORCE STATIONS Mr Semple gives the following summary of the work completed at the principal Air Force Stations:-- Hobsonville Air Base, Auckland.- Accommodation for personnel has been increased, aircraft maintenance buildings and extra stores buildings have been erected, and other technical buildings provided. Whenuapai Station, Auckland.- The construction of the flying-field comprising 400 acres has been completed, a large proportion of which is in use. One timber hangar and certain residential and technical buildings were completed, while further large works are proceeding. The two reinforced concrete hangars will be in use very shortly. Ohakea Flying Training School, Bulls.- This station has been almost completed; the flying-field is in use and all of the principal technical and residential buildings in the main scheme, which includes two reinforced concrete hangars, each of 57,500 square feet have been completed. Woodbourne Flying Training School, Blenheim.- At this station where work on buildings had just commenced before the outbreak of war, four hangars and other technical and residential buildings covering a total area of 356,200 square feet have been erected, and the expansion programme has been almost completed. Wigram Flying Training School, Christchurch.- Extensions are still in progress in the flying-field, while major extensions to to residential and technical accommodation have been completed. Work on building alterations is in progress. “In addition to these peacetime Air Force Stations my department has supervised the construction of the Elementary Flying Training Schools at New Plymouth, Harewood (Christchurch), and Taieri (Dunedin), and the Ground Training School at Weraroa.” the Minister states.
|
|
|
Post by nuuumannn on Nov 3, 2021 12:52:08 GMT 12
I was told by a veteran there was a pub over the road not far from the main gate in WWII where everyone from the station used to gather in their downtime. You do not hear too often about nearby pubs associated with RNZAF stations, like you do with the RAF stations where the pubs were a really important part of life. I cannot recall the name of the pub off the top of my head, but I do not think it is still there now. That's an interesting wee anecdote, Dave, I'll ask Graeme when I see him on Friday, he'll probably know of the establishment. There's certainly no pubs on Bolt Road anymore, but across the spit from the airport is The Honest Lawyer, which is a regular stop for a drink or two.
|
|
|
Post by Mustang51 on Nov 3, 2021 15:21:10 GMT 12
"The Honest lawyer".....really ?
|
|
|
Post by nuuumannn on Nov 3, 2021 15:25:43 GMT 12
"The Honest lawyer".....really ? Awesome name. The other local is "The Unbiased Reporter"...
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on Nov 3, 2021 16:13:17 GMT 12
The other local is "The Unbiased Reporter"... In a past life I may have resented that one
|
|
|
Post by Mustang51 on Nov 3, 2021 17:01:09 GMT 12
Someone obviously has a sense of humour
|
|
|
Post by nuuumannn on Nov 8, 2021 11:22:52 GMT 12
Someone obviously has a sense of humour Living in Nelson and getting paid "Sunshine wages", you have to...
|
|
|
Post by nuuumannn on Nov 9, 2021 12:39:24 GMT 12
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 9, 2021 17:37:33 GMT 12
Jeez they could have waited till after their big history celebration this weekend before they start ripping down history.
|
|
|
Post by markrogers on Nov 9, 2021 18:47:30 GMT 12
So sad to see it being deconstructed for the first time since it was built. One can see the framework and how it was constructed. So much history disappearing in these photos.
|
|