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MOTAT
Feb 9, 2024 21:34:38 GMT 12
Post by emron on Feb 9, 2024 21:34:38 GMT 12
The fittings are inserts that have been removed from the bracing tubes of one the Sunderland’s wing spars. The cut-out window looks to be for one of the recognition light positions outboard of the bomb trolley track.
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Post by emron on Feb 7, 2024 17:24:00 GMT 12
Here are the sea-drogues now fully rigged before they were returned to their bins on either side of the galley. sea_drogues by Ron Wilson, on Flickr The floorboards and safety lines are back in place in the bomb compartment. Next up here is to re-fit the watertight doors, manual bilge pump and hoses.
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Post by emron on Feb 4, 2024 17:04:39 GMT 12
The hook that I used to complete the second safety line last week was “borrowed” from a spare sea drogue that was in the store. Later, feeling guilty that I may have robbed Peter to pay Paul, I checked out the condition of the two drogues stowed in the galley aboard the Sunderland. Neither of them had a hook attached and both appeared to be missing a length a rope and shackle to connect to the mounting eye in the galley. However, packed in the bin with each drogue was a separate piece of rope with eyes spliced to each end and small spring clips bound on. They looked more like sections of rope barrier to me.
After more than a little browsing on-line and poring over Sunderland compartment diagrams, I eventually found the answers to the puzzle. This morning, I brought both drogues back to the workshop and laid them out on the floor. A couple of weeks ago when first looking for the safety line hook, I found some others that were permanently attached to wire ropes. Next, I went and got those cables from the store. They turned out to be about 6 feet long and with a shackle on the other end, just right to link the drogue to the airframe fitting. The best two are now joined to the drogues. The second drogue was also missing the tripping line which is used to collapse and retrieve the drogue after use. I remembered seeing a spare swivel and short cord on the spares shelf. That was soon attached, and extra cord tied on. Both drogues are now complete. I’ll return them to the Sunderland next time and maybe take a photo of one hanging out the hatch as a demo. The best of the spare ones has been reserved and that will be stowed in its position in the bow compartment when that’s ready.
As for the extra ropes, I discovered they are the safety lines that run down either side of the walkway through the bomb compartment. We’ll mount them back once Mike’s fitted all the newly painted floorboards there. That’s just some of this week’s gaps filled and mysteries solved.
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Post by emron on Jan 30, 2024 12:15:59 GMT 12
Last Wednesday I discovered the location for a length of rope that had been carefully bagged up and was amongst the Sunderland spares. It’s one of two that are mounted on either side of the starboard beam gun hatch. I’m guessing their purpose is to be as a safety rope and they could be strung up across the open ends of the gunners’ platform, when it was in use, to prevent a fall. The tattered remains of the other rope were still hanging down alongside the rear door, but cut in half and missing the hook. I found another hook and some suitably distressed rope and on Sunday fashioned a replacement, the one on the right. It turned out to be synthetic and too badly weathered to last, but it will do until we get a decent length of manilla. Both ropes are now back in place. safety_ropes by Ron Wilson, on Flickr The gun mount bracing assembly and handgrips are now finished, and I’ve turned my attention back to completing the backplate. gun_mount_parts by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Jan 26, 2024 17:37:31 GMT 12
I spent most of my time on Wednesday assembling the replica beam mount and gun so didn’t get to finish off the panels, I’ll look at them again on Sunday. We used the best of the genuine parts that we had to complete the port gun mount so there’s only a few left over for the replica starboard one. Here’s the front bracing assembly that stiffens up the mount frame and prevents it from spreading when the gun is fired. The second bracket was broken and only half remained so I’ve made a new end that can be riveted on as a temporary fix. front_brace by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Likewise, the handgrips, shown here before they are trimmed and shaped, are of wood until we can make others from more durable material. handgrips by Ron Wilson, on Flickr The backplate for the mount has been the hardest part to reproduce and here its current stage of progress. It's topped off with one of the great gunsights that Andy from our tramway workshop has made, one of four for the Sunderland. backplate by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Jan 21, 2024 17:47:52 GMT 12
First Sunday back for the workshop team and we were admiring the reflective rescue signs on helicopter ISJ, that were refreshed over the break. isj_rescue by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Peter returned to where he left off, to work on the instruments and electrics. Most of the gaps in the main panel are now filled. isj_panel by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Taillights lit up and raring to go. isj_tail_lights by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Looking for any excuse to get into the air-conditioned display hall, I sortied down to the Sunderland to finalise the measurements of the three panels that cover the rear bulkhead forward of the rear turret. Between water breaks, back in the workshop I got them cut out and trimmed and made a replacement for a small missing bracket to support them. Next time, I’ll trace out the screw holes and they’ll be ready to fit.
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Post by emron on Jan 17, 2024 14:49:54 GMT 12
Date: [ca 5 April 1951] Ref: 114/274/07-G "Man holding a portion of the propeller of the plane of Guy Menzies, first aviator to fly across the Tasman Sea, photographed circa 5 April 1951 by an Evening Post photographer." National Library Collection Actually Menzies was of course the first to fly solo across the Tasman Sea. I wonder if this artifact is in a museum now? The prop is in the Te Papa collection, their Acc. No. GH010354. This photo is likely taken at the Dominion Museum when it was gifted to them by Guy Menzies’ widow.
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Post by emron on Jan 16, 2024 11:35:05 GMT 12
I stopped by at the workshop yesterday and checked in with Steve. The year’s got off to a good start and here’s a snippet of what he’s been doing while the rest of the team are away, including the DC-3 ailerons with new paint. I’ll post more once we return to work and the others have a chance of a first look too. dc3_ailerons by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Jan 11, 2024 16:24:46 GMT 12
Please pardon if you have a sense of deja vu but here’s a New Year’s treat for the Sunderland, the new-build starboard beam gun mount mid-way through production. stbd_beam_mount by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Jan 5, 2024 11:57:03 GMT 12
Greymouth Evening Star, 19 August 1947. Advertisement.
AN APOLOGY from PETER THE PILOT
Dear Boys and Girls:- I am extremely sorry to say that even though I had an extra large supply of Albums for you this year the requests have been so many that there is now not enough to go round. However the marvellous set of 37 coloured picture cards is still worth collecting and perhaps you could paste them in a book of your own. There are three cards in every packet of Delicious Diamond O-TIS. So tell Mother to keep on buying O-TIS for breakfast. It is really corker and made from the finest grain that grows.
With best wishes to you all, Your friend - Peter the Pilot C/o Timaru Milling Co. Ltd., TIMARU.
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Post by emron on Jan 5, 2024 11:01:25 GMT 12
BTW this wasn’t the first visit by a US warship named Brooklyn. Nearly forty years earlier a predecessor, armoured cruiser USS Brooklyn (ACR-3), built 1896, made a call.
Brooklyn, at the time flagship of the Asiatic Squadron based in Manila, had been to Melbourne for the Federation Celebrations in May 1901, during which the first Parliament of the newly founded Commonwealth of Australia was opened by the Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V). Afterwards, Brooklyn under command of Rear-Admiral George C. Remey, sailed for NZ arriving Auckland 26 May. The cruiser remained in port until 1 June when it sailed for Wellington arriving there on the 3rd. The Wellington visit lasted until 10 June when the cruiser departed for Manila, sailing via Sydney for refueling.
Brooklyn (ACR-3) was a Spanish-American War veteran that had taken part in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba in July 1898. She continued on active service until after World War I and was de-commissioned in 1921.
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Post by emron on Jan 4, 2024 20:01:22 GMT 12
So the Squadron consisted of: The USS Brooklyn (the flagship) The USS Savannah The USS Tucker and three others This visiting Squadron was officially called Task Group 9.2. Light cruisers Brooklyn (CL-40) and Savannah (CL-42) were accompanied by destroyers USS Case (DD-370), Cummings (DD-365), Shaw (DD-373) and Tucker (DD-374). Shortly after their return from the NZ visit, both cruisers were re-assigned to the Atlantic fleet, however all four destroyers were berthed at Pearl Harbour on Dec-7. USS Shaw was in dry dock during the Japanese attack and was struck by three bombs. The ensuing fires spread through the ship, followed by an explosion in the forward magazine. After two months salvage she was made seaworthy and sailed to San Francisco for extensive repairs. She was back in service in Hawaii by August 1942. USS Cummings sustained minor casualties from bombs that fell ahead and astern but was ready to sortie on patrol almost immediately after. Both USS Case and Tucker were undamaged. USS Brooklyn’s wartime service included Atlantic convoy escort duties and later in the Mediterranean, naval support of Allied landings in North Africa, Sicily, Italy and Southern France. Decommissioned after the war, held in reserve, she was transferred to the Chilean Navy in 1951. Renamed “O’Higgins” she served a further 40 years with them. USS Savannah saw similar war duties, but while taking part in a naval bombardment of shore defences during the amphibious invasion of Salerno, Italy, on 11 September 1943, she was attacked by a German bomber which released a radio-controlled Fritz X bomb. The bomb hit and pierced the Savannah’s No.3 turret and exploded three decks below, blasting a hole in the keel and tearing a seam in the port side. The crew were able to seal the flooded compartments, control the list and then escorted by tugs, sail to Malta for emergency repairs. 206 crewmen had been killed and 13 other sailors seriously injured in the attack. Although final repair of her battle damage and an upgrade of weapon systems was completed at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in September 1944, she was never sent to a combat zone again in the war. USS Case took part in various operations across the Pacific, including most of 1943 based at Espiritu Santo. Later, as US forces moved north, she saw action in the Battle of the Philippine Sea, bombardment of Iwo Jima and finally accepted the surrender of the Bonin Islands. USS Cummings also served through 1942-43 in the South Pacific region and often in NZ waters. She stopped again at Auckland in May 1943 for a brief overhaul. In early 1944 she joined British Force 70 for screening duties during air strikes on Sabang, Sumatra and Soerabaja, Java. In July she carried President Roosevelt aboard from Juneau, Alaska to Seattle, on the final leg of his Pacific tour. She later participated in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, bombardment of Iwo Jima and supervised the occupation of Haha Jima. Barely two months after her return to the Pacific combat zone after Pearl Harbour, USS Shaw ran aground at Noumea Harbour on 10 January 1943, with extensive damage to her hull, propellers and sound gear. Lengthy repairs and upgrades at Pearl Harbour took until September. From October to December Shaw operated in support of Allied action in Papua New Guinea. During an assault on Cape Gloucester on 26 December, she sustained injuries and damage when attacked by two Japanese “Vals”. 36 men were injured, three of whom later died of their wounds. Temporary repairs were made at Milne Bay and permanent ones at Hunter’s Point, California took until May 1944. Afterwards she was involved in the invasions of Saipan and Guam. During operations in the Visayan Islands, Philippines Shaw struck an uncharted pinnacle which forced her return to the USA for repair and subsequent decommissioning. USS Tucker commenced escort duties based at Suva in early June 1942 which included a trip to Auckland in July. On 4 August, while escorting a freighter to Espiritu Santo, she struck a defensive mine laid by the US Navy at the western entrance to Segond Channel. The explosion nearly broke the ship in half and killed three crewmen. The stern sank the following morning, and a diving party scuttled the bow. The wreck of USS Tucker remains as a popular dive site.
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Post by emron on Dec 26, 2023 14:04:51 GMT 12
As mentioned in Richard’s message above, if you are planning a trip to MOTAT’s Aviation Hall in the next 6 weeks, then it’s best to know that Meola Rd will be closed to vehicle through traffic past MOTAT 2, but that should little impact on your visit. The footpath alongside remains open, although narrow in places, so you can still access on foot or bike from Pt Chevalier and Westmere as usual. The tram journey to and from MOTAT ‘s Western Springs site isn’t affected by the roadworks. Nor if you are coming by car and parking in the Museum’s car park off Motions Rd, (where parking fees apply) as you will be approaching from either Old Mill Rd or Motions Rd. The City Outer Link bus service that normally uses Meola Rd has been diverted for the duration too, via Old Mill Rd and Motions Rd and it has temporary stops in both directions nearby to the Museum’s Motions Rd entrance. Quiet holiday scene at Meola Rd. Auckland’s take on Christmas decorations. meola_rd_closure_1 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr Now difficult to recognise the well-travelled flying boat crossing from the mid 1960’s. meola_rd_closure_2 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Dec 17, 2023 17:18:25 GMT 12
Described by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale as “the first sustained and controlled heavier than air, powered flight,” took place at Kill Devil Hills, near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903.
At 10:35 am, Orville Wright was at the controls of the “Wright Flyer” for the brothers’ first attempt when it was airborne for 12 seconds and flew 120ft. Wilbur Wright was at the controls for the fourth and final flight of the day which lasted for 59 seconds and covered a distance of 852 feet.
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Post by emron on Dec 10, 2023 15:08:58 GMT 12
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Post by emron on Dec 6, 2023 16:59:46 GMT 12
Finally able to pull up all the bolts tight on the Sunderland’s elevator torque tube, then rig the trim-tab chains and re-attach the chain guard. After a little adjustment of the elevator lock and the control column, the control rods were also joined to the crank arms successfully. Good to see the elevators moving in unison for the first time in ages. elevator_torque_tube_2 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr A little late for Santa Parade but Rex has done a great job of wrapping the floats. Now they just need a splash of festive colour and they’ll be ready to decorate the Porcupine’s tail (trolley). flotation_blocks by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Dec 3, 2023 16:52:35 GMT 12
Confident that I got the elevator torque tube fitted the right way around last time, I started today by clearing out corrosion and excess paint from the bolt holes on the starboard end. I had already clamped it up tight with a few undersize bolts but when I tried a podger to align the two holes in the hinge bar, they wouldn’t shift. So, I slackened off the bolts, prised the three pieces apart again and with the help of a tapered punch I was able to set the first of the permanent bolts. The rest followed more easily, and I moved over to the port end to do the same there. Once I fitted enough bolts for it to be secure, I reached for the top control rod to link it back on to the crank arm. Soon there was an “Oh Bother” moment as it dawned on me that they didn’t connect. I’d been careful to fit the tube to the correct end but was 180-degrees out! The offset arms were angled forward instead of back. An hour or two later it was wrestled back in the correct position, secured again and time to go home.
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Post by emron on Nov 30, 2023 15:22:39 GMT 12
Yesterday I got all of the major elevator control parts back in position and began to secure them in place, starting with the two bearing brackets on the front of the bulkhead which share four bolts each with the cross-tube mounted on the back. Next, I fitted the hinge bars into the brackets and then levered the torque tube in and engaged its end slots over the bars. There are now enough bolts in the torque tube to hold it in line until I can get back to finish off the rest.
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Post by emron on Nov 26, 2023 16:10:29 GMT 12
On Wednesday, all of the elevator fittings that had been previously paint stripped, were first passed through the blasting booth to remove any corrosion, then had primer and finish paint applied and bearings re-greased, In advance, I’d also shaped up the new bumper pad for the chain guard, so that was riveted back on too. Today, I took all the finished parts, as well as the torque tube, back to the Sunderland and started bolting them back on. Before I could fit both brackets for the elevator bearings I had to punch out two sheared off bolts on each side. Once I had done this I realised that it left only one bolt holding this cross-tube at each end. I took the opportunity to take it off as well. It was soon back in the workshop, cleaned up and ready for return next time. cross_tube_support by Ron Wilson, on Flickr During an earlier paint strip session, the anti-glare shield was also done. With a little more cleaning it will be ready for etch priming next too. antiglare_shield by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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Post by emron on Nov 20, 2023 10:21:45 GMT 12
You were lucky to get the chance and capture that video of the Solent, back in the day. The interior is still not as good as it was then, waiting for funding and expertise to finish relining the upper deck. Even when the insides of both flying boats are back to their presentable best, it’s unlikely that either will be open to public viewing, apart from the most special of circumstances. These days the Museum’s approach is to provide virtual access through interactive 360-degree images. Once we’ve completed painting of the lower deck of the Sunderland and installed the rear turret and all loose equipment throughout, that will open up more options for enhanced views and detailed video walkarounds. With that in mind, yesterday I managed to remove the starboard elevator bracket and trim tab sprockets and they have been paint stripped. Once they are overhauled and painted again and the bumper pad replaced on the central chain guard, that will allow us to complete the rigging of all the flying controls in the tail as well as secure the rudder and elevators to their torque tubes. That will leave only a few minor repairs to be done in the entire rear compartment. Talking about interior photos, here’s a couple of helicopter, ISJ, from the patient’s point of view. ISJ_cabin_1 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr ISJ_cabin_2 by Ron Wilson, on Flickr
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