dark light

Reply To: Chatham Islands Sunderland, what happend to the bits?

Home Forums Historic Aviation Chatham Islands Sunderland, what happend to the bits? Reply To: Chatham Islands Sunderland, what happend to the bits?

#1222217
flyernzl
Participant

The forum link is
http://rnzaf.proboards43.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Airshows&thread=1177719990&page=1

The Sunderland involved was NZ4111 ex VB880. The incident occurred when the aircraft hit an uncharted rock during taxi to t/off to Chatham Islands 4Nov59 – at that time the military Sunderlands provided the only air link between mainland New Zealand and the islands.

The aircraft was dismantled on-site. Some parts were removed by an RNZAF team for use at the RNZAF Museum at Wigram in 1994, the remainder is still at the Chathams. I am told that the islanders have no wish to see the rest of it depart.