Auckland ,MOTAT New Aviation Display Hall

Many thanks Errol for the update.

Good to see the Devon preserved and on display in great condition.

Johan

They have started hanging exhibits from the roof, this shot from yesterday gives a better idea of where things are heading. Layout is still in flux, they were finishing preparing the RNZAF Devon for display this week (more photos at link).

New hangers [sic] by errolgc, on Flickr

Many thanks for all the previous comments

I´ve updated my photoset from MOTAT with a few scans from 1998.

They show the remarkable improvement of the museum display ,Although most scans are made in the restoration facility.
The main museum building was basicly too dark for photos.

5 out of 21 updates

SOLENT IV ,ZK-AMO (TEAL)

AUSTER J1B ,ZK-BWH (“RNZAF NZ1708”)

RB-34 LEXINGTON ,NZ4600 (RNZAF)

LANCASTER MR.VII ,WU-13 (RAF “ND752 PB457”)

And not seen recently is the real Lockheed 10A Zk-AFD

LOCKHEED 10 ELECTRA ,ZK-AFD

Main photo set (includes old scans and recent visit) http://flic.kr/s/aHsjzCmLHD

Click on the yahoo photopage on the photo to go to the lightroom page (with the dark background) and scroll down the set

Enjoy

Johan

I think there are a couple in South Africa with the early nose but I’m not certain.

Would this be the only example of a glazed nose Ventura, (similar to as used in Europe) extant?

The Lexington was the name used when it was in service with the USAAF – I’m not certain if Lexington was given to the type by the USAAF or by Lockheed.

In RNZAF service it was known as the Ventura, whether it was an early model like this or the later PV-1. The first batch of Venturas that the RNZAF received were in fact second-hand B-34 and RB-34 Lexingtons that had already been worn out by the USAAF. This is one of them.

No. 4 (General Reconnaissance) Squadron, RNZAF, in Fiji had its Hudsons replaced by B-34’s but they found them to be more worn out than their Hudsons, terrible to maintain and most of their gear was incompatible, so they swapped them back for their old Hudsons! After that the RB-34 Venturas of the RNZAF stayed in NZ only, and were used for operational training.

This particular example never really flew in RNZAF service as such, on arrival from the USA it went straight to the Technical Training School to become an instructional airframe for mechanics, riggers, etc. After the war it was sold to a local, and it sat on his farm/orchard till MOTAT were donated it in the late 1960’s. It’s a rare aircraft, NZ’s only surviving example of the Ventura fleet, and seeing it sit outside without paint is a huge shame. And when it comes indoors again they apparently plan to string it up into the rafters which is sad too.

It is not a PV-2 outside Johan, it is an RB-34 Lexington, which in RNZAF service was, like our PV-1s, known as a Ventura.

Thanks Dave for the correction.

Indeed a PV-2 is a Harpoon ,my mistake.
The Type name “Lexington” is unknown to me.
Another learning moment today.

Regards
Johan

It is not a PV-2 outside Johan, it is an RB-34 Lexington, which in RNZAF service was, like our PV-1s, known as a Ventura.

Hopefully I´ve added the correct text with my photos regarding the ID of the Tiger Moths

DH-82A TIGER MOTH ,ZK-BAD (“NZ77546”)

DH-82A TIGER MOTH ,ZK-AIN (“ZK-ANN”)

Any confirmation on these?

Regards
Johan

Both the big ‘boats were planned to come into the new hangar. However the plan is now to build a large open-ended ‘tent’ off the hangar, which will enable work to continue more easily on the Sunderland (Solent mainly just needs the painting finished, she was inside until 2010).

http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=Airshows&thread=11025&post=155146

When the hangar was spec’ed and costed, they weren’t expecting a Skyhawk, Strikemaster, and ‘Macchi (and maybe Huey or Sioux?).

Thanks for the update and the link.
Indeed the collection has changed already.
Hopefully they keep a free view on the Lancaster ,without anything in front.

Regards
Johan

Thanks for the Photos, had a great time exploring inside the Lanc and Solent when I visited, very friendly museum! however i’m sad to see the solent outside, let’s hope that it’s not going to be out there for long 🙁

Can´t remember the inside of the Solent. But I have some photo prints of the Lanc inside (1998)
This time the Lanc was closed.
Will upload these photoprints on my stream soon.

Regards
Johan

Both the big ‘boats were planned to come into the new hangar. However the plan is now to build a large open-ended ‘tent’ off the hangar, which will enable work to continue more easily on the Sunderland (Solent mainly just needs the painting finished, she was inside until 2010).

http://rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=gotopost&board=Airshows&thread=11025&post=155146

When the hangar was spec’ed and costed, they weren’t expecting a Skyhawk, Strikemaster, and ‘Macchi (and maybe Huey or Sioux?).

Thanks for the Photos, had a great time exploring inside the Lanc and Solent when I visited, very friendly museum! however i’m sad to see the solent outside, let’s hope that it’s not going to be out there for long 🙁

Looks great Johan!
As I understand it the eventual intention is to bring both flying boats into the extended hall once their restoration is complete.