I thought since a small contingent of the forum are soon to converge on Motat (The Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, NZ) for a visit, I’d put up a few photos from the olden days of Motat.
Here is Motat’s beautiful Lockheed Electra, which was one of NZ’s few airliners during the Second World War. They have a second fuselage of another Electra too, which has been cut open (I think by former airline employess for training?). I took this photo in 1996.
Here is an old 1970’s postcard from Motat showing the Lancaster when it was outside at the original Motat facility (Motat 1), before they opened Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield (Motat 2), where she now resides.
And here is another old postcard showing the Lanc, Harvard and P40E (now owned and flown by Ray Hanna) outdoors. Note how glossy the Kittyhawk was in those days!
Here’s a photo from November 1996 of the Lanc’s nose. Sorry about the poor lighting quality, it is much better in that hangar for photos nowadays.
By: Dave Homewood - 9th February 2005 at 05:08
Sorry, not from me. I don’t recall ever seeing the Corsair. I think it was whipped ourt and off to the USA before I ever went there. When did it leave? I think I was about 7 when I first went there, eg 1977-78ish.
Anyone else got Motat photos of the olden days? I dare say a few will be added after the weekend I hope.
By: Rob Mears - 9th February 2005 at 04:19
Anything from the old days showing the Corsair on display from 1968-71? Might make an interesting study versus a recent photo of the same plane’s reintroduction into NZ airspace. 🙂
By: Dave Homewood - 4th February 2005 at 02:27
Andy, Robbo and Daz, I am glad you liked the photos. This is only a wee peep into the Motat collection, they have much more including the Dakota, Lodestar and Hudson, and a Ceres topdresser and lots of other civil stuff.
Does anyone know what the little red pipsqueak is above the Electra in photo 1? I’d guess it is a home built aircraft?
By: turbo_NZ - 3rd February 2005 at 09:16
There goes the mess bill…
…and we’re not even gonna talk about sharing Setter’s bed again, aren’t we…. :diablo:
TNZ
By: DazDaMan - 3rd February 2005 at 09:09
Great stuff, Dave. I really must take up my mate’s offer and come down to NZ sometime! :rolleyes:
By: Andy in Beds - 3rd February 2005 at 06:18
Well done Dave
I’m getting withdrawal syptoms with no pictures being posted on the forum.
This is very interesting stuff and I love the two flying boats together.
I’m quite envious of Patty and his trip.
Cheers
Andy
By: srpatterson - 3rd February 2005 at 05:24
Gnome and I are workin’ on comin’ up to AKL..
TNZ
There goes the mess bill…
By: turbo_NZ - 3rd February 2005 at 04:04
Gnome and I are workin’ on comin’ up to AKL..
TNZ
By: srpatterson - 3rd February 2005 at 03:36
Great job Dave, that really gets me fired up for the trip.
I hope we have some others from the forum join us as well, as you and Setter have lined up a fantastic visit.
See you next week.
Steve
By: Dave Homewood - 3rd February 2005 at 03:22
Cheers Steve, I will rectify it.
Edit to say – All ficksed. Thanks Steve.
By: srpatterson - 3rd February 2005 at 03:21
See, here’s an image of Melvyn…
I upload to photobucket, then I copy the img link and paste below…
Simple!
Oh Melv, you don’t look at all well…
By: Dave Homewood - 3rd February 2005 at 03:21
This is another very old postcard from the days when the Solent sat ouside next to the Sunderland. Soon they’ll be side-by-side again, indoors.
Here is their RNZAF Ventura – actually an RB34 Lexington but in RNZAF service the Lexingtons we received were also called Venturas like their more numerous cousins in our Air Force. This hangar now has a mazzanine floor where the Ventura’s nose is pointing, and the bomber is up on poles with other stuff beneath. Not ideal but this should be rectified in their current expansion that’ll apparently see all aircraft indoors with good viewing clearance.
And here is the Ventura’s interesting artwork. I am unsure if this aircraft really wore that art, possibly. But I do know a very similar artwork was worn by an RNZAF Lodestar, only the sleeve had an American flag on it, and it is believed that one was applied in the Lockheed factory, so no doubt by a Disney cartoonist.
By: Dave Homewood - 3rd February 2005 at 02:54
Solent and P40E and Mosquito
Solent under restoration
By: Dave Homewood - 3rd February 2005 at 02:50
Here is there DH89 Rapide, looking rather lovely in NAC colours.
I must add that since these photos were taken the contents of the hangar has pretty much doubled and it is truly an awesome museum nowadays. It’ll be even better after their expension is completed.
Here is a view of the Solent. These days this looks stunning, it has to be one of the all time greatest restorations after its years languishing outdoors, now it looks like brand new. This was during the restoration.
By: Dave Homewood - 3rd February 2005 at 02:45
Here is another shot of the P40E, I can’t recall if I took this one in 1991 or 1996, but the poor old thing was looking very sorry for a while. It is brilliant to know she’s fighting fit again.
Here is one that Setter will like, the former Motat P47D taken in 1991, before she shipped off to Wigram the following year, and now she’s in Australia preparing to fly again. This P47D is regarded as the oldest of type extant, and was recovered from PNG by Charles Darby.
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February 3, 2005 at 2:38 am