MOTAT Sunderland finally going inside

Some cracking images there ErrolC. I wasn’t aware MOTAT had a Sunderland V.

Learning something new everyday haha.

Khalem (Assistant Editor – AFM, Combat Air, Air Int) – Forum Manager

(I’ve got to work on how I end posts – bear with me)

Yes, they now both have fins and rudders fitted. They need to be removed to move them through the hangar door, so were dismounted for the last 3 or so years.

Its difficult to see in the photos but do the Sunderland and the Solent have their fins and rudders fitted.

Some updates. The Solent had its exterior finished and was returned inside in April. General re-arranging includes more aircraft hanging from the ceiling than previously.

Solent and Friends by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

And work on the Sunderland turrets continues. One of the volunteers shares notes of his work on WONZ
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/post/279361/thread

Sunderland Rear Turret in workshop by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Sunderland mid gun mounting by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Sunderland front Turret by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

P-40 undercarriage fairings & Sunderland Turret Shell by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

MOTAT Album
https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/albums/72157627654617195/with/48742129958/

Work on Sunderland turrets is underway (from different airframes I think). Not high priority, but they were on show in the Workshop during the Live Day.

Turrets in workshop by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Volunteer working on Sunderland turret by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Kids got to bend some real aluminium, as seen in the background. There was a work area set up next to the DC-3 .

Speaking of turrets, the main hangar has been rearranged a bit to provide a access to the wall behind the Lancaster. So close-ups of the rear turret now possible, as well as different angles on the P-40.

P-40E NZ3039 by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Lancaster NX665 rear turret by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Peter Wheeler of NZ Bomber Command Assoc says that the missing perspex panels were out for copying to assist Just Jane’s restoration. Also a recent major survey showed that work is needed on the inner wing joints, this is awaiting its turn in the work-to-do queue.

Thanks for sharing these amazing photographs and those on Flickr too, Errol. Glad to hear you managed to get back over the weekend for Aviation Live Day once the Sunderland was settled in the Aviation Display Hall. She look fantastic in there!

Yes, delivered to MOTAT with glass (well, perspex), tin is more vandel-proof – early on the site was not secure. Early in service they had guns (one of the veterans was a WOp/gunner), later removed.

Thanks Errol – it was following you on Flickr which alerted me to to this piece of news!
Fouga – according to the MOTAT aircraft blog the turret restoration is yet to be tackled – so they have presumably left them in their previous state. Photos of NZ Sunderlands in service definitely show the turret glazing, if not the guns, fitted.

Thanks for the fantastic set of pictures. Totally unrelated to MOTAT but I wonder why some museums do not publish pictures or allow photography. These pictures make my mouth drool and want to visit in person to see, first hand, this magnificent collection. Yet another item for my bucket.

Glad to see, I remember the first time I became aware of these was an article in a magazine about the Shorts and Lancaster stored outside

Fantastic to able to see two Shorts flying boats in one place!

I see the front turret is painted over. Did it not have armament fitted in service?

As noted above, Sunderland MR.5 NZ4115 was moved into MOTAT’s Aviation Display Hall last week. ‘Q-Queenie’ swapped places with Solent Mk.IV ZK-AMO, which will now undergo an exterior refurbishment under scaffolding.
My Sunderland Photo Album

This is how they both looked in 2011, when the Aviation Display Hall opened (an extension of an existing hangar).

MOTAT_Av11_6105f by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Working on the Sunderland by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Much work was done outside on the Sunderland, initially in the open, then under various configurations of scaffolding.

Sunderland scaffolded by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

MOTAT16_3718flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

A year ago I was able to go inside, accompanying two aircrew veterans

MOTAT16_6201flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Jim McHerron & Barrie Irvine outside Sunderland Q-Queenie by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Knowing the move was about to take place, I visited to get photos in sunshine with minimal clutter, while nicely painted!

Q Queenie standing proud by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Sunderland bow by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

I was invited along to watch the move, but was only able to spare a couple of hours off work. I did get some shots of the shuffle preparation, and some different angles in the sun (while dodging a TV crew during a lull).

MOTAT17_2504_12h by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

MOTAT17_2514_12h by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Waiting their turn by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

MOTAT17_2566_12h by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Ripples by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Looming by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

I returned on Sunday, part of an Aviation Open Weekend, so lots of talks, activities etc.

Short Sunderland MR.5 NZ4115 by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Sunderland from mezzanine by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

MOTAT Aviation Display Hall by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

And some of the Solent, before the scaffold shows up!

Solent temporarily sunlit by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Aircraft tugs for the kids! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Singers entertaining by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

And MOTAT have just released a timelapse

Excellent for Sunderland and ErrolC. 😉

That’s excellent news.

I’ll have a bunch of photos up soon-ish, but currently I’m moving back into the house from our garage now that the renovation is almost done 🙂