Hi
I was visiting Wigram from Brisbane recently and took the attached photos. As an aside their appears to be a little history re writing going on about this aircraft. It is purported to be a P40E by Museum staff and sinage – my understanding is that it was one of two P40Fs (Merlin engine) recovered from SEP region which are very similar to the E model but for the powerplant. It is thus a very rare aircraft and to not acknowledge its provinance is a little dissapointing. I understand the reasons for converting it to P40E standard and I accept them.
That said this is a magnificant restoration and a great achievement by a dedicated staff as are some of the other exhibits they are working on such as the Catalina , Vincent , Vilderbeast and Oxford.
You can see my shots of wigram including the Vincent and vilderbeast on my webshots account
http://community.webshots.com/user/setter125
Regards
John Parker
By: Dave Homewood - 23rd April 2004 at 07:40
Hi John,
Yes the P40 was indeed an F model before. The RNZAF Museum spent many years seeking a P40 for its collection that was in the right price range (they are on a miserably tight budget, just $10,000 per year for restorations!).
When this deal came up where they could secure the P40F in exchange for their F4U5N (which was donated to the museum by the Disney corporation) they had to go for it, depsite the fact that NZ never flew the P40F model. We flew E’s, K’s, an L, M’s and N’s, but no F’s.
So despite the aircraft’s rareness, they decided that they would backdate it to an E. I think this is basically an engine swap anyway, isn’t it? Are the cowls that different?
The job they’re doing on it is fantastic. As with all their aircraft restorations, everything is done to flyable standard, though while with the museum it won’t fly. This is a good policy because in the future if they decide to swap or sell an aircraft it has much more value as a flyer.
By: setter - 22nd April 2004 at 06:55
Hi Brad
New Zealand was a lot of fun and totally different to Australia. The warbirds were great at Wanaka – I have never seen a 757 being used for aerobatics before either !!!. Apart from the little scare with the La9 on Saturday all went well.
I will definately be going back soon as I just love the place and the aircraft scene is fantastic.
Thanks for the coments about the photos .
Kindest regards
john P
By: mexicanbob - 22nd April 2004 at 06:05
John,
Thanks for sharing all your pictures. I’ve been down to New Zealand several times over the years, flying back and forth to Antarctica. I’m now stationed at a base that doesn’t have that mission so there is no telling when I will get back down that way again. I hope it’s soon though. I do love C.D.beer!
I never did make it over to Wanaka and wasn’t down there at airshow time anyhow. I’ve been very lucky, and the list of things I want to do before I die is getting shorter. Seeing the Wanaka show is still something I hope to do. I have visited Ferrymead and Wigram on a couple of occasions. Both places are first rate. I think Wigram is one of the best I’ve ever seen. I really enjoyed it.
Thanks again for sharing the pictures.
Brad
By: setter - 22nd April 2004 at 05:45
Hi
Yes it is a bit confusing.
The machine was one of a pair recovered about ten years ago in the Pacific Islands and one is being restored as an F model by Judy Pay in Tyabb Vic with the Merlin. The one at Wigram was subject to a swap which involved a Corsair now being restored in Darwin for another Tyabb operator. It was definately a P40 F and as such a rare machine it would have been nice if they had used a maerlin and kept it authentic – but at least it is restored and as I said they are making a great job of it.
Kindest regards
John Parker
By: Mark V - 22nd April 2004 at 03:24
I looked at this machine on Saturday and was confused by the signage too. I was expecting to see a Merlin after reading the info plaque but non of it – there was an Allison up front
Sign In
April 22, 2004 at 3:16 am