No Walrus For NZ

I am trying to find out what the Walrus situation is, from the horses mouth, as it were. Hopefully be able to update soon.

Hi

Could I respectfully sugest that the guys in NZ get in touch with Ralph Cussack about the Blenhiem as he has had a lot of experiance with the Beaufort and would be a great resource in terms of engineering advice etc

Regards
John P

Personally, though I would loved to have seen the Walrus, an airworthy Blenheim excites me more. I’m glad to hear that Shane is backing it. He has some other ideas up his sleeve too to make up for the loss of the Walrus to join his collection.

Sad news indeed, but talking to Shane he is putting his support behind the ‘Blenheim for Blenheim’ project, so although not as rare as the Walrus, an airworthy Blenheim in N.Z. will be something to see 🙂

Dave

I see your point David, but I think that the group in NZ had to publicise beforehand to put together a syndicate that could fund such a project, and also raise awareness of the type as it is largely unheard of in the NZ public. They did get a big response to their public meeting according to the news on TV.

Does anyone has recent pics of the airframe ?

Tks

I think possibly he had his reasons for his choice and that’s entirely up to him. The simple facts of negociating for anything is either don’t publicise what your buying until you actually own it and have it in your hands or make the seller an offer he cannot refuse.

Damn, that’s a bit of a bummer. I would have loved to have seen (pictures, at least!) this bird in the air! 🙁

Point taken but I guess we all need maximise our pension funds!

Jeepman, my remark was not meant as a personal slur on Mr Melton, I have a great deal of respect for him. But I am told his original intention for the sale was that he’d ONLY sell it to someone or a group that would make it airworthy. After lengthy and expensive negotiations by the NZ’ers, this policy was then changed suddenly it seems, and he’s sold it to a static museum for a higher price. That is his decision, and fair play to him. But we shall never ever see one flying now, will we. That was my point.

Shane says the owner has decided to sell it to a museum instead.
It’s a shame. The last and only chance left to see one of these extraordinary aircraft in the air is now lost due to the owner’s decision.

I think the last sentence is a little unfair to Richard Melton. After all he is the one who has restored it, with voluntary help, thus far – back from a caravan at presumably his own expense. He has also done more than most in relation to furthering the Warbird cause eg BBMF/DMA/Charles Church Spitfires. Ownership confers certain rights – including who you sell something to. He’s not beholden to anybody but himself!

Presumably he was also very keen to see the plane’s airworthy restoration completed, given his attachment and commitment so far to the type.

If it has gone to the RAFM, (which is extremely unlikely given their predeliction for spending money on landmark buildings at Hendon and Cosford) then the Australian Seagull V could be returned to it’s rightful home

Hi

Heard an unconfirmed rumor a few months back that it was coming to Aus (Nowra?)

Regards
John P

I am not sure where it is going to John.

Pity…I know you (and others) were looking forward to seeing it in the air.

What museum is it headed to?

nil desperandum