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.
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
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 🙂
Pioneer Aero give short updates of their projects most months.
http://www.pioneeraero.co.nz/news/
All flying Mosquito projects should be done in NZ. Its a no-brainer. There is an established Mosquito industry there with very experienced companies and individuals involved.
I know very well the amount of experience and learning that has happened there in the past 20 years. As QldSpitty says, why re-invent the wheel.
No-one is suggesting that any wheels (or moulds) be re-invented, I don’t know why a couple of people have started talking about it?
And what’s the opinion of the CAA about a new built flying Mosquito in the UK?
TPM have been saying for some time that the CAA (UK, not the NZ one) have signed off on their plan.
http://www.peoplesmosquito.org.uk/the-plan/
Presumably MPT have a similar plan.
The available evidence suggests early in 2018 is hoped for. Whoever the current owner is, it seems likely there is some kind of conditional agreement in place, ownership isn’t always simple!
Last I saw it’s expected to be down to category 4 (defined by wind speed) by the time it gets to Florida. This may be out of date.
I was struck by the complex curves involved in the wings – reminds me of the tricky bits of my 1920’s house that my carpenter found challenging to replicate during the renovation. Similar skills in use!
Oxford – so many curves! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
Well fresh out of a factory, not the original factory!
The Fly DC3 crew at Ardmore NZ advise passengers that phone use is ok, they will advise if they encounter issues with their bluetooth headsets.
ZK-DAK current cockpit for comparison.
No problem, just my semi-informed rambling 🙂
Having now watched all of the interview, Warren calls out that the Spitfire’s Merlin is a Packard, so PZ474’s are home-grown.
I think it is just that there are well-regarded V12 restorers in the US (eg California) – why ship it further? Hmm if the GBP drops enough? And they are most likely Packard Merlins anyway – KA114’s certainly were. Are there any issues with RR vs Packard in FB.VI’s?
B25 showed the concept quite well I thought! 🙂 Presumably the clip was available for cheap! Definitely a low-budget show, but doing a fine job IMO.
Thanks 1FB – they popped a couple of posts up since I looked early in the week.
There are also some nice views in the video interview in the post before – https://vimeo.com/225830265
Mentions estimated completion in ~12 months – edit: from interview date presumably!
My photos of the flight in the video,
including that steep Camel take-off at https://flic.kr/s/aHskVooqEM
And a couple of the cameras being fitted at https://flic.kr/s/aHskTVjRbu
Good to hear, Delticman.
They just used their twitter account to auto-post links to their Facebook updates (useful for me as I am on Twitter but not FB). I can understand why they drop it while they don’t want to deal with random questions from the public. Also, it was called @TVAL_Airshows, and they might want to re-brand to @TVA_Museum or something.