During the MH370 search, the primary difference between the MPAs and the bizjets with trained civvy volunteers appeared to be that the MPAs had the optics to evaluate possible ‘raw’ debris sightings more quickly and easily. If you have a expected search target with a detectable radar reflection, the approach changes somewhat.

Note that the oldest airframes in the MH370 Indian Ocean search (the RNZAF Orions from the early 1960’s) had some of the best equipment, having received two major avionics updates (the second having just being completed).

Thanks for this info everyone! Great to see.
Nice touch with the Nelsonian hops. Nelson, at the top of the South Island, is the primary hop-growing area in NZ. If you visit for the Omaka airshow (over the hill from Nelson), be sure to sample the Renaissance Brewing products available on-site.

The HAFU Blu-Ray/DVD of the Mossie in NZ is about to be released, I’ll be getting mine at the Ardmore Open Day next weekend… 🙂

I visited Wirribee at the end of February (before attending the Centenary of Military Aviation at Pt Cook), was very impressed.
The Liberator is of course great, but what really struck me was seeing volunteers working away on various projects in the workshop/hangar.

Flickr 27-photo Album

A visit starts with a guided tour, including standing in the bomb bay.
Bomb-bay viewing by errolgc, on Flickr

Working on Liberator wing by errolgc, on Flickr

Norden bombsight by errolgc, on Flickr

Liberator ball turret by errolgc, on Flickr

Volunteers by errolgc, on Flickr

There have actually been relatively few ‘heavies’ operated in New Zealand.

…
Australia, of course. has quite a different history.

The B-24 restoration (to taxi-able, hopefully, eventually) just outside Melbourne is well worth a visit. HARS is also working on returning their DC-4 to flight (and they have their Connie of course).

Excellent, it wasn’t online when I looked earlier. I recorded most of MaoriTV on ANZAC day (apart from the movies than I own), it’s been good to have on while I’ve been scanning some airshow prints from the early 2000’s.

More ANZAC Day items at http://www.maoritelevision.com/tv/shows/anzac-2014/all-episodes
Note especially the Peter Jackson interview.

Thanks for the photos, they have been a bit light around the normal forums so far this year.
I still haven’t seen Plonky (re-born), looks like I will have to wait until Omaka 2015.
It’s great how nearly everything taxys past between the crowd and runway.

…

The B-24 project is a wonderful example of what determined volunteers can achieve, and it too is up the road from where I live and I have watched it progress over many years, and assisted with parts like wing tips and waist gun mounts where I could.

Regards
Mark Pilkington

I was very impressed when I visited at the end of Feb. I hope to edit my photos over Easter.