Air Museum (19 *Real* Pics)

[FlyingKiwi]

First of all I would like to apologise that some of these pics are blurred, I accidentally changed a setting on my camera and didn't realise until afterwards. :-mad
This is the aviation branch of MOTAT (Museum of Transport and Technology), it isn't an especially big museum, everything is squeezed into one hangar, but it is nevertheless interesting. Due to the crowded nature it's a bit hard to take photos but I did my best, and once again, I apologise if your eyes feel like they are going to fall out because of the blurriness of some pics. ;)

So, in no particular order, here are the pics.

The gate guardian, a Hawker Hurricane.
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...d17776db15.jpg
A Miles Gemini, lovely WWII era GA aircraft, if a little sedate with two 100hp engines. ;)
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...2e779f27ce.jpg
Quite possibly the worlds ugliest aircraft, this thing is called a Transavia Airtruck, and is mostly made out of parts from T-6 Texans (Harvards), these were originally built in Australia and then production moved to New Zealand. Ugly, but as agricultural aircraft they are quite good and many are still in service.
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...bd7834bbcc.jpg
This one is a bit hard to fit into a photo, a De Haviland Vampire of the RNZAF. This was the first jet aircraft operated by the RNZAF who took delivery of them in the early 50's. None of the RNZAF examples are still flying but there is an airworthy Vampire that was imported from overseas and now wears RNZAF markings.
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...177880951a.jpg
No idea what this thing is, anyone know?
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...6978c009d6.jpg
Eyes sore yet? This DH Dragon is one of many that were used by various early airlines in NZ, fortunately, many are still flying and the ones that aren't are often preserved in museums like this one. :)
Later on several airlines took delivery of the four engined variant of the Dragon, but sadly none remain.
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...d779155623.jpg
This is an Australian built agricultural aircraft, the CAC Ceres. (CAC = Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation).
*I thought I'd just mention at this stage that there is an Avro Lancaster in this museum that was donated in the early 60's by the French government in recognition of New Zealanders who served in France in WWII however no matter how I tried I was only able to get it into the background of this picture*
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...2f79895a85.jpg
An Auster Aiglet of the RNZAF.
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...5d79d22b4b.jpg
A Tiger Moth, tons of these remain in airworthy condition in New Zealand and also Australia as their simplicity keeps them popular.
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...bf79fe0bd0.jpg
A De Havilland Foxmoth of Air Travel NZ Ltd, this was the first "Airliner" to be used in New Zealand, and air travel expanded rapidly. NZ was perfectly suited to early aviation thanks to the rugged terrain often making land transport difficult. One of these will be flying at the Warbirds Over Wanaka airshow in a few months time which I will be going to. (Can't wait! :D :D)
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...817a9e4749.jpg
Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk, this was the main fighter of the RNZAF in WWII, and they saw service frequently in the Pacific alongside the RNZAF's other main aircraft, the Corsair.
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...f57aefd337.jpg
NAC's Lockheed Electra "Kuaka". This aircraft had a varied career, at one stage it crashed on Flagstaff Hill near Dunedin, although fortunately no one was injured and the aircraft was returned to service a few months later.
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...707b860efd.jpg
Outside and currently undergoing restoration work is this Short Sunderland, which was also used by the RNZAF until relatively recently (last ones were retired from Coastal patrols in the 60's I think).
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...d77befd337.jpg
Fairey Swordfish, I never realised how big these are! :-eek
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...8a7cbba0ed.jpg
This shot had to be edited considerably to make it clearer, so sorry it's a bit strangely shaded. I hope that isn't live! :-lol :-eek
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...267d3ae6fd.jpg
Last of all, you may have noticed in a few pictures their were some bits of a very large aircraft visible, well here it is. :P This giant flying boat was a development of the Sunderland, called a Short Solent. Only a very small number of these were ever built and all of them were delivered to New Zealand's main airline of the time, TEAL. (Tasman Empire Airways Limited).
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...007dee39d5.jpg
Compare it to the Fox Moth, which had been the main airliner only 20 years before! :-lol
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...377e6966c5.jpg
The Solent's tail pokes through the roof. :)
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...be7f1527ce.jpg
Truly a big bird! :-lol
http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...617ea70073.jpg

[davestan_ksan]

:-eek :-jumpy great shots and post leo!!! great information about the aircraft! :9 :D!

take care,
dave

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...815204d1ea.jpg

"Im not sayin that ima change the world,
but i guarantee that i will spark the brain
that will change the world." -2pac

[grover]

Amesome stuff Leo. Its been about 15 years since I was at Motat last (and I was booted out for being drunk) I wonder if I'm allowed back in?
PS, is there an airshow on at Ardmore this weekend?

[link:www.gpforums.co.nz/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=1024|New Zealand Simulations Forum]

[PHCO]

Very nice photos Leo - thanks for sharing ... ! :D

[yv35p]

<<Ugly, but as agricultural aircraft they are quite good and many are still in service.>>..but, of course is a success as an agricultural plane!!..it doesnt need any chemicals, when that thing approaches at low altitude the bugs die laughing:-lol

Awesome pictures and informations my friend, great post!!:-jumpy, thanks for sharing your visit and pics with us:-)

:-wave

Carlos

[123rog]

Hey, nice pictures! Thanks for letting us have a look too.

rog

[Peer]

Those POOR bugs:-lol Very nice Leo, thanks for posting! Love the big flying boat:9:9

http://www.flightsim.com/dcforum/Use...8152122d8d.jpg

[FlyingKiwi]

Thanks for the comments guys. :)

Grover - I'm sure they won't still remember you... :-lol There is an airshow at Ardmore this weekend yes, sadly I won't be able to go but as I understand it's an RNZAF display with some of their old aircraft. :)

[UAFORLO]

Thank you Leo, very nice post.

[gaafanatic]

Excellent pics, even the blurry ones are awsome, thanks for sharing!



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