FlyPast 12.2018

last of its kind still in existence.

Overhaul of the Sunderland is

now largely complete, while work

on the Solent continues under

the direction of International

Conservation Services, led

by restoration expert Julian

Bickersteth and David Crotty,

aviation expert and curator of the

Qantas Heritage Collection.

Elsewhere, refurbishment of the

museum’s Lockheed Lodestar and

Ventura is set to start imminently.

When in Auckland...

The Aviation Display Hall also

hosts exhibits celebrating the

achievements of New Zealand

aviation pioneers Jean Batten

and the Walsh Brothers, while The

Sir Keith Park, Bomber Command

and Fleet Air Arm displays explore

the contribution of the country’s

aviators in times of war.

The hall is also home to an array

of aviation memorabilia, such as

engines, munitions (including a

WAC Corporal ballistic missile on

loan from the Smithsonian Museum

in Washington DC) and uniforms,

along with interactive displays

including a recreation of a World

War Two-era operations room,

airfield dioramas and models.

Some of these are placed on the

mezzanine level – accessed via

lift or stairs – featuring a balcony

that affords an unusual vantage

point over the various aircraft,

particularly those suspended from

the ceiling.

The relatively recent addition of

the smart dedicated display hall

has enabled the museum to shift

its remarkable aviation collection

indoors. While work is still very

much ongoing, several aircraft

are poised to enter restoration

programmes while others have

been moved around – MOTAT

really is an absolute must visit.

as a playground toy before being
rescued by MOTAT in the 1970s.

Aircraft rebuilds
MOTAT has built an enviable
reputation for its aircraft
restoration programme. The
centrepieces of its fine collection,
and the current focus of its
conservation efforts, are a pair
of World War Two-era Short
flying boats – former Royal New
Zealand AF S25 Sunderland MR
Mk. V NZ4115 ‘Q’ and S45A Solent
Mk.4 ZK-AMO Aranui, one of
four operated by Tasman Empire
Airways Limited (TEAL) and the

Former RNZAF Short Sunderland MR.V

NZ4115/Q has recently emerged from a long-

term restoration programme, and is one of

the centrepieces of MOTAT’s collection.

The display hall contains several US-built

twins, including Lockheed 10A Electra

ZK-BUT (painted as ZK-AFD), which joined

the collection in 1968 after surviving two

years as a fi re trainer.