NZFF

Here you go...there are some pics around on the net of her....but these are just for you guys......we are taking her out in the daylight on wednesday, so I'll get some outside shots for you then.

FAQ. 1: Has it got an engine in it?....yes
2: Could it be started up......yes
3: Could it ever fly again....yes, with about 3 weeks full time work.













still leaking...


even has its own tool kit...


Shot from deep inside the intake

Forgot to add these....the old gate Harvard getting closer to going back up on the pole.

Marty , perfect - I may take a wander down in the next day

So has this one escaped the major structural damage most the rest of them have somewhere not far behind the cockpit? Apparently some bulkhead that would be uneconomical to replace is on it's last legs in quite a few of them...

Would be great to see one in the air again!

Thanks for posting Marty - Very Nice - is that the one you want for fly in back in the day?

I can't believe these A4s were meant to have been in a fit state to sell to someone. They look pretty ropey to me. So sad

Good stuff..thanks for posting those pics..Ive linked this to the Wings over NZ forum

Splitpin wrote:

QUOTE (Splitpin @ Jun 14 2011,7:39 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

FAQ. 1: Has it got an engine in it?....yes
2: Could it be started up......yes
3: Could it ever fly again....yes, with about 3 weeks full time work.

The real question is how much would it cost? It would be amazing, for historical purposes to see it flying again.

School librarian looks over my shoulder and and asks what number it is. I tell her and she says"I remember going for a flight in that one, nearly went to sleep on the way back till the pilot did a barrel roll". Apparently she used to do safety and service. The things you learn... Good to see another skyhawk down here, but as connor said it would be amazing to se one flying again

Andrew

Adamski wrote:

QUOTE (Adamski @ Jun 15 2011,1:09 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I can't believe these A4s were meant to have been in a fit state to sell to someone. They look pretty ropey to me. So sad

How would you feel if you had an oversized condom wrapped around ya , thrown in a paddock and stand there for ten years in all kinds of weather , Id look and feel prity ropey too

Indeed, I thought - given the conditions they were "stored" in, this one looks pretty good!

Very interesting Marty.
I had heard that some of the "Black boxes" would be removed from all of the aircraft in museums so that they could not be operated in any way but perhaps that is different for the two aircraft destined for Wigram?
If they have been left as they were when they finished flying then thats great.

Wow...lots of replys...Im sorry , we are running a bit behind and didnt get her outside today....had a few problems with earthquakes and cold...but she will be moving in the morning , so I'll get those pics for you then.
Im glad you enjoyed those pics....Re the cost of getting it flying again...i have no idea....3 weeks solid work by a dedicated team.....it would be thousands, and up keep (to flying condition) even more....but, even to get her back to start up and taxi would be great.
Ive spent the last 9 hours(today) crawling over it with "Barf"....picking spraylat off....my god, my knees will never be the same....there are so many things that can hurt you when working on these things....bang your head here, kneel on this....bang your head again.....but i love it.

@Adam, i know it looks a bit rough, but the airframe, engine are fine, your just looking at paint.....and half the time, they looked like that anyway....used.

@Moffata...thats interesting, she would be part of a small club, i was lucky enough to have flown in it as well, and out of Wigram.....small world.

Gavin Conroy wrote:

QUOTE (Gavin Conroy @ Jun 15 2011,6:35 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very interesting Marty.
I had heard that some of the "Black boxes" would be removed from all of the aircraft in museums so that they could not be operated in any way but perhaps that is different for the two aircraft destined for Wigram?
If they have been left as they were when they finished flying then thats great.

Correct Gavin....some have been removed....so i guess this old lady would be taxi only. The comment about flying again in three weeks, relates to an ideal world....sadly.

Great stuff, Marty, up close and personal...
Now: I visited Wigram 15 years or so ago, and I'm sure there was a Skyhawk there.
Is it still, or has it moved on?

Charl wrote:

QUOTE (Charl @ Jun 15 2011,6:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Great stuff, Marty, up close and personal...
Now: I visited Wigram 15 years or so ago, and I'm sure there was a Skyhawk there.
Is it still, or has it moved on?

Its still there Charl.....but its not one of ours, its a bitser made to look like an RNZAF aircraft....in the future it will make its way to the back of the collection.
I'll try and get some nice close up landing gear shots for you in the morning.

great pics, i love the fact that they carry their own screw drivers in the wheel well. would love to see some really good deatil shots of the wheel wells and exhaust and cockpit, i have got a 1/48 rnzaf a-4 skyhawk to build so any pics would be great. i would love to be working on the old girl.

Jason

jastheace wrote:

QUOTE (jastheace @ Jun 15 2011,8:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

great pics, i love the fact that they carry their own screw drivers in the wheel well.
Jason

don't mean to be picky but I think you'll find thats just what you see under the fuel panel, bit of a no frills pressure refuelling port. Spent a bit of time under there pumping gas before they got parked up.
Great shots thanks for sharing Marty, brings back memories of Ohakea flight line and having 8 or 10 in a row to gas up, followed by the machii's which took forever!

jastheace wrote:

QUOTE (jastheace @ Jun 15 2011,8:08 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

great pics, i love the fact that they carry their own screw drivers in the wheel well. would love to see some really good deatil shots of the wheel wells and exhaust and cockpit, i have got a 1/48 rnzaf a-4 skyhawk to build so any pics would be great. i would love to be working on the old girl.

Jason

No problem....cam is all ready to go in the morning.

H500Fan wrote:

QUOTE (H500Fan @ Jun 15 2011,8:36 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

don't mean to be picky but I think you'll find thats just what you see under the fuel panel, bit of a no frills pressure refuelling port. Spent a bit of time under there pumping gas before they got parked up.
Great shots thanks for sharing Marty, brings back memories of Ohakea flight line and having 8 or 10 in a row to gas up, followed by the machii's which took forever!

Yep , that is indeed the fuel panel.....no problem H500, seems that its all about memories at the moment. Its kind of an odd feeling to be getting this aircraft ready or a life of doing nothing, after being so involved (like you) with their real life.......thanks for looking , glad you liked the pics.

Ian Warren wrote:

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Jun 15 2011,2:34 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

How would you feel if you had an oversized condom wrapped around ya , thrown in a paddock and stand there for ten years in all kinds of weather , Id look and feel prity ropey too

.....you have a way with words Ian.

Charl wrote:

QUOTE (Charl @ Jun 15 2011,7:50 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I visited Wigram 15 years or so ago, and I'm sure there was a Skyhawk there.

The aircraft in question is an earlier A4F , little no different,s , another great donation from the USA