NZFF

Nothing really special, but this is what Ive been doing for the past 3 days....bathing an Andover.
Dear old 21 is in real need of some TLC, so ive started , its amazing what a bit of soapy water and some elbow grease can do.....but bloody hard work.

Almost 100% sure that she is 1 of only 2 complete airframes left in the world. At some stage a complete survey will be done (soon i hope) to determine exactly what needs to be done to preserve her....all Im doing is stage one of a huge project. The paint is completely stuffed after 10 years in the open....but at least it will be "clean stuffed" paint.
The work is hard , due to limited equipment and access to the high parts, but what i can reach is coming along fine.

Port side first....right down the middle.







Good example of before and after



and ........me, up in the office for a break

Hello Marty , I wish i that photo resource years ago .. nah just needed a bloody good camera Sweet Photos

I know your "job" is not without its problems - but I do envy you ... surrounded by all those amazing aircraft ... and the SMELLS and sounds of the hangar ...

Adamski wrote:

QUOTE (Adamski @ Mar 10 2012,9:58 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I know your "job" is not without its problems - but I do envy you ... surrounded by all those amazing aircraft ... and the SMELLS and sounds of the hangar ...

Your right....the aircraft all have a smell, its hard too define, but we all know it.
I guess Im really lucky, although unpaid, its a great place to be , and i work with a lot of good people. One day early this week i was sitting in the spitfire giving it a bit of a dust ....and it suddenly hits you "Im sitting in a spitfire" crazy stuff, but Im glad to be doing my bit as far as keeping these treasures safe.

Ian Warren wrote:

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Mar 10 2012,9:28 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Hello Marty , I wish i that photo resource years ago .. nah just needed a bloody good camera Sweet Photos

Thanks Ian, have to get you out for a visit sometime....you know most of the people anyway and if you dont know them....they know you.

I should just do that next week sometime , let me no when ya in and ill stop in and give you a hand .

Ian Warren wrote:

QUOTE (Ian Warren @ Mar 10 2012,11:25 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I should just do that next week sometime , let me no when ya in and ill stop in and give you a hand .

Will do.

Splitpin wrote:

QUOTE (Splitpin @ Mar 10 2012,11:12 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

One day early this week i was sitting in the spitfire giving it a bit of a dust ...

Sometimes, I really hate you!

Great photos Splitpin. I was amazed to hear that it's probably one of the last ones left, it only seems like yesterday that they were common enough in the sky.

Big job..but as Adamski I'm partly jealous..when the kids fly the roost (which is years away) hope to do something similar at Classic Flyers

Adamski wrote:

QUOTE (Adamski @ Mar 11 2012,2:43 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Sometimes, I really hate you!

Please dont think i meant to sound like some big mouth show off, thats not me at all. Im just very lucky that these people trust me enough to allow me to do this.
Its quite ironic, when you think about it....i bust my guts for years doing a job (not Air force) i hated, but for good money....then 'bang' you get a king hit in the health department.....and end up with the perfect " job "....but no money. Funny old thing life

Splitpin wrote:

QUOTE (Splitpin @ Mar 11 2012,3:14 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Im just very lucky that these people trust me enough to allow me to do this.

Go back into your A2A Spit and practice the startup sequence

Adamski wrote:

QUOTE (Adamski @ Mar 11 2012,3:21 PM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Go back into your A2A Spit and practice the startup sequence

i keep blowing that thing up......stick with the WBS Stang, its a little more forgiving .....only just.

Great Pics Marty

Here's some video of NZ7621 from youtube - How's that project going Marty.

The Andover had an slightly original landing during a short field landing at Christchurch Intl 1987 , blows a tire ending his display , shut everything down and pushed him back onto the disused 29 out come the sweepers to pick the rubber ... on with the show .