August 2018

Vol No. 48

THE M.A.C. FLYER

A view of Havelock from the window of ZK-CAK

OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE MARLBOROUGH AERO CLUB INC.

P.O. Box 73, Blenheim, 7240 Tel: (03) 578 5073 Email: [email protected] www.marlboroughaeroclub.co.nz M.A.C. Marlborough Aero Club

PATRON PRESIDENT VICE PRESIDENT John Sinclair Alistair Matthews Scott Madsen Ph: 03 578 7110 Ph: 027 428 7863 Ph: 027 453 9348

HON. TREASURER SECRETARY Corrie Pickering Raylene Wadsworth Ph: 027 570 4881 Ph: 03 578 5073

COMMITTEE Mike Rutherford, Grant Jolley, Marty Nicoll, Victoria Lewis, John Hutchison, Jonathon Large

CHIEF FLYING INSTRUCTOR CLUB CAPTAIN Sharn Davies Ben Morris Ph: 03 578 5073 Ph: 027 940 3235

Check out our new website – www.jemaviation.co.nz Annual Inspections, ARA / BRA’s, repairs, modifications and rebuilds – we can handle it all! Ph. (03) 578 3063 Mob. 021 504 048 Email [email protected]

Hangar 22b, Aviation Heritage Centre Airpark, Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim, NZ

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Club Day—3rd Sunday of every month

The next one is Sunday 16th September 2018—11.30 am onwards ALL members and partners welcome Circuit Competition and FLWOP $5 for a sausage or bring a plate of finger food to share

Club Day—last Sunday of every month

The next one is Sunday 30th September 2018 11.00 am onwards—$5 for lunch

MAC Accommodation Find us on Facebook Pilot / RNZAC Member M.A.C Marlborough Aero Club

$120 / night Email: [email protected]

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OFFICE NEWS

Current timetable for staff… Sharn—Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday Vince—Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Raylene—Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

CONTACT: When booking or cancelling a flight please ring the Flight Office in the first instance before texting or calling the pilots on their cell phones. Remember they have days off too… 03 578 5073—save this in your contacts...

Friendly Reminder:

The Office is for Staff Only, Raylene, Sharn, Vince and duty pilot.

ALL bookings are to go through the instructors or Raylene.

Please only enter when getting the keys for the aircraft and filling in the intention log.

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PRESIDENT’S REPORT

As I write it is the first day of spring. A perfect day too but I think there is more wet to come and the mud patches on the airfield will probably remain. Please do your best to avoid them.

Your committee last met on 20th August, it is almost always the 3rd Monday of the month. This coincides with bill paying time (20th) so there is the opportunity to discuss any oddities there prior to payment. The meetings usually last about 2 hours, but as long as it takes to get thru all the business and ensure there is good discussion before decisions are made. The minutes are on the notice board if you are interested, or better still talk to a committee member.

Some outstanding items are; We want to get an Administration Manual written so that if and when there is a change of governance or staff then the main procedures will be clearly written down and business can continue as normal. We do hope to get this done soon but having said that, it is a big job so will take time.

We have purchased a “new” computer for the flight planning area. It goes a lot quicker than the old one did and just click on the icon for the service you require. We would ask that you do limit the use of this item to aviation requirements.

The old water tank on the corner of the hanger is up for grabs. Some one out there must have a need for it so let us know. It is no longer needed as top dressers no longer use it and the reservoir over the road is more that adequate for fire fighting . Regular checks are made to ensure this is the case.

Some new Private Property signs will appear around the airfield at strategic places. These are required by current laws to ensure we are not liable should someone enter the airfield and get injured. Standard policy for any business.

A new photo copier will/ has appeared in the office. It does more and is cheaper! There is technology for you. We lease this item so have no problems with servicing.

5 Presidents Report Continued…. We are currently arranging for signage to go on to the club car. This will be advertising the club, web site etc so that when we are around town on business or a visitor has “borrowed” it we get free advertising around town. That can only be good.

We have had 2 visits to the bar recently by officials. Routine checks to ensure we are following the rules like signing guests in, having licenced bar managers, providing food and non alcoholic drinks etc. They have been impressed thanks to John’s diligence and it is important to sign any non members in. We have just renewed our bar licence, no changes there. We will continue to apply for special licences for special occasions as this allows anyone to partake and no sign in required.

With Bianca departed the instructing staff will remain at Sharn and Vince with part time instructors if required. Of course we will monitor our requirement at all times.

Nigel Sheppard has vacated the far corner of the hanger and we are pursuing another tenant for that area. An aviation connection is expected.

Finally, as of yesterday Ben Morris gained a ‘C’ Cat Instructor Rating. Many congratulations.

Safe Flying

Alistair

The fabulous new book shelves that Chris Lloyd built in the Flight Office.

6 Presidents Report Continued….

CURRY, RICE AND CRAFT BEER

SATURDAY 22ND SEPTEMBER

A Casual get together for the above, family and friends included.

The Curry will be mild and gluten free, chillies on the side for those who like it hot, plus other condiments. Meal served 7.00—7.30pm.

Bar opens 5pm with normal service, a few extra craft beer for those who like to partake will be available.

Advice to the office of your attendance does help with the catering. A wee donation on the night would help defray costs.

Last minute attendance is perfectly acceptable.

Looing forward to seeing you all.

PPL Law Tuesday 25th September, and will run Tuesday and Thursday evenings 1830 - 2030 over 4 weeks at the aeroclub. Cost for the course is $210 per person. Please order your Law Waypoints book before 18 September in Flight Office Email or call Erin to confirm attendance. 021 285 1107 [email protected]

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CFI REPORT

It has been a busy time for the club over the last 4-6 weeks. We had Angela back from Hong Kong doing some more flying with us and using her PPL. Ben has sat and passed his C Cat. Bianca has officially left the club to pursue some multi IFR flying and Vince has been away on a ground course on the Jetstream (Vince is still staying on at the club – he took an opportunity that was offered to him to sit in on a ground course.)

Ben conducting a basic stalls briefing

The club is in good shape with a few students coming to the end of their training and some more flight tests will be happening in the next few months (fingers crossed the weather starts to become a bit more settled and we don’t get the typical spring winds).

You will notice on occasion Erin or Ben doing some casual part time work to help us manage the workload on a as required basis.

We have one more competition weekend to go and then we will be approaching the winners to select a Regional team for West Melton on the 26th/27th October. If we have can’t form a complete team from the winners, we will put out an email calling for expressions of interest to fill in the gaps.

8 CFI Report Continued….

There is a lot of enthusiasm around the club at the moment. I have heard of little groups going away on day trips together and coming back with great stories to tell. Also, you may notice two almost identical C-180’s on the airfield (only tell-tale is the different registrations). These have come from Frank Wright in Tauranga and are even based in the same hangar here! You always know a Frank Wright aircraft as the colour scheme never changes.

On a personal note Brydie and myself are expecting our first child to be born around Valentines day 2019! We are really stoked. It will bring a big change to my current lifestyle. I have already been told no need for a new bike as I won’t have time next year to ride it. I have a solution for this problem……not sure how Brydie will take it when this arrives (see below).

I wonder if Brydie will agree???

Sharn

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FLYING HOURS

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CLUB CAPTAINS NEWS

Hi Everyone! July 14th saw the Takaka dawn fly in attended by MAC aircraft and members which Vince wrote about in the last newsletter followed by Club day on the 15th July with the months competitions being Pre-flight inspection and non instrument circuits! Aaron Patchett decided he would compete in the non instrument circuit competition in the Tiger Moth! How cool is that! Remember club day is open to anybody to come along and enjoy the day with, you don’t have to fly or compete! It’s about getting together and enjoying a fun day! A big thanks to Sharn also who organised and ran the day as I was off sick with flu.

Another month rushing by at the club! August competitions were low flying and upper airwork with a great turnout. Awesome work. Big thank you to Sharn and Hayden for helping me drive the BBQ! It was great to see Motueka Aeroclub make an appearance also and hopefully I can encourage Kaikoura to start joining us too. Not a huge amount else to report this month but well done to everyone showing up and having a go! That’s what it’s all about.

Also a huge thank to you to everyone’s support behind me in achieving my C-Cat rating. I very much appreciate everybody’s kind words. I’m very proud to be part of the big MAC family. Couldn’t ask for better.

I mentioned a couple of months about putting names to faces within the club between our own people, to help achieve this we are introducing a member of the club in the MAC flyer to find our a bit about them and what brings them to our wonderful club. I see this is a very important section to keep going, as I’ve said many times people are the most important thing to our club, without then we are nothing.

First up is Molly Griffith! Enjoy finding out a little bit of her story and keep on the lookout for more. Enjoy!

Ben Morris Club Captain

Cub News continued…. Meet the Club - Molly Griffith

How long have you been a member of MAC? I joined MAC midway through 2015

Have you ever held a Pilots License and what type? Yes, I currently have my PPL

Job / Former Job? Ground crew at Sounds Air

Favourite holiday destination? Anywhere down south, we have had some awesome times down in south Westland or the winter fly in to Alexandra

Where is your hometown? I grew up on the Kapiti coast

Favourite thing about MAC? The people! Everyone is so willing to share their stories and they all have such a passion for aviation!

Favourite aircraft? Cessna 185 but wouldn’t mind a Harvard! Haha

What do you enjoy doing in your free time? When I’m not flying, I’m usually found at the horses but I like anything outdoors

A route you enjoy flying? We’re pretty spoilt in Marlborough but flying down the coast from Hokitika is really beautiful

Friend or foe of Mac the cat? I’m going to say friend, but if we could ask him, I’m pretty sure he’d disagree!

12 Cub News continued….

Molly Griffith

Molly has her PPL Has a rating in the 185 and Super Cub And is now working towards her CPL

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YOUNG EAGLES

Cameron McKenzie won the Young Eagles competition for designing an Airline based in Blenheim. He won a flight with Sounds Air a PC12 to Napier and Christchurch in the cockpit with Craig Anderson as the pilot.

6.45 am at Woodbourne Airport, camera in hand, rugged up and ready to report to Craig from Sounds Air to take up the opportunity to fly in the PC12 to Christchurch return. That’s how my day began. After introductions, we checked the flight plan, the weather, and ATIS ready for the 7.00 o’clock boarding. My first thoughts of the PC12 were that the interior was smaller than expected with only nine seats (eleven including the flight deck). The orientation of the seats was unexpected and meant swinging over the centre console and into the co-pilot seat. Once passengers were boarded and a quick briefing completed, the door was closed and cabins lights faded while the dash lights glowed an eerie blue. The swift turbo -props swung round once, twice and then bursts into life. The brake was released and we taxied out and into holding while a Lear Jet came in for finals. Sitting at the end of the runway the stars were glowing magnificently in the sky.

The prop wailed as we started rolling down the tarmac, across the threshold and into the sky. After climbing up into the clouds, depending on the instruments temporarily, we levelled out at 17,000ft and started off in an easterly direction towards the coast. It was a busy morning on the radio and the controller in Christchurch to whom we had switched to, continuously diverted us further out to sea, off our course, changed our altitude multiple times and finally brought us back on course. Despite the minor delay I envied the man for how calm he was and kept the ball rolling efficiently.

14 Young Eagles continued….

After touching down in Christchurch we had the quickest turn around that I have ever experienced. We unloaded the luggage of the previous flight and loaded for the next flight. No sooner had I swung myself out of the seat than the passengers were coming along the tarmac and I swung myself back in. The whole process consisted of merely five minutes before streaking back into the air.

This flight was shorter and less eventful, giving us a chance to really discuss the subject of which we were both passionate about and in which I acquired a lot of great, new knowledge. Flying straight up country over land rather than out to sea, with the sun now blazing on the landscape. Before I knew it we were flying across the Awatere and Taylor Pass, coming around over Blenheim, the fountain in the town square still emitting its radiant lights, and on to short finals at Woodbourne. A quick stop for photos and journeys end.

I admire the professional way in which the company operates with anything from the way the seatbelts hung to the quick turn arounds experienced. I had a great time and a huge thanks to Sounds Air for giving the Young Eagles and me this magnificent opportunity.

Cameron McKenzie

Young Eagle

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Young Eagles continued….

Cameron McKenzie

Craig Anderson and Cameron

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ZEPPLEIN FLIGHT

One of the things that has always interested me in aviation over the years is airships, more so the earlier ones and how they operated trans-Atlantic flights from Europe to the USA and South America. On my bucket list has always been a visit to the Zeppelin Museum in Friedrichshafen on the shores of Lake Constance or Der Bodensee as the Germans call it. A recent trip to Europe had a planned detour to fulfil this. The museum outlines the history of these majestic machines and more so the role that Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin had in their development of which his name is well associated with. Zeppelin as a young First Lieutenant in the German military took leave in 1863 and became an observer in the American Civil War in a captive balloon. This aroused his interest so upon his return to Germany he committed himself to the idea of a dirigible airship. In 1900 his 128m long LZ1 took to the skies near to where the present museum now stands. 17 Zeppelin Flight continued….

By 1908 LZ4, his fourth airship, departed on a planned 24-hour trip. Because of engine trouble it had to return however it broke from its mooring in a gust of wind and went up in flames. This could have been the end of the company however donations from ordinary citizens, companies, institutions and the nobility managed to keep the venture afloat. Fast forward to World War 1 and the minimal damage these large goliaths of the air had on Britain, but psychologically they did terrorise the civilian population somewhat. Airships were constantly being replaced as many were lost with heavy crew losses. Count Zeppelin continued his development over the war years however he died in March 1917 with his legacy being continued. Post war the 120m long LZ 120 begins regular passenger services between Friedrichshafen and Berlin however due to war reparations it was required to be discontinued and was transferred to Italy. As part of the reparation process another airship,LZ126, was to be given to the USA. This became the first trans- Atlantic crossing of an airship which was of major political importance. Further developments had the LZ 127 in 1929 embark on a round the world flight from Friedrichshafen with four stopovers – Japan – Los Angeles – Lakehurst near New York – and return to its departure point. No mean feat for the period. In 1931 a scientific trip to the Arctic was made followed by one to Egypt. Regular scheduled services then began to Recife and Rio de Janeiro. In 1936 the largest airship ever built at 200,000m3, the LZ 129 “Hindenburg” went into service. This was 245m long and was powered by four 1200Hp Daimler Benz diesel engines carrying originally 55 passengers however this was later increased to 72 on services on the South American routes. By 1937 LZ 129 had completed 63 trips without any accidents however on its first North American trip disaster occurred on its fateful landing at Lakehurst, New York, on May 6th 1937. 35 of the 96 passengers and crew lost their lives, the cause of which still remains unknown. As a result, the sister ship LZ 127 was grounded after having completed 590 accident free trips and this was the end of hydrogen inflated dirigibles. During WW2 the German Reich decreed in 1940 that all remaining airships were to be scrapped and the two large hangers measuring 250 x 52 x 51m were blown up. 18 Zeppelin Flight continued….

Present day has the Zeppelin Museum with an excellent display of the history and development of the airship along with a large reconstructed part of the structure and a life size mock-up of the gondola which passengers and crew were transported in luxury. It even had a semi outdoor area for smokers!! When shown to scale over todays large passenger aircraft, the LZ 129 was of similar length to an Airbus 380.

Researching on the internet prior to reaching Germany I discovered that you can today go for a flight in Zeppelins modern equivalent. The Zeppelin NT (New Technology) this time uses the inert gas helium. The NT took flight for the first time nearly six decades after the demise of the hydrogen airships in 1997. Booking on-line showed that there were seats available one fine Sunday afternoon for a 45-minute ride. The cost was on the higher side, €360, about NZD600, however this was a once in a lifetime opportunity.

19 Zeppelin Flight continued….

The mandatory safety briefing was carried out and we were transferred out to the departure point whilst awaiting the return of the airship from its previous sightseeing trip. Waiting provides great opportunities to photograph the NT on its arrival. The five-minute boarding process is well coordinated to ensure that the balance is maintained with two getting off and then two getting on until the gondola is full with its 14 passengers plus the pilot and a flight attendant. First impression, once seated, is how quiet it all seems and the large panoramic windows provide great views. Once everyone is seated a little increase in noise from the three Textron Lycoming IO-360’s (two either side of the structure plus one at the rear) sees a gentle departure from mother earth. Shortly afterwards seats belt signs are off and you may wander along the wide aisle for views either side (some of the windows open fully to allow photography without getting a reflection), from the large rear window or beside the pilot. In our case the pilot was a pleasant English woman who if I recall correctly told me she had 9,000 hours on type. Only to willing to answer any of the passenger’s questions in English, German or French, she had to have I believe one of aviation’s dream jobs. The flight deck instrumentation was top line ‘fly by wire’ as the photo shows.

20 Zeppelin Flight continued….

Our flight was flown about 1,000 ft agl which provided great views of the lake and the snow-capped mountains towards Switzerland and Austria, the villages and towns on the lake shore, a few castles and the many ferries which cross the lake. Wind limits are restricted to 25 knots purely because of safety concerns during boarding. A few facts and figures; Length 75m, however the carbon fibre / aluminium structure weighs only 1,100 kg. The volume is 8,450 m3. Note that a Boeing 747-4 is 71m long. Max weight – 8,050 kg Max speed – 125 km/hr. Ceiling – 2,600m Range – 900 km All three propeller’s pivot. The Lateral (side) being from 0° to 120°, the tail 0°to 90°. An additional aft lateral propeller takes over the rudder function at low airspeeds to provide maximum manoeuvrability. The engine set up enables vertical takeoff and landing along with hovering.

And yes, you can learn to fly it. Every so often they run courses which entails the theory aspect along with some dual. It takes two days and all that is required is a pilot’s licence (most probably requiring a validation by EASA) and a medical. The cost is about €3,700.

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HERITAGE AVIATION ACTIVITIES by GMO

Prior to its recent repaint, a series of stunning photographs were taken by GAVIN CONROY of Harvard '60 with future owner Mark O'Sullivan at the helm.

OMAKA'S HARVARDS! A quiet milestone was achieved late on the afternoon of 2nd September when Mark O'Sullivan lined up on Omaka #30 and opened the throttle on his recently acquired Harvard ZK-XSA, the former South African Air Force #7660. This was the test flight of the recently refurbished Harvard, with its recently installed, freshly overhauled Pratt & Whitney R.1340 radial engine up front, providing that distinctive bellow that has accompanied New Zealand citizens at various times through their days and nights for the last 80 years!

22 Heritage Aviation Activities continued...

Of course, Mark's Harvard is not the first to be seen operating out of Omaka. During WW-II, many examples of the 'Pilot Maker' were training young pilots from nearby Woodbourne RNZAF Training Base and visits to Omaka were regular. The sounds of that distinctive Harvard cackle was very familiar to Marlburians to the point that, even in wartime, a disgruntled local resident saw fit to write to the Marlborough Express's 'Letters to the Editor' column to complain about the incessant din heard overhead in the hours of darkness. Apparently there were numerous responses to this but perhaps the most compelling came from a serving WAAF officer who simply asked the question, "Would you prefer to be listening to ours.....or theirs?" No further complaints appeared in the newspaper.

Such was the success of this remarkably stout training aircraft that they continued to provide stellar service to the RNZAF until they were finally retired in 1977. Until that time, there was no 'warbird community' as such to take up ownership of these aircraft and heritage aviation was in general, a subject that was not served by large numbers of enthusiasts. In fact it was the standing down of the Harvard fleet that created the impetus for the founding of the New Zealand Warbirds Association by a group of largely former RNZAF service personnel who did not wish to see these machines disappear from New Zealand skies forever.

With the closing of RNZAF Harvard operations, many of the lowest time and best presented surplus survivors of the NZ fleet of 202 Harvards quickly found their way to the USA or Australia (which hitherto had not seen any locally based Harvards as the RAAF had used the CAC Wirraway, an Australian license-built, close cousin of the T-6 in the Harvard's place). Faced by the very real prospect that this icon of New Zealand skies might disappear from the country entirely, a number of local enthusiasts banded together to find ways to keep some in the country. A number were preserved by museum groups whilst others were bought by newly formed syndicates, designed specifically for the purpose of saving some of these machines for future appreciation by enthusiasts and all New Zealand citizens. It was the formulation of these syndicates that provided the foundation of the New Zealand Warbirds Association as a central body to coordinate the activities of all Harvard (and other ex-military aircraft) operations within this country.

23 Heritage Aviation Activities continued...

Via Panama Jacks

Here at Omaka, a couple of tired derelict airframes were stored for quite a while in an area which, as I understand it, was somewhere near where Roger and Debs Schroder are presently operating their firewood business. These two, NZ1038 and NZ1051 were both eventually rescued. One, NZ1051, was acquired by member Lyndon Knowles who started restoring it here at Omaka (in the back of the then AACA hangar) in the late 1980s, but after moving to Auckland in the early 1990s, it was sold to Judy Pay at Tyabb, south of Melbourne. Judy restored it to spectacular condition in a US Navy colour scheme and still owns it today with her extensive warbird collection at Tyabb. The other, NZ1038, ended up, coincidentally, with Perth, Western Australia- based MAC member Rob Poynton. This was one of a half dozen or so T-6s restored by Rob from the mid 1990s and became his personal mount for several years. Rob and wife Sue had planned to re-establish their Panama Jacks aircraft restoration company at the eastern end of the AHC precinct, but sadly these plans never came to fruition although they still love Marlborough and visit regularly.

24 Heritage Aviation Activities continued...

Another Harvard was secured as a flying aircraft by the local partnership of MAC members George Martin and Bruno Dalliessi (the hugely admired Bruno, who was later Mayor of Picton, just passed away on 23rd August at age 83 after a long and very full life). This machine was former RNZAF Harvard NZ1078. Another much admired local pilot Bob Guard, ferried the aircraft to Omaka and carried out quite a lot of flying in it, assisting George and Bruno in getting to know the Harvard.

Gavin Conroy

NZ1078 was later sold to a syndicate in Auckland who eventually replaced the post-war grey with red/orange colour scheme with a wartime trainer yellow livery. It was of some surprise that this aircraft came to be an Omaka resident again in early 2006 when it was damaged in a ground loop here at the field and needed storage until a repaired outer wing could be attached. This led to several months away from its Ardmore home but thankfully, this coincided with the recent completion of the Omaka AHC's main display buildings which were as yet, some time away from being filled with displays. The NZWBA guys were certainly appreciative of this facility that kept their treasure safe and dry whilst they were working at repairing that damaged wing.

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Heritage Aviation Activities continued...

Robert Montgomery

Collection

Another Harvard that has done the unexpected at times, is John Saunders' NZ1041. This aircraft is still present at the field in John's hangar opposite the museum. It was unusual in that it appeared for a long time in a civilian colour scheme as it served as a training aid for Air New Zealand apprentices. John has owned the aircraft for many years and kept it in storage awaiting the right time to get a restoration underway on it, subject to the demands of other projects etc. This aircraft surprised people again when it appeared on 'Restoration Row' at the airshow here in, I think 2013, with the Harvard painted once again in its exact WW-II RNZAF colours. This represented some frenetic work by John with Mike Nicholls and other helpers leading up to the event. It is hoped to see this great, very original machine make its way back to airworthiness in the years ahead.

Another project Harvard that looked to have restoration potential, was NZ1100 although this was a more challenged example, having served as a childs' playground attraction for many years, suffering from both the attentions of the children and other less kindly individuals, as well as having deteriorated because of its exposure to the weather of course. Locally, Dave Lochead carried out some worthwhile work on this aircraft before it moved to the next owner in Auckland. Another Harvard, NZ906, is also in the care of John Walsh, not on this airfield but behind Blenheim's other airport at Woodbourne where John has been quietly upgrading the aircraft over many years for static display at his historic property. This was once the home of RNZAF No.16 Fighter Squadron, Marlborough's 'secret squadron' which hosted over a dozen Kittyhawks, hidden in single-aeroplane hangars under the trees, that could access Woodbourne, ready to be scrambled if Wellington ever fell under enemy attack during WW-II. 26 Heritage Aviation Activities continued...

And then there is the current resident flying Harvard, ZK-XSA, ex-SAAF #7660. This aircraft, like NZ1078, has been Omaka based on two occasions in its New Zealand life. This machine, which is the only non-RNZAF Harvard in the country, was purchased by tender in 1996 by MAC member Graham Orphan in partnership with John Kelly of Christchurch (Jane's brother - not to be confused with NZWBA John Kelly in Auckland or Nelson based C-170 owner John Kelly). The aircraft was bought by tender, sight unseen, and shipped to Ardmore where Graham and John, along with Shane Glassey and Kevin Botman, toiled to put it together in Greg Ryan's Aerotech hangar. At the time, the two Nanchangs just imported by Steve Petersen, and the Omaka Nanchang Syndicate (now the RFC syndicate) were also there being put together in the same hangar by Omaka identities Steve, Jay McIntyre, Al Marshall, Garry Stuart, Jason Hayes and also Dick Veale who was working for Aerotech at the time. It certainly was a great team building exercise for all these Omaka people, planning to bring no fewer than THREE warbirds to Omaka!

The beaming smile of a proud owner is visible here as Mark runs up the freshly overhauled engine in the recently repainted Harvard

27 Heritage Aviation Activities continued...

Once all three machines had arrived at Omaka, the two Nanchangs were able to remain, however the Harvard could not be kept as there was too much money tied up in it and there'd be no point in building a syndicate around it as it would have competed with the Nanchang group, so the decision was reluctantly made to syndicate the Harvard in Christchurch. The resulting group went very well for many years before the time came to move it on and of course, after changing bases several times it was finally purchased by Trevor and Brent Collins and brought all the way back to Omaka! Soon after arrival, it began to do quite a lot of flying to include numerous type ratings, whilst engine condition was closely monitored with a view to sending it for overhaul at the first convenience. This was initiated late last year and whilst the engine was out, the Collins family saw fit to replenish the paintwork whilst the engine was away in the USA being overhauled. Many smaller jobs were also carried out during this time, and of course, along the way, Mark bought the Boeing from the Collins family. Thereafter the work on completing the paint job was finalised whilst the newly overhauled engine was delivered and installed and the opportunity was also taken to install a smoke system in the aircraft. Mark has worked with the JEM Aviation team to help get this aeroplane flying again culminating in its recent successful return to service, as a pristine high-spec warbird.

And so Marlborough's seven-decade, every-day association with 'The Pilot Maker' continues strongly and looks set to do so for the foreseeable future. Long may it continue!

Graham Orphan

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