Sunderland Veterans Rolling Back The Years

[Dave Homewood]

On Friday the 23rd of September 2016 I had the great pleasure to accompany former RNZAF Sunderland aircrew members Barrie Irvine (Pilot) and Jim McHerron (Air Signaller) onboard Short Sunderland NZ4118 "Q for Queenie" at the Museum Of Transport And Technology, in Auckland. The pair had flown together in the same Sunderland crew in the late 1950's and early 1960's, but they'd not seen each other in many years as Jim lives in Australia now; and furthermore it had been over 50 years since they'd last stepped into a Sunderland. They'd both converted onto the Lockheed P-3B Orions in 1966 and left the old Sundy behind.

So now they were back in their faithful old flying boat, and the memories, stories and technical details flowed. I had the great privilege to accompany them and film this nostalgic visit, and to throw them the odd question. With us also throwing questions there way were Grant McHerron (Jim's son and my WONZ Live Show co-host); Vanessa Hefer and Frank Hannay from MOTAT, and Errol Cavit, taking photos. So, step back in time with us into the Short Sunderland, and hear all about this grand old aeroplane that served so well with No. 5 Squadron and No. 6 Squadron RNZAF...
Thanks to the MOTAT staff and CEO Michael Frawley for arranging this visit

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewVjfmTBlZk

[Warbird Kid]

Very cool! Wish there was a flying Sunderland for these guys to ride on one last time. Any updates on NZ4111 located on the Chatham Islands?

[Dave Homewood]

The last update I've seen on NZ4111 was some while back but the locals have built a museum building to house the remains which is fantastic for such a remote and tiny population to do, especially when they get next to no tourist trade.

Kermit Weeks still says occasionally he has plans to get NZ4108 flying again, that would be great. Especially if he put the turrets on again and returned it to its RNZAF colours.

[Dave Homewood]

You can hear more stories from Short Sunderland veterans, as well as veterans of Catalinas and Lockheed Orions, here in the latest WONZ Show - "We Span The Ocean" -No. 5 Squadron RNZAF 75th Anniversary Reunion:

http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WON ... n-reunion/