The Shorts shuffle at MOTAT - Dance of the Flying Boats

[ErrolC]

As people are interested in non-US warbirds apparently, here's some news from Auckland NZ.

http://www.motat.org.nz/about-motat/new ... ing-boats/

Sunderland MR.5 NZ4115 was moved into MOTAT's Aviation Display Hall last week. 'Q-Queenie' swapped places with Solent Mk.IV ZK-AMO, which will now undergo an exterior refurbishment under scaffolding.
[url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/errolgc/albums/72157656656858564"]My Sunderland Photo Album[/url]

This is how they both looked in 2011, when the Aviation Display Hall opened (an extension of an existing hangar).

MOTAT_Av11_6105f by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Working on the Sunderland by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Much work was done outside on the Sunderland, initially in the open, then under various configurations of scaffolding.

Sunderland scaffolded by Errol Cavit, on Flickr


MOTAT16_3718flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

A year ago I was able to go inside, accompanying two aircrew veterans

MOTAT16_6201flr by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Jim McHerron & Barrie Irvine outside Sunderland Q-Queenie by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Knowing the move was about to take place, I visited to get photos in sunshine with minimal clutter, while nicely painted!

Q Queenie standing proud by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Sunderland bow by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

I was invited along to watch the move, but was only able to spare a couple of hours off work. I did get some shots of the shuffle preparation, and some different angles in the sun (while dodging a TV crew during a lull).

MOTAT17_2504_12h by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

MOTAT17_2514_12h by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Waiting their turn by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

MOTAT17_2566_12h by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Ripples by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Looming by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

I returned on Sunday, part of an Aviation Open Weekend, so lots of talks, activities etc.

Short Sunderland MR.5 NZ4115 by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Sunderland from mezzanine by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

MOTAT Aviation Display Hall by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

And some of the Solent, before the scaffold shows up!

Solent temporarily sunlit by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Aircraft tugs for the kids! by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

Singers entertaining by Errol Cavit, on Flickr

And MOTAT have released a timelapse video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-djhbJXP9Y

[k5083]

Those boats are awesome, as is the whole facility.

August

[Mark Sampson]

Spectacular! Will either of them ever fly again?

[ErrolC]

Definitely not. Even if technically viable (and I've got better users for that many millions of dollars), getting them back to the water isn't going to happen.

[DH82EH]

Thanks Errol.
Always enjoy your photo threads.

Andy

[ignomini]

Always wondered about the fate of those two. Saw them in the 1970s. Looks as though much has changed, and for the better.

[blurrkup]

Put this place on my list to visit, when I get to New Zealand in just under 5 weeks.

[ErrolC]

Great! Don't forget NZ Warbirds at Ardmore as well. They have recently changed the hangar the visitors Centre is in, now on the corner of Harvard Lane and de Havilland Lane.
https://www.facebook.com/15007377500536 ... =3&theater

Where else in NZ are you going, good stuff at Tauranga and Christchurch too.

[DaveM2]

Put this place on my list to visit, when I get to New Zealand in just under 5 weeks.

Stop by at Omaka and say Gidday, Aviation Heritage Centre is well worth a visit

http://www.omaka.org.nz/

[avenger2504]

Great thread Errol, the girls look great (the winged ones I mean!)