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Hi All, It's mid Spring here in the Antipodes, and that means Summer is around the corner. My 488 Sqn Buffalo build is slowly wending its way to completion (another update soon) I have given some thought to my Summer projects, and the following ideas came to mind 1) Kick start my RNZAF Sunderland MR5 Build - I put that aside last Summer as there are a number of issues to sort to make it a correct MR5 , the impetus for this was a visit to MOTAT with my Daughter and a very special visit for with her Grandpa's Sunderland. It was her 16th Birthday, and because she is a descendant of a Serviceman who served on NZ4115, the Awesome MOTAT Volunteers went all out to get her a tour of NZ4115. My Daughter sitting in the cockpit/flight deck the "Tour Guide" was a Sunderland Navigator who served in the RNZAF/Lauthala Bay the same time as her Grandpa RNZAF Sunderland MR5 Build link So Earlier this year in the ANZAC Group build, I started a Memory Lane build with an RNZAF Avenger Target Tug build - NZ2504 was a Gate Guardian at RNZAF Base Te Rapa, and we used to see her in our travels (RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions) So, that along with some photos my Sister sent to me from my Dads collection, I decided to do some target Tugs from the era, my Dad began his RNZAF Service, the 1950's. Before I reveal the other two aircraft, a little history as I like to do in my builds. Obviously the 1950's was still "Post War", but while that is true, 1950 began a period of "Modernization" for the RNZAF, my comments are validated by this Book in my collection The Architect for the Modernisation was AVM Nevill who took over form AVM LM Isitt. Upon his recommendations the New Zealand Government agreed to order new(er) aircraft (this came with newer Schemes/Roundels and so forth). AVM Nevill CAS (Graduate of Duntroon and member of NZPAF/RNZAF since 1930) (RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions) AVM Nevill was followed by CAS AVM Carnegie (RAF) taking over in 1951 (RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions) So the following were ordered (Best part is I can use my Dad's photos) Bristol Freighter ( photo date circa 1958/59 note Fern Leaf on Roundel of Harvard - RNZAF Station Wigram) DH Devon (Photo at RNZAF Station Whenuapai) DH Vampire (RNZAF Station Wigram - Note Kiwi on Roundel so after Nov/Dec 1970 when changed to Kiwi) This Photo is definitely early 1950's, Note the Vampire in main hangar at RNZAF Station Hobsonville. Note the Auster with floats HP Hastings (NZ5801) I have flown on a Hasting (only young mind you, between Whenuapai and Fiji), this particular airframe when SOC, parts were donated to MOTAT (including flight deck (I have a photo of this, but can't find it at present) below is the power egg from this Hastings Last but not least Short Sunderland Mk V/ MR5 - this is 1960/61 at least, only one code letter, foremost Sunderland is NZ4107 - Lauthala Bay So on with the history blog, the 1950's saw New Zealand and our Armed Forces in overseas conflicts, namely Korean war, Malaya Emergency, where RNZAF Aircraft flew Fire Dog Missions (Bristol Freighter/Dakota), we lost a few aircraft and crews there 🇳🇿 Other events were of note the London to Christchurch (New Zealand) Air Race this is a photo of an RAF Canberra at Harewood Airport (previous RNZAF Station Harewood) from mt Dads collection From the RNZAF Museum Archives a close up/additional Photos Pilot & Navigator (RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions) RAF Guards to keep the Colonials in check (RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions) This Race/ending in Christchurch, has a personal family connection (other than my Dads photo) This next photo from the RNZAF Museum, is of the then New Zealand Governor General Sir Willoughby Norrie presenting first prize to the RAF Canberra crew, - I am related to him through my Paternal Grandfather (Great Uncle) (RNZAF Official - Air Force Museum of New Zealand - Used with Permissions) Anyways on to what other two aircraft I am going to build? Well next aircraft is a 42 Squadron Mustang, again inspired by Dads photos this is one of Dads photos of an RNZAF TAF Mustang (No. 3 Christchurch Sqn at Wigram) A photo of my build topic - the NMF scheme will test my modelling skills (Used for Illustration Purposes only) Finally - the third aircraft is an RNZAF Catalina based at Lauthala bay circa 1951 My discussion with the RNZAF Museum, give me three aircraft there at the time, being NZ4050, NZ4046, and NZ4055. I don't have a photo of NZ4050, but my Dad has photos of both NZ4046/4055 NZ4046 - on the hard at Hobsonville NZ4055 in the main hangar Lauthala Bay -Note twin guns in "Eye Ball" turret OK, lastly the box art and I'll leave it there for tonight Avenger - yes that's a Queen Mary with it (see Original Photo of NZ2504 above) Mustang Last but not least the Catalina - Yes it's a PBY5A - The RNZAF flew PBY5/PB2B-1's, so major surgery there Well I'll leave it there tonight, I have more history/photos to share, so more soon. Thanks for looking in Regards Alan