That's a shame... maybe Peter Jackson might be persuaded to make a donation from the movie proceeds towards restoration ?
Back in 1979 when I worked on Nationwide Air Carvairs we lost an engine into Christchurch. The replacement in P&W R2000 Wellington had seized up in storage simply from atmospheric humidity. Wellington is hardly a humid place.
Any idea of the MOTaT Lanc's engines, what condition they're in now ?
http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/pages/motblanc.html
http://www.integration.co.nz/aviatio...at/Motjan1.jpg
http://www.integration.co.nz/aviatio...t/Motjan12.jpg
http://www.integration.co.nz/aviation/Motat.htm
http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/aviation.html