Sunderland Flying Boat
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Thanks Gummipuffer. Last year I was researching a story for family history purposes about my Mum's posting to the Middle East Command in 1941 as a WRAF codes and ciphers operative. It was based on a record compiled by one of her contemporaries which described their Sunderland (or Empire) flying boat journey across Africa from Lagos to Cairo. I did find quite a few Sunderland pics and sufficient technical data for the account but not what I really wanted. This was to identify the the actual flying boat my Mum flew in (departed Lagos 1 Sep 1941), get a picture of it, perhaps the names of its pilots and what eventually happened to it. Bit of a tall order I know!
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'c' Class - Sunderland
Hi Bud - I Found In The History Of Shorts Book - That The B.o.a.c. 'c' Class Empire Type Boats Started Ops. On The Lagos - Cairo Route From July 1941 - But Were Camo Finish To Look Like Sunderlands - Presumably As They Were Unarmed - And That Might Frighten The Luftwaffe Off ! Clare - Champion - Cathay Were On That Route - So Thats Why There Maybe Confusion As To Whether It Was A Sunderland Or 'c' Class Boat Yr. Mum Was On - B.o.a.c. Boats Were Manned By Civil Aircrew - Brave Lads I Think - How Else May I Best Assist You ? -ta J.c.
Regarding the Sandringham at Solentsky Museum in Southampton, UK, I flew as a passenger in that flying-boat back in 1974. It is a Sandringham Mk.4 that was originally rebuilt from a Sunderland Mk.III by Shorts & Harland of Belfast for Tasman Empire Airways Ltd (TEAL), now Air New Zealand, in 1947 for service on the trans-Tasman Auckland-Sydney route. In 1950, TEAL sold the Sandringham to Barrier Reef Airways in Australia, then it eventually passed to BRA's parent company, Ansett who operated it on the Sydney-Lord Howe Island route. In 1974 when I was living in Sydney, Ansett flew several non-scheduled flights to mark the end of their flying-boat services and I (along with a couple of friends) went on one of those flights. We flew to a lake a couple of hours inland from Sydney (although I cannot remember the name of the lake all these years later) and after landing on the lake and being taken ashore by boat for lunch at a local hotel, we reboarded the Sandringham and flew back to Rose Bay, Sydney. I remember Ansett had a second flying-boat, a Sunderland Mk.5 that they had purchased from the RNZAF and converted into an airliner. I understand that is the Sunderland that is now owned by Kermit Weeks in Florida.
There is also an ex-RNZAF Sunderland Mk.5 in pieces on the Chatham Islands (east of New Zealand), that the locals are trying to put back together for display purposes. See the following thread at another messageboard.....
Wings Over New Zealand - Chatham Island Sunderland - recent photos
There is also an ex-RNZAF Sunderland Mk.5 in pieces on the Chatham Islands (east of New Zealand), that the locals are trying to put back together for display purposes. See the following thread at another messageboard.....
Wings Over New Zealand - Chatham Island Sunderland - recent photos
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Sandringham Flying Boat
Hi KTJ - Yr answer is accurate - which is great , so many folks get all mixed up between the older Shorts 'C' class / Sunderland / Sandringham + Solent flying boats .
Thanx for link to R.N.Z.A.F. -Sunderland mk v+ -----they were my customer in later yrs for aircraft eqpt.
The R.A.F. Sunderland MK V was modded by us to R.N.Z.A.F. std. in 52/4 - so it is important that no one tries to copy the flight deck of the R.A.F. ones - on that one at M.O.T. or Chatam Is.
Happy to assist in any way i can - J.C. IN SYDNEY .
Thanx for link to R.N.Z.A.F. -Sunderland mk v+ -----they were my customer in later yrs for aircraft eqpt.
The R.A.F. Sunderland MK V was modded by us to R.N.Z.A.F. std. in 52/4 - so it is important that no one tries to copy the flight deck of the R.A.F. ones - on that one at M.O.T. or Chatam Is.
Happy to assist in any way i can - J.C. IN SYDNEY .
The New Zealand Herald newspaper have, over the past couple of weeks, been publishing a series of articles in their weekly travel supplement written by one of their travel journalists who recently visited the Chatham Islands, about two hours flying time (by Convair 580 of Air Chathams) east of the NZ mainland islands.
Yesterday, they published an article about the ex-RNZAF Short Sunderland Mk.V that locals are planning to restore and turn into an aviation museum. The article was accompanied by two photographs. You can access the article online here....
Chatham Islands: Re enacting air adventures - Travel - NZ Herald News
Also on the NZ Herald's website is an image gallery containing nine colour photographs (including the two published with the print version of the article), with some of the photographs being historic images of when the holed Sunderland was pulled out of the Te Whanga Lagoon (where it had run aground) onto the land....
Reassembling Chatham Island's aviation history - Travel - NZ Herald Pictures
The historic photographs are amazing!
Yesterday, they published an article about the ex-RNZAF Short Sunderland Mk.V that locals are planning to restore and turn into an aviation museum. The article was accompanied by two photographs. You can access the article online here....
Chatham Islands: Re enacting air adventures - Travel - NZ Herald News
Also on the NZ Herald's website is an image gallery containing nine colour photographs (including the two published with the print version of the article), with some of the photographs being historic images of when the holed Sunderland was pulled out of the Te Whanga Lagoon (where it had run aground) onto the land....
Reassembling Chatham Island's aviation history - Travel - NZ Herald Pictures
The historic photographs are amazing!
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Sunderland Mk V + Chatam Is.
Good morning folks - thanx for that info - i dont know how they are going to get a reasonable looking musem going with so few components - the boat is completely gutted just like it came out of the jigs . Maybe the guys know where some of them are . If they start fitting incorrect components it will look terrible . I dunno why anyone would rip out the 2 x pilots seat supports for instance - covering up the chainsaw / blowtorch cuts will be a headache - alignment will be critical -best to have an A+P rivet joining gusset al. alloy plates over them i guess - all the best J.C.
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GUMMIPUFFER: As I mentioned in my post #127, it was used as a chook house for many years, maybe the chooks had trouble using the seats and supports so they were ripped out and roosting perches put in their place. 
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Request for help in identifying parts
Hi Gummpuffer ................. I am a volunteer, working on the Sunderland Flying Boat project in Pembroke Dock NW Wales UK. ( see Sunderland Trust ) I am delighted to say that from your posting, I have been able to identify in more detail the external rear Door, which, along with other parts, was given to us by the UK Duxford RAF museum. We knew that it came from a RNZAF boat but never new the history of the Axe and Fire Extinguisher cut out modifications. Thanks to you it's all clear now, so many thanks.
On occasions we have parts that have been brought up by our diver's that we are unable to readily identify. With your first hand knowledge I was hoping that you may be able to help us identify these mystery parts quicker. If I contacted you with any future details or perhaps some photo's, either direct or through this site you could help us. Many Thanks ... he
On occasions we have parts that have been brought up by our diver's that we are unable to readily identify. With your first hand knowledge I was hoping that you may be able to help us identify these mystery parts quicker. If I contacted you with any future details or perhaps some photo's, either direct or through this site you could help us. Many Thanks ... he
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Sadly, I have heard this morning of the death of Capt. Vic Hodgkinson,
who died in his sleep on the 20th. at the age of 94: Vic was the last of our BOAC FB Captains
that served at Poole, and will be fondly remembered for being the leading light in the setting
up of Solent Sky Museum, and for the acquisition of the Southern Cross as its prime exhibit
- which was then renamed again Beachcomber, as it appears today…
Vic trained prewar out in Australia with various aircrews of the Qantas Empire C-Class FBs
and during WW2 served with distinction on RAAF 10 Squadron on Sunderland Flying Boats
at RAF Mount Batten and Pembroke Dock etc. (and later on Catalinas in the Pacific arena).
who died in his sleep on the 20th. at the age of 94: Vic was the last of our BOAC FB Captains
that served at Poole, and will be fondly remembered for being the leading light in the setting
up of Solent Sky Museum, and for the acquisition of the Southern Cross as its prime exhibit
- which was then renamed again Beachcomber, as it appears today…
Vic trained prewar out in Australia with various aircrews of the Qantas Empire C-Class FBs
and during WW2 served with distinction on RAAF 10 Squadron on Sunderland Flying Boats
at RAF Mount Batten and Pembroke Dock etc. (and later on Catalinas in the Pacific arena).
Old Hairy... just discovered your thread, many thanks for your stories, much enjoyed. Always been interested in flyingboats but being a Mancunian born 1950 never really seen the old school fleet. Flown in a Mallard and Lake Buccaneer in Aus. but that's about it. 41 years in ATC and visiting in Buckler's Hard next summer so shall visit the Solent museum. Wonderful and Thank You.
Zed.
Zed.
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Hedfan eto - Regarding your search in Pembroke docks and
problems identifying parts - although I expect you will be
aware of this nevertheless I will mention that Catalina PBYs also operated from Pembroke - just in the event that some parts may be of Catalina origin - although no doubt you will have taken this into account.
Its strange how sometimes one can know a person assumed to have led an ordinary hum drum life - only to discover otherwise - As I found out
when an old friend I had known for years - an Arthur Daly replica - one day by chance disclosed that he had been the pilot of a Catalina during the war - patrolling over enemy infested seas over Biscay - as he produced a full size photo of himself crew and Cat. taken at Pembroke Dock !
...
problems identifying parts - although I expect you will be
aware of this nevertheless I will mention that Catalina PBYs also operated from Pembroke - just in the event that some parts may be of Catalina origin - although no doubt you will have taken this into account.
Its strange how sometimes one can know a person assumed to have led an ordinary hum drum life - only to discover otherwise - As I found out
when an old friend I had known for years - an Arthur Daly replica - one day by chance disclosed that he had been the pilot of a Catalina during the war - patrolling over enemy infested seas over Biscay - as he produced a full size photo of himself crew and Cat. taken at Pembroke Dock !
...
My first flight was in a Sunderland from Pembroke Dock during a CCF summer camp in 1953. I remember at least two eight hour plus (daylight) patrols over the Western Approaches, cooking eggs, bacon and sausages on the galley primus stove, watching the world (sea!) go by from the rear turret and shivering in the draughty front turret. On one trip we flew to Belfast, landed in the harbour and taxied over to Shorts. We were tied up against the dock for long enough to load quite a number of spare parts before returning low level to Pembroke Dock.
That was the year I caught the flying bug.
That was the year I caught the flying bug.
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Thanks Pasir
Pasir ............. Thanks for your reply and it was great to hear the story about your mate flying Cat's.
As a trust we are aware of the Catalina's that flew out of Pembroke Dock. The parts that we sometimes have trouble identifying straight away are those which have been brought up from our wreck site. As well as being covered in crud etc., they are often found next to the wreck by the divers, or they have, in time, fallen off from one of the engines etc.. If you are interested in what we are up to in sunny Pembrokeshire then click here.... Sunderland Trust
again thanks for your reply .. hedfan eto
As a trust we are aware of the Catalina's that flew out of Pembroke Dock. The parts that we sometimes have trouble identifying straight away are those which have been brought up from our wreck site. As well as being covered in crud etc., they are often found next to the wreck by the divers, or they have, in time, fallen off from one of the engines etc.. If you are interested in what we are up to in sunny Pembrokeshire then click here.... Sunderland Trust
again thanks for your reply .. hedfan eto
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Sunderlands
I was wondering if anybody flew with or knew my father George G Stead? I am reviewing his memoirs and would like some additional information.
Thank you in anticipation.
Thank you in anticipation.
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Sunderland Nigeria
Have come across the forum, thought members might be interested. My father was a Sqn Ldr on these planes there latter WW2. I have photos somewhere of the planes and misc. He was luckily picked up from a 'ditch' but not sure if ex Sunderland. Cant recall too many stories but he did say it took an enormous distance to get it to lift off in that climate especially under certain weather conditions.
My late uncle WCdr Peter Berry DFC also flew them for a while incl from Pembroke Dock '50s but may have only been short posting.
I also have a goodsized liveried handcarved model of the plane which may have been made by one of the ground crew or the local Nigerian 'help'. Due to the ravages of time it needs a tailfin and 2 floats. Any kind offers to fix that?
Will Jones
My late uncle WCdr Peter Berry DFC also flew them for a while incl from Pembroke Dock '50s but may have only been short posting.
I also have a goodsized liveried handcarved model of the plane which may have been made by one of the ground crew or the local Nigerian 'help'. Due to the ravages of time it needs a tailfin and 2 floats. Any kind offers to fix that?
Will Jones
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sunderlands
Just in case not previously mentioned. I have just also remembered that a couple of months ago I noticed a Mrs Judith Shingler has been giving the odd lecture on the Lake District etc manufacture/maintainence of Sunderlands etc, at various historical socs in that region over the few years plus 1 or 2 upcoming. Lectures were searchable on the web. Not sure if she still to be found Kendal area, hope useful to somebody.
Will Jones
Will Jones
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Sunderlands
Good thread you have here. My grandfather flew sunderlands in the war with 201st Squadron. His logbook mentions some places such as castle archdale, calshot, and also seletar in Singapore. If I can dig it up I'll scan it and put it online.
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I can't find any reference to this on the Site but I found this while looking at something completely different; PICTURES: Wreckage of flight W3998 found 70 years after crash | This is Cornwall
The full article is worth the read, if only to see "local" journalism at its best.
The final resting place of a lost Second World War allied warplane has been revealed – thanks to a chance discovery by a former Royal Navy clearance diver. Dive charter boat skipper Danny Daniels, a former Joint Services chief diving instructor, who taught Prince Harry to dive – found the twisted remains of the Sunderland bomber off Plymouth Sound, Devon, during a routine drift dive
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Video Link
Hi - read this thread with great interest - isn't it marvellous to gain the recollections and insight about these great aircraft from those that flew or maintained them?
Anyway, looked through and could not find this video mentioned - found it on youtube - not mine - but hopefully it will be of interest to some on here...... There are some extremely clear shots of the Sunderlands of 230 Sqdn in 1952 - in colour, too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QLIq9-uEEM
Anyway, looked through and could not find this video mentioned - found it on youtube - not mine - but hopefully it will be of interest to some on here...... There are some extremely clear shots of the Sunderlands of 230 Sqdn in 1952 - in colour, too!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0QLIq9-uEEM
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When on navigators course, one of the others was an ex Sunderland flight engineer. He regretted its passing, very civilised aeroplane, actually had a galley.