Proctor ZK-AQK gets to her new home..

[John Hill]

At last the rain stopped for the last stage of the journey for Proctor ZK-AQK..

A short tow from her shed where she has been for many years and through the lush green pastures of Rangitata!


Careful loading on the transporter..


She wont be going anywhere we dont want her to with all these strops on her..

[John Hill]

Heading for the farm gates..


An hour or so later and safe in our hangar...


Ooops! Looks like the Bedford has sprung a leak!


The wings had arrived earlier.

[seafury45]

Plans

Thanks for posting the photos, John. What is planned for this aircraft now?

[HEATHROW DIRECTOR]

Good luck with the project John. Wish I could be there.....

[John Hill]

Thanks guys. We will be restoring for static display along with the almost 30 other aircraft here at the Ashburton (NZ) Aviation Museum.

We really dont have the resources to put these aircraft back into the air but on the other hand we try not to do anything that would (further) complicate whatever issues may be faced by someone, sometime, somewhere doing so.

The Proctor is near complete including engine and instruments and I expect most of the work to be recovering the wings, evicting various starlings etc and washing and painting everything.

This is our most recent project..
...which I am just now making wooden warheads for 3" rockets.

[greenviewpark]

Proctors

Great to see that another Proctor has been saved --- I started up the UK Proctor Restoration group here in the UK. about 7 yrs ago, since then it has snowballed.
I used to work on Mk 1-11-111-& 1Vs - also on Vega Gulls - Gull Six G-ADPR & Q6 Petrels.
I am now 86 yrs old & in poor health, so sadly I cannot do manual work on the Proctors under restoration.
Was your Proctor ex UK?
Please may I ask for updates on your restoration?

Thank you

Leslie

[John Hill]

Hi Leslie
As far as I know Proctor ZK-AQK (c/n Ae79) was imported into NZ along with another (ZK AQJ) in 1947. I dont know if the aircraft were new at the time.

If I remember I will post pictures and reports of the restoration here.

I am glad we got her here and into the hangar when we did as it has rained almost continually since!

John

[John Hill]

Progress..

Wings on ZK-AQK for what I think is the first time since the late 60's..

[N707ZS]

Is there any plan to fly, or is it just static? Just read post further back so presume not at the moment.

[emeritus]

A lovely aircraft to fly. I felt that it was an a/c that could have been built in metal with a retractable u/c, a more powerful engine and been a successful
seller.

Emeritus

[India Four Two]

John,

A very nice picture. I'm glad to see you are making progress on the Proctor.

And now for a little, shameless advertising. If you are ever in the South Island, you have to go to the RNZAF Museum in the Christchurch suburb of Wigram, but then I thoroughly recommend the one-hour drive south to the Ashburton Museum.

I stopped in there in 2012 on my way to Omarama. A great museum with a lot of interesting aeroplanes. I had planned to meet John, but due to a mis-communication that didn't happen. However, one of his colleagues showed me round the back-rooms and workshops. Fascinating.

I have to admit I was surprised when I walked into one of the hangars and saw this:



The only (intact) Harrier in the southern hemisphere!

Home - Ashburton Aviation Museum

[John Hill]

I am sorry but our museum just does not have the resources to fly our aircraft. We have an ideal location but we do not have the technical skills to restore to flying condition and neither do we have the cash flow required to keep aircraft 'current'.

I see our mission is to restore aircraft to an acceptable exhibition standard and to prevent further deterioration. All our aircraft are stored indoors.

[India Four Two]

I am sorry but our museum just does not have the resources to fly our aircraft.

John,

I think of AMY every time I see a reference to a DC-3. I'll be in touch when I win the lottery!

[John Hill]

AMY really does like her retirement in Ashburton.