This picture shows the Sunderland in 1993. The radomes under each wing contained ASV.6C and the dishes were synchonised to sweep with each other. The Lodestar in the background has been outdoors for years and is in quite bad shape.
These two were taken in 2008 and show remedial work being done on its ample exterior. It's sitting where the new hangar is now.
Like the Solent, the Sunderland is being restored by enthusiastic volunteers who gather once a week. They're doing an Avenger at the moment. Although the sign states the Sunderland is a WW2 aircraft, the GR.Vs didn't begin service with the RNZAF until 1953.
Through the forward entrance door and into the nose compartment. The bomb aimer's window can be seen boarded up at the front, with the gun turret above. The RNZAF Sunderlands had their guns removed and the turrets were used for observation only.
A vital item aboard a flying boat.
This is the radio operator's position and is on the upper deck behind the pilots' stations. The rest of the crew stations were covered in plastic since the canopy had been damaged.
Captain's position looking a bit barren.
Pilot's bomb release panel.
Priming panel, the two handles are Ki gas priming pumps and the inboard ones are fuel tank selection switches. Not sure about the bakelite switches above.
Bomb storage on the lower deck under the wing box.
Looking forward into the sonobuoy station.
The centre rear fuselage looking forward into the bomb compartment, with waist gunner's positions left and right. These were used for observation aboard RNZAF aircraft.
Closer view of the right hand observation station.
The cavernous after hull looking toward the tail turret.
That's it for now. It's worth remembering that the RNZAF were using these aircraft until 1967.
