Help Restore the Sunderland V NZ4115
MOTAT has a unique opportunity to conserve a Short S.25 Sunderland V Flying Boat.
Auckland
The Sunderland V is an artefact of national and international significance and is part of New Zealand’s Military Aviation History. The Sunderland V is a flying boat that operated from Lauthala Bay, Fiji and at its home base at Hobsonville, Auckland as part of No. 5 Squadron RNZAF from the 1940s to the 1960s. Our Sunderland is a rare survivor of an entire class of large, four engine flying boats that pioneered both international air travel to Australia and New Zealand and long-range military ocean reconnaissance from the 1930s to the early 1950s.It is one of just three surviving examples of the Short Sunderland flying boat retaining a military configuration.
New Zealand was the last military operators of the Sunderland in the world our Sunderland NZ4115 was retired on 22 December 1966, gifted to MOTAT, and moved here on 22 February 1967.
About us
MOTAT is New Zealand’s largest museum of its kind. Located in Auckland’s Western Springs.
Celebrating NZ’s past, present, and future, MOTAT endeavours to educate and inspire the innovators of tomorrow through creative and innovative initiatives.
Use of funds
We have started on the outside with painting the aircraft and we seek further funding to ensure we complete the conservation of the Sunderland V to its original Military configuration.
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Latest update
Aviation Display Hall Refresh 18 January 2019
In 2019 the Aviation Display Hall is receiving a refresh. With the Solent restoration nearly complete the planning is well underway to refresh the aviation exhibition. We will house both flying boats undercover in the hangar for the first time. Work is continuing on the Sunderland in tandem with the Solent. The Sunderland’s tail planes, fin and rudder have been the focus of restoration work. These items have been restored in the workshop and the refitting of both the aileron and flap will occur shortly. Information will come out soon about when all the update and interpretation of the Aviation Display Hall is complete.
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