Help Restore the Sunderland V NZ4115

$2,245 donated
Given by 43 generous donors in 4 years

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.

Read more

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.

Share this update

Read 2 more updates

Read more

Latest donations

Chris
Chris on 03 Oct 2019
Good luck!
$10
K & V Mitchell and family
K & V Mitchell and family on 25 Sep 2019
All the very best with efforts to restore this wonderful chapter of our aviation history!
$100
Guest Donor
Guest Donor on 02 Aug 2019
$15
A
A on 31 Jul 2019
Private
Annette & Keith Roberts
Annette & Keith Roberts on 17 Jul 2019
$100
MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology

Thank you so much

MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology

Who's involved?

MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology's avatar
Created by, and paying to a verified bank account of, MOTAT - Museum of Transport and Technology (Charity)
Registered Charity
A Registered Charity has legal recognition under the Charities Act 2005.
Tax credit
Donations of over $5 are eligible for a New Zealand charitable giving tax credit.
Page Moderated
The page has been checked by our team to make sure it complies with our terms and conditions.

Page Q&A

One question has been asked already. Check it out and ask yours here.

Any concerns?

Report this page
This campaign started on 22 Mar 2017 and ended on 7 Oct 2021.