Over Laucala Bay
Design:
Arthur Gouge
Company:
Short
Blackburn
Short & Harland
Wing Span:
112 ft 9 in 34.39 M
Wing Area:
1,487 Sq Ft 138 sq M
Length:
85 ft 4 in 26 M
Height:
32 ft 10 in 10 M
Ceiling:
17,900 ft
Speed at 5,000 ft:
213 MPH
Range:
2,980 Miles
T/O Weight:
60,000Lb
Crew:
2, Pilot
1, Navigator
1, Signaller
1, Flight Engineer
1, Radar Operator
1, Nose Gunner
1, Mid Upper Turret
1, Beam Gunner
1, Tail Gunner
Role:
Maritime Resonance
Air Sea rescue
Total Manufactured:
721 All Mks
First Flight:
16 Oct 1937
Developed From: Short “C” Class Empire Flying Boat
Armament: Mk 5
4 x .303 in fixed Browninings pilot controlled
2 x .303 in in nose turret
2 x .303 in in mid upper turret
2 x .5 in in beam positions
4 x .303 in in tail turret
up to 2,000 lb bombs internally
Qty Served:
20
Years Served:
1944 to 1967
Tail Nos:
NZ 4101 to NZ 4120
un-photoshopped, just well planned and timed
ENGINE
Qty: 4
Type: Pratt & Whitney R1830 – 90,
14 cylinder, air cooled, radial, twin row
Bore:
5.5 in 139.7 mm
Stroke:
5.5 in 139.7 mm
Volume:
1839 cu in, 30 L
Horse Power:
1,200 HP 895 Kw
T/O RPM
2,700 RPM
T/O Boost:
48 in
Compression Ratio:
6.7 : 1
Supercharger Ratio:
7.15: 1
Fuel:
100/130 Octane
Oil:
OMD 370
Length:
59.25 in 1,500mm
Diameter:
48.13 in 1,220 mm
Weight:
1,250 lb 567 kg
Power to Weight Ratio:
1 b = 1.216 BHP
Overhaul Life:
1,200 Hours
Production Started:
1935
FTU = Flying Training Unit
BOC = Brought On Charge [put on the books of RNZAF]
NZNAC = NZ National Airline Company [The internal NZ and close Pacific Airline]
Used on Auckland to Suva service.
KN - = No 5 Sqn Letters on the side Each aircraft had it’s own code letter
XX = No 6 Sqn Letters on the side
blank = No 5 Sqn after No 6 Sqn was disbanded
MOCU/MCU = Maritime Operational Conversion Unit
BOAC = British Overseas Airlines Co-corporation
Flown by
Based at
NZ 4101
Constructors No: 4665
Mark Mk 111
RAF No, ML 792
Departed 302 F T U Oban, W/C Baird [pilot], 18 Oct 1944
B O C, No 1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville, 4 Dec 1944
Struck Off charge, 16 Dec 1947
Sold by Government Stores Board tender No 3882, 10 Oct 1949
To: NZ NAC.
Named Tainui
Registered, ZK – AME 1 Nov 1947
Broken up, spares for ZK – AMG, 1949
NZ 4102
Constructors No: 4666
Mark Mk 111
RAF No. ML 793
Departed 302 F T U Oban, F/L Patience [pilot], 23 Oct 1944
B O C, No 1 Aircraft Depot,Hobsonville, 4 Dec 1944
Call Sign ZMZDB.
Converted to Passenger configuration by RNZAF Nov 1946
Struck Off Charge 30 Sep 1947
To: NZ NAC,
Named Tokomaru
Registered, ZK – AMF
Used as standby A/C only
De Registered, 2 Dec 1947
Traded/Returned To RNZAF for NZ 4104, 9 Feb 1951
Sold Government Stored Board tender No 4366, 28 May 1951
Unsold.
Sold Government Stores Board tender No 5952 2 May 1955
To: NZ Metal Smelters Ltd,
Cost 350.00.00 pound [$700]
[note the front turret has been changed, and more, bigger windows down the side.
Still retains the RNZAF Roundel ]
NZ 4103
Constructors No: 4667
Mark Mk 111
RAF No: ML 794
Departed 302 F T U Oban, F/L Shepherd, 18 Oct 1944
B O C, No 1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville, 4 Dec 1944
Struck Off charge, 30 Sep 1947
To: NZ NAC,
Named Mataatua
Registered, ZK – AMG
Placed in reserve, never issued a full C of A.
Last flight, 31 Mar 1949
Returned to RNZAF, 9 Feb 1951
Sold Government Stores Board tender No 4365, 28 May 1951
Unsold.
Sold Government Stores Board tender No 5625, 23 Nov 1953
Declared Surplus broken up, 3 Nov 1954
NZ 4104
Construction No, 4668
Mark Mk 111
RAF No ML 795
Departed 302 F T U Oban, F/L Pettit [pilot], 27 Oct 1944
B O C, No 1 Aircraft Depot, Hobsonville, 4 Dec 1944
Struck Off charge 16 Dec 1947
To NZ NAC
Named Takitimu, 2 Dec 1947
Registered, ZK – AMK, 2 Dec 1947
Converted to passenger configuration, 1948
Entered service With NZ NAC, Mar 1949
Operated NZ NAC last Sunderland service from
Suva to Auckland, 31 May 1950
Returned to RNZAF, 9 Feb 1951
Sold Government Stores Board Tender No 4364, 28 May 1951
Unsold.
To: 6 Sqn, Hobsonville, May 1952
Sold Government Stores Board tender No 5625, 23 Nov 1953
Declared Surplus broken up, 3 Nov 1954
NZ 4105
Mark Mk 5
RAF No, PP 110
Made by Shorts [ Rochester]
Ex RAF A/C Refurbished.
B O C Fiji,
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound, [$123.000] 13 Jun 1953
To: 5 Sqn, Laucala Bay, Aug 1953
Code letter KN – A & KN – C & A,
Radio Call Sign, ZMZGA.
To: Hobsonville into storage in derelict condition, 1958
Struck Off charge, 2 Aug 1966
Sold by Government Stores Board tender No, SR 100/66
As is where is.
Broken up And scrapped at Hobsonville, Aug 1967
NZ 4106
Mark Mk 5
RAF No, RN 280
Made by Blackburn [Dumbarton]
Ex RAF Refurbished
B O C Hobsonville,
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound [$123.000] 24 Apr 1954
Code letter KN – B & KN – G, KN - B
Radio call sign ZMZGB
To: 6 Sqn, Hobsonville, 27 Apr 1954 – 18 May 1954
Struck off charge Surplus to requirements, Laucala Bay, 20 Mar 1962
Flown to Hobsonville.
Written off As reduced to spares, 2 Oct 1962
Hulk sold by Government Stores Board tender No, 11 Jan 1963
NZ 4107
Mark Mk 5
RAF No VB 883
To, RAF 88 Sqn
Ex R A F Refurbished
B O C Hobsonville,
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound. [$123,000]
Code letter XX – C & XX – D & KN – F, XX - D
Radio call sign ZMZGD
Final RNZAF Sunderland flight from Laucala Bay to Hobsonville, 2 Apr 1967
Declared surplus, 3 May 1967
Sold by Government Stores Board tender No R48/67 3 Aug 1967
To Australian Aircraft Sales.
Scrapped at Hobsonville.
NZ 4108
Constructors No SH 974 B
Mark Mk 5
RAF No ML 814
Ex RAF Refurbished.
B O C, Fiji,
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound, [$123.000] 13 Jun 1953
To: 5 Sqn, Laucala Bay, Fiji, Aug 1953
Code letter KN – B & XX - D,
Radio call sign, ZMZGG
To: Maritime Conversion Unit, Hobsonville, 4 Jan 1956 – 20 Aug 1956
Into storage at Hobsonville, 1956 – 1963
Struck off charge, Hobsonville, surplus to requirements, 12 Dec 1963
Sold by Government Stores Board tender No DA 280/63
To: Airlines of New South Wales.
Registered VH – BRF.
Overhauled at Mechanics Bay, Auckland.
Flown Auckland, to Sydney, 18 Dec 1963
Entered service With A of NSW after major refurbishment,
To: Antilles Air Boats, Virgin Islands.
Named Excalibur V111,
Registered N 158 J 1974
To: Edward Hulton. U K,
Registered G – BJHS
Based at Chatham 1979
To: Kermit Weeks, Florida
Registered N 158 J 1992
To: Kermit Weeks
Registered N 814 ML 16 Sep 1993
NZ 4109
Mark Mk 5
RAF No DP 191
Made by Shorts [Windermere]
Ex RAF Refurbished.
B O C, Fiji,
Cost 61,500 .00.00 pound [$123.000] 21 Jul 1953
To: 5 Sqn, Laucala Bay, Fiji.
Code letter KN – C,
Radio call sign ZMZGH
To: Hobsonville, into storage 1962
Struck Off charge DT 167/65 Feb 1965
Sold by Government Stores Board tender No,
To Ingot Metals Ltd,
Cost 15.00.00 pound [$30]
Scrapped at Hobsonville 1965 – 1966
[taxing up to a mooring buoy, with the front turret cranked back into the fuselage]
NZ 4110
Mark Mk 5
RAF No PP 129
Made by Shorts [Rochester]
Ex RAF Refurbished.
B O C Fiji.
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound [$123.000] 5 Oct 1953
To: 5 Sqn, Laucala Bay, Fiji.
Code letters KN – F,
Radio call sign ZMZGJ
To: Hobsonville, into storage, late 1956
Converted to Inst 183 TTS, Hobsonville 14 Oct 1959
Struck Off charge SR 9/64 14 Apr 1964
The first of the 16 Mk 5 Sunderlands to be written off,
Scrapped at Hobsonville, late1964 – 1965
[NZ 4111 At Chatham Island after striking a reef while taxing].
NZ 4111
Mark Mk 5
RAF No VB 880
Made by Blackburn [Dumbarton]
Ex RAF Refurbished.
B O C Fiji, cost 61,500.00.00 pound [$1,123.00] 6 Sep 1953
Code letter KN – D & XX – B & XX – K, XX - K
Radio call sign ZMZGK.
To: 5 Sqn, Laucala Bay, Fiji. as KN – D 6 Mar – 11 Apr 1959
Took part in flypast to mark opening of
Auckland Harbour Bridge, 30 May 1959
Badly damaged while taxiing in Te Whanga Lagoon,
Chatham Island, 4 Nov 1959
Struck rocks and sank in shallow water.
Stripped of usable parts and written off at Hobsonville, 9 Dec 1959
First RNZAF Mk 5 Sunderland to be written off due to damage.
The Navigators top hatch is in the Bulls Doctor’s practice,
with no explanation of how it got there.
NZ 4112
Mark Mk 5
RAF No VB 881
Made by Blackburn [Dumbarton]
Ex RAF 201 Sqn
Rx RAF Refurbished.
B O C Hobsonville,
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound [$1,120.00] 2 Nov 1953
Code letter KN – A & KN – L , L, KN - L
Radio call sign ZMZGL.
To: 5 Sqn, Laucala Bay, Fiji.
Struck Off charge SR 100/66, 2 Aug 1966
Sold by Government Stores Board Tender, as is where is basis,
To: Australian Aircraft Sales Ltd.
Hulk used by Hobsonville Yacht Club until 1970
Cockpit and front of A/C transported to Ferrymead Museum,
Christchurch, by C130 Hercules NZ 7005.
[Touch down at Rongatai Airport opening]
NZ 4113
Mark Mk 5
RAF No PP 124
Made by Shorts [Rochester]
Ex RAF Refurbished.
B O C Hobsonville,
Cost 61,5000.00.00 [$123,000] 7 Aug 1954
Code letter KN – D & KN – M & XX – D , M, KN - M
Radio Call Sign ZMZGM.
To: 6 Sqn, Hobsonville, 15 Feb 1955 – 23 Mar 1956
To: Maritime Conversion Unit, Hobsonville. 21 May 1956 – 17 Oct 1957
Scraped the keel along the runway at the official
Opening of Rongotai Airport,
After a down draught forced the A/C lower than intended.
Returned to Hobsonville and immediately beached for repairs. 25 Oct 1959
Flew final Sunderland service to Chatham Islands, 22 Mar 1967
Declared Surplus to requirements, 3 May 1967
Sold by Government Stores Board tender SR 48/67. Aug 1967
To Australian Aircraft Sales Ltd.
Scrapped at Hobsonville.
NZ 4114
Constructors No SH 1473 B
Mark Mk 5
RAF No SZ 561
Made by Shorts [Belfast ]
Ex RAF Refurbished.
B O C, Hobsonville,
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound [$123,000] 2 Aug 1954
Cost XX – A & XX – P, XX - P
Radio call sign ZMZGP.
To: Maritime Conversion Unit, Hobsonville. May 1955 – 25 Jun 1956
To: 5 Sqn, Laucala Bay,Fiji.
Struck Off charge SR 238/66, 6 Feb 1967
Sold by Government Stores Board.
To: Australian Aircraft Sales Ltd.
Stripped of all parts.
Hulk given to Northland Coast Guard, towed to
Whangarei and beached at Onerahi as a headquarters, 11 Jul 1967
Sold by tender, broken up 1972
NZ 4115
Constructors No SH 1552 B
Mark Mk 5
RAF No SZ 584
Ex RAF Refurbished.
To BOAC 2 May 1946 – 16 Apr 1948
Registered G – AHJR.
B O C Hobsonville 17 Nov 1953
Code letter KN – A & KN – B & KN – Q, KN -Q
Radio call sign ZMZGQ.
To: 5 Sqn, Laucala Bay, Fiji.
Struck Off charge 9 Dec 1966
Gifted to Museum Of Transport And Technology, Auckland, 22 Dec 1966
Complete and airworthy condition, towed from
Hobsonville to Meola Creek and winched overland
To: MOTAT on display in final RNZAF markings.
NZ 4116
Constructors No SH 818 B
Mark Mk 5
RAF No EJ 167
Ex RAF Refurbished,
SOC RAF 4 Jun 1953
B O C Hobsonville,
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound [$123.000] 27 Jul 1953
Code letter KN – C & KN – G & KN – S, KN - S
Radio call sign ZMZGS
Struck Off charge SR 238/66, 6 Feb 1967
Sold by Government Stores Board tender.
To Australian Aircraft Sales Ltd,
Scrapped at Hobsonville.
NZ 4117
Mark Mk 5
RAF No RN 286
Made by Blackburn [Dumbarton]
Ex RAF Refurbished.
B O C Hobsonville,
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound [$123.000] 9 May 1953
Code letter KN – K & KN – T, KN - T
Radio call sign ZMZGT.
Damaged when forced to land in heavy
Seas at Tarawa, 15 Apr 1961
Returned to Laucala Bay, and beached for salvaging.
Written off and scrapped at Laucala Bay, 10 Aug 1961
NZ 4118
Mark Mk 5
RAF No RN 306
Made by Blackburn [Dumbarton]
Ex RAF Refurbished.
B O C Hobsonville,
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound [$123,000] 13 May 1954
Code letter XX – A
Radio call sign ZMZGV.
To: 6 Sqn Hobsonville, 18 May 1954 – 14 Dec 1955
To: Maritime Conversion Unit, Hobsonville, 7 Mar 1956 – 11 Oct 1957
Into Storage at Hobsonville, 1960
Struck Off Charge, SR 167/65, 1965
Sold by Government Stores Board tender No.
To: Ingot Metals Ltd, Auckland.
Cost 15.00.00 pound [$30]
Scrapped at Hobsonville, 1965 – 1966
NZ 4119
Mark Mk 5
RAF No PP 143
Made by Shorts [Rochester]
Ex R A F Refurbished.
B O C Hobsonville
Cost 61,500.00.00 pound, [$123,000] 22 Apr 1954
Code letter XX – B,
Radio call sign ZMZGW.
To: 6 Sqn, Hobsonville, 27 Apr 1954 – 23 Sep 1955
To,: Maritime Conversion Unit, Hobsonville, 25 Nov 1955 – 9 Aug 1957
Into Storage at Hobsonville, 1960
Struck Off charge SR 265/62, 20 Mar 1962
Reduced to spares and produce at Hobsonville, 2 Oct 1962
NZ 4120
Mark Mk 5
RAF No RN 291
Made by Blackburn [Dumbarton]
Ex RAF Refurbished.
B O C Hobsonville,
Cost, 61,500.00.00. [$123,000] 6 May 1954
To: 6 Sqn, Hobsonville, until 3 Sep 1957
To: 5 Sqn, Laucala Bay. Fiji.
Code letter KN – Z,
Radio call sign ZMZGZ.
To: Hobsonville, into storage, 1965
Struck Off Charge SR 100/66. 2 Aug 1966
Sold by Government Stores Board tender No.
As is where Is.
Scrapped at Hobsonville, Dec 1966 – Jan 1967
Flown By:
NZ4101 to NZ 4104, Flying Boat Transport Flight, Jun 1946 to Oct 1947
Taken over by NAC [including Aircraft], Sep 1947
NZ4104, Taxi Practice by 6 Sqn, 1952
NZ 4105 to NZ 4120
No 5 Sqn, Fiji
No 6 Sqn, Hobsonville
No 6 TAF Sqn, Hobsonville
MOTU, Hobsonville
Maritime Reconn and Support Unit Hobsonville, 1957 to 1967
Chatham Flights, Dec 1958 to Mar 1967
Under tow by the control launch.
The brayby was used for access to the engines for some servicings,
it saved bringing the aircraft onto the land
Laucala Bay with Nukalau Island in the background.
Re-oiling from a re-arming barge.
==============================================================
490 NZ Sqn flew Mk 111 Sunderlands at Fisherman’s Lake in
Liberia from Apr 1944 to Aug 1945
Total hours flown = 4,853
Sorties = 463
Submarines Damaged = 1
Awards,
DFC = 1,
BEM = 1
Known to have flown on the Sqn.
Catalina:
FP 108 on Jul 1943
FP 112
FP 118
FP 172 in Jul 1943
FP 229 Jul 1943 to 7 Jul 1044
FP 242
FP 253
FP 278 in Aug 1943
FP 285
FP 325
Sunderland Mk 111
ML 810 W. Jun 1944
ML 835 Z
ML 859 T
ML 863 X
Sunderland V
JM 717
[these were taken from various flying log books that were in the Ohakea Museum 1981-82]
The original delivery flights to New Zealand were made by RAF 490 NZ Sqn
The C O of the flight was W/C Baird D W on board No ML 792
The Signals Tech Officer was F/O Frazer J A on board No ML 792
CREW 1, ML 792
F/L Layne B E
F/L Morrison P C K
F/O Neave T E
F/O Ruffles
P/O Garrett J D
W/O Cox L W RAAF
W/O Gunnourie RAAF
Mr Jones, Bristol Aircraft Co
CREW 3, ML 793
F/L Patience H K Pilot
F/L Ward N A DFC
F/O Berry C J
P/O Buchanan E W
P/O Ladd T J
W/O Roberts G N
F/S Sheridan P F
F/S Russell J, RAAF
CREW 2, ML 794
F/L Shephard J S Pilot
F/O Dawson N E
F/O Holdsworth A
F/O Schwabe L A E
F/O Durham RAAF
P/O Mitchel C S RAAF
P/O Taylor A J RAAF
CREW 4, ML 795
F/L Blackmore J C L
F/L Pettit J C L, Pilot
F/L Stevenson R E
F/O Sutherland A G
W/O Anderson D A
F/S Fry G L
P/O Kerrison F RAAF
Arrived at Auckland
ML792 , ML793 , ML794, 2 Dec 1944
ML795, 5 Dec 1944
Delivery flights of first 4 Sunderland MK 3
Routed via Gambia, Brazil, Trinidad, across the Southern USA then downhill to NZ
They travelled in 2 pairs approx a week apart,
These A/C are believed to be the first NZ A/C, apart from those of USA origin, of course,
civil or military to fly over mainland USA
This honour goes to F/L J S [Joe] Shephard who landed ML 794 at the US Naval Air Station,
Banana River on 31 Oct 1944 No 2 was Brian Layne in ML 792
12 or so years later Banana River was renamed Cape Canaveral
Unsourced photos through the Ohakea Museum
with thanks to son-of-satire for the banner