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| The George Hood Aviation Museum: Thanks to the Lotteries Commission and the Wairarapa Trust Lands Trust we have been able to complete the building and begin the fit-out of our museum building and the cafe. A lot of effort by SVAS members moved much of the SVAS historic collections from their storage and old display areas to the George Hood building. The Museum building was dedicated on 25 January 2003 by the Reverend Ted Dashfield at the start of our 2003 airshow - that was not the official opening of the Museum, rather a dedication of the building to: (1) Wairarapa aircrew of both world wars, (2) No.14 Squadron RNZAF, and (3) to the local topdressing personnel of the Wairarapa (the first commercial topdressing flight on 3 May 1949 was from Hood Aerodrome). The purpose of our Museum is to honour the 223 Wairarapa men who served in the Air Force and Fleet Air Arm during World War II. Another three Wairarapa aviators are known to have served in World War I. One hundred and ten of them never came home. Our goal is that a Roll of Honour will recognise those men; alongside them will be the tale of the birth of topdressing aircraft, which happened here in Wairarapa. Tom Williams, Bruce Skinner and other members of the Society have spent years collecting bits and pieces of historic aircraft. As well as their Tiger Moth, Harvard, Percival Proctor Mark V, and an original 1930s Piper Cub, the Society has collected a wealth of other aviation paraphernalia, including parts of a DC-3 Dakota, the gun turret of an Anson, cannon shells, a Link Trainer (the forerunner to modern aviation simulators), a dismantled Chrislea Super Ace (one of just two in the world) and a huge collection of model aircraft donated by the association's patron, John Coom. The museum building has its own special history: the main structure was formerly Maxwell's Garage (on the site of today's Write Price supermarket), then was stored in a Council works yard for years until the Society began making inquiries about a building. The Council gifted the building to the SVAS. Funding for erecting the old structure, completing the building and fitting it out have come from: · the Eastern and Central Community Trust Shooting Star grant · the Lotteries Commission · Masterton Licensing Charitable Trust · Support from the Wairarapa Building Society. · and the Society's own funds The plan is for the 630sq m building to incorporate, in addition to the café and display areas, a retail shop, a theatrette, offices, and accommodation for two fulltime staff.
Right: Jamie Rafferty of Carterton takes a close look at Harvard 33 Photo: RTJAug04 |
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