'City of Christchurch' gets new paint

Refitting the starboard undercarriage in December 2006

A lot of progress has been made during the last six months on the restoration of the Ferrymead Aeronautical Society's Viscount c/n 283 ZK-BRF. A deadline of 22 March 2007 had been set to have the aircraft presentable for a visit of an aviation tour arranged to mark the 60th anniversary of the formation of NAC – New Zealand National Airways Corporation.

Refitting the port outer wing in January 2007

The 9 day flying tour of New Zealand visited 19 locations travelling in Douglas DC-3 ZK-DAK and followed some of the old NAC routes. The tour started at Christchurch on Friday 23rd March with a visit to the Ferrymead Heritage Park to view the former NAC Viscount. The visit of the NAC reunion party resulted in a lot of 'oohs' and 'aahs', especially from ex NAC hostesses which was taken by the restoration team as an endorsement of their work.

Refitting the port stabiliser in March 2007

This recent restoration activity on ZK-BRF was intended to get the aircraft externally complete as possible and has resulted in most of the wings, tail and engines being fitted. The engines are mostly only cores but are sufficient to hold the props. However the team are working towards get one as externally complete as they can.

ZK-BRF being painted on the 9 March 2007

The lower areas of the aircraft have been repainted in a silver paint as used on Hyundai cars. While it is not like the original mirror finish it is pleasing to the eye and a lot better than the previously used grey paint. This approach has also been used to good effect by the restoration team at Duxford on Viscount c/n 5 G-ALWF.

There is still plenty of work to do like refitting the starboard outer wing, engine cowls, undercariage doors etc., but the incentive of the recent deadline has moved things on a great deal. For more information on this project visit the Ferrymead web site and watch the news pages here at the Vickers Viscount Network.