Classic Flyers Museum Tauranga - update.

Classic Flyers recently moved its exhibits around in the main hangar. 

With the ever increasing demand for the hangar to stage big functions, including AGMs for many larger business and school balls, there is an increasing need to remove the aircraft exhibits. 

The most difficult to remove being the Skyhawk (NZ6201) and so a space swap has been made with the Venom (ZK-VNM2), which is relatively easy to move. The Fletcher, ZK-CRY1 (c/n 123) masquerading as prototype Fletcher ZK-BDS has also been taken down and currently resides outside. It is in surprisingly good condition. 

In its place will be the experimental Pearse aircraft built years ago to see if it would have been possible for the original to have been flown by its builder, Richard Pearse. Alongside it will be the ex MoTaT Pearse replica.

During the move, the Venom sat outside between Vampires NZ5767, which is going to be mounted on a plinth, and Vampire NZ5751. It was a rare sight to see a Venom (ZK-VNM2) flanked by two Vampires. The eagle eyed will notice the wing of de Havilland Heron ZK-BBM behind the wing of Harvard ZK-ENE (NZ1066).

For some reason the ATR72-212A ZK-MCJ had the letters ZF applied to the nose wheel doors. 
It's not to be confused with the real ATR72 ZK-MZF. 
After arriving from Christchurch by road in March 2023, ZK-MCJ languished dismantled at Tauranga Airport. Eventually Classic Flyers engineers reassembled it and modified the tail fin into one piece by permanently attaching the rudder removing the possibility of it swinging and causing damage.
It is now in use by JNP Aviation Ltd for ground crew training of airline personnel.