More about G.A.P.S.

The aviation museum is run by the Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society Inc.
G.A.P.S. was founded in 1995 primarily to establish the means by which Lockheed Lodestar ZK-BUV, gifted to the Gisborne City Council by Fieldair Ltd. and positioned at the entrance to Gisborne Airport since 1974, might be restored to pristine condition and saved for the people of Gisborne and the East Coast region.
With wholehearted support from the Gisborne City Council, Fieldair and other interested parties, a group of local aviation enthusiasts banded together and by mid 1998 managed to move the aircraft into a new hangar 36m x 18m. This was built with the help of grants from the Lotteries Commission and a number of local trusts and businesses. It is intended that all restoration work will be performed to full flying standard, which will require a fully equipped aviation engineering facility complying with CAA regulations. One of the things which has made this possible is the donation of a shipping container full of brand new Lodestar parts and the loan of parts and maintenance manuals for the engines and airframe.
In the meantime other possibilities are emerging. The museum has an option to obtain Grumman Avenger NZ 2505. This actual aircraft was based at Darton Field as Gisborne airport was known while the RNZAF operated there in the 1940's. The local Service organisations and veterans of No.s 30 and 31Squadrons are understandably keen to see this Avenger return to its old home.

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