| 53 T T Hugh de Lacy Bringing historic aircraft back to life The company is now thriving on a combination of reverse engineering of aircraft parts and engines as well as manufacturing specialised components for the local wine, bottling and seafood industries. Classic Aero Machining Services The hub of a worldwide market for World War One replica aircraft engines can be found at the Classic Aero Engineering Services (CAMS) hangar at the Omaka Airfield, Blenheim, where Tony Wytenburg has built a business based on antique planes. A fitter and turner with decades of experience in CAD/CAM design, Tony left his previous job of running a workshop in 2004 to set up on his own in the corner of Stuart Tantrum’s hangar at Omaka, where he was introduced to the frail-looking wire-and-fabric aircraft of early last century. His was part of a burgeoning worldwide fascination that saw aero clubs and private individuals keen to get their own replica kites into the skies. Part of the reason for the popularity of such projects is that, compared to modern aircraft – everything from World War Two on – they are cheaper to build, and, within obvious limits, relatively easy and safe to fly. The problem for enthusiasts was powering their aircraft, since the original round and radial engines ceased production a century ago, but anything claiming to be a credible replica had to be powered by a credible replica engine. That’s where Tony came in, bringing up-todate machinery, programming and metallurgy to the reverse engineering of the old power plants. CAMS got off the ground when Tony was asked to make parts for a P40 Kittyhawk, and found himself locked into a surprisingly vigorous global market for old aeroplane parts, and particularly P-40s. That led to CAMS manufacturing a huge range of parts for other old and historic aircraft, such as the 1930s’ Lockheed Electra series, the iconic World War Two British and Japanese fighters Spitfire and Zero, the Douglas SBD Dauntless and the rare Sea Gladiator. The company is now thriving on a combination of reverse engineering of aircraft parts and engines as well as manufacturing specialised components for the local wine, bottling and seafood industries. From an apprenticeship with J & AP Scott, now Scott Technology, in Dunedin, Tony moved to Blenheim in 1985, serving several years as a maintenance fitter at the local freezing works before getting a civilian job at RNZAF base Woodbourne making the engine tooling for the new Air Macchi trainers. Going out on his own, he was able to set up a workshop in Stuart’s hangar with a conventional lathe, mill and a cnc mill. “Stuart had been building a 1914 Royal Air Force Be2 from scratch, and we launched a process where we’d bring in a worn or original part, draw it and make a new one,” Tony says. “Today, as well as conventional lathes and milling machines, the company has one CNC lathe, two CNC milling machines – one with a fourth axis – cylindrical and surface grinders and a wire-cutting machine. “We also wholly manufacture reproductions of 1915 Gnome rotary engines: we’ve produced 10 of nine cylinders and three of seven cylinders for aeroplanes in the UK, France, Germany and the US, as well as several here in New Zealand,” Tony says. REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT Gear Cutting and Engineering – Specialists in Gear Cutting, General Engineering, and Precision Manufacturing Located in Christchurch, Gear Cutting and Engineering excels in the manufacture of all types of gear cutting, CNC machining, and the precision machining processes essential to these services. Equipped with a diverse range of specialized machinery, we are fully capable of supporting New Zealand’s manufacturing, service providers and precision engineering sectors with unparalleled expertise. Contact Us 027 224 6587 jason@gce.co.nz www.gce.co.nz Worm & Worm Wheels for reduction boxes Industrial gearbox overhauls Gears, Shafts, Housings, Rollers EDM Wire Cutting Tooling & design work Industrial Transmission sprockets & pulleys CNC Milling & Turning NZ Specialists in log hauler gears Turning & gear cutting up to 1500mm OD Production CNC Machining Over the years, we have built a strong reputation for quality, reliability, versatility, and a relentless work ethic—principles that underpin our commitment to excellence. Our pricing is fair and competitive, reflecting the integrity and value of the services we provide. Design, tooling, and equipment—our formula for success Committed to our industrial and manufacturing partners Precision manufacturing and engineering—it’s what we do
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