Thought I'd better update this thread a wee bit . . . we headed to Thames 3rd November to check out progress; the stanchions for anchoring the seat belts are being installed, and they too require certifying by an hgv engineer.
(We couldn't mount them sooner because we weren't sure as to exactly they would be mounted until we started installing the interior.)
The engineer involved turned up, took one look and said: "This is that bus that was on Fair Go."
"Yep," said Matt.
"Well I'd better not make a faux pas (euphemism) on it then!"



Meanwhile I've had a plaque made that says:
"The top of this gear lever is from the joystick of a Corsair Fighter/Bomber F4U - 1 as flown by the late Flight Sergeant David Howlett RNZAF of New Plymouth over Manus and Rabul Papua New Guinea during WW II in 1945 with the 19th Fighter Squadron, and still retains the bomb release button and machine gun trigger.
Aircraft stats: 2250 hp Pratt and Whitney R - 2800 Double Wasp Radial Piston Engine.
Max. weight: 14000 lbs.
Max, speed: 417 mph @ 20,000 ft.

This will be mounted on the dashboard immediately in front of the gear lever.

We have also made arrangements for the graffiti on the ceiling to be photographed and transferred to vinyl for re-installation when the ceiling goes back in.

I've not had any progress reports since then from Matt, I'm hoping the philosophy of 'no news is good news' prevails; but we'll shoot up again in a week or two.

And it's progress!
After thirteen months of stagnation.

I'm also thinking on getting a vinyl print made saying:
'Baby Elephant.'
So named because the obfuscation and recalcitrance of NZTA ensured that this project took longer than an elephant to gestate.

Is that rude enough?
Or should I say what I really feel?