The Shed 127, June/July 2026

Murray Belfield is a phenomenon
He has built a few planes over the years, but none gave Murray the performance and thrills he really wanted until he built his scaled-down German paratrooper's plane, a Storch. Building this rarest of planes consumed nine years of this 86-year-old's life. And the result? He couldn’t be happier.
For most of us, stalking a deer across the back country, shooting it cleanly and lugging it home to furnish the table would be accomplishment enough for any evening’s bragging rights.
But when that involves landing an aeroplane you built in your shed onto a handkerchief-sized patch of hilltop scrub, finding and shooting the quarry, manoeuvring the carcase into the spare seat and getting off the ground again, and doing all that at the age of 86, bragging just vanishes in the slipstream. Murray Belfield is, anyway, far too practical and busy a guy to waste his evenings boasting to his mates, but he is, nevertheless, a phenomenon. His plane, the second he has built by hand, is another. Highly specialised for short take-offs and landings (STOL), it is a three-quarters-scale replica of a WWII flying legend, the Fieseler Storch.
The replica, designed by famed aircraft engineer Ladislao Pazmany, is so challenging to build that, to Murray’s knowledge, only one other Pazmany model has been completed to the flying stage, by an enthusiast in Alaska. As if that wasn’t a hard enough ask, Murray has incorporated many improvements of his own based on his many years of bush flying experience (and his dislike of fibreglass).
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The annual Woodturners’ Expo is a winner
World-renowned woodturners demonstrating at this year’s event, plus a tool supermarket, and an outstanding multi-camera video set-up, make our correspondent’s day.
From the archives: Casting aluminium wheels
With my background as a fitter and turner with the railways, it was natural that I would be interested in making small then large wooden locomotives as presents or to sell and then extend this to creating a steam tractor, the traditional traction engine.
Ham Radio, a 100-year-old Internet alternative?
A glimpse of some tall aerials in the backyard of a neighbour's house sent Nigel Young off on an adventure of discovery. He learns that amateur radio not only has a fascinating history but also offers many areas of both fun and responsibility that interest and inspire enthusiasts.
Restoring a 1952 AJS – Part 10
Peter's unwavering commitment to this restoration is truly admirable. He has had to redo several tasks multiple times and has faced challenges with issues like plating, the kickstart spline, and getting the engine running. Despite encountering obstacles, he maintains a positive attitude and knows that the only way to complete this thorough rebuild from boxes of old parts is to keep pushing on.
Model kits of the Britten V1000
Legendary motorcycle builder John Britten envisioned a Baby Britten model as a bike for fans who couldn’t afford a real racer, allowing them to own a piece of the legend. Now, a new and even more detailed model of the V1000 has become available, and it’s in very high demand.
Restoring a vintage valve radio – part one
Chris has accepted the challenge to learn all he can about valve radios and has taken a crack at restoring a classic, dead Philco Nevada 401. How hard can it be?
Learn how to make a dovetail joint
The dovetail joint is one of the oldest known woodworking techniques, dating back to before written history. It is named for its resemblance to a dove's fanned tail. In this instalment of his woodworking tutorial series, Edward Prince explains how to master the various types of dovetail joints.
A Kiwi workshop icon with a story built on practicality
How a global maintenance brand found a natural home in thousands of New Zealand sheds, garages, boats, and backyards.
Off the grid – Déjà vu all over again
So many of our sheddie interests are started in our early years, and Murray is solid proof of that. Reading a book on sailing as a young ‘un led him to a life upon the waves, and has also drawn him back to a model boat he viewed 63 years ago, through a neighbour’s window.
Real-world Arduino
Our Arduino expert has been following an intriguing online project for the past 12 years, but he raises some valid points about certain approaches he disagrees with in this unique project.
JimBots – a world of illusions
Seated at his workbench in a tiny shed in Paraparaumu Beach, Scotsman/Kiwi, Colonel Jim Dryburgh, looks a little like Gepetto, the storybook character who carved wooden puppets such as the famous Pinocchio. But instead of crafting puppets, Jim creates robots from scrap metal.
The Shed Shrink – one very cosmic dude
Music, art, and meeting people are what make Don Williams a very happy and contented fella. Our Shed Shrink spends some quality time with the guy who has been to more concerts than you have had hot dinners.
Back O The Shed – tightening my halo
Is it time for Jude to slow down a little? Well, now that he has purchased an electric “Nana car”, he doesn’t have much choice.