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Post by Dave Homewood on May 30, 2007 16:43:56 GMT 12
The following shots come from the album of the late Graeme Ronayne, who flew three tours in the islands with No. 19 Squadron on Corsairs This shot shows Graeme in Corsair 'G' - this aircraft is depicted in a ground shot in Warren P. Russell's Corsair book but I doin't have it in front of me at the mo'so cannot quote the number. Frank green sits in "Bet" at the Scramble Hut, Emirau, 2nd Tour Pete Jones in "Jan II" at the Scramble Hut, Emirau, 2nd Tour I suspect the two above are the same aircraft (note the number) and that the nose-art names are temporary (chalk?) for photographic purposes. Formation with NZ5215 (E) and another coded J. Note the damage to the paintwork on '15's flank under the cockpit. CLOSE formation with NZ5326 - another aircraft depicted in Warren Russell's book... Graeme himself in front of a Corsair 3rd Tour, shots of George Watt at Los Negros in May 1945 This is Yellow Section, No. 19 Squadron, at Los Negros, May 1945. Left to right are Dave Howlett, Frank Green, George Watt and Bob Jonston These treasures are all from box brownie snaps o the quality isn't perfect but the subjects are fantastic.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 30, 2007 17:02:19 GMT 12
A few more Entitlesd "Scramble Kites - Los Negros, May 1945 " Graeme Ronayne at Los Negros May 1945 George Watt, Los Negros May 1945
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Post by Bruce on May 30, 2007 17:41:36 GMT 12
Cant imagine too many of our number would be interested in the pics Dave..... Seriously, great pics, thanks for posting them!
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Post by xr6turbo1 on May 30, 2007 18:59:07 GMT 12
They are great photos. You just cant beat old original photos, well done
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 30, 2007 22:39:46 GMT 12
Glad you liked them. I wonder when Craig will see them...
That first photo of Graeme flying the Corsair with the motif is - I am sure - the same aircraft seen on page 115 of Warren Russell's book, and it says it is F4U-1 NZ5295. The 'G' is the same style and the nose art identical.
However, when seen in the book it's a lot rougher in the paintwork on the tail area so I'd say Graeme's is either an earlier shot from his first tour before the paint was worn out, or maybe from his second tour and the paint had been redone. What do others think?
You should be able to see all or part of the serial in Graeme's shot but alas it's
The book says it was used by No. 18 Squadron and attached to No. 4 SU at the time in June 1944. I don't know yet when Graeme's first 19 Sqn tour was yet (he's dead, his logbook is lost, and I have little else to go on so i think I may try to get his widow Grace who kindly leant me the photos to get his Service Records). His second tour was over Christmas 1944, so that's much later than the book photo.
When the book was written Russell was then unaware of what the logo was as he wrote, "The unidentified (Little Devil?) motif..." and he believed the artwork belonged to 4SU.
I have scanned the photo large and blown it up big. It remains blurry sadly, but appears to be a white circle with something (a person? a devil?) flying Supermn-style diagonally downwards and the larger lighter coloured area seen above appear to be two wings. In fact it looks like a hornet or a wasp maybe.
Does anyone know if the mystery of the symbol was solved after Warren Russell's book was released?
By the way there are more photos in the collection which will go onto my site soon, with more shots of 19 Squadron guys (posed and relaxed), plus Graeme's training days at Blenheim and later at Ashburton, and then some neat shots of Harvards which are either at a SFTS or OTU (they're overall camouflaged so probably the latter - unless they were actually with 19 Sqn). Sadly they're not great photos but they are historic.
A series of tiny thumnails (2x1 inch I guess) show a sad incident where it seems maybe a Harvard and a Vincent or Vilde have collided and crashed. The Harvard is broken in half just behind the cockpit. The Vincent is oddly on its belly, a difficult thing to do with an aircraft without retractable wheels! Does anyone have any incilne of where, when, how?
The only thing I know from his career so far is at Ardmore while sitting in an aircraft, parked and idling, another aircraft taxied up behind him and chomped right up to the armour plate behind his head. I assume it was in a P-40 or Corsair. Any ideas of when and other details?
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Post by flyjoe180 on May 31, 2007 11:13:45 GMT 12
Craig will fizz with excitement when he sees this lot! Wasn't there a scenario in the memoirs you published on your site Dave, of a collision between a Harvard and a P40 at Ardmore in which an instructor was killed?
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Post by corsair67 on May 31, 2007 11:49:01 GMT 12
BLOODY FANTASTIC! ;D ;D ;D What a great collection of photos. For a fairly basic camera, the good old Box Brownie is responsible for some great images taken over the years. Some of these photos show to good effect how worn and faded the paint on these aircraft could become during their time in the Islands. I also love some of those classic poses the guys did for the camera! Thanks for posting this selection, Dave.
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Post by agalbraith on May 31, 2007 22:47:28 GMT 12
WOW!!!!! That is an awesome collection of photos.
Thanks so much for posting them Dave. I cant stop looking at them! Absolutely amazing.
Thanks again...............................................way cool. Off for another closer look.
Anthony
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A4k
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 85
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Post by A4k on Apr 22, 2009 18:17:21 GMT 12
Great photos!!!
I think the two shots of aircraft '32' 'Jan II'/'Bet' are of the same aircraft. The '32' is identical, and you can see the remains 'n II' above and to the right of the 'Bet' nickname. Maybe both pilot's shared the aircraft, so wrote their own girlfriend's names when they flew her?
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Post by harvard1041 on Apr 22, 2009 21:10:35 GMT 12
Great shots Dave - keep em coming...especially the Training and OTU ones...good stuff !
Rgds Hvd1041
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Post by camtech on May 5, 2009 9:45:43 GMT 12
Great photos of the 19 Sqn Corsairs.
Some time back I was given the unofficial diaries for the last three tours of 19 Sqn, while flying Corsairs. They make interesting reading. Although the diaries are now with the RNZAF Museum, I transcribed them before handing them over. I have them electronically as a word doc if any one is interested
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 5, 2009 19:24:18 GMT 12
Hi camtech,
I am most definately interested. I'd love to see the diaries. My email is dave_daasnz@hotmail.com
Cheers Dave
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Post by John L on May 11, 2009 17:08:55 GMT 12
Hi camtech - I'd also be interested in these
dianus2@gmail.com
Thanks JonL
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A4k
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 85
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Post by A4k on May 11, 2009 19:33:35 GMT 12
Me too Camtech, if it's no trouble!
(message modified since received!)
Thanks for sending mate, much appreciated!
Cheers, Evan
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chook
Flying Officer
Posts: 63
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Post by chook on Jun 14, 2009 17:12:18 GMT 12
Hi Dave, Great photo of corsair "G" at the top, must be the clearest shot of the servicing unit motif I've seen. I have a photo of my Father (18 SQN) sitting in a corsair "E" which has the same motif on the left hand but doesn't have a visable serial. I'll have to check his log book and see if he flew the "E" above. Assume they must be the same A/C? I've only just joined today after having a browse so once I sort the posting photos thing I'll put some up. What a great forum. Cheers Rob
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 14, 2009 20:23:34 GMT 12
Welcome Rob, I'm glad you liked the photos. I look forward to seeing your Dad's photos and hearing some of his stories if you have any to tell.
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Post by corsair on Nov 3, 2009 16:39:49 GMT 12
Hi Camtech
Have just joined
I would be interested in a copy of that 19 Sqdn Diary, if its possible
My email waxx76@optusnet.com.au
Thankyou
Corsair
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 3, 2009 22:11:35 GMT 12
Welcome to the forum corsair!!
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Post by camtech on Nov 6, 2009 18:44:52 GMT 12
Hi Corsair, Diary sent as requested
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