Post by lesterpk on Dec 18, 2009 21:28:01 GMT 12
Hi all, been a busy old time at 6Sqn lately so thought I'd give you all an update.
Firstly, about 2 weeks ago a lot of research and letter writing paid off and we were awarded 4 Battle Honours for action in WW2.
Here's the text of the AFO:
1. No.6 Squadron was formed at Palmerston North in February 1942 flying Hawker Hinds on army co-operation flights but it was disbanded in October of that year. The unit took up its maritime association when it was reformed as No.6 (Flying Boat) Squadron at Lauthala Bay near Suva, Fiji on 25th May 1943. The unit operated Catalina Flying Boats from bases in the New Hebrides and Solomon Islands throughout the war. It took part in maritime surveillance, anti-submarine patrols and Air-Sea Rescue (ASR) flights known as “Dumbos” while based at Havalo Bay on Florida Island. The unit was disbanded at the conclusion of hostilities on 9th September 1945.
2. Apart from a five year period as a reserve squadron after the war, the unit was in abeyance until it was reformed at Whenuapai as a Naval Support Squadron taking over the role of No.3 Squadron’s Naval Support Flight (NSF). Since that time research has been on-going into the unit’s war-time history. This research has culminated in CAF approving the award of four Battle Honours to the unit gained through its operations in the Pacific from May 1943 to September 1945.
Aim
3. The aim of this order is to formalize the award to No.6 Squadron of the Battle Honours listed below:
a. Pacific 1941 – 45,
b. Central Solomons 1943,
c. Bougainville 1943 – 45; and
d. Rabaul 1943 – 45.
Implementation
4. Adjutant No 6 Squadron is to ensure that the award of these honours is promulgated as widely as possible including on the RNZAF web site and the NZAP 3327 (Royal New Zealand Air Force Squadron Standards).
5. To ensure permanent recognition of these honours a Squadron Honours Board is to be constructed IAW the direction at Reference B and displayed alongside the unit’s sister Squadrons at RNZAF Auckland.
And then it was decided some time ago to tidy up the fire/rescue training airframe so it received some attention and a coat or 3 of paint. The project was used as a training exercise for some new painters we have who hadnt had the chance to work on a total aircraft respray like this. Also as a bit of a practice for painting the F models at Woodbourne.
Selected photos:
And then we had a change of command parade, and someone attacked the hangar doors with a paint brush!!!
The art can easily be seen from the deck of the RSA on Hobsonville Road, about 2km away as the crow flies.
Firstly, about 2 weeks ago a lot of research and letter writing paid off and we were awarded 4 Battle Honours for action in WW2.
Here's the text of the AFO:
1. No.6 Squadron was formed at Palmerston North in February 1942 flying Hawker Hinds on army co-operation flights but it was disbanded in October of that year. The unit took up its maritime association when it was reformed as No.6 (Flying Boat) Squadron at Lauthala Bay near Suva, Fiji on 25th May 1943. The unit operated Catalina Flying Boats from bases in the New Hebrides and Solomon Islands throughout the war. It took part in maritime surveillance, anti-submarine patrols and Air-Sea Rescue (ASR) flights known as “Dumbos” while based at Havalo Bay on Florida Island. The unit was disbanded at the conclusion of hostilities on 9th September 1945.
2. Apart from a five year period as a reserve squadron after the war, the unit was in abeyance until it was reformed at Whenuapai as a Naval Support Squadron taking over the role of No.3 Squadron’s Naval Support Flight (NSF). Since that time research has been on-going into the unit’s war-time history. This research has culminated in CAF approving the award of four Battle Honours to the unit gained through its operations in the Pacific from May 1943 to September 1945.
Aim
3. The aim of this order is to formalize the award to No.6 Squadron of the Battle Honours listed below:
a. Pacific 1941 – 45,
b. Central Solomons 1943,
c. Bougainville 1943 – 45; and
d. Rabaul 1943 – 45.
Implementation
4. Adjutant No 6 Squadron is to ensure that the award of these honours is promulgated as widely as possible including on the RNZAF web site and the NZAP 3327 (Royal New Zealand Air Force Squadron Standards).
5. To ensure permanent recognition of these honours a Squadron Honours Board is to be constructed IAW the direction at Reference B and displayed alongside the unit’s sister Squadrons at RNZAF Auckland.
And then it was decided some time ago to tidy up the fire/rescue training airframe so it received some attention and a coat or 3 of paint. The project was used as a training exercise for some new painters we have who hadnt had the chance to work on a total aircraft respray like this. Also as a bit of a practice for painting the F models at Woodbourne.
Selected photos:
And then we had a change of command parade, and someone attacked the hangar doors with a paint brush!!!
The art can easily be seen from the deck of the RSA on Hobsonville Road, about 2km away as the crow flies.
