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Post by davidd on Aug 23, 2012 13:29:44 GMT 12
Dave H,
Have just noticed that Mokau is not very far south of Awakino. A Baffin (NZ174) of Wellington GR Squadron (from Woodbourne, pilot F/O E B Firth) force landed at Awakino on 4/3/40 (accident file 25/2/38) after engine failure. It landed in field, "minor damage".
David D
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Post by davidd on Aug 23, 2012 13:41:20 GMT 12
Another snippet. Baffin NZ174 came to earth near the mouth of the Awakino river. No doubt local newspapers would have a more detailed account of the incident. Up until December 1941, RNZAF accidents were usually reported on in great detail; after that date, the barest of bare essentials: "An RNZAF aircraft from a south island station crashed yesterday with the loss of three lives. They were (etc, etc.)
David D
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Post by errolmartyn on Aug 23, 2012 13:49:16 GMT 12
Firth was engaged on a delivery flight to Ohakea on 4 Mar 40.
'Two hours after take-off [at 1320], pilot noticed oil temp and pressure dropping and shortly afterwards engine revs also dropped. He was unable to maintain height and carried out a forced landing. Starboard wing struck fence during landing run.'
Sourced from accident card.
Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 23, 2012 14:16:03 GMT 12
Thanks David and Errol. I had subsequenty found details of the Raglan incident and the Mokau force landing too, although that extra info from the accident card is appreciated. I still have no clue which aircraft 'Brick' was flying yet.
Of interest, Tony Lester had only been posted to the NZGR Squadron the same day as McSkimming force landed at Raglan. It was a temp post till the EFTS opened and they then became instructors there, so I think Lester was sent to give him something to do.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 23, 2012 14:22:04 GMT 12
Actually thinking about it, as No. 4 EFTS was about to open I suspect McSkimming would have been ferrying a Tiger Moth from 2 EFTS for the new school?
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Post by dewobz on Sept 19, 2012 12:15:19 GMT 12
My father, Owen Hicks, who I believe you will be talking to soon Dave, transfered from No 1 SU on Kittyhawks to No 10 SU on Venturas and should be able to provide some information. Cheers, Wally.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 19, 2012 12:16:36 GMT 12
Great, thanks Wally.
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thax
Warrant Officer
Posts: 31
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Post by thax on Jun 17, 2013 14:15:30 GMT 12
Dave
If you don't already have it, Bee Dawson conducted an audio history project for the RNZAF some years ago. This included interviews with a number of wartime personnel, including George Gudsell (captain of first RNZAF aircraft to engage with Japanese in WWII (3 GR Sqn)). I can give you her contact details if required. Best of luck with this most worthy project.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jun 17, 2013 14:50:34 GMT 12
Dave If you don't already have it, Bee Dawson conducted an audio history project for the RNZAF some years ago. This included interviews with a number of wartime personnel, including George Gudsell (captain of first RNZAF aircraft to engage with Japanese in WWII (3 GR Sqn)). I can give you her contact details if required. Best of luck with this most worthy project. Harvey ('Ham') Hammersley, who served in the RNZAF May 1942 to Nov 1945 and Sep 1948 to Jun 1974, and who was a volunteer at the Air Force Museum for many years, I believe did a number of video interviews with veterans. Probably the Museum could give you a list of the interviews upon request. Errol |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 17, 2013 16:28:31 GMT 12
Dave If you don't already have it, Bee Dawson conducted an audio history project for the RNZAF some years ago. This included interviews with a number of wartime personnel, including George Gudsell (captain of first RNZAF aircraft to engage with Japanese in WWII (3 GR Sqn)). I can give you her contact details if required. Best of luck with this most worthy project. Gidday Thax, cheers for that. Yes I have corresponded with Bee on many occasions and she kindly sent me several transcribed interviews that she's done. I also had the pleasure to interview George Gudsell myself by phone right back when this project began. I haven't seen Bee's interview so not sure if she may have gotten additional info, but I got some pretty good reminiscinces from George at the time. Nice man. Thanks for the input. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 17, 2013 16:29:51 GMT 12
Hi Errol, thanks for that interesting info too about those videos. I was unaware of this. I must look into this. Cheers!
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Post by wanganui on Dec 28, 2015 2:29:06 GMT 12
Dave, i'll shortly send you, as requested pics of the logbook & photo album from NZ2290 Owen William Gladstone Lewis, navigator with 8 & 2 Sqds.
I also have the log book & photos of NZ404413 Brian Cranstone Scott, pilot with 2, 1, 4, 3 and 41 Sqds and NZ42370 Edward Danial Casey pilot with 9 Sqd which i can copy & send over. However as it's taken me a year to get Owen Lewis's docs to you it's a fair bet that you've got a 2 years wait in front of you!!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 28, 2015 8:49:53 GMT 12
Thanks Kerry!!!
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Post by pjw4118 on Feb 13, 2018 10:13:59 GMT 12
I have posted some new photos of a 3 Sq Hudson in action on the NZBCA facebook page . They include photos taken during two actions by the Buchanan crew in 1943.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Feb 13, 2018 18:54:57 GMT 12
Brilliant pictures, thanks for posting.
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