Lancaster in New Zealand in 1944

[Dave Homewood]

I knew that an RAAF Avro Lancaster visited New Zealand in May 1943, but the second Lancaster to visit NZ came the following year.

paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=EP19441102.2.112&cl=search&srpos=19&e=01-12-1941--12-1945--10--11-byDA---0lancaster+r%2en%2ez%2ea%2ef%2e--&st=1

BOMBER ARRIVES
Evening Post, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 107, 2 November 1944, Page 9

BOMBER ARRIVES

TOURING LANCASTER

RECEPTION AT AUCKLAND
P.A AUCKLAND, November 1.
The second Lancaster to be seen in New Zealand arrived at Whenuapai in the course of a 26,000-mile trip today. The aircraft, which has already covered over 12,000 miles since it left the United Kingdom on October 21, carries a crew of specialists in navigation, commanded by Wing Commander D. C. McKinley, D.F.C., R.C.A.F.

They will demonstrate some of the latest navigational aids and methods to New Zealand and Australian Air Force units and carry out other investigations en route. The complement includes Mr. H. C. Pritchard, on special duty from the Ministry of Aircraft Production. The completion of the Lancaster's flight towards Christmas will mark the first round-the-world flight by the longest route by the Royal Air Force. It arrived today from Samoa, after having crossed the Atlantic from east to west, and included visits to Montreal, Washington, San Francisco, Honolulu, and other Pacific airfields. Before leaving New Zealand it will tour both the North and South Islands, probably landing at Ohakea, New Plymouth, Woodburn, and Wigram. On the way it will fly over as many towns as possible to enable residents to see Britain's famous heavy bomber.

Wing Commander McKinley's crew comprises Squadron Leader J. F. Davis, D.F.C., navigator; Flight Lieutenant N. B. Blakey, D.F.C., navigator; Flight Lieutenant R. L. Butt, radar; Flying Officer A. C. Shipway, D.F.C., second pilot; Flying Officer H. Stringer, wireless operator; Leading Aircraftmen E. Wiggins, engineer; E. Pashley, rigger; H. B. Dean, electrician. Wing Commander McKinley was welcomed on arrival by Wing Commander G. H, Pirie, R.A.F., Director of Operations, R.N.Z.A.F., and the station commanding officer, Wing Commander G. H. Fisher. His parents and friends greeted Flight Lieutenant Blakey, who is the only New Zealander in the crew. Flight Lieutenant Blakey left New Zealand in March, 1942, for Canada, and afterwards won the D.F.C. while on operations from England. He is the son of Mr. B. C. Blakey, Onehunga.

Wing Commander McKinley has seen service both in England and the Middle East in flying-boats, and all the other members of the crew save one have been on operations. The aircraft is named after the constellation Aries. Its New Zealand itinerary has not yet been settled.

[pjw4118]

Here's a couple of photos from the June 1943 visit by ED930, Queenie VI on a war bonds drive.
In the close up cadet Keith Williams No 3 Sq. ATC appears on the left

[Dave Homewood]

I have a photo of Queenie VI on Jim Wiseman's page on my site, here
www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Jim%20Wiseman.htm

[beagle]

How many weeks did it take to get here

[Dave Homewood]

Aries was a remarkably historic bomber really. As well as the flight around the world, it also flew to the North Geographic Pole and back from Iceland, and the North Magnetic Pole and back from Canada. In July 1945 it made a tour of RAF stations in Africa with New Zealander Sqn Ldr H.R. Hall in the pilot's seat, and after that flew a similar tour of India to RAF stations.

It was part of the Empire Air Navigation School and probably did other interesting test flights too. What a pity someone didn't have the brains to preserve it, in the Science Museum for example.

[Dave Homewood]

Beags, Aries left the UK on 21st of October, and arrived in NZ on the 1st of November so that is 11 days. However taking into account it would have been stopping along the way to run their naviagation courses and make public appearances that's not bad. I think it would have taken 3 to 4 days if they were flying without all the stops.

Aries had an extra long nose with no turrets. Did it have special navigational equipment in that nose? Or was it just smoothed off for comfort?

[hairy]

Aries (PD328) was a Lancaster B.I.

Here she is at Whenuapai in 1944.


After the around the world flight Aries went to the Empire Air Navigation School, where in April 1945 in preparation for the Polar flights the aircraft was modified extensively. All armament and armour were removed; camouflage paint was removed for a bare metal finish; the fuselage was altered for streamlining and the fuel capacity expanded, increasing maximum range to 5,000 miles or about 21 hours continuous flight.

After the conversion work she was similar in appearance to a Lancastrian.

Here she post conversion after her record breaking 59hr and 51min. UK - NZ flight (21-24 Aug 1946) at Ohakea in September 1946.



More info on the polar flight can be found here...............
www.legionmagazine.com/en/index.php/2004/01/the-aries-flights-of-1945/

[hairy]

Dec 29, 2010 19:21:45 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

What a pity someone didn't have the brains to preserve it, in the Science Museum for example.

They did not preserve her but there is a memorial to her at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.

airfields.fotopic.net/p67624121.html

airfields.fotopic.net/p67624133.html

[Dave Homewood]

Ah yes, so it did have turrets to begin with. I wonder how much quicker it was with the faired over nose. It must have been unusual for a Lancaster to be converted like that and then return to the same unit in the same role, I guess.

[oggie2620]

Bloody hell my dad was based at Shawbury for years and I didnt know about that memorial. Must go look next time I get up to see him as he still lives in the area...