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Post by davidd on Mar 9, 2015 13:28:34 GMT 12
Just noticed that the two photographs of the four pilots of 23 Squadron at Bougainville actually appear to be two completely different groups of four, so eight men here all told (although possible that one man is in both groups!) Have a fair idea that the tall pilot on the left hand side of first photo is F/O D M (Dave) Thomas - I purchased a Fiat X1/9 off him many years ago! David D
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voy1d
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 4
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Post by voy1d on Mar 9, 2015 13:35:14 GMT 12
those dates line up with my grandfathers logbook.
Would it be safe to say that NZ5373 is indeed "Marie", I'm happy to provide a copy of the entry from the logbook stating the printing of the name on the aircraft?
Edit: Due to the project I'm working on, I've emailed the Air Force Museum to see if they have the squadron logbook AND what the costs would be to get a copy of it.
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Post by trx850 on Mar 9, 2015 20:18:47 GMT 12
And also a quick note for Wally on this subject, it's a repaint as the lower white can be seen in those photos. Also of interest, is the repainted fuselage roundel has the borders to the bars in the roundel colour. Yet another to add to the list of the wartime roundels! Usually only seen on the starboard upper, and port underside wing positions......
Cheers, Pete M.
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Post by dewobz on Mar 10, 2015 11:59:58 GMT 12
I'm finally catching up. This is great stuff! Thanks to voy1d, davidd, trx850 and everyone else for your research and input into this thread so far. Seems another RNZAF mystery may have been solved? voy1d, I can't wait to see your build of "Marie". Pete, when you say "repaint", what colour do you think it is? I speculate it might be that the Intermediate Blue fuselage sides have been repainted in US Sea Blue? Or do you think its fresh Intermediate Blue? (In which case its hard to spot any demarcation?) I take on board your note about the fuselage roundel bars too, I hadn't spotted that. Seems a pity that Ventura's new 1/32 "RNZAF Corsairs" does not have roundel coloured bar edges on the fuselage r-b's despite having separate US Insignia Blue overlays? (The roundel-bar borders look darker to me on the sheet at Ventura's website?) I realize the overlays are probably for the purpose of recreating the sometimes "messy" meeting of yellow outline and bar edge? A minor thing, its all fabulous news. Cheers Wally.
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Post by trx850 on Mar 10, 2015 20:48:55 GMT 12
Hi Wally. Top coat would be most likely have been Glossy Sea Blue at that time, but looks a bit 'flat' in those photos, so may well have been Ns.Sea Blue. Both paints would have been in plentiful supply at that stage of the war! Personally, I'd go with Ns.Sea Blue over the original Ns.Insignia White undersides! Appears to be too 'patchy' and faded to be Glossy Sea Blue, and no signs of a gloss finish to it. The usual caveat applies when trying to interpret B&W photos! For those who have not yet seen the latest from Ventura in 1:32 here's the pic from Malcolm Laird at Ventura. I do have a personal connection to this set, as NZ5617 'Verna' was my late Father's 'charge' with No.14 Squadron in Japan. Cheers, Pete M.
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