davem2
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 97
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Post by davem2 on Sept 15, 2021 22:08:19 GMT 12
All, a couple of (tough) questions:
1. Does anyone know the individual code of NZ2326?
2. Is it known how many 75 Sqdn Mossies were fitted with the nose camera modification?
TIA Dave
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nz104
Pilot Officer
Posts: 54
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Post by nz104 on Sept 15, 2021 22:35:21 GMT 12
The only info that I can find on that airframe is that it was ferried to Woodbourne shortly after it's arrival in or around March 1951 & allocated inst148. It's raf serial was TE739 sold as Surplus in or around 1954. Unsure of the second part unfortunately but hope that bit helps.
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Mosquito
Sept 16, 2021 6:57:28 GMT 12
via mobile
Post by baz62 on Sept 16, 2021 6:57:28 GMT 12
All, a couple of (tough) questions: 2. Is it known how many 75 Sqdn Mossies were fitted with the nose camera modification? TIA Dave Anthony Galbraith and I were discussing this a while back. He had also talked with John about the camera and they think it was the only one in the fleet. Of course that's only saying John's one had one and noone has seen photos of any other RNZAF Mosquitos with it. I mean there could have been one that was in storage and never flew again. Be nice to find photos of all the Mosquito fleet but there is probably a few that didnt get snapped. I wonder if there's any paperwork describing the fit? Either UK or this end?
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 16, 2021 8:46:17 GMT 12
NZ2326 was the first YC-B, I have a nice photo of her at home that came from a personal album.
I will have to go through my info and correspondence with JS, but we think she was the only one to come to NZ with the Camera nose fitted. We even have a pic of what we believed was her on delivery behind an Aussie one running her engines. It came from the 'DW Coll' album at the Museum from memory. Knowing the original cammo patten around the nose would prob confirm. But of course JS and I didnt know what was under the paint
HTH Anthony
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2021 9:01:05 GMT 12
One of them must have had a camera nose before NZ2336 entered service because they filmed the squadron sinking a ship from one of the Mossies for the National Film Unit film. I have tried to locate that footage and failed. I think it was the Lutterworth, but it may have been the other ship the sank.
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davem2
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 97
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Post by davem2 on Sept 16, 2021 9:22:54 GMT 12
NZ2326 was the first YC-B, I have a nice photo of her at home that came from a personal album. I will have to go through my info and correspondence with JS, but we think she was the only one to come to NZ with the Camera nose fitted. We even have a pic of what we believed was her on delivery behind an Aussie one running her engines. It came from the 'DW Coll' album at the Museum from memory. Knowing the original cammo patten around the nose would prob confirm. But of course JS and I didnt know what was under the paint HTH Anthony Ah, that explains that, I was given the photo of it low over the water and on the back it was noted as being YC-B, but I was scratching my head as it was NZ2326. It also mentions it having a nose camera, which can be seen better in the hard copy photo: rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/28789/wonz-mosquito-special-marshall-williams?page=1Not sure if the boys were able to discern any original nose camo pattern on the JS Mossie, will find out.... cheers Dave
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Mosquito
Sept 16, 2021 10:36:01 GMT 12
via mobile
Post by baz62 on Sept 16, 2021 10:36:01 GMT 12
One of them must have had a camera nose before NZ2336 entered service because they filmed the squadron sinking a ship from one of the Mossies for the National Film Unit film. That's a good point. So not actually NZ2336 doing the filming. Could they have filmed from inside the cockpit? I'm sure there was some in cockpit footage in that film but may not be correct.
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Mosquito
Sept 16, 2021 10:50:14 GMT 12
via mobile
Post by baz62 on Sept 16, 2021 10:50:14 GMT 12
Just had a quick look on YouTube. Didnt find the shipping one but another one done in 1947 and theres in cockpit filming in that one. So if someone can look at the one doing the ships and see what they think.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2021 11:20:14 GMT 12
The ship sinking footage was online only a few months ago, I watched it. But now I cannot find it.
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 16, 2021 12:04:15 GMT 12
The ship sinking footage was online only a few months ago, I watched it. But now I cannot find it. Check my Auster Fb page, it should be on there
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2021 12:29:43 GMT 12
Aha, it was on Facebook, not YouTube. That explains why I could not find it. It was the Lutterworth, sunk 26th of June 1950, so definitely long before NZ2336 entered service with the squadron. However I see that the footage is actually from a handheld camera in the Nav's seat. www.facebook.com/groups/119982544710555/posts/3596845830357525/
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Mosquito
Sept 16, 2021 14:13:32 GMT 12
via mobile
Post by baz62 on Sept 16, 2021 14:13:32 GMT 12
Awesome and thanks for the link. I suppose the identities of the Mosquitos in the film are known? I reckon theres a lot of eyes peering at RNZAF Mosquito noses over the next few days!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 16, 2021 14:38:24 GMT 12
I am sure you could find the identities in the ORB, if you wanted to.
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 16, 2021 19:51:15 GMT 12
Ah, that explains that, I was given the photo of it low over the water and on the back it was noted as being YC-B, but I was scratching my head as it was NZ2326. It also mentions it having a nose camera, which can be seen better in the hard copy photo: rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/28789/wonz-mosquito-special-marshall-williams?page=1Not sure if the boys were able to discern any original nose camo pattern on the JS Mossie, will find out.... cheers Dave[/quote] Hi Dave, none of the pics I have of '26' have the big Camera nose installation, see below, one good close up of the nose HTH Cheers Anthony
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 16, 2021 20:21:54 GMT 12
Bingo! Now I know it's a terrible pic. That's because its a photocopy of a photocopy and then a photograph just now on my iPhone of it. I was mistaken, it wasnt an Aussie one it was NZ2325 running her engines, with what JS and I believed was TE910 (only because she has the camera nose fitted) in the background with black spinners newly delivered. Another reason was on the original photo 2325 was in a very early silver scheme they were initially painted in with 'C' type roundels. Much before they latterly got the 'D' type roundels and YC codes. The original was much better, and it can be found in the RNZAF Museum archives Cheers Anthony
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 16, 2021 20:33:06 GMT 12
Original image if anyone goes looking for it. As I say, sorry for the poor quality, but it is the best I can do. JS and I poured over and discussed this mod a lot over the years, he was quite proud he had this unique version. We never found a 1 inch cone to fit to his camera.... Cheers
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Post by pjw4118 on Sept 17, 2021 15:12:43 GMT 12
Great to see Mosquitos doing the job , and no misses ( on film anyway )
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Post by shorty on Sept 17, 2021 16:33:43 GMT 12
Ahhh, Days of glory, when we had a strike force!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 22, 2021 18:41:34 GMT 12
Speaking of the No. 75 Squadron sipping strikes I just came across this.
ARAHURA TO BE SUNK
(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, January 23.
A Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft, using 3in solid-headed rockets, will sink the former Wellington-Nelson ferry steamer Arahura to-morrow, provided the weather is suitable for towing. Announcing this to-day, R.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters said that aircraft from No. 75 (Mosquito) Squadron would sink the Arahura, which would be towed by the tug Taioma. The Arahura should reach the target area, about seven miles and a half from Turakirae Head, off Wellington Heads, between 2 p.m. and 3 p.m.
PRESS, 24 JANUARY 1952
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Post by Antonio on May 1, 2023 8:53:59 GMT 12
A wee bit miffed with myself, went to sleep on this offering on eBay. I snooze - I lose!
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