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Post by shamus on Jul 29, 2011 13:41:52 GMT 12
Perhaps I can clear up the misunderstanding, after locating and checking my full reports file. Firstly. Errol is right. The report says, G.Hunter, the sole occupant of the aircraft. I think, Dave, you are mixing up the crash of NZ1546, pilot, M.L.Gray, and also on board, T.B.Murray. Initials only.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 29, 2011 14:52:00 GMT 12
Errol, Trevor Bruce Murray is known to all as Tim. I visited Tim and interviewed him and he told me about lots of incidents that happened on the squadron. This particular one he said was largely hushed up. He said it was pretty easy to keep things quiet from GHQ because they were such a small and close knit crowd and so remote. A few other things occurred whch were never reported, he says. But he definately remembered being aboard this aircraft on an unauthorised flight when it crashed. I know of another incident that occurred that they did not even tell their CO about as the pilot involved would have been grounded - and it involved Tim too. I am writing an article/small book perhaps on No. 20 Squadron at Onerahi and have revealed too much already. You'll have to wait fot the release of that to find that one out as you won't find it in the official records. Actually Jim, now that I see how many awesome No. 20 Squadron photos there are around, I reckon I could turn it into a small book that is well illustrated, if you'd be keen to co-operate?
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Post by shamus on Jul 29, 2011 15:37:03 GMT 12
Sure Dave, no problem. Have you got the photo of the Squadron guys all lined up for the camera?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 29, 2011 16:00:12 GMT 12
You sent me one of all the pilots and other officers and I have one of all the Air Gunners which I sent you. None of the whole squadron including ground crew though.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jul 29, 2011 16:10:20 GMT 12
Errol, Trevor Bruce Murray is known to all as Tim. Thanks Dave, That clears up this bit of naughtyness. Oops, perhaps not? Since writing the above I've read Jim's post about NZ1546, which crashed at 2055 at Onerahi on 7 Sep 42 whilst engaged on night flying training. The T B Murray on board was indeed your man 'Tim'. Errol
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 29, 2011 16:39:07 GMT 12
Yes, I posted the photo of that first crash Tim was in earlier in the thread, teetering on the edge of the airfield and almost into the neighbour's orchard. He was in both these accidents aboard the aircraft and the really naughty one he was on the ground as a spectator/participant.
In the crash when they were doing the beer run I think maybe there was already some alcohol involved, hence Tim's non-inclusion in the records.
All this stuff was a wonderful bonus for me as I went to talk to him about his time in Venturas, he was an Air Gunner in Sqn Ldr 'Johnnie' Walker's crew.
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Post by shamus on Jul 29, 2011 16:40:21 GMT 12
Dave, I think the one you refer to is the one. It has pilots and a couple of army officers in it. I also have one of the No6 Army Co-op Sqn. if it is of use. Do not have one of No21 AC Sqn. though.
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Post by shamus on Jul 29, 2011 16:51:33 GMT 12
I note from the report that the Hind was flying from Onerahi to Keri Keri so the beer must have been aboard unless they were able to get it off before the salvage party or someone in authority arrived.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 29, 2011 17:07:23 GMT 12
Right. Smashed bottles and 78 rpm records in the cockpit would have been awkward to explain, eh.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jul 29, 2011 19:57:28 GMT 12
Right. Smashed bottles and 78 rpm records in the cockpit would have been awkward to explain, eh. Speaking of records reminds me of an old Wizard of Id joke: Peasant asks "why the king is so short?" To which another responds "Because he's standing on his record!" Can't for the life of me think of a Hind connection but it may raise a laugh or two. Errol
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Post by shorty on Jul 29, 2011 20:11:43 GMT 12
That photo of UY-N reminded me of a story my father told me. He was on Hinds at Ohakea and they had to lean over the tail like those guys are doing during engine runs. There was on particularly disliked officer who was walking along the tarmac in his best dress blues. Immediately behind the Hind running there was a large puddl ewith oil slicks on it and as the officer walked past it, Dad,leaning over the tail, gave a pre arranged waggle of the elevator and the fitter doing the run went to full power, blowing dirty oily water all over said officer! The baggies had difficulty in stifling their amusement!
He also reckoned you could tell the Hind flight guys as the all had slightly charred F/S caps, as the Hinds had a habit of backfiring through their carbs and the start crew could stifle the flames by stuffing their caps in the inlet, if you did it quick enough the engine hust kept running and away they went.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 29, 2011 22:20:40 GMT 12
;D to Errol!
And ;D to you too Shorty, was your Dad on No. 3 SFTS or with No. 21 (AC) Squadron?
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Post by Tony on Jul 30, 2011 2:41:04 GMT 12
Speaking of records reminds me of an old Wizard of Id joke: Peasant asks "why the king is so short?" To which another responds "Because he's standing on his record!" Errol Ahh the Wizard ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D He and Stanley were my absolute favourites ......
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Post by shamus on Jul 31, 2011 10:51:10 GMT 12
A few more delicious Hinds. Hind Trainer NZ1522, of No3 SFTS. Ohakea. This is a photo of the salvage of NZ1543. It says Whakapara but I think it must have been off course if it was there. NZ1535 at TTS Rongotai. Photo courtesy of Shorty. NZ1548 after it damaged the landing gear striking power lines. Made it back to Onerahi but gear collapsed on landing. NZ1502 of No 3 SFTS.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jul 31, 2011 15:22:58 GMT 12
"NZ1548 after it damaged the landing gear striking power lines. Made it back to Onerahi but gear collapsed on landing."
This was at 0805 on 20 Apr 43. Pilot NZ414617 Ralph Ford Hancock. Sun glare prevented him from seeing the power lines whilst engaged in an authorised low flying practice sortie. The map used for his briefing showed all lines except these ones.
Errol
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Post by shamus on Aug 2, 2011 11:13:49 GMT 12
And still a few more.; NZ1544 of No 6 AC Sqn. Pages from a Contact magazine about Levin showing Hinds on the field. XX-C of the No6 AC Sqn. taken from another Hind. A photo of the two cockpits of a Hind Trainer with pilots talking through the speaking tubes. NZ1537 flying. Note the gun ring has been removed.
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Post by Tony on Aug 2, 2011 12:35:24 GMT 12
NZ1502 of No 3 SFTS. Any idea of the colour of the code '2'?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 2, 2011 12:38:32 GMT 12
Probably left over form its RAF service? It looks to be blue so probably a Flight colour and number?
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Post by Tony on Aug 2, 2011 12:45:53 GMT 12
Probably left over form its RAF service? It looks to be blue so probably a Flight colour and number? I did wonder that but a couple of pics above shows NZ1522 with an obvious black '20' that must be the flight number from 3 SFTS.
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Post by Tony on Aug 2, 2011 16:13:07 GMT 12
This shot I believe is NZ1535 at Rongotai TTS. It was the only RNZAF Hind that had the small stub exhausts instead of the usual ramshorns. Shamus - Location is definitely not Rongotai. Possibly Ohakea? Are you sure this is NZ1535? I thought that Hind had the early black/silver underwing markings?
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