RNZAF Falklands pilot?

[Dave Homewood]

When I was studying at No. 4TTS, Woodbourne in 1989, one of my training officers, teaching Metallurgy and Technical Drawing, was Flt Lt Pratt.

He mentioned one day that he knew an RNZAF pilot who had been on exchange posting to the UK when the Falklands War erupted. He was apparently flying Harriers, and he served in the war.

Does anyone know who this was? And did other New Zealanders also serve (apart from the RNZN in HMNZS Wellington)?

[phil]

The other way around I believe, I can't remember his name (he is mentioned in Sea harriers over the falklands I think) who was an RAF or FAA pilot who had been on exchange to the RNZAF and had flown A4s.

EDIT, looks like he was RNZAF:

'Alan Curtis has important first hand knowledge of the A-4 Skyhawn and Mirage III from his antipodean days with the Kiwis and Aussies'.

Sea Harrier over the falklands p37.

Also mentioned in Topped Gun: 'Ex RNZAF A-4 Pilot Al Curtis flew Harriers inthe war and was posted (along with another Harrier and pilot) missing in action' Topped Gun p75.

[xr6turbo1]

S/L Sean Perrett is in the RNZAF and flew Harriers in the Falklands while he was in the RAF but there must be another pilot by the sounds of what Dave is asking
He is currently instructing on King Airs and sometimes flies the RNZAF Harvard

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, Phil, that must be him. Posted missing though? I thought from what Flt Lt pratt said about him he'd come back the the RNZAF. He never mentioned that bit.

Very sad. I wonder where he was from in NZ, and if he's on a Cenotaph somewhere.

[phil]

He was flying Sea Harrier XZ453 (coded 009) from Invincible, the other pilot was LT CDR Eyton-Jones flying XZ 452 (coded 007). Suspected mid air collision, 6 May 1982.

[phil82]

Al Curtiss was not a Kiwi, but came to us from the RAF. He went back to the UK, and the RN [ FAA ]and flew as Lt Curtiss with 801 Sqn. He was the pilot of the Sea Harrier who shot down a Canberra. He was reported missing along with another pilot, Lt Cdr Eyton-Jones on the 6th May. He was indeed ex-RNZAF, but ex-RAF before that.

"Air War South Atlantic" by Jeffrey Ethell and Alfred Price, which I just happen to have a copy of!

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Colin. Did the Argentinians use Canberras? I didn't know that (I was only 11 at the time)

[flyjoe180]

Here's an example:

www.fortunecity.com/marina/caledonia/214/

According to the Osprey 'Air War in the Falklands 1982' book, Grupo 2 de Bombardeo operated the Canberra, and two were lost. B110 was shot down 1 May 1982 by a AIM-9L fored by Lieutenant Curtis, two crew ejected but never found. The other, B108 was downed by a Sea Dart missile from HMS Exeter, one crew ejected, the other died in the aircraft.

[Radialicious]

One of our most respected ex-pats was of course Sir Kenneth Hayr. I'm sure he played a part in the running of the England innings.

[paddy]

Hi,
Here's an adopted Kiwi who served and died in the Falklands. He came from my old School Rangitikei College in Marton 10 miles from Ohakea.
Information courtesy of Rangitikei College Classmates.
Regards

Paddy


MONDAY, 11th OCTOBER 1982
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

HONOURS AND AWARDS
ARMY DEPARTMENT

The QUEEN has been graciously pleased to approve the Posthumous award of the Military Medal to the undermentioned in recognition of gallant and distinguished service during the operations in the South Atlantic:

Military Medal

24547055 Private Richard John de Mansfield ABSOLON, The Parachute Regiment

During eleven days of operations in the Mount Longdon area of East Falkland Island Private Absolon was employed as a scout/sniper with the Patrol Company 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment which was tasked with the gaining of information on the enemy force deployed in defensive positions around the Mountain.

On the nights of 2nd/3rd June he was one of a pair of soldiers who successfully carried out close target reconaissance with the aim of locating enemy positions, gaining information on their strengths, and discovering routes which could be used for a Battalion night attack on the feature. The task required considerable skill and coolness as there was a requirement to close to within a few metres of the enemy. The risk of capture was high, which in turn would have led to the compromise of the whole Battalion operation. Private Absolon and his partner completed the tasks finding good approaches to the objective, providing firm intelligence on the enemy which enabled both the Battalion and Brigade to plan the attacks onto both Mount Longdon and the Two Sisters.

On the night of the 8th June Absolon and his partner led a platoon along the proposed route for the forthcoming attack as a rehearsal. Once again he successfully closed with the enemy without discovery and again returned with even more detailed information on routes and on the enemy.

On the night of 11th/12th June Absolon with his partner led B Company onto the Mount Longdon feature in the first part of an assault to capture the position by the Battalion. The route selected gave the Company the opportunity to take the enemy by surprise and a valuable foothold was gained before the enemy was aware of the attack. Once battle was joined, Absolon fought with determination, always probing ahead to locate the enemy and sniping at every opportunity. He was responsible for killing one particular sniper who was preventing the Company Headquarters from moving forward to link up with its platoons. He continued to display dash and determination throughout the 12th in a manner which was an example to many about him particularly for one so young. Tragically he was killed by mortar fire the next morning.

This young and promising soldier displayed coolness, determination and bravery under fire in demanding circumstances that were outstanding.

[skyhawkdon]

xr6turbo1 said:

S/L Sean Perrett is in the RNZAF and flew Harriers in the Falklands while he was in the RAF but there must be another pilot by the sounds of what Dave is asking
He is currently instructing on King Airs and sometimes flies the RNZAF Harvard

The final CO14 Sqn (Sqn Ldr "Sav" Saville) was an ex Vulcan pilot who flew in the Falklands too. He had some great stories about flying the Vulcan.

[phil82]

From memory, and I include that as an advisory before someone tells me I'm wrong!; FROM MEMORY, Al Curtiss was not an exchange pilot, but had left the RAF and joined the RNZAF. He seems to have been a free spirit in many ways, because he left the RNZAF to join the RN and fly Sea Harriers.

The Canberra incident..."as the bombers were descending to low altitude they were observed on one of the ship's radars, however, and Lieutenant Al Curtiss of 801 and lt Cdr Mike broadwter were vectored out to intercept. Searching with radar at 5000', the Sea Harriers made contact and curved in to engage. At the controls of the lead Canberra was Captian Alberto Baigorri. "We were intercepted about 150 miles before reaching Puerto Argentina [Port Stanley]. The N03 in my flightcalled out there was a missile heading my way. I looked to my right and saw it hit the N02 aircraft, piloted by Lietenant de Ibannez, and with Lt Gonzales as navigator.. The bomber continued flying on one engine then, as it started to go down, I saw the crew eject. before it hit the water. From behind, Curtiss had seen his Sidewinder explode close to the Canberra and bits fall clear., but when the Canberra continued on he launched a second missile which was still in flight when the bomber hit the sea.

[phil82]

Don if you want to read some real Vulcan stories, go here:

www.pprune.org/forums/showthread.php?t=111797

There are 55 pages

[phil82]

The April issue of Flypast has a lengthy article on the Falklands and the Harrier.