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Post by fixer on Apr 29, 2013 22:34:57 GMT 12
This is the first photo we have scanned from my dad's unit in WW II. Getting a hold of these photos has been a story in itself. But we have succeeded! Many thanks to my sister who has done the legwork part for me. My dad is in the middle row 6th from the left with his issued cap on. Will upload more as I get them.  |
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Post by fixer on Apr 29, 2013 22:35:59 GMT 12
Oops, photo hasn't shown up. Sorry, not sure what's happened here yet....
EDIT: Never mind, have figured it out now.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 29, 2013 22:59:53 GMT 12
Great shot!
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Post by fixer on Apr 29, 2013 23:06:52 GMT 12
I guess the question to ask now is who should I give these photos (as I get them) to so they are part of a historical collection?
Not the originals, just the digital copies.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 30, 2013 1:05:12 GMT 12
I'd very much like some decent scans if possible please, for my project to write of the history of the Genral Reconnaissance and Bomber Reconnaissance squadrons and their servicing units.
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Post by fixer on May 1, 2013 9:25:12 GMT 12
   These a few of the pictures. Consider them teasers, as I need to get a higher res scan done so they can be enlarged for a better view. The original photos are of a high standard. If you click on the link, then the photo, it will zoom up a little. At the bottom right hand corner of that photo, there is another zoom tool. Click on that and it will zoom up further. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 1, 2013 10:48:54 GMT 12
It is interesting to see that Corsair has white or yellow tips on the centre of the propeller bleades.
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Post by baz62 on May 1, 2013 12:41:47 GMT 12
It is interesting to see that Corsair has white or yellow tips on the centre of the propeller blades. Might be the same colour as the prop dome too. Be interesting to model one with that, looks quite distinctive. |
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Post by fixer on May 9, 2013 16:15:34 GMT 12
 My Dad is the last one sitting on the left.   Does it look like someone is in that cockpit? |
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Post by fixer on May 9, 2013 16:25:18 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 9, 2013 16:41:01 GMT 12
Nice shots. I have seen a number of them before but some are new to me. They are all official photos so need to be credited now to Air Force Museum of New Zealand.
The burning Corsair was NZ5367, and luckily Pilot Officer Noel MacCready escaped uninjured before the fire took hold in the cockpit area.
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Post by fixer on May 10, 2013 6:31:31 GMT 12
Those Venturas sat really low on the ground. Quite unusual for a prop plane of the era, I would think.
I could imagine the belly gunner unconsciously holding his backside up higher on takeoff and landing!
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 10, 2013 10:23:41 GMT 12
The belly gunner was not allowed to be in that position on take off and landing. He sat further forward.
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Post by fixer on May 11, 2013 23:38:21 GMT 12
I think I'd be happy about that too!
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Post by chinapilot on May 12, 2013 17:25:13 GMT 12
Great photos...think the first ones are taken at Torokina ( vegetation, distinct Bougainvilleans, and accommodation )
Next lot are definitely Green Island.
Know I am pointing out the obvious but the cloud covered volcanic area is Rabaul.
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Post by dewobz on May 15, 2013 16:37:53 GMT 12
This is a great collection of photographs. Thanks fixer for sharing them.
Going back to the Corsair with the white(?) cuffs on the prop, it is also one of a relatively few photos I have seen of RNZAF Corsairs with the code number on the forward fuselage, behind the cowl flaps, rather than on the actual cowling. Can anyone explain this? Was it a particular SU thing? Also, if I can find out what colour the code numbers were, whether they were on the tail as well and in what colour and what the a/c's serial number was, I will definitely make a model of it (or one like it).
Cheers
Wally.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 15, 2013 16:51:09 GMT 12
The Corsair is not from No. 14 SU, as No. 14 SU was a bomber SU.
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Post by dewobz on May 15, 2013 16:56:56 GMT 12
Yes, I realized that immediately I posted it but didn't get back to modify it for a few minutes. Have done so now. Nonetheless, since that Corsair has drawn other comment on this thread, I'll leave the questions here.
Cheers
Wally.
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Post by davidd on May 18, 2013 11:23:08 GMT 12
No. 3 SU at Green Island had the "last two" of the serial number repeated in large numbers below the cockpit of their Corsairs. No. 5 SU Corsairs at Emirau repeated the "last two" on the forward fuselage, just behind the engine cooling gills. Naturally there were exceptions to these "rules" (which were really a pragmatic decision taken, presumably, by the Engineer Officer of each SU to assist his men in spotting individual aircraft from afar.) I have seen photographs of Corsairs of one SU after they had been transferred to another wearing the markings of the "original owner"; the CO of the "new owner" may not have bothered to change them immediately to the new style because it did not really matter that much in the short term. On Bougainville, where there were four squadrons (and SUs) based by April 1945, there may have been more reason to maintain recognizable individual unit markings (with some 72 Corsairs plus reserves on the same airfield!) simply to reduce confusion when all four squadrons were active on combined or separate operations.
David D
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Post by trx850 on May 18, 2013 19:50:34 GMT 12
Certainly from No.3 Servicing Unit, as it has their 'style' - yellow 'last two' under the cockpit on the fuselage sides, and the white cuff area on the props. Quite a few also had the prop hub in white. |
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