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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 3, 2007 14:10:26 GMT 12
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jul 3, 2007 21:12:50 GMT 12
Very interesting Dave, a good read indeed. Interesting part about Leonard Trent visiting, typical NZ weather and obviously even back then the meteorological boffins couldnt get it right  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 3, 2007 22:16:08 GMT 12
I'm glad you enjoyed it Joe. I haven't had a hance to read the whole document yet but I like what I have read so far.
I was interested to see that RNZAF News goes back so far. I'd love to find other early copies of the magazine.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jul 4, 2007 16:43:37 GMT 12
That airshow must have really been something with all those "modern" aircraft from all over the world present. How times have changed! The silver Wellington model mentioned in the story lived in the 75 Sqn trophy display cabinet while 75 Sqn was still in existence at Ohakea. Latterly it was in the 75 Sqn display at the Ohakea Museum. Interesting that it was originally presented to 75 Sqn by Vickers Armstrong when we bought the Wellingtons in 1939. I had looked at it many times when I was on 75 Sqn but never realised its significance. Thanks for sharing this great piece of history Dave.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 4, 2007 18:00:54 GMT 12
No problem Don. I'm pleased thjat people are enjoying it.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jul 4, 2007 22:05:30 GMT 12
The 'Japanese Zero' pictured under the 21st birthday key and mentioned in the text is of course NZ6000 now on display at the Auckland Museum. See: |
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Post by Rat Fink on Jul 4, 2007 23:06:45 GMT 12
I've just finished reading Night After Night (Max Lambert), a book about NZ bomber aircrew in WW2. There is a is a short story about one of Trents pilots who went to the afore mentioned OH airshow to meet him again after the war, this is despite repeated efforts to correspond with him without success. Seems the esteemed Trent who is described as being 'more British than the British' and 'very RAF' (you know what that means) initially professed to not knowing him. When it was explained to him who this guy was Trent remarked to someone in the party he was with that 'Jack (Sharp) was on our SQN but he wasn't on THE mission'. Seems that Jack had to remind the VC holder that he was in the cell next to Trent in the Amsterdam jail after the raid. Jack goes on to say that he was given the cold shoulder after that so thought 'bugger you!' There is also another excerpt from Owen Foster, another pilot who was flying in 'A' flight on the raid. Foster tells of seeing the last remaining Ventura going down in front of them (Trent's)as they were running in themselves to the target with only one engine running. They crashed after making it back to the Dutch coast & were also taken prisoner. In Stalag Luft3 Trent had supposedly taken him & another crew member aside and told them that he (Trent) was the last one downed. Both told him this was not so and thought no more of the matter and both remarked on their surprise of hearing of his award after the war.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2007 0:51:37 GMT 12
The 'Japanese Zero' pictured under the 21st birthday key and mentioned in the text is of course NZ6000 now on display at the Auckland Museum. See: I have often thought about this after seeing photos of that Zero in that display how odd it seems when celebrating the RNZAF's 21st birthday, they have a foreign aircraft, an enemy aircraft and an obsolete type (the Zero) as their display centrepiece. Especially as it had been stored in poor condition and disassembeled and unloved at Ardmore prior to the anniversary. If they were going to go to all the trouble of restoring an old aircraft to have as the centrepiece, why not something more iconic like a P-40 or Corsair? There were still dozens of them around in 1958. Has anyone any idea why the Zero was chosen to be centre stage like that? |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jul 5, 2007 10:31:36 GMT 12
Maybe the Zero was chosen because it was a war prize, a reminder of the war, and also full of 'mystery'. Most people in 1958 would have had recent memories of P40's and Corsairs etc.
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