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Post by sniff on Jan 28, 2008 21:32:15 GMT 12
Rob was about 5'-10", lean, brown/blond curly hair - his parents lived in Rarotonga, which made for a great night when we lobbed into Raro with a P3 crew of 12+. Great memories!
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Post by beagle on Jan 28, 2008 21:35:28 GMT 12
we had an ex S&S guy who went over there and was running the RSA, which was just outside the airport from memory. stopped off there on the way to the UK, like stepping back in time 20 - 30 years.
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Post by phil82 on Jan 28, 2008 21:48:07 GMT 12
As I remember it, they even initially carried navigators too until the pilots got up to speed with with international nav procedures. Also, they still had to have a proper nav fit - Omega and INS in those days. As an aside, Dave Bamfield had a big part to do with the purchase, he retires next month as the Vice Chief of Defence Force after one of the longer RNZAF careers. Correct, Dave Bamfield was involved. The first aircraft flown out from San Fancisco-Honolulu-Paga Pago was NZ7270, flown by a United crew up front, with a number of RNZAF people in the back, and navigated by Dave Bamfield. The aircraft had the same internal fuel [ the longer range tanks were fitted in NZ because it was cheaper] as used by United, and from what I gather the take-off from SF was calculated specifically for a head-wind of no more than 40 knots!. There was an Orion involved which took off an hour before on each leg with the intention that the 727 would pass them about half-way, the 727 being at 40,000and the P3 at 18, or whatever. The second and third aircarft followed the same route and plan, and flew out together with RNZAF crews who had been trained by United. The first aircraft went direct to Christchurch, and Air New Zealand, because it was there that it was measured for all the subsequent fits of VIP seating, fuel tanks etc. Once that was completed, it flew directly to Woodbourne and became a 'christmas tree'
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Post by phil82 on Jan 28, 2008 21:52:54 GMT 12
Incidentally, from memory the three 727s were NZ 7270, 7271, and 7272! I know all the references say otherwise! I've been wrong before....once upon a time......
We now have a photo of 71 at Whenuapai, , which would seem to confirm that the two flyers were 71 and 72, because 70 never went past Woodbourne.
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Post by nzav8a on Jan 28, 2008 22:14:20 GMT 12
NZ7271 at Whenuapai in it's Ex United scheme
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Post by Bruce on Jan 28, 2008 22:56:08 GMT 12
That photo of '71 at Whenuapai may clear up the reference to '73 being involved in the 1981 Springbok Tour. When the two flyers arrived, one was sent down to christchurch for repainting and fitout and the other was urgently pressed ito service as a troop carrier during the "Rugby war" in "as received" condition. It subsequently also went south for its makeover. As '73 (or whatever serial it actually wore!) was the only one to retain the United scheme, it seems as though the writer made the assumption that it was the aircraft involved in the tour. That was July - August 1981.
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Post by beagle on Jan 29, 2008 5:17:29 GMT 12
Around that same time, there was also the strike, cannot remember what for, but our herks and RAAF Herks were used on the trans tasman. I always thought we had just introduced the 727 and was puzzled why they were not used as well.
As for the springbok tour, yes I can remember seeing 71 at CHC in the united colours, I was ay Wigram then, fresh from junior course. the heirachy had heard a rumour that the aerial farm at Weedons was going to be targetted so we had 24 security there for about 3 weeks or so. Not that good security as I remember about 5 of us huddled up in an old landrover sound asleep.
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Post by SEAN on Jan 29, 2008 5:35:58 GMT 12
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Post by phil82 on Jan 29, 2008 11:48:20 GMT 12
Incidentally, from memory the three 727s were NZ 7270, 7271, and 7272! I know all the references say otherwise! I've been wrong before....once upon a time...... We now have a photo of 71 at Whenuapai, , which would seem to confirm that the two flyers were 71 and 72, because 70 never went past Woodbourne. My source, who flew back to NZ on the first 727, and had a hand in the whole exercise of procurement is adamant the Serials were 70, 71, and 72! Anyone actually confirm 73 existed? Perhaps his memory is playing tricks!
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 29, 2008 12:12:40 GMT 12
Does anyone know what happen to those two Harvards?
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kiwi1
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 6
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Post by kiwi1 on Jan 29, 2008 13:18:55 GMT 12
Amazingly both Harvards are flying in Australia. NZ1038 had some components removed for restoration of NZ977 .Both once owned by Ed Billman ,now Greg Ryan has NZ977.Not sure of 977 current staus but still with Ryan in AK.
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 29, 2008 13:28:51 GMT 12
Thanks for that Kiwi1! Is NZ977 the one hauled out of a valley somewhere on the South Island in the early-80s?
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kiwi1
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 6
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Post by kiwi1 on Jan 29, 2008 13:48:57 GMT 12
Yes, 977 and another MkII were tail chasing up a dead end valley.The terrain rose faster than they did and both crashed.
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Post by hairy on Jan 29, 2008 17:11:20 GMT 12
NZ1038 is airworthy in West Australia with D.Brooks as VH-AYO. NZ1051 is airworthy in Tyabb, Victoria with Judy Pay as VH-NZH. Last time I saw NZ977 was during Greg Ryans hangar move in Dec. '06 and it looked like this..................
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 29, 2008 22:33:07 GMT 12
Thanks for that guys, and thanks to everyone else letting me take this thread off topic somewhat! ;D There is a good article in NZ Wings from sometime in the 80s about NZ977's accident and subsequent recovery: I think the pilot's name was Jack Voss? If I remember correctly, Voss was court martialled, and as punishment he was stopped from being sent overseas to the war. Apparently he was commended for his crash landing of the Harvard, as it took a fair bit of skill to get it into the trees without killing himself! The pilot of the other Harvard was killed when he tried to turn out of the valley, but struck the hillside.
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Post by corsair67 on Jan 29, 2008 22:37:09 GMT 12
By the way, this is what NZ1051 looks like now!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 30, 2008 12:15:42 GMT 12
That Harvard incident is described in detail in the exceedingly good book 'The Beckoning Skies' by Bryan Young. The pilot who was Court Martialled was also given the Rogues March in front of the entire station! Read the book, it's one of the best RNZAF biographies I've read.
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Post by phil82 on Jan 30, 2008 15:12:50 GMT 12
That Harvard incident is described in detail in the exceedingly good book 'The Beckoning Skies' by Bryan Young. The pilot who was Court Martialled was also given the Rogues March in front of the entire station! Read the book, it's one of the best RNZAF biographies I've read. Hi-jinks in Harvards didn't stop there! There was a P/o at Ohakea, 1968-69??, who was doing a bit of exhibitionist stuff along Himitangi Beach for some MOW guys, and he hit the cab of their truck with his starboard wingtip. He recovered and headed back to Ohakea with the starboard aeileron hanging by its inboard hinge. He didn't declare an emergency and noone was aware of what he'd done until he shut down. It was a superb piece of flying, but it didn't stop him being kicked out!
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 2, 2008 20:28:17 GMT 12
Dave, how long ago did that book come out? I'd like to find a copy.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 3, 2008 13:00:23 GMT 12
2002. Sadly just after Bryan died, I'd have loved to congratulate him on a great book.
Here's a blurp from a now defunct TradeMe listing
"Beckoning Skies: A pilots story 1936-1960 By Flight Lieutenant Bryan Elliot Young
Beckoning Skies is the story of Flight Lieutenant Bryan Young who, as a young boy, dreamt of flying. As a young man he fulfilled his dreams, serving in both the RNZAF and the RAF during World War II.
Taken from his logbook and his diary, the author recounts his experiences in a manner that is compelling and poignant. His travels covered much of the globe, from his flight training experiences in New Zealand and England, to his duties in Italy, Egypt and India. His descriptions of his aircraft and the many foibles of the types he flew, (which included the Spitfire, the Hurricane and the Mustang), the comradeship between men in his squadron, the illnesses he faced during his service and the cultures he was exposed to, are a mixture of joy and excitement, wonderment and sadness.
Beckoning Skies is a record of what the author describes as `the most significant period of my life'. Accompanying his vivid textual descriptions are many personal photographs and drawings. This account of hard times, good times and bad times draws the reader into a time many will never experience, a time that was hard won and definitive for future generations of New Zealanders."
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