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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 26, 2014 16:40:12 GMT 12
Wikipedia's page for RAF East Kirby states about the Lancaster NX611 "Just Jane":
"On 15 April 1964, it accompanied Lancaster NX665 (WU-13), on delivery to the RNZAF, from New Caledonia to Auckland, New Zealand, returning to New Caledonia, with the crew of NX665."
Is this correct? I have never heard of or seen photos of the two Lancasters together during that delivery flight. If it is true are there any photos?
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jul 26, 2014 18:19:14 GMT 12
I saw WU-13 flying over school in Whangarei as it concluded it's delivery flight.
There was no other aircraft accompanying it at that time.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 26, 2014 18:31:27 GMT 12
I wonder if "Just Jane" came down later, to pick up the crew, and they didn't actually fly in together?
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WayneB
Warrant Officer
Posts: 41
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Post by WayneB on Jul 26, 2014 19:09:31 GMT 12
According to a booklet called 'Lancaster NX665' published by the Society of the Museum of Transport Transport & Technology, WU15 accompanyed WU13 to Whenuapai 15 April 1964, so it could ferry the aircrew from WU13 back to New Caledonia.
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Post by kevsmith on Jul 26, 2014 19:20:25 GMT 12
I remember the Lancaster arriving over Auckland before it landed at Whenuapai. The arrival time and date was much publicised and there was certainly only the one aircraft in the sky. I do not remember any other Lancaster being publicised as coming to pick up the crew. Besides, where would they have put the extra crew? I have photos that I took of the Lanc circling Auckland city when it arrived.
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Post by scrooge on Jul 27, 2014 11:43:40 GMT 12
According to a booklet called 'Lancaster NX665' published by the Society of the Museum of Transport Transport & Technology, WU15 accompanyed WU13 to Whenuapai 15 April 1964, so it could ferry the aircrew from WU13 back to New Caledonia. I have just checked Graeme Cossgroves Photo Collection and there are photo's of WU13 and WU16 but none of WU15. While not dated they are together in his collection, just before some engine and panel shots, with the panel partially dismantled. |
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Post by camtech on Jul 27, 2014 20:44:02 GMT 12
Wikipedia - the font of all knowledge indicates that WU16 had been retired by the time WU13 arrived.
"Lancaster B VII NX622 served with the Aeronavale as WU-16 from 1952 until 1962, when it was donated to the RAAF Association. It is now restored and displayed at the RAAF Association Museum[1] in Bull Creek, Western Australia"
"Lancaster B VII NX611 "Just Jane" was one of the last wartime aircraft to come out of the Austin Aero factory at Cofton Hackett and stored by the RAF 1945-1952. Served with the Aeronavale as WU-15 from June 1952 until the 1960s, when it was flown back to Britain. At one stage the aircraft was kept at Blackpool, and following the removal of R5868, served as gate guardian at RAF Scampton. NX611 now resides at the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at the former RAF East Kirkby.[19] This Lancaster is not currently airworthy, but undertakes regular taxi runs at high speed along a length of the wartime runway. A project is currently underway to restore the aircraft to airworthy condition. Many spares have been acquired and overhauled to airworthy standards to allow the project to progress faster once the aircraft is dismantled."
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 27, 2014 22:21:38 GMT 12
According to a booklet called 'Lancaster NX665' published by the Society of the Museum of Transport Transport & Technology, WU15 accompanyed WU13 to Whenuapai 15 April 1964, so it could ferry the aircrew from WU13 back to New Caledonia. I have just checked Graeme Cossgroves Photo Collection and there are photo's of WU13 and WU16 but none of WU15. While not dated they are together in his collection, just before some engine and panel shots, with the panel partially dismantled. There are certainly some photos of WU16 at Whenuapai in the collection, but as far as i can see none that show both aircraft in the same photo. Or have I missed something? |
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Post by scrooge on Jul 28, 2014 19:02:26 GMT 12
No. You are correct. However if WU15 was at Whenuapai when WU13 was delivered, you would expect to see a photo there somewhere. Doesn't prove or disprove anything as such. But if I was inclined I'd be looking for more proof.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 28, 2014 20:43:58 GMT 12
Indeed. Surely the current owners will have the aircraft's logbooks. That would have the proof. Whether or not anyone really cares enough to look through them is the main issue.
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Post by camtech on Jul 28, 2014 20:50:25 GMT 12
Another source could be AHSNZ Journals of the period.
If no-one has found the answer by next week when I get back from Chch, I'll have a browse.
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Post by errolmartyn on Jul 28, 2014 21:33:53 GMT 12
Another source could be AHSNZ Journals of the period. If no-one has found the answer by next week when I get back from Chch, I'll have a browse. Several reports appear in the AHSNZ Journal. In one of the reports, on page 101 of its 1 Jun 64 issue, it is stated: '. . . A second Lancaser WU-15 also arrived at Whenuapai on the afternoon of 17th April, to return the original Lancaster's crew to New Caledonia. This is believed to be the only occasion when two Lancasters have been in this country at the same time. . . .' Errol |
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Post by camtech on Jul 28, 2014 21:42:04 GMT 12
Another source could be AHSNZ Journals of the period. If no-one has found the answer by next week when I get back from Chch, I'll have a browse. Several reports appear in the AHSNZ Journal. In one of the reports, on page 101 of its 1 Jun 64 issue, it is stated: '. . . A second Lancaser WU-15 also arrived at Whenuapai on the afternoon of 17th April, to return the original Lancaster's crew to New Caledonia. This is believed to be the only occasion when two Lancasters have been in this country at the same time. . . .' Errol Thanks Errol, I knew the early spies would have been on to it |
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Post by scrooge on Jul 28, 2014 21:46:12 GMT 12
Cool. So when did WU16 pass through?
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Post by camtech on Jul 28, 2014 21:56:50 GMT 12
Another source could be AHSNZ Journals of the period. If no-one has found the answer by next week when I get back from Chch, I'll have a browse. Several reports appear in the AHSNZ Journal. In one of the reports, on page 101 of its 1 Jun 64 issue, it is stated: '. . . A second Lancaser WU-15 also arrived at Whenuapai on the afternoon of 17th April, to return the original Lancaster's crew to New Caledonia. This is believed to be the only occasion when two Lancasters have been in this country at the same time. . . .' Errol Errol, I have to ask - do you have the journal indexed or do you have them at your finger tips? Les |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 28, 2014 22:17:15 GMT 12
Great stuff Errol, thanks for confirming this story and proving Wikipedia has it correct.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 28, 2014 22:17:34 GMT 12
Now, where are the photos of them both together? .....
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Post by camtech on Jul 28, 2014 22:21:35 GMT 12
Someone's box brownie will provide the answer - eventually
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Post by errolmartyn on Jul 28, 2014 22:31:35 GMT 12
Great stuff Errol, thanks for confirming this story and proving Wikipedia has it correct. "On 15 April 1964, it accompanied Lancaster NX665 (WU-13), on delivery to the RNZAF, from New Caledonia to Auckland, New Zealand, returning to New Caledonia, with the crew of NX665." Well, not quite correct, if you have quoted the site accurately. As it implies that both aircraft flew to New Zealand on the same day, whereas the reality is that WU-13 was officially handed over at Auckland on the 15th (and presumably flew in on that same day?), with WU-15 flying in two days later, on the 17th. Errol |
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Post by errolmartyn on Jul 28, 2014 22:33:07 GMT 12
Errol, I have to ask - do you have the journal indexed or do you have them at your finger tips? Les [/quote] Not indexed, just long fingers! Errol |
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