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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 1, 2015 14:10:54 GMT 12
The RNZAF Bell UH-1H Iroquois fleet was officially withdrawn from service yesterday and placed into retirement, after 49 years of very faithful service. This helicopter fleet has done so much for New Zealand over half a century. I'd really like to do a tribute show to the Iroquois in RNZAF service for the WONZ Show sometime soon, to mark the end of a long era. Can you recommend any service personnel who spent time on the type as aircrew or on No. 3 Squadron maintaining the Iroquois who might wish to contribute some stories, anecdotes and memories to this special show? If yes, please let me know their contact details. Contact me on dave_daasnz@hotmail.com
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Post by isc on Jul 5, 2015 4:17:26 GMT 12
There used to be a chap(ex RNZAF) by the name of Peter Lions/Lyons who had a helicopter servicing base in Darfield (Heli Spares, I think) who spent time in the States, I think at the Bell factory, and at USAF servicing units before and during the introduction of the Iroquois to the RNZAF, sorry I can't help with what became of him, or even if he is still with us. He serviced choppers for a firm on the West Coast, and also did rebuilds, worked on his own. isc
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2015 12:28:26 GMT 12
Thanks. I have several people lined up and have already kicked off the recordings with the first interview for this done yesterday. I'm really excited by some of the stories being told tome, and contacts being offered, and I kind of thing this may develop into more than one episode. There are so many great stories attached to this aircraft and the people who operated them.
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Post by tbf25o4 on Jul 6, 2015 14:50:02 GMT 12
Hi Dave,
I have made a 44 minute DVD incorporating interviews I did for the "Seek and destroy" book, with photos, and video of the use of the Iroquois from 1966 to 2015. can forward a copy
to you if you would like
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 6, 2015 15:45:06 GMT 12
Hi Paul, thanks!! That would be fantastic!
I already have been planning to contact you and ask if you'd like to be interviewed for the show as the "expert witness" angle talking about the history of the aircraft and the operations, and of course promoting your book.
I am getting some great interviewees lined up, and I can already envisage this is going to be quite an epic story when they're all pulled together.
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Post by Andrew Hamilton on Jul 6, 2015 20:06:19 GMT 12
Hi Dave,
Have you contacted my father? He's pretty much retired now so has spare time. I'm sure he would be able to tell you a few stories of his time with 3 Squadron. PM me if you would like his email.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 6, 2015 21:00:14 GMT 12
Thanks Andrew, PM coming soon!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 27, 2015 10:12:16 GMT 12
I just had the immense pleasure to record a superb interview with Air Vice Marshal John Hamilton ONZM, MVO, Retired, about his years flying the Bell UH-1H Iroquois with No. 3 Squadron RNZAF in the 1970's and 80's, and on exchange with No. 9 Squadron RAAF. This is another great addition to the pool of interviews I'm amassing for the WONZ Show Iroquois Tribute Special.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 27, 2015 16:41:08 GMT 12
I think because many of the Iroquois aircrew members and ground crew also worked with the Bell Sioux, inevitably a number of Sioux stories will be old in these interviews, and as the Sioux and Iroquois worked hand in hand on the same squadron I think it will worthwhile paying tribute as well to the Huey's little brother by including those stories in this tribute too. Do you agree?
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Post by baz62 on Jul 27, 2015 17:16:29 GMT 12
Yes they trained on it before moving onto the Iroquois so very relevant in my opinion.
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Post by raymond on Jul 27, 2015 21:29:20 GMT 12
The Sioux maintenance flight was on the other side of 3 Sqn hangar at Hobby. At the end of the 80's it was staffed by mainly civvies (ex RNZAF). Office was by the Flt Store.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 30, 2015 17:22:56 GMT 12
Today I had the pleasure to interview Brian Wakelam for the Iroquois Tribute Special. Brian was one of the first six RNZAF Helicopter Crewmen, way back in 1965. He spent time training with the RAAF on their UH-1B's in preparation for our first five UH-1D's arriving, and then he served with the squadron through till 1969, before posting to the USA to begin training on a new venture with the A-4K Skyhawks. Brian is the second of that first batch of Helicopter Crewmen that I have now interviewed, the first being Brian Farrell. Great stories!
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Post by tbf25o4 on Jul 31, 2015 10:28:28 GMT 12
Hi Dave,
sorry for the tardy response to you request for an interview, have been in Auckland looking after NZ Aviation News while John King is on holiday.
Yep would be available for an interview when you ready. Of interest "SEEK and DESTROY" is now around 600 pages, much larger than the 350 originally
proposed. With the deliberate decision to delay the production so that we could finish off the book with the Iroquois retirement as the last entry,
it will now be on the streets late August.
cheers
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 31, 2015 14:25:42 GMT 12
Great stuff Paul, on both counts! I'll be in touch in due course. Thanks!!
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