Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2006 20:30:23 GMT 12
I, like many NZ militray aircraft enthusiasts, like to hear stories and see photos about the famous Rukuhia graveyard, where hundreds of Kittyhawks, Corsairs, Hudsons, Avengers and Venturas met their fete.
But in all the time I have been interested, I've found so little information about the period when people stopped smelting the planes and started saving them.
Was anyone from the forum involved personally with recovering aircraft from Rukuhia? If so, can you please tell us about your experiences?
Just how many planes were saved at that time? I have heard up to 7 Kittyhawks, maybe 2 Corsairs, maybe a Hudson.
Kittyhawks - I know that NZ3009 and the aircraft that donated its wings came from there to Motat. Also I think NZ3039, to Charles Darby and later to Motat. Plus John Chambers' two P-40's (one each now with Col Pay and Don Subritzky). I assume John Smith's two also came from there at this time?
And as for Corsairs, I guess the one/s with Ross Jowett.
Hudson - all I know is I was told two used to sit next to teh Asplin's garage till the early 1970's. I don't know which ones they were.
What I'd like to know is, who was actually involved in these recoveries. I have heard various things bandied about. The Aviation historical Society of New Zealand, and Motat, etc get mentioned. Charles Darby, Don Subritzky, John Smith, John Chambers (a man I know nothing about other than his connection to the P-40's, is/was he involved in other aviation activities? Was he a WWII veteran? Is he still alive?)
What was the situation like too? Had these people/groups attempted earlier to save/purchase aircraft and been trned down by the smelters? Or was it just a case where someone realised there's only a handful left, let's grab them? Did the smelters themselves offer them to the public or for sale?
What was involved in the recoveries? The logistics, transport, manpower, fundraising, etc? I'd love to hear the stories if anyone out there can tell them.
What sort of time scale was involved in the removal of these aircraft? Was it all done in one fowl swoop (if so, when?) Or over the course of months or years?
And I'd love to see photos. Did anyone photograph the recoveries themselves, while in operation?
I guess some of these folk have wanted to remain private about their dealings, that happens. So if that's the case and reason why we, the public, read so little about that period, fine. But if you do want to share your stories, please please do.
But in all the time I have been interested, I've found so little information about the period when people stopped smelting the planes and started saving them.
Was anyone from the forum involved personally with recovering aircraft from Rukuhia? If so, can you please tell us about your experiences?
Just how many planes were saved at that time? I have heard up to 7 Kittyhawks, maybe 2 Corsairs, maybe a Hudson.
Kittyhawks - I know that NZ3009 and the aircraft that donated its wings came from there to Motat. Also I think NZ3039, to Charles Darby and later to Motat. Plus John Chambers' two P-40's (one each now with Col Pay and Don Subritzky). I assume John Smith's two also came from there at this time?
And as for Corsairs, I guess the one/s with Ross Jowett.
Hudson - all I know is I was told two used to sit next to teh Asplin's garage till the early 1970's. I don't know which ones they were.
What I'd like to know is, who was actually involved in these recoveries. I have heard various things bandied about. The Aviation historical Society of New Zealand, and Motat, etc get mentioned. Charles Darby, Don Subritzky, John Smith, John Chambers (a man I know nothing about other than his connection to the P-40's, is/was he involved in other aviation activities? Was he a WWII veteran? Is he still alive?)
What was the situation like too? Had these people/groups attempted earlier to save/purchase aircraft and been trned down by the smelters? Or was it just a case where someone realised there's only a handful left, let's grab them? Did the smelters themselves offer them to the public or for sale?
What was involved in the recoveries? The logistics, transport, manpower, fundraising, etc? I'd love to hear the stories if anyone out there can tell them.
What sort of time scale was involved in the removal of these aircraft? Was it all done in one fowl swoop (if so, when?) Or over the course of months or years?
And I'd love to see photos. Did anyone photograph the recoveries themselves, while in operation?
I guess some of these folk have wanted to remain private about their dealings, that happens. So if that's the case and reason why we, the public, read so little about that period, fine. But if you do want to share your stories, please please do.
