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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 21, 2008 11:26:07 GMT 12
Above Vampire F.1 was BOC RNZAF 1955 as a training airframe at Hobsonville, later service at Woodbourne. SOC as scrapped 5Feb60.
The pod (at least) is said to be with John Smith at Mapua.
Can anyone confirm/deny this?
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 23, 2008 21:23:56 GMT 12
I was at John Smiths last week.
There was a lot of Vampire stuff there. I seem to remember at least 2 fuse pods there. I will take a look through my photos
Cheers
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 24, 2008 8:25:38 GMT 12
Thanks. Will await your further response.
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pa18
Warrant Officer
Posts: 37 
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Post by pa18 on Feb 25, 2008 13:10:19 GMT 12
What will eventually happen to Smiths "collection?"
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Post by hairy on Feb 25, 2008 17:27:06 GMT 12
What will eventually happen to Smiths "collection?" That question has been around for a very long time, I first came accross it in the early '80s.   |
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Post by John L on Feb 25, 2008 17:48:02 GMT 12
I beleive, if he has his way, none of it will go to the RNZAF museum....
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 25, 2008 19:55:33 GMT 12
Check the fence for vultures.
I called on John many years ago (1988?) and after an initial reticence he turned out to be quite a nice fellow.
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Post by agalbraith on Feb 25, 2008 20:40:11 GMT 12
Yes John is a really lovely gent, I have been visiting him for over 20yrs now and have got to know him well, actually he has a really good sence of humor.
You have to visit on the understanding it is on his terms and if you want to let him show you around then allow plenty of time to talk beforehand. But as you can see it is worth the wait!
I wouldnt recommend asking him what he intends doing with his planes.......of course we would all love to know, but just enjoy seeing his amazing collection.
We are lucky to have John here and what he(and others) has done for NZ aviation history is fantastic.
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Post by hairy on Feb 25, 2008 22:48:20 GMT 12
I have been visiting John on and off for the last few years and can also say that he is a really nice guy who can really talk aeroplane, 'specially British a/c and if he thinks you know your stuff he is happy to chat for hours, on my last visit I did not even go into the shed and spent a pleasant afternoon in sun talking aeroplanes.  One thing that is amusing is that at the end of each visit he sets me "homework", a technical question for which I provide him with an answer the next time I see him. ;D For first time visitors the golden rule is don't ask questions like........ "How much for the..............?" "What are you going do with the..........?"  ..........and also, Know Your Stuff, he is very knowledgeable and he will catch you out if you try to fudge it. ;D |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 26, 2008 12:51:54 GMT 12
I found him a great bloke when I visited a few years back. And I reckon he's done a great service to NZ preserving these aircraft. I know he has a much better relationship now with the RNZAF musuem than he did in the early days of the museum. Some more recent staff have mended fences that were smashed by obnoxious early days officers there.
Has the Hudson left there yet Anthony? It's the first of his aircraft to go towards restoration with another owner I think.
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Post by corsair67 on Feb 26, 2008 12:53:52 GMT 12
Dave, is that a Hudson hiding behind the Vampire fuselage?
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Post by Peter Lewis on Feb 26, 2008 20:32:57 GMT 12
So we don't actually have a definite on the Vampire then?
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Post by p40fanatic on Feb 26, 2008 20:42:03 GMT 12
Vampire? We haven't even got to the crown jewel yet - P-40 NZ3220, "Gloria Lyons"!!!!! Oh I want that aeroplane! Nice to see John's aircraft, if only in pictures. A good mate of mine visited him, and John was so caught up chatting that he walked alongside as my mate drove out down the driveway! Sounds like a real character! We won't see many of his ilk again, methinks. I'd heard rumour he was to leave it all to Sir Tim.....? Unsure if that's still the plan. |
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