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Post by fwx on Dec 10, 2019 6:58:37 GMT 12
Thanks Errol,
Having 75 & 57 squadrons at the same base caused quite a bit of confusion I suspect!
There are mistakes in the Feltwell Flying Control Logs due to 75/57 mix-ups.
Cheers, Chris
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 11, 2019 9:25:02 GMT 12
I have been busy working on the Wings Over Britain planning the last couple of days and I am pleased to say that I have now secured my first interviewees for the series. The following people have kindly agreed to take part in Wings Over Britain so far:
- Ian Thirsk - Head of Collections at the RAF Museum - Katie Campbell - Navy Wings, Yeovilton - Matt Willis - Fleet Air Arm historian and writer - Chris Newey - No. 75 (NZ) Squadron historian - Peter Wheeler - NZ Bomber Command Association
This is already getting very exciting
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Post by pjw4118 on Dec 11, 2019 16:03:27 GMT 12
The NZBCA is certainly happy to support the project and I plan to meet up with you Dave next year. It will pay to have as many contacts as possible and we can help with the Lincs Lancaster Ass who support the Memorial Flight and will open doors . And Dee Boneham ( 75 sq UK Assn ) and Barb Hunter ( NZBCA UK Exec) likewise . I would also suggest early contact with the RNZAF Liason Officer in NZ House London who I think is currently W/C Doliveria ?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 12, 2019 7:56:23 GMT 12
Thanks Peter, I really, really appreciate everything that you personally and the NZBCA is doing to make this happen.
How do I get in contact with the RNZAF Liaison Officer? Are you able to please send a contact email through?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 13, 2019 12:50:44 GMT 12
I am pleased to say that I have lined up another very interesting place to visit and record an episode, Hawker Restorations Ltd. I am really looking forward to that! Thanks to Sarah Broomfield from the company.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 18, 2019 10:27:46 GMT 12
I applied for some funding from the Lotteries Fund to assist with the costs of this series, but sadly I just heard back from the Internal Affairs Minister's Discretionary Fund team saying that the application has been turned down. "Your request was unsuccessful because it indicated that the travel to the UK is a low priority for the Fund because it is not for an event or conference. The benefit of the podcasts is to a worldwide audience rather than the wider New Zealand community." Does anyone have suggestions for other funding avenues that might look more kindly on the venture?
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Post by shorty on Dec 19, 2019 18:51:35 GMT 12
Working heaps of overtime?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2019 8:13:25 GMT 12
I am extremely pleased to say I heard back from the RAF Red Arrows last night and they are keen to take part in Wings Over Britain. Fantastic!
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Post by ZacYates on Dec 22, 2019 2:39:39 GMT 12
Wow! What a thrill! That's amazing news!
I think I misunderstood the premise, so the series isn't just about the history and stories of Kiwis serving in the UK?
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 22, 2019 7:08:18 GMT 12
Wow! What a thrill! That's amazing news! I think I misunderstood the premise, so the series isn't just about the history and stories of Kiwis serving in the UK? One of their Spitfires is currently marked as Al Deere's KIWI III. www.key.aero/article/bbmf-spitfire-repaintedI'm sure that their personnel are competent and happy to talk about Kiwis in the RAF!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 22, 2019 9:03:42 GMT 12
Zac, as mentioned in all the blurbs, there are two main streams to the series, looking at the UK aviation preservation scene and looking at the stories of our WWII Kiwis who flew in Britain. The Red Arrows is not exactly part of the aviation preservation scene but it is part of the airshow scene, and part of the modern Air Force, and it has Kiwi members, plus it was Kiwi Ray Hanna that set the team up to become the world's greatest display team, so why not take the opportunity while I am there, I reckon.
Errol,the Red Arrows fly BAe Hawks, you're referring to the separate Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, who I have also approached but not yet heard back from.
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Post by Mustang51 on Dec 22, 2019 9:22:38 GMT 12
Didn't see Duxford on the map......
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 22, 2019 10:15:16 GMT 12
Zac, as mentioned in all the blurbs, there are two main streams to the series, looking at the UK aviation preservation scene and looking at the stories of our WWII Kiwis who flew in Britain. The Red Arrows is not exactly part of the aviation preservation scene but it is part of the airshow scene, and part of the modern Air Force, and it has Kiwi members, plus it was Kiwi Ray Hanna that set the team up to become the world's greatest display team, so why not take the opportunity while I am there, I reckon. Errol,the Red Arrows fly BAe Hawks, you're referring to the separate Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, who I have also approached but not yet heard back from. D'oh! Yes, when I saw your post I thought 'Hanna and others, cool', and my mind slipped a cog when I saw Zac's post. I should have gone with my initial thought of 'Surely Zac knows this stuff?'
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Post by ZacYates on Dec 24, 2019 11:36:17 GMT 12
Thanks gents, as I say I think I misread or misunderstood the initial post! I’m well aware of Ray’s involvement in the Reds etc, I was just confused as I thought the series was solely NZ-focused. I’m very happy to have been mistaken
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 24, 2019 12:03:12 GMT 12
Didn't see Duxford on the map...... You don't think I will go all the way to the UK and not spend any time at Duxford do you? Of course I shall be going there, a couple of times at least.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 24, 2019 12:06:51 GMT 12
Zac, there will be a lot of NZ focus but it's also about Britain and their scene. Pretty much like Wings Over Australia was except more NZ focus this time around as the New Zealand story in WWII is much bigger in Britain.
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Post by ZacYates on Dec 24, 2019 12:21:45 GMT 12
I understand it much better now, thanks Dave. No shade intended! I remain very, very excited for this series!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 27, 2019 10:03:57 GMT 12
I just had an email from Andrew Panton, confirming that I will be made welcome by the Lincolnshire Aviation Heritage Centre at East Kirkby for Wings Over Britain. Woohoo! This is the former WWII RAF airfield where many Kiwis once served and is now home to taxiing Avro Lancaster NX611 'Just Jane', the taxiing de Havilland Mosquito, and much more.
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nixon
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 2
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Post by nixon on Mar 7, 2020 8:59:16 GMT 12
My Grandfather william Maxwell Nixon (MAX) Joined the RNZF in 1934. He then went to the UK to eventually Pilot Armstrong Whitley Bombers for shiny 10 squadron. In 1940 he and crew were shot down and crash landed in Holland. They survived and were taken PoW.Max was released 1945 and after continued service in 115 squadron retired to Christchurch. I have a vast collection of memorabilia / photos / uniforms / flights logs etc. I live in Los Angeles and can be reached at robin@tecyes.com
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Post by errolmartyn on Mar 7, 2020 11:05:44 GMT 12
My Grandfather william Maxwell Nixon (MAX) Joined the RNZF in 1934. He then went to the UK to eventually Pilot Armstrong Whitley Bombers for shiny 10 squadron. In 1940 he and crew were shot down and crash landed in Holland. They survived and were taken PoW.Max was released 1945 and after continued service in 115 squadron retired to Christchurch. I have a vast collection of memorabilia / photos / uniforms / flights logs etc. I live in Los Angeles and can be reached at robin@tecyes.com Robin, That sounds like a marvellous collection. The RNZAF reference might be misleading to some readers: According to my records, your grandfather served with the RNZAF as an Aircraftman 2nd Class and Fitter (Aero) from 4 Sep 34 until 28 Nov 36, when he purchased his discharge and made his own way to the UK to join the RAF on a short service commission. He then served with the RAF from March 1937 until retirement from the Service on 1 Aug 56. His post-WWII service included the command of 115 Squadron (Lancasters then Lincolns). You may care to post some of the photos on the forum? Cheers, Errol
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