P-40 and Corsair Pilot Photos

[Dave Homewood]

I received these photos yesterday from Nathan Cox, whose great-grandfather was RNZAF fighter pilot Arthur "Dick" Mills.

They're great. I'd not seen these before.

A different angle on the well known photo shoot that Leo White did of the three No. 14 Squadron P-40E's over Auckland in 1943. The names UMSLOPOGAAS and PARKYAKARKUS both catch the sun.



Either No. 16 (F) Squadron or No. 3 Servicing Unit P-40E's at Woodbourne


These Corsairs are likely No. 31 Servicing Unit examples operated by No. 22 Squadron. The men are ground crew. Note that two have names on the cowls.


The closest one seems to possibly say MY OLD BRAVE. The other one cannot be made out.



This was the bar in the NCO's Mess at RNZAF Station Fairhall.


Now this bar looks to be in the Pacific. Dick served in the Pacific in No. 16 (F) Squadron on P-40's and then No. 22 (F) Squadron on Corsairs. I have asked Reg Wellington, the last known living No. 22 Squadron pilot - who was on the tour after Dick's - if he recognises anyone, but he doesn't. So they are probably not 22 Sqn guys and may be from No. 16 Squadron. It's neat to see how the bar tent is decorated and also how big their beer ration seems to have been considering it is likely the Forward Area. Perhaps it was Christmas. Fascinating social snapshots. Note the paper tie one chap is wearing!

[Dave Homewood]

I wondered if the chap in the centre of the last photo with the white mug and flying overalls on might be John Arkwright? He was in No. 16 (F) Squadron.

This is him from the AFMNZ page (PR1342)

[Dave Homewood]

Actually now that I have posted that, he parts his hair on the opposite side so probably not him.

[chook]

I think the guys with the white mug is Dick Mills. There are a few photos of him in "Kittyhawks and Coconuts" and looks to be the same person. Might be him with the paper tie as well?

[Dave Homewood]

Oh right, that would make sense. Thanks Chook.

[ZacYates]

Those are great shots, especially the Kittyhawks on the tarmac.

[davidd]

The great thing about the Kittyhawks (P-40Es) on the tarmac at Woodbourne is the markings; these appear to be the factory-applied roundels, the original Type A roundels and finflashes. By about October 1942 or maybe a month later, these roundels were changed to the RAF "C" type roundel (or C1), presumably with locally made paints, with narrow white and outline yellow rings, and large centre red and wider blue. About five months after that (late March 1943) the first "true" RNZAF roundel was introduced, with even wider blue ring, and a very small red centre "dot", although this roundel was intended mainly for overseas use, and thereafter it was changed at least twice more. Thereafter you could encounter any of several types of roundels in NZ or the Pacific, until the last P-40s returned to New Zealand in about early June 1944 (although there may still been the odd straggler stranded at any airfield between NZ and the forward area!

David D

[harvard1041]

Great series of photos ( & Logbook ) Dave - AS Mills is a pilot I've often wondered about - as amongst other things - was the Instructor involved in a taxi tipup of my Harvard NZ1041 in 1945 while serving on No 4(F) OTU and I now see also flew NZ3043 'Bess' at OH in 1944 - 45. Great stuff