Wings Over Waipapakauri

[30sqnatc]

I had a quick flick through a new book Wings over Waipapakauri by Olwyn Ramsey in the National library. A significant part of the book detail and pictures are on the development of the airbase.

Paul N

[Bruce]

The curator at the Kaitaia Museum mentioned this book was coming out when I visited a couple of years ago. having seen large format copies of some of the aerial photos that had been obtained during research (some were going in to the book) I was looking forward to seeing it come out. I havent seen it anywhere in my neighbourhood, but I guess I will probably be able to get my Aunty in Kaitaia to track down a copy from the museum....

[corsair67]

There seems to be copies available on TradeMe -

www.trademe.co.nz/Books/Nonfiction/New-Zealand/auction-107822694.htm

[Bruce]

...grabbed it, cheers Craig!

[corsair67]

Bruce, can you let us know what it's like when you've read it, as I might like to get a copy myself too?

The book can be obtain by contacting Northland Books on 09-4388248 or fax to 09-4388249 and also by email to [e-mail].

[Dave Homewood]

The TradeMe starting price is $10 more than RRP - bloody rip-off merchant

[corsair67]

Yeah, but to be fair Dave, he's probably having to pay a commission for selling on Trade Me.

Are you going to get yourself a copy?

[Dave Homewood]

Not at $55 I'm not. I'm waiting till it becomes second-hand I think.

Commission? He's a bookshop owner, he'll be buying it wholesale I'm certain.

[Bruce]

Well in my case, my folks are paying for it as a Birthday present for me.....

[Bruce]

My copy of the book arrived last night, Its a sizeable book, and as such I dont have too much of a problem with the price tag. It is written in two parts, the first half being the history of settlement in the area, which is extremely interesting in itself, with gum digging, winemaking etc. The second half is the history of the RNZAF base, but also covers other Military installations in the far, far north, such as the Pandira Radar station, Sweet waters Army camp, Awanui Radio station, Te Hapua Emergency landing field and the Kaitaia Aerodrome. I've only just had a skim through it so far, but quality is very high, with good reproduction of excellent photos and newspaper clippings (although the original photos sometimes are a little worn). Accuracy appears good with the exception of a USAAF C47 (which crashed in the area) being referred to on several occaisions as a "US Bomber".
Other than that, it looks pretty good!

[corsair67]

Accuracy appears good with the exception of a USAAF C47 (which crashed in the area) being referred to on several occaisions as a "US Bomber".

But the C-47 was known as the "Biscuit Bomber" in New Guinea - so it's sort of right.

Thanks for posting the feedback on your first impressions of the book, Bruce.

[Peter Lewis]

I called in at the pub at Waipapakauri about 20 years ago, had a drink in the private bar.
The guys there told me that the building was originally the officer's mess at the airfield.

[Dave Homewood]

Indeed it was early on oin the war, but they were evicted later on when it became the Station Hospital.

[lyncha]

Hi
attached is a photograph of a group of guys including Allan Osment at Waipapakauri 1939 to 1940 when he was in RNZAF GR Squadron 1. Allan is third from the left. Don't know who the others are? He later went to RNZAF 489 Squadron in Europe with my father.
Allan Lynch

Attachments:

[Dave Homewood]

Hi Allan, that's a great photo. I would love to include it in my book project if possible as two of the General Reconnaisance Squadrons I am writing the history of were based at Waipapakauri. It cannot be as early as 1939-40, the airfield was not used by the RNZAF until April 1941, from memory. Prior to that they used Kaitaia aerodrome instead.

I am certain that the chap on the far right is John McDowell, an Observer with both No. 1 (GR) Squadron and No. 7 (GR) Squadron there. I have interviewed him a few times and he's still alive in Auckland.

[alfsdotter]

Jan 1, 2012 18:22:47 GMT 12 lyncha said:

Hi
attached is a photograph of a group of guys including Allan Osment at Waipapakauri 1939 to 1940 when he was in RNZAF GR Squadron 1. Allan is third from the left. Don't know who the others are? He later went to RNZAF 489 Squadron in Europe with my father.
Allan Lynch

I can tell you who the guy on the left is - Alfred Lawry, my grandfather 

What a buzz it was to find this on the web!

[alfsdotter]

Jan 1, 2012 18:39:12 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Hi Allan, that's a great photo. I would love to include it in my book project if possible as two of the General Reconnaisance Squadrons I am writing the history of were based at Waipapakauri. It cannot be as early as 1939-40, the airfield was not used by the RNZAF until April 1941, from memory. Prior to that they used Kaitaia aerodrome instead.

I am certain that the chap on the far right is John McDowell, an Observer with both No. 1 (GR) Squadron and No. 7 (GR) Squadron there. I have interviewed him a few times and he's still alive in Auckland.

Hi Dave, indeed it is a great photo! I tried to download it, my grandfather is the man far left, Alfred Lawry. The download failed though. Is there any chance I could get a copy off you if you have one? I would be very grateful. I'd like to use it in my grandfather's profile here www.wikitree.com/wiki/Lawry-61 As you can see on his bio I do have part of the photo already but I had no idea there was more to it! A family member must have cropped it ... although I have no idea who. It's very cool to find it here   

[kiwithrottlejockey]

Try using Windows Photo Viewer to open the file.

I was able to download and open it with that no problem at all.

Once you have it open, you can “Save a copy” to your computer, or any external drive you have.

[Dave Homewood]

Sorted, Nicky has a copy now.