Vickers Vildebeests in No.'s 6 and 42 Squadrons?

[Dave Homewood]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vildebeest

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No._6_Squadron_RNZAF

The Wikipedia pages above reckon that both No. 6 (Army Co-op) Squadron at Milson and No. 42 (Communications) Squadron at Rongotai were equipped with Vickers Vildebeests. I have never seen evidence of this before, though I do not doubt that it may have been true. Does anyone here know of any evidence to back these claims up?

I know No. 42 Squadron had a very diverse and ever changing inventory. And I know 6 Squadron was flying Hinds in the AC role, and that 22 Squadron flew Vildes in that role too. Perhaps there was an overlap or something? No. 6 AC Sqn was the training unit for the other AC Squadrons so were perhaps a few Vildes used to train up crews going to the other AC Squadrons with Vildes and Vincents?

I think No. 21 (AC) Squadron also had Vildes, did it not?

[sniff]

I think Paul is you man for this, Dave.
My two pennies worth are:
Geoff Bentley doesnt credit the Wild Cattle to either 6 or 42 Sqns'.
My understanding is that 6 Sqn was not an AC squadron, but the training ground for all things maritime, while 5 Sqn deployed as the fighting unit. Hence, the re-introduction of 6 Sqn as the Seasprite unit recently; a decision the RNZAF may regret in future years.

[Dave Homewood]

No, No. 6 (AC) Squadron flew Hinds at Milson in the Army Co-operation role. It disbanded in August 1942, with its personnel and aircraft being split to become two new squadrons, No. 20 (AC) and No. 21 (AC) Squadrons, at Onerahi and Milson respectively.

No. 5 Squadron began as a General Reconnaissance squadron flying Short Singapores and the ex-4 Squadron Vincents in Fiji. When No. 5 Squadron was disbanded all the personnel formed into the newly re-instated No. 6 (Flying Boat) Squadron. This patrolled first at Fiji and later went up to Halavo Bay and Funafuti, etc. No. 5 (FB) Squadron was then formed as a second operational flying boat squadron and it also went up to the islands. A seperate unit, No. 3 (FB) OTU trained flying boat crews in Fiji. It too had Catalinas.

So yes, 6 Squadron began as Army Co-op, and later it was a very active operational squadron, with very experienced crews who's mostly come from 5 Squadron's Singapores.

It's very possibly that 6 (AC) and 42 (C) Sqns had Vincents or Vildes. They were shared round the units readily it seems.

[sniff]

That's interesting. I only consulted the Annex to GB's Short History for a quick and dirty response. Seems that there are gaps in his book then too; the history of the units is not as detailed as you have iterated. Perhaps it is time to do a "Comprehensive History" before it does literally become hearsay.

[Dave Homewood]

Indeed there are gaps in his annex. The odd thing is he himself served on No. 20 (AC) Squadron with Hinds but he missed all the AC units from his listing. I have interviewed Geoff about his wartime days, and also have his excellent unpublished memoirs which will be used to help with my (comprehensive) book on the GR Squadrons.

I am also working on a history of No. 20 (AC) Squadron at Onerahi, and this may well expand into other AC units.

[tbf25o4]

Hi Dave,

my research does not show Vildebeetes being on the strength of either unit. They would have probably visited the respective bases of the units at Milson and Rongotai, but would have been operated by another squadron

Paul

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Paul. That backs up my research too. I guess basically it's just "Wikipedia Strikes Again"... ;D

[shamus]

Hi Dave.
Have just come across this thread and see you are working on a history of No. 20 AC Sqn.
I may be able to help you with info on this Sqn. also photos as I have studied the Hind in depth.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Shamus. That would be appreciated. I have interviewed three people who were on the squadron and gathered some interesting stories and photos, but I'm always keen to learn more. It's something of a forgotten unit. The people I've talked with were Geoff Bentley, who was an Admin Clerk, and two Air Gunners, Bill Edhouse and Tim Murray. Have you interviewed any of the squadron members? It must have been one of our smallest operational squadrons.

[barnstormer]

Here are two photos from the Ashworth collection of RNZAF Vildebeeste IIIs. Both show NZ101, and the air-to-air shows 101,102, & 103. Don't know where he got them or who he traded with. He traded a LOT of negatives with other collectors over the years.
Joe G.

[Dave Homewood]

Very neat photos Joe, thanks for those. The top one is a really close formation, and appears to be from a well known photoshoot over Auckland where three Vildes were photographed by, I think, Leo White for the RNZAF. However I'd not seen this particular photo before. Nice stuff, thanks!