|
|
Post by shamus on Nov 30, 2008 12:17:57 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by DragonflyDH90 on Nov 30, 2008 16:15:21 GMT 12
From what I understand most of these aircraft were essentially left where they lay or pushed of into the estuary where they were covered up with land reclaimation as the airfield expanded.
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Nov 30, 2008 21:31:56 GMT 12
Was that the current airfield site or the earlier one at Stoke?
|
|
|
|
Post by shamus on Nov 30, 2008 22:04:08 GMT 12
This was at the site of the current aerodrome at Quarantine Reserve which was opened in November 1938. This information is in the excellent history of Nelson aviation 'Flying Home' by
Bob Stevens. I also believe Dragonfly DH90 is correct that the remains of these damaged aircraft were buried under further airfield development.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 30, 2008 22:23:26 GMT 12
Terrific yet sad photos Shamus. Thanksfor posting them. I have read of this wind damage before, and of a similar event that wreaked havoc at Waipapakauri on Vincents there too. It must have been somewhat heartbreaking and demoralising to have so many aircraft destroyed and damaged by one freak gust of wind. These aircraft were mostly instructional airframes at the Technical Training School there, or in storage, so less important than losing so many operational aircraft in one hit but still nasty.
I note two of the Vincents at least still wear their old No. 8 (GR) Squadron/No. 30 Squadron codes of PA.
|
|
|
|
Post by philip on Dec 1, 2008 13:40:10 GMT 12
Heartbreaking scenes at the time I'm sure as well. Sometimes tiedowns just arent enough  |
|
|
|
Post by shamus on Dec 2, 2008 20:38:06 GMT 12
Can not get any results from clicking on the image sign in your post, philip. Are you sure you have completed the photo image process. Would love to see the photo.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 2, 2008 20:52:47 GMT 12
Same here for me, I can't see the picture Philip. Just a white box with red cross.
|
|
|
|
Post by philip on Dec 2, 2008 21:12:04 GMT 12
i've recently seen the results of a tornado hitting a microlight club in south africa - selective decimation.
those aircraft in nelson would still have been expensive items surely? flying has never been cheap. or was NZ awash with (almost) postwar airframes?
they had a Messerschmitt there too didn't they? was it destroyed?
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 2, 2008 21:53:22 GMT 12
The Vincents and Hinds were cheap when we bought them second hand in 1939, and by 1944 were well and truly used. These were not operational, they were instructional airframes and in storage. So monetarily not a huge loss I'd think.
Some of the aircraft were kept indoors in the hangar where workshops were set up, one of them being the Me109E which was in fact strung up in the ceiling by that stage I think. So it would have been fine I'd imagine.
I can see your photo now. Ouch!
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Dec 2, 2008 22:00:18 GMT 12
they had a Messerschmitt there too didn't they? was it destroyed? The 109 survived the storm, and was transferred to Christchurch in July 1945. Eventually it was offered to Christchurch Museum, offer declined. Cut up for scrap early 1948. |
|
|
|
Post by shamus on Dec 3, 2008 20:45:39 GMT 12
A photo of the ME 109 in its safe hideout at the Nelson TTS before it was sent to Christchurch.  |
|
|
|
Post by agalbraith on Dec 3, 2008 21:14:07 GMT 12
Wow, great photo, I have never seen a shot so clear, thanks for posting that.
What a shame she ended up the way she did................still I guess thats how it was back then.
Cheers
Anthony
|
|
