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Post by Dave Homewood on May 13, 2009 16:33:09 GMT 12
Here are a selection of photos that were recently given to me, from the collection of the late Bruce McArthur. Some were RNZAF shots so should be credited to the National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. This is a poor shot of the No. 40 Squadron C-47 with the stalk nose art  A Curtiss C-46 Commando   Some RAAF Beauforts  Corsairs   Looks like a church service  Loks like supply chutes and packages being loaded into an RAAF C-47  Boomerangs  Well worn RNZAF C-47  Action shots - RAAF York "ENDEAVOUR" carrying the Australian Governor General to Bougainville  and RNZAF Dakota  No. 41 Squadron RNZAF VIP Lodestar  Another Beaufort - A9-84 by the looks  I've no idea where this landing took place but it's an RNZAF photo so maybe these are kiwis?  And lastly, one for Craig  |
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A4k
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 85 
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Post by A4k on May 13, 2009 18:33:08 GMT 12
What beautiful shots!! Thanks for posting Dave!
The first Dak is NZ3503, the inscription below the Stork 'Anything Anywhere Anytime'
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Post by alanw on May 13, 2009 19:33:06 GMT 12
Dave
Thanks, those photos are really great!! ;D
That photo of the 41 Squadron VIP lodestar, is it me
or does it appear to be natural metal? If so what a
wicked model subject that would make!
Thanks
Alan
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 13, 2009 21:20:14 GMT 12
Hi Alan, yes that VIP Lodestar was in bare metal, and had the NZ flag and lightning bolt on both sides I believe. I have a closer photo of the nose art from another private collection which I'll post when I get my A into G
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 13, 2009 21:59:55 GMT 12
Here's the photo of the Lodestar from the late Alan Andrews' collection.  Note how light the blue on the flag is. And how shiny the metal work was. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 13, 2009 22:03:24 GMT 12
Compare the flag with the earlier shot, it's much darker in the first shot. I wonder if it was painted with the NZ roundel blue paint that faded so quickly.
I'm curious as to what the streamlined thing is under the nose which seems to be black. Radar?
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Post by Bruce on May 13, 2009 22:36:19 GMT 12
The Black streamlined thing is the DF loop fairing For radio direction finding, Often fitted on top of the fuselage.
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A4k
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 85
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Post by A4k on May 13, 2009 22:38:59 GMT 12
Yep, if I know right, it's the aerodynamic pod of the D/F (Direction Finding) loop, later removed exposing the loop itself.
Great photo, btw, Dave! Any identity on that aircraft? Be a nice modelling subject!
(- Double posted with Bruce! Atleast that confirms it I guess! ;D )
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Post by alanw on May 13, 2009 22:45:35 GMT 12
Hi Dave
That's a really nice shot, thanks for posting it.
Definitely would make a wicked model build, especially
with the RNZAF Roundel/bars and lightning bolts/flags
(have to hunt for a lodestar I think).
The black tear shaped pod is a DF Loop Aerial
(DF= Direction Finding) good for navigation, works by
telling the radio operator which bearing, radio signals
received, were transmitted, thereby allowing the radio
operator/navigator to obtain a fix (usually via triangulation)
on their current position (that's my understanding on it)
(Looks like Bruce/a4k beat me to it ;D)
Regards
Alan
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 14, 2009 0:08:09 GMT 12
Great photo, btw, Dave! Any identity on that aircraft? NZ3510 |
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A4k
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 85
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Post by A4k on May 14, 2009 18:30:30 GMT 12
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Post by tbf25o4 on May 21, 2009 8:48:57 GMT 12
The serial allocations for the lodestars simply came about because of the timing of their delivery amongst the orders of C47s there was a break in the delivery of the C47s from the first batch 3501-3506 and the later deliveries.
2. the beach landing is most likely Torokina on Bouganville as the ground crews were amongst the first parties to be landed after a beachhead was secured and an airfield was being carved out within the perimeter.
3. the lodestar is most likely NZ3510 which was the CAS VIP aircraft.
Paul
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A4k
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 85
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Post by A4k on May 24, 2009 20:41:31 GMT 12
Thanks for the info on the serial allocations Paul. I still find it strange though they weren't allocated their own serial block, especially being a completely different type.
As far as I know the only other time two aircraft types shared the same serial block was in the case of the Beaver receiving serial NZ6001, a serial previously allocated to our sole Meteor. When the mistake was realised, it was changed to NZ6010.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 24, 2009 21:04:11 GMT 12
No, in fact the first Wellingtons had identical serials to the early Vildebeests, and the Walrus's also had identical serials to the first batch of Baffins.
I guess the NZ35 block was designated as transport serials rather than a specific type. They were all being purchased for No. 40 (Transport) Squadron at the ime so no doubt kept it all in-house for that unit (though the Lodestars later transferred to the new No. 41 Squadron).
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Post by baz62 on May 25, 2009 15:14:49 GMT 12
What did the lightning flash signify Dave?
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 25, 2009 16:50:14 GMT 12
I'm not sure if it is anything more than a bit of nose art design to make the unusual scheme of this aircraft look a bit more flashy. Not sure. Maybe it was official and part of the VIP scheme, like the NZ flag? Does anyone know?
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A4k
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 85
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Post by A4k on May 28, 2009 21:48:47 GMT 12
No, in fact the first Wellingtons had identical serials to the early Vildebeests, and the Walrus's also had identical serials to the first batch of Baffins. Thanks Dave, I didn't realise that! |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 7, 2009 14:46:01 GMT 12
Here are some more excellent photos of our Allies at Bougainville from the collection of the late No. 21 Squadron Corsair pilot, Neville Jackson: Curtiss C-46 Commando  Boomerangs  Black Cat Catalinas    |
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Post by Andy Wright on Sept 7, 2009 17:19:17 GMT 12
Phenomenal photos. IIRC, the Boomerangs belong to 5 Sqn RAAF.
Knowing the Boomers are on Bougainville is a great timestamp - late 1944 at the earliest.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 7, 2009 17:47:37 GMT 12
To be honest I don't know a great deal about No. 21 Squadron's history, something I hope to put right soon, but I just looked up their postings in the Pacific and apparently they were posted to:
First Tour (which Neville wasn't on)
Guadalcanal - June to July 1944
Bougainville - July to September 1944
Second Tour
Guadalcanal - November to December 1944
Bougainville - December 1944 to February 1945
Third Tour
Green Island - April to May 1945
Jacquinot Bay - May to July 1945
So these photos may well have been taken on Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Green Island or Jaquinot Bay, as Neville was on the second and third tours for the squadron. So, sorry if I may have put you crook. I don't yet have the full details and if I get more on the individual photos I'll post it.
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