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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 22, 2014 10:55:30 GMT 12
I have now talked to the brothers Crankshaw and the bell survives in Mikes front porch in Sydney. Kens widow Val lives there too. Mike has promised a photo of the bell to go into the new TFD display. Power to the Forum for this result.
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 22, 2014 10:51:34 GMT 12
If only I had 10% of the skill that went into this ... model isnt the correct word for something of this quality. Dave how about including a model show in the next Forum meet, I am sure we have some real craftsmen as members.
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 21, 2014 17:22:56 GMT 12
Sorry the images are mainly Stirlings
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 21, 2014 12:25:58 GMT 12
The D for Duck art was burnt in the fire along with the Wellington. The only art that survives is the painting of AA-D Nick carter had commissioned and the original pencil sketch made for the painter. Both are held by the NZBCA. When the crew moved to 156 Squadron Alf Drew joined them. He had done a full tour on AA-F Fred. The crews new Lancaster was GT-T and from the letters came TFD. Lac Maund , ground crew, painted two TFD on fabric. One was glued to the nose of GT-T and after their tour was taken off and brought home. This is now at Wigram. Maund signed his second painting and presented it to Jack Wright. This copy has been passed to NZBCA by his family.
Thanks for posting the photo Chris , I hadnt noticed it in Forever Strong.
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 20, 2014 7:57:51 GMT 12
Thats amazing Ken as we (NZ Bomber Command Ass) are currently arranging a major permanent display about the crew of D for Duck and Thomas Frederick Duck .This will be located in the entrance of the BC area at MOTAT. We have Nick carters oil painting and Jack Wrights copy of the original nose art . This is currently being conserved. The bell was part of the story about this crew. The W/op Nick Carter is still in good form , living in Hamilton and would certainly love to make contact. Ah the amazing powers of the Forum and so timely. I will give you a call.
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 17, 2014 14:57:18 GMT 12
Steve , I have looked up our Association records and while we have no surviving veterans from 623 Squadron we do have three from 218 sq and some of their album photographs are on file. Are there particular images you require.
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 14, 2014 14:57:51 GMT 12
I dont know about that Dave as Fairlie is quite a few miles away, but it would be on the way from Burnham Camp to Tekapo
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 14, 2014 13:33:54 GMT 12
Also listed under the NZDF establishments was a Fairlie ammunition store. It shows up on McLeans Rd corner near Fairlie
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 14, 2014 12:06:53 GMT 12
They must have had good equipment Phil as I was just reading that Awarua radio in Southland would pick up U Boat transmissions in the South Atlantic and pass them on to UK. And Awanui radio near Kaitaia handled South Pacific traffic for the US Navy and pass it on to Pearl Harbour. So there was plenty of listening going on back then.
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 12, 2014 18:17:34 GMT 12
The location and pictures of military bases always seems of interest, so I have has a look at the current Navy bases There’s Devonport pictured in 1946 by Whites, quite a flotilla in port And the major redevelopment at Whangaparoa, which I can’t find a name for The joint services ammo dump at Kiwi Point The less secret HMNS Irirangi at Waiouru According to the release it was formed in 1942 and handled hundreds of thousands of cables for the British Pacific Fleet It must have handled other things as it was named as a radio intercept station before handing over to the GCSB in 1993 Little is said of the outstation on Great Barrier Island. A local tells me is equipped at times with very powerful range finders and radar, and its underwater acoustic array can detect loose cargo rolling around aboard ships It would be nice to know more
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 7, 2014 14:43:35 GMT 12
And the Walsh Brothers are also remembered by MOTAT with the Walsh Memorial Library. You also need to consider that George Bolt and other early "MOTAT" types scoured the country for relics and came up with the Pearce items. I would have thought that their contacts military or otherwise would have sparked a search if North Head held some secrets , a bit like the missing 109 story that eventually was solved. I would guess that bits did survive as Kiwis are natural scavengers and surely wouldnt have burnt anything potentially useable and bits were probably taken as souvenirs. Just look at the recent post of the Zeppelin covered with Kiwi medicos. Which family in NZ is still sitting on scraps of a WW1 airship without knowing.?
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 6, 2014 17:21:11 GMT 12
Agree entirely , as I said on the next Forum meet thread , we would open the Lanc , and I am sure we could arrange a look inside the Solent to see the work done so far, Norm "motat " McElvie could be persueded to talk about the work ahead on the Sunderland and Ventura. Theres the crew room for coffee and the lecture room for talks, its got all the wizz bang techno gear there. What about an aviation art exhibition on the day with a percentage of the sales going to MOTAT ?
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 5, 2014 20:14:55 GMT 12
With the Director of Motat now aboard as an LAC I think MOTAT is a must , Norm McElvie on restoration , a look inside the Solent , a tour of the Lancaster and tea and bikkies in the crew room. There is even a dedicated lecture room available with wide screen facilities. And for the tradies , a bit of rivetng on the Lodestar during lunch.
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Post by pjw4118 on Nov 5, 2014 20:06:44 GMT 12
Again welcome Michael , and its a special welcome to MOTAT and its CEO . Rather than just monitoring this site , it is great that MOTAT is now participating . As you will see , this Forum is dedicated to increasing knowledge of NZ aviation , past and present. This includes the MOTAT aviation collection which holds a very special place in our history .The 48 pages and over 68000 views on the MOTAT post shows how just how interested the aviation community is in the collection. Hence members are often concerned about about displays , while applauding the new ADH. Rather than guesses and rumours, it will be great to learn of the reasons ( and limitations ) behind decisions. Of course as an LAC, you have a long way to go , but I am sure your " official " comments will be followed with interest.
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Post by pjw4118 on Oct 31, 2014 16:30:29 GMT 12
Thanks Bruce, I can now file it in its proper place.
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Post by pjw4118 on Oct 31, 2014 10:49:47 GMT 12
Bruce and Eicio? I have these two, one PWB the other Whites. Is this the RNZAF store?
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Post by pjw4118 on Oct 30, 2014 17:14:21 GMT 12
Prebble Frank DFC pff NZ 4213800 on 28/10/14 Navigator , two tours on 635 Squadron as Bomb Aimer. NZ Army pre RNZAF ,and postwar as a Captain in J Force 446242. Vice President of NZBCA Service at Syburns Remuera Rd Auckland 1300 Saturday .
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Post by pjw4118 on Oct 30, 2014 8:27:52 GMT 12
Thats great detail thanks
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Post by pjw4118 on Oct 29, 2014 16:36:22 GMT 12
My guess is in the second photo of the dairy/RNZAF Store ( dated 1947) the store is directly above the chimney. Dave in the photo you reposted , its taken from 90 degrees or more away ( and is dated 1950s) the stores building is just above the right hand thick chimney that looks like a rocket. I assume that the dairy company took the building over post war.
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Post by pjw4118 on Oct 29, 2014 9:44:59 GMT 12
Dave here are two shots from the PWD Aerodrome Branch
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