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Post by McFly on Feb 15, 2024 15:07:50 GMT 12
There is a series of photos online somewhere, may even be on the Museum site of Blunties with all sorts of imaginative load outs, using weapons from 75sqn. I suspect this photo is part of that series. Just because you can fit something to a rack doesn't mean it's cleared for flight, let alone release and as far as I know the Blunty wasn't cleared for AIM-9. The rocket launchers appear to be 19 shot launchers, not the six shot ones cleared for the Strikemaster, these being the predecessor to the LAU-5003 and who's designation escapes me right now, possibly LAU-3. This type of photo shoot happened a few times with the Macchi as well, although the Macchi did have it's own dedicated AIM-9 rail. Here you go...
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Post by McFly on Feb 12, 2024 15:56:23 GMT 12
Looks to be this one - 1942 Douglas DC-3A N8336C c/n 7313 'The Spirit of Benovia'
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Post by McFly on Feb 11, 2024 16:34:03 GMT 12
Some images of AVM Stanley Vincent from the Air Force Museum collection... "Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Commodore SF Vincent DFC AFC, RAF gives an address at a public display in Blenheim." (1943) - PR602 "Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Commodore SF Vincent DFC AFC, RAF on the wing of a Harvard." (1943) - PR613a "Commanding Officer's Conference members at RNZAF Station Whenuapai. - Wing Commander CE Kay (back row 3rd from right). Wing Commander RH Clark-Hall (2nd row 4th from right). Wing Commander RJ Cohen (2nd row 2nd from right). Wing Commander FR Dix (2nd row far right). Front: Group Captain RB Bannerman, unknown, Air Commodore JL Findlay, Air Commodore RV Goddard (Chief of Air Staff), Air Commodore SF Vincent, Air Commodore MW Buckley, Group Captain FET Hewlett, Group Captain KL Caldwell." (23/11/1942) - 2017-017.128
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Post by McFly on Feb 10, 2024 14:03:58 GMT 12
New Zealand's growing aerospace sector received a big lift on Friday with the opening of an upgraded 1km runway and hangar on Banks Peninsula.The Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre and new sealed runway at Kaitorete aim to expand the aerospace sector and help meet international demand. Domestic and international companies are already testing and trialling their technology at the facility. Wisk Aero recently conducted its world-first test flights for an uncrewed aircraft out of Kaitorete and Dawn Aerospace, while Kea Aerospace will now be able to conduct horizontal space launches and stratospheric flights from the site. The new 1km runway and planned hangar facilities were funded by a $5.4 million grant from the New Zealand Government’s regional strategic partnership fund, administered by Kānoa. Tāwhaki board member David Perenara-O’Connell said mana whenua (indigenous people) of Kaitorete were proud to be supporting the sector. "To fully enable the sector, supply chains and realise the economic benefits for all New Zealanders, takes a collaborative approach. "We’re grateful for the support of our government, local authorities, regulators, aerospace partners, research and science communities, and suppliers who share our vision of a world-leading hub for innovation and exploration. "We believe that this mission is truly unique. The way in which we weave together mātauranga Māori (indigenous knowledge) with cutting-edge innovation in aerospace and environmental rejuvenation, marks a new era in sustainable land use.” Kaitorete offers consistently clear skies and access to a wide range of orbits from an unpopulated flat strip of land about 25km long between Te Waihora Lake Ellesmere and the Pacific Ocean. Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre runway. Photo: Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre Its proximity to air and seaports and advanced manufacturing capabilities in Christchurch makes the site unique. Said Tāwhaki chief executive Linda Falwasser: "We have one of the world’s best locations for aerospace and space launch and we’re prioritising critical infrastructure alongside rejuvenation of this special whenua (land). "This includes exploring solar power and green hydrogen production and storage. "The research, science and innovation we can host will help ensure Kaitorete flourishes for generations to come. "Aotearoa and the world will benefit from the discoveries here, with operators developing new methods and technologies for environmental monitoring, weather and disaster forecasting, precision agriculture, sustainable space transport and beyond,” said Falwasser. Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre ( link) MUS100183- Aerial oblique view of Birdlings Flat landing ground and Kaitorete Spit looking towards the outlet of Lake Ellesmere (right). MUS100182 - Aerial oblique view of Birdlings Flat landing ground on Kaitorete Spit. Lake Ellesmere at left.
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Post by McFly on Feb 8, 2024 19:28:37 GMT 12
Here is another of the numbered vessels. Looks to be 219. DAMAGED IN HARBOUR COLLISION: The 33ft. launch Princess Pat lying in Mechanics' Bay with her damaged starboard side under water, after being involved in a collision with the vehicular ferry steamer Eaglehawk. Part of the dodger, which was torn away, is floating alongside. NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 8 FEBRUARY 1944 A bit more here on the 'Princess Pat' ( link)...
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Post by McFly on Feb 8, 2024 16:46:21 GMT 12
Rare chance to fly away with this home and airstrip
February 08, 2024 This English style mansion has a unique garden feature: an 840m airstrip. If you’re tootling north along State Highway 1 towards Wellsford, you’ll come to a crossing of the Hoteo River. Look right, and you might just see a small plane taking off from the private air strip at Springhill Aerodrome. What you’re unlikely to see, however, is the stone house that sits above the aerodrome. Sheltered from view by stands a mature trees, the home was built by retired British Airways pilot Tim Harrison and his wife Carol. The aerodrome is their front yard. Created in the 1990s, Springhill has an 870m sealed runway, with a grass strip next to it. The six-bed, six-bath, 527m² house sits on 25ha, comprising rolling fields, the aerodrome and a section of native bush with the Hoteo winding like an eel through it. The property once belonged to the late tech millionaire Tony Lantino. The Harrisons moved to Aotearoa-NZ in 2005. With the help of Springhill’s then owner, Richard Izard - himself a keen flyer - the couple were able to find a rental, and eventually to buy the property. The two men were friends and business partners. They had the same planes: Avions Robins. ”He kept saying, 'When are you going to build a house on the farm?' and I said, 'I'm not going to build a house on the farm'.“ After repeated questions Harrison finally caved, however, and built the house up on the hill. The result is a very English-looking home, not too dissimilar to the kinds of homes the Harrisons knew well in the UK. "We lived in the Cotswolds, which is famous for its yellow stone.“ Back home, while working as a pilot, Harrison was a property developer in his spare time, so he had an idea what would go into building his ideal home. He used those skills to create what he would have loved to have created in the UK, ”where it would have been very difficult to do”. Carved from what was once just a bare paddock, the home, its gardens and the leafy driveway were Tim’s vision from start to finish. "I set it out by borrowing the farm mower, and I mowed strips out for the drive way and for the house platform to work it all out before we got the architect involved." A local builder built the home for them, with sustainability in mind. There are solar panels on the large shed, and while there are no batteries at the property yet - Harrison hadn't got round to adding them before they decided to sell - whatever power is not used at the house is sold to the grid. The home produces up to about 7.8 kilowatts when the sun’s out. "In the summer, we're exporting electricity back into the grid most days and that also keeps our bill down to really the cost of being connected to the line." In addition to keeping a boat in the shed, the Harrisons are also able to keep a plane and a glider in the large hangar down near the aerodrome’s clubhouse. While the airstrip is private, it is fully consented, and licensed for commercial aircraft. It’s “open to anyone who wants to use it”, provided they let Harrison know, so he can keep track of who’s coming and going. The Harrisons get to use it as often as they like. "I'm actually down in Tāupo at the moment. Yesterday morning, at 10 o'clock, we jumped in my aeroplane and we were down in Tāupo airport in 30 minutes. "On Saturday, a guy flew in, went to play golf at Tara Iti for the day, came back and flew away again. We get the helicopters from Tara Iti, too, because they've got limited parking space." The pilots drop their customers off and park at Springhill airfield, which is "very handy", when customers ring to be picked up. Once part of Springhill Farm, the property sits in Wayby valley, which is sheltered and secluded. Although there are other buildings and homes nearby, none are particularly close. “Having spent my career flying all around the world, I got to know where the good places are, and I've got to say New Zealand's right up at the top." The Harrisons have chosen to downsize now, while they are still young and fit enough to try something new. The property is on the market, for sale by Tender, which closes on March 1. “We're doing it whilst we're still in control,” says Harrison. “I think [the buyer will be] a high net-worth individual who has got the wherewithal to purchase, and runs who his own airplane/helicopter,” he says. "If you're into golf, you've got golf courses, if you're into boating, you've got the Hauraki Gulf. "This type of opportunity doesn't come around very often. To recreate what we have would be nigh impossible now. You would you would face an uphill challenge similar to climbing Everest." It’s almost impossible to put a price on what the Harrisons have at Springhill. "The savvy person would work out what the sum of the parts was, and come to a conclusion.". The property also comes with resource consent to develop a five-lot subdivision. There is also the possibility of developing the business of the site, with consent to have five commercial flights from the field per day, as well as aircraft assembly, maintenance and storage on site. There is a hangar at the airfield with room for up to two planes.
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Post by McFly on Feb 8, 2024 11:49:56 GMT 12
"On your way to greatness, you will fall, but like a Phoenix rising from the ashes, you too shall rise again"..
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Post by McFly on Dec 30, 2023 19:16:14 GMT 12
Well done to those NZDF recipients... Officers (ONZM) - Major General Evan George Williams, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force NZ Army Officer earns New Year Honour for work in Sinai peacekeeping Empathy, humility, patience and perseverance are the secret to working in the Middle East, according to New Zealand Army’s Major General Evan Williams.
It’s these traits, displayed in his role as force commander for the Multinational Force and Observers (MFO) in Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, that have helped him become an Officer of The New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2024 New Year Honours. The MFO is a neutral arbiter in monitoring the security provisions of the 1979 Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty. It comprises about 1100 international military personnel and an additional 700 local civilian staff.
The posting is his swansong before retiring after 39-plus years in the NZ Army, topping out a wide range of leadership and command positions in the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Major General Williams, from Te Aroha, started the MFO role in late 2019 and was intending to retire in September 2023. However, the MFO asked him to return and he will continue as force commander until March 2024. “It’s about four words - empathy, humility, patience and perseverance,” Major General Williams said. “That’s it. If a force commander can master those four traits, it’s as simple as that.”
Major General Williams’ citation lauds his leadership and drive as the MFO continued to carry out operations despite being hampered by the Covid-19 pandemic and an ongoing ISIS-led insurgency. He also worked tirelessly to establish and develop personal relationships and trust with the Egyptian and Israeli militaries. An example of his value as a broker and negotiator between the two parties was the signing of only the third amendment to the Treaty of Peace in its 40-year history. His strategic leadership and diplomatic acumen brought great credit to New Zealand and the NZDF. “That’s my job; managing strategic relationships,” Major General Williams said. “I stay focused on that and rely on some bright and capable staff officers to do the detail stuff. That’s where you earn your money as a two-star general, not by planning vehicle patrol routes in the desert.”
Major General Williams said the MFO – a world-class peacekeeping operation - was working with two very proud peoples from two culturally different countries in a complex environment, and sometimes there was tension. “People who come here get their eyes opened hugely when they see how complex the Middle East is. It’s a great professional experience.”
Tragically, Major General Williams’ wife Kristin died of cancer at the end of 2021. The citation says she played an exceptional role as part of the MFO leadership team, and was an empathetic and generous host who always provided steadfast support. Despite this loss, Major General Williams remained in command and accepted the role extension to ensure important initiatives were completed. “She always said she wanted me to go back and finish this,” he said. “It’s a great way to finish a career.”Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) - Lieutenant Commander Louis James Munden-Hooper, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Engineer recognised for helping bring NZ Navy's largest ship into operation
The marine engineer who oversaw the construction, trials and first operations of the largest vessel to enter the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) – HMNZS Aotearoa - has been awarded the New Zealand Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) for his efforts.
Lieutenant Commander Louis Munden-Hooper was a pivotal figure in the development, delivery and integration of the polar-class sustainment vessel, starting with its construction in South Korea. He showed great leadership and dedication throughout the project and was vital to the successes of the ship in its first years of service, according to his citation.
HMNZS Aotearoa was specially built for the RNZN, and at 173 metres long and displacing 26,000 tonnes, is the Navy’s largest ever ship. HMNZS Aotearoa was commissioned in 2020 and has since deployed twice to the Indo-Pacific region, including the humanitarian relief mission to Tonga in January 2022 following a volcanic eruption and tsunami. The ship then completed her first resupply voyage to Antarctica and took part in the United States-led exercise RIMPAC 2022. It has delivered strategic success for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), New Zealand Government and the people of New Zealand.
Lieutenant Commander Munden-Hooper joined the New Zealand-based project team in August 2018 as a logistics manager, then posted to South Korea as the commissioning engineering officer. He was involved throughout the construction, trials, acceptance and capability integration of the ship, as well as dealing with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the programme. Lieutenant Commander Munden-Hooper, who has since posted off HMNZS Aotearoa, was key to the success of HMNZS Aotearoa’s first 18 months of service. He said he was extremely surprised to receive the DSD award, and never thought he would be the commissioning engineering officer when he was initially trying to get on the project team. “I was very keen to be part of the project,” he said.
“I went to Korea in 2018 to scope out elements of my role and was there full-time from April 2019 until we brought the ship to New Zealand. “It was definitely interesting times with Covid-19. When we brought the ship over in June 2020 we had to do 14 days’ quarantine at sea, and when we arrived we had to sit and wait outside the harbour for the time to count down.” He said his time in South Korea was extremely rewarding. “It was a huge project and even on a slow day in the shipyard there could be hundreds of people working on the ship. Work was going at an extreme pace and you had to work hard to keep track and make sure everything was happening as we expected.”
Once the ship was in New Zealand, there was the work towards achieving interim operational release of its capabilities. “We had the Tonga mission and it was really rewarding to see the team pivot to change their focus and deliver for that. “Then Antarctica, RIMPAC and a maintenance period in Singapore. I posted off Aotearoa in September 2022.”
Lieutenant Commander Munden-Hooper grew up in Blenheim, attended high school in Nelson and moved to Auckland to study for his engineering degree. He joined the RNZN in 2009 under a scholarship scheme. He cut his teeth on large ships, including logistics ship HMNZS Canterbury, tanker HMNZS Endeavour and a stint with the Royal Navy’s now-decommissioned aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious. Large ships, especially older ones, needed a work-hard ethic to keep them going, he said.
“If I’m honest, there were days in Korea when I thought, ‘how long is it going to be until I get to the bottom of this pile of work?’ But it was a great time being in Korea, building a ship and being part of the team to serve as the commissioning crew. It was hard work, but an exceptional experience.” Distinguished Service Decoration (DSD) - Lieutenant Commander Makoare Kohupara Te Kani, MNZM, for services to the New Zealand Defence Force
Transformational work in Rarotonga earns Gisborne-born Navy Commander second honour
When Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) Lieutenant Commander Makoare (Mark) Kohupara Te Kani posted to the Cook Islands in January 2020 as a Maritime Surveillance Adviser, he expected to travel. Weeks into posting, lockdowns isolated Rarotonga from the world. “The whole world closed down,” Lieutenant Commander Te Kani said. “But I must say, if you are locked down, Rarotonga is the place to be. They didn’t have Covid-19.”
With no means of travel, he poured his time, resources and years of experience with the RNZN into enhancing the Cook Islands Police’s maritime capability, as well as numerous other projects on the ground. That work has seen him awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration in the New Year Honours list.
Lieutenant Commander Te Kani showed great leadership and dedication throughout his posting, according to his citation. “He has been an inspiration to the local populace, enhancing the reputation of New Zealand as a strong Pacific partner who unreservedly support the people of the Cook Islands.” His brief was to lead the Cook Islands Police maritime security capability in their replacement of their aging Pacific-class patrol boat Te Kukupa, to a more modern equivalent donated by the Australian Government.
The new vessel is used to provide maritime security to the 15 islands and two million square kilometres of ocean that make up the sovereign territory, and is one of 22 built and gifted to Pacific nations by Australia. On realising there weren’t enough sailors to crew the new patrol boat, Lieutenant Commander Te Kani oversaw a recruitment drive which nearly doubled the number of maritime police staff from 13 to 25. He’s especially proud of those training programmes as well as the hard work put in by the local maritime police. “We decommissioned the old Te Kukupa, then the crew flew to Perth for three months of transition training. There have been 14 patrol boats handed to the Pacific, and our crew were reported as the most efficient crew that has ever gone through the handover of a vessel.”
In addition to the patrol boat replacement, Lieutenant Commander Te Kani also led a significant project to upgrade the Cook Islands Police Maritime Surveillance Centre to ensure there was a fit-for-purpose support facility. These were multi-million dollar projects and the largest ever completed in the Cook Islands under the New Zealand and Australian Defence Cooperation Programme.
Lieutenant Commander Te Kani also provided support to both the New Zealand and Australian High Commissions and Cook Islands ministries and agencies, observed emergency exercises, contributed to emergency management planning and served on local committees including the Cook Islands RSA. He also found the time to coach the premier, U19 and junior grade teams of the Arorangi Bears Rugby and Rugby League Club. He said it had definitely been one of his more memorable postings since he joined the RNZN in 1973. “It’s just the ability to make a meaningful and significant contribution, that’s important to me. I feel like I made a worthwhile contribution to the Cook Islands, providing as much help as I could, and I’d do it again given the opportunity.”
This DSD is the second national honour Lieutenant Commander Te Kani has received. He was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) in 1998 for his role as chair of Te Runanga o Te Iwi Heramana, which oversaw the introduction and development of Tikanga Māori within the RNZN and the later construction of the RNZN Marae, Te Taua Moana o Aotearoa Marae.
Born in Gisborne, Lieutenant Commander Te Kani is of Ngati Porou, Rongowhakaata, Te Aitanga a Mahaki and Te Whakatōhea descent. He also traces his whakapapa to Mauke in the Cook Islands through Kautia o te Rangi (Paikea). He said it was hard for his family to say goodbye to the Cook Islands, when his posting ended in January 2023. “But we’re here in Rarotonga now for Christmas and New Year, which means we heard the announcement of the award here, which is fitting for us.”
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Post by McFly on Dec 17, 2023 19:06:10 GMT 12
"THE SHAMROCK SPITFIRE tells the story of Irish fighter pilot Brendan “Paddy” Finucane, who at the age of just 21, became the youngest ever Wing Commander in the Royal Air Force, and one of its greatest and most celebrated fighter aces during World War Two."...
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Post by McFly on Dec 13, 2023 17:13:46 GMT 12
ZK-DEM is listed in the 'Aviation Safety Network' (ASN) with the incident in South Vietnam ( link). ZK-DEM was also notable for being one of the few Fu24 Fletchers with wheel spats....! And as also referenced in this previous post here ( link)
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Post by McFly on Dec 13, 2023 16:22:49 GMT 12
In this article from The Press, dated 15 January 1974. I see that the Auckland Surf Life-saving Association had its own helicopter back then. Does anyone know what type of helicopter it was? When did they get it, and when did they stop operating a helicopter? These days the surf rescue seems to fall to the Westpac chopper. This info is from the Wiki for Piha Surf Life Saving Club which suggests it was a 'Hiller'...( link) "Rescue helicopter service - The Auckland Rescue Helicopter Service[6] was started by the Auckland Surf Life Saving Association leasing a Hiller 12E helicopter from Alexander Helicopters Ltd for six summer weekends in 1970/1971. The helicopter flown by George Sobiecke was based on the hill behind the Piha Surf Life Saving Club. From 1971 on, the rescue helicopter service operated during the surf life saving club patrolling season from Labour Weekend to Easter. A Rescue Helicopter Squad of 32 specially trained lifeguards from the various clubs affiliated to the Auckland Surf Life Saving Association was formed. Pilot George Sobieke departed in 1972 and was replaced by Sam Anderson. Surf reports were radioed from the helicopter for live broadcast over Radio Hauraki.
In January 1973 the Hiller 12E was replaced by a jet engine-powered Hiller FH1100. Apart from weekends this helicopter was also used during the summer school holidays and had one of the Helicopter Squad Members working as a Paid Helicopter Lifeguard for this period. Money raised from surf reports provided by the duty Helicopter Lifeguards was used to purchase and redecorate a building on the middle beach at Piha. This became the summer base for the rescue helicopter crew with a landing pad to the north of the Piha Middle Beach toilet block.
In 1977 Keith McKenzie succeeded Sam Anderson as the pilot. On 8 January 1977 the then prime minister, the Right Honourable Rob Muldoon was at Piha for the re-opening of the Piha Surf Life Saving club house after the Project 40 rebuild. Muldoon joined the helicopter lifeguards to jump into the surf and be lifted out of the water and transported back to the beach, slung under the helicopter using the rescue strop connected into the cargo hook."
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Post by McFly on Dec 11, 2023 18:23:38 GMT 12
Thanks Ando. Back then, it would have been the type of story that one of the Australian TV networks would have been all over, or even TVNZ or TV3 here. But I do not recall ever seeing anything.
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Post by McFly on Dec 11, 2023 17:13:06 GMT 12
"For those still missing both Hercules NZ7004 – NZ7003, here is the Airshow at Whenuapai Air Force Base in 1987 with 3 Hercules"...
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Post by McFly on Dec 9, 2023 21:11:23 GMT 12
Second trailer released...
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Post by McFly on Dec 7, 2023 17:15:51 GMT 12
So here’s a thought, and I admit it has no basis in fact, but may be worth considering and adding to the pot... With reference to the two ‘blue’ pilots wings images below. What if the NZ owner of the pilot wings badge in question was part of WW2 Glider Pilot Regiment in a previous life, and then having gained his conventional pilot wings, elected to recognise his previous glider pilot role by having the some of the same ‘blue’ stitching embroidered onto his current NZ wings..? Research suggest that over a 1000 pilots in the RAF flew gliders at various parts of the war. ( link) Or…..The ‘Volunteer Reserve’ (VR) of the RAF have a set of pilots wings in blue to denote – ‘Senior Instructor’ Officers Flying qualification badge. Perhaps again our NZ holder was a ‘Senior Instructor’ in some branch at some point, and in recognition of that role/qualification had the same blue stitching added to his current set of NZ wings..? ( link)
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Post by McFly on Dec 6, 2023 20:52:59 GMT 12
One for the sleuths on this forum to help solve for the Air Force Museum... "We would love to know more about this unique set of wings. If you know any information about this style of badge, or where we might be able to find more information, please contact our Collections team at research@airforcemuseum.co.nz. The Museum has an extensive array of badges in all shapes and sizes but recently we received one that is unique to our collection. Very kindly purchased with the express purpose of donating it to the Museum this pilot’s badge, colloquially known as a ‘brevet’, is dated to pre-1953 featuring a ‘King’s Crown’ and white embroidered ‘NZ’ surrounded by a brown wreath. These details are common across other pilot’s badges but the blue embroidery along the top of the wings is something we haven’t seen before, either in our collection or in any book on the subject we have. Based on the quality of the embroidery and the condition of the reverse we don’t believe the blue was added after manufacture. It’s possible this example could be a manufacturer’s sample or a very short-lived style that was recalled shortly after implementation. 📸: RNZAF pilot’s badge with blue embroidery. Image ref: 2023/168, Air Force Museum of New Zealand."
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Post by McFly on Dec 3, 2023 21:02:20 GMT 12
Another good article on Brendon Deere and his exploits by 'Key Aero' here ( link)..
"The nephew of a noted wartime ace took the plunge, defied the doubters and restored a Spitfire to airworthiness ‘in-house’ — and he’s now done the same with a Mustang..."
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Post by McFly on Dec 2, 2023 20:25:02 GMT 12
I note that Doug Brooker gave his last public display in his Spitfire at the Wings over Wairarapa show and is putting it up for sale...( link)... "The final farewell from the New Zealand airshow display circuit belonged to veteran Spitfire pilot and owner of the two-seat Spitfire TR.IX MH367 ZK-WDQ Doug Brooker, who recently announced his retirement from flying it. “I’m getting too old for this,” said Doug after his display. “I’ll put the aircraft up for sale and someone else can get some joy out of it.”
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Post by McFly on Dec 2, 2023 20:05:53 GMT 12
"Ex-Royal New Zealand Air Force Mustang makes maiden post-restoration flight"...A good write-up/article from 'Key Aero' here ( link)..
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Post by McFly on Nov 28, 2023 18:44:45 GMT 12
Not seen this posted up before... A new film coming to the cinema 1 Dec 23: “Battle over Britain”. From the same team that did “Lancaster Skies” - Battle Over Britain: When their airfield comes under direct attack, a handful of heroic Spitfire pilots fight to the last man in the skies of Britain, against overwhelming odds. Synopsis - At the height of the Battle of Britain, a handful of exhausted spitfire pilots fight to the last man in defence of their country, in this brand new World War II drama from the producers of Lancaster Skies and Spitfire Over Berlin. A young pilot, fresh out of training, is called to join a Flight while they wait for the call to scramble. Throughout a single day, the skies of southern England are filled with deadly dogfights, and after every exhausting battle the pilots return to the dispersal hut only to find another of their number missing. In a thrilling climax, the airfield comes under direct attack and the Flight takes off once again ascending into action against fatally overwhelming odds.
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