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Post by McFly on Oct 2, 2011 20:02:11 GMT 12
The 485 Sqn ORB (Operational Record Book) for 13/2/43 has the following entry: Place - Westhampnett Date - 13/2/43 Time - 11:30-13:05 S/Ldr Grant lead 485 and 610 Squadrons in Rodeo 168 over Northern France, the original idea being to engage a standing patrol over Boulogne which was guarding an enemy vessel in the harbour. The Wing crossed in at Hardelot at 20,000' and swept as far as Desvres. At 12:15 the Wing was engaged in the Hardelot area and numerous dogfights ensued as a result of which S/L Grant and F/O Hume each destroyed a FW-190 and F/O Brown damaged a FW-190. F/O IAC Grant, F/O AR Hobson and Sgt Steed are missing. 610 probably destroyed 1 FW-190 for the loss of one of their a/c and its pilot. The fighting was heavy, some pilots reported it as the heaviest since Dieppe. The Wing was drawn down originally to attack some 16 FW-190's below them and whilst doing so were bounced by 20 others coming up from the South; the first gaggle seemed to have been a decoy. S/L Grant destroyed the e/a which was seen to to fire at his brother F/O Grant. F/Lt Black and Sgt Meagher fired but observed no result. Medium flak was met from Hardelot and Boulogne. Kevin Wells's excellent book on 485 Sqn also covers it well.
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Post by McFly on Sept 21, 2011 9:39:54 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Sept 6, 2011 12:27:14 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Sept 3, 2011 9:48:52 GMT 12
Strikemaster NZ6374 seen at Ohakea all packed up and ready to go to Wanaka (taken 2/9/11). Does anybody have more news on this relocation...? (74 is the ex Ohakea Museum display aircraft)
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Post by McFly on Aug 23, 2011 20:48:13 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Aug 23, 2011 15:59:44 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Aug 22, 2011 16:44:53 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Aug 19, 2011 18:54:54 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Aug 19, 2011 18:49:20 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Aug 19, 2011 18:43:24 GMT 12
A visit to Avspecs to return some Spitfire wingtips to Wal allowed for a few new photos inside the ultimate 'man' cave. Fresh out of the box - One beast of a RR Griffon engine for the FR Mk.XIV, NH799 Spitfire... What it's going to bolt on to. Serious engine bearers to support the griffon. RH Wing Sunny day (Mossie prop bottom left ready to go) The office.
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Post by McFly on Aug 17, 2011 18:07:46 GMT 12
This is what all the fuss was about... 16 August 2011
Few rugby teams can say they have the backing of the current All Blacks Captain, but that’s exactly what honorary Squadron Leader Richie McCaw has given the NZDF Rugby Team as they compete to win the first ever International Defence Rugby Competition (IDRC). Squadron Leader McCaw said, “The IDRC is going to be pretty cool. There will obviously be a lot of competition between the three Services to make the team and represent NZDF. And if you can make the top four teams in the competition, it’s only two games and you can win. That’s certainly what we (the All Blacks) will be trying to do. Those are the games you want to be involved in but it’s also important to enjoy the games. So I wish the NZ team a lot of luck. Have some fun!” The New Zealand Defence Force will host the inaugural International Defence Rugby Competition from 1-22 October 2011. The tournament is being co-hosted with the Australian Defence Force and coincides with the Rugby World Cup (RWC). The aim of the competition is to “bring international rugby playing Defence Forces together in union through rugby”. The event is fully supported by the Australian and New Zealand Rugby Unions and has been sanctioned by the International Rugby Board. The competition will involve 12 teams from the UK Royal Navy, British Army, UK Royal Air Force, the Defence Forces of Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Australia, New Zealand, France, South Africa, and China as well as Police teams from Australia and Samoa. It is anticipated that the competition will become a regular international event occurring every four years in conjunction with, but separate from, the RWC. Preliminary games will be played in Australia (Sydney and Canberra) with the semi-finals and finals played in New Zealand (Auckland) at the same time as with the RWC Finals. The IDRC semi-finals will take place two days after the RWC semi-finals on Tuesday 28 October on the North Shore. The IDRC finals matches will take place the day before the RWC final on Sat 22 October at Auckland University RFC. For updated information on the IDRC, keep an eye on the external website www.idrc2011.com. Richie McCaw, who was given honorary Squadron Leader status by the RNZAF in 2010, also provided these tips on leadership
- Start with yourself: Be the best player on the field. In order to inspire others and have them follow your direction, you must lead by example.
- Share in the greater goal: Your task is part of a much greater goal. Everyone must do their part and accept their responsibility if the greater goal is to be achieved—if not then be prepared to be held accountable.
- Manage the players: If team members are not performing, then tell them, but make sure you tell them why and how they can improve.
- Manage the coach: If you disagree with a philosophy, don’t ambush him. Highlighting your concerns and providing solutions is the key.
- Delegate: You can’t be everywhere at once on the field, so let specialists lead in their areas.
For more information please contact Squadron Leader Kavae Tamariki, Senior Media Adviser Air Force, Defence Communications Group on 021 420 899 or 349 7294.
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Post by McFly on Aug 17, 2011 18:01:57 GMT 12
A few more of NZ2510 from the Air Force Museum collection. Avenger NZ2510 'J' on the flight line. Unknown location, possibly Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Gisborne. Possibly NZ2412 behind. Dated 15 January 1944 (OhG226~44) Air to air of a formation of 30 Squadron [?] Grumman TBF Avengers, en route to Rabaul. Aircraft NZ2530, NZ2509, NZ2510, NZ2517, NZ2540 and NZ2533 in view. Circa 1944. (PR3261) (RNZAF Official)
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Post by McFly on Aug 16, 2011 21:00:03 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Aug 16, 2011 20:58:20 GMT 12
Profile print -
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Post by McFly on Aug 10, 2011 20:19:11 GMT 12
Brendon has posted up PV270s Flying Program for Battle of Britain commemorations in September. See: www.spitfirepv270.co.nz/flying.htmThursday 15th September - Battle of Britain National commemoration, Wellington Overfly National War Memorial, Buckle Street (NOT Cenotaph as noted earlier) at 1005 Pilot: Squadron Leader Sean Perrett Note the Spitfire is not landing at Wellington Airport this year
Sunday 18th September - Battle of Britain Sunday, Wanganui Airport at 1030 - time provisional and subject to change. The Spitfire will land at 1030 and be on ground display for 1 hour. The aircraft will give a handling display on ARRIVAL at 1030 Pilot: Squadron Leader Sean Perrett
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Post by McFly on Aug 10, 2011 17:29:11 GMT 12
Here are a couple of 'new' photos of the RNZAF NH90s...Quite cool me thinks.. (All RNZAF Official)
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Post by McFly on Aug 10, 2011 17:17:32 GMT 12
Here are some early photos of the Safe Air METS stand running a C-130 Hercules engine sans prop. The platform surrounding the engine can be raised or lowered and guard rails fitted as required. When swinging a prop everything is removed. As Dean said, the METS can also take a P-3 Orion engine by using an specially modified 'adapter plate' as the mounting requirements a quite different but same result.
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Post by McFly on Aug 10, 2011 17:04:50 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Aug 9, 2011 19:08:36 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Aug 8, 2011 22:40:24 GMT 12
Can the T-56 be run on the engine stand without a prop? I would have thought to test it properly it would need the load of a prop on it? Yes it can. The engine will accelerate up to 103% RPM and sit on the Fuel Control Unit (FCU) governor stop. You're not permitted to move the throttle as without a prop there's nothing to absorb the power from the turbine. Good for checking for gearbox & prop shaft oil leaks. Also helps having the big fan off for bleed air leak checks too... Full power testing requires the prop. The T-56 engine does sound a bit odd without the prop noise. A bit like a Strikemaster engine if I recall correctly.
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