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Post by McFly on Jan 27, 2011 15:41:07 GMT 12
Red Checkers 2011 team: #1 = S/L Jim Rankin #2 = F/L Matt Alcock #3 = S/L Baz Nicholson #4 = F/L Graham Burnnand #5 = S/L Anthony Budd (Photo RNZAF official)
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Post by McFly on Jan 18, 2011 17:28:55 GMT 12
Not NZ3072 but still a ground collision between two Kittyhawks…! ArdG161144 - Ground collision between 19 Squadron Kittyhawk NZ3274 (left) and number 4 Operational Training Unit Kittyhawk NZ3164 at Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Ardmore - 29 May 1944. (Photo RNZAF Museum)
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Post by McFly on Jan 17, 2011 20:55:40 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Jan 17, 2011 17:15:31 GMT 12
Hi Dave, Not NZ3110 but a bare metal P-40 (NZ3283) that was (I believe?) the personal mount of S/L St George either when with the OTU or when CO of 17 Sqn..? Happy to be corrected. Nice beat up...! ALB951704032 - Air to air of 4 Operational Training Unit Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk NZ3283. Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Ohakea. Photographed during a race with 1 Operational Training Unit Lockheed PV-1 Ventura NZ4543 ZX-F. Note polished metal finish. This aircraft crashed on 13 February 1945, killing pilot Flight Lieutenant H. E. Boucher. Image from the Air Vice Marshal D. F. St George personal album collection. St George was CO of 17 Sqn. ALB951704031 - Kittyhawk with 4 Operational Training Unit and Ventura with 1 Operational Training Unit. A race between Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk NZ3283 (left) and Lockheed PV-1 Ventura NZ4543 ZX-F. Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Ohakea. ALB951704033 - Ground to air of 1 Operational Training Unit Lockheed PV-1 Ventura NZ4543 ZX-F. Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Ohakea. Photographed during a race with 4 Operational Training Unit Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk NZ3283. (Photos - RNZAF Museum)
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Post by McFly on Jan 16, 2011 19:34:57 GMT 12
A couple of photos of NZ3148 to liven up the thread. PR2503 - Group of four airmen from 4 Servicing Unit, sitting on the wing of Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk NZ3148 with nose art 'Gloria Lyons'. Possibly Ondonga or Torokina. PR2505 - Close-up view of the nose art on Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk NZ3148 'Gloria Lyons'. Unknown location PR2686 - Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk NZ3148, with nose art 'Gloria Lyons', being readied for flight. Torokina, Bougainville (Photos - RNZAF Museum)
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Post by McFly on Jan 15, 2011 11:12:00 GMT 12
Keep an eye out also for Squadron Leader Doug Brown’s book (Titled: ‘Wine, Woman and Song’) about his wartime exploits from enlistment in the RNZAF, training both here (Tigermoths) and in Canada (Harvards) and his time with both 485 (NZ) Sqn and 130 (Punjab) Sqn flying Spitfires in combat. Due out in April with the official launch being held at Kings School. Doug Brown and Johnny Pattison – 485 (NZ) Sqn Doug’s short bio.
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Post by McFly on Jan 11, 2011 16:21:27 GMT 12
Hi Dave, As requested. Below are some photos of SQNLDR J. H. Arkwright that you may find suitable? PR888 - Squadron Leader J. H. Arkwright standing beside a Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk and reading his flight instructions. Presumed to be Royal New Zealand Air Force Station, Whenuapai (1943). PR1328 - 16 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant J. H. Arkwright sitting on the nose of a Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk. Presumed to be Espiritu Santo (1943). PR1342 - 16 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant J. H. Arkwright. Presumed to be Espiritu Santo (1943). PPR1346 - 16 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant J. H. Arkwright. Presumed to be Espiritu Santo (1943). These are small file size photos and if you contact Matthew O’Sullivan at the Air Force Museum he should be able to supply higher resolution copies if required. Contact details as per below: Matthew O'Sullivan (Keeper of Photographs) matthew.o'sullivan@nzdf.mil.nz phone: [03] 343 9537 fax: [03] 343 9549 45 Harvard Ave Wigram 8042 Private Bag 4739 Christchurch 8140 New Zealand www.airforcemuseum.co.nz AIR FORCE MUSEUM OF NEW ZEALAND (Photos RNZAF Museum)
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Post by McFly on Jan 8, 2011 20:33:26 GMT 12
That’s sad news about about Russ Clarke passing on. An ever dwindling ‘few’ of the 485 boys…and a DFC winner as well. Below is a photo of Russ Clarke putting on a Spitfire again at the last 485 Sqn reunion in 2010. And Russ Clarke (Rear: third from left next to Maurice Mayston) with members of "Blue" flight, 485 (NZ) Squadron at Selsey Bill (Church Norton) base, Sussex - the nearest point to Normandy, in the days before D-Day - 1944. (Photos Richard Mayston)
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Post by McFly on Jan 8, 2011 11:14:49 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Jan 7, 2011 19:45:16 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Jan 7, 2011 11:00:13 GMT 12
Another event that was held in parallel with the official room naming ceremony of S/L Reg Grant at the 485 Wing HQ was an invite extended to the latest recipient of the ‘Reg & Ian Grant Memorial Cup’ and the cup itself. The Memorial Cup was presented to Mt Albert Grammar School in 1945 by Reg and Ian’s family and was inscribed for the Open Sprints Champion; it has been awarded every year since. Both Reg and Ian were noted athletes in their time at the school. The brothers stories and losses are outlined below:In November 1942 Reg Grant’s younger brother, Ian, was posted to No 485 (NZ) Squadron. The Squadron took off for a sweep across northern France on 13 February 1943 and shortly after crossing the French coast a force of Fw 190s was sighted and engaged. However, a further twenty German fighters attacked and three Spitfires, including Ian Grant’s, were shot down. Reg Grant saw his brother shot down and killed and was subsequently able to engage and shoot down the Fw 190 which had carried out the attack on Ian Grant.
On 28 February 1944, Reg Grant took off in a Mustang for a sortie across the Channel, however shortly after take off and in cloud, his engine failed and caught fire. On coming out of cloud he baled out but was too low for his parachute to open properly and was killed at the age of 29.Albert Nikoro from Mt Albert Grammar School was awarded the cup in 2010 for the best all round athletics results, and it was 485 Wings privilege to have him attend the room naming ceremony. Albert had the opportunity to learn a lot about Reg Grant and why he was selected to have a room named after him as well as being able to talk directly to a few of the pilots who flew with both Reg and Ian (Ian Grant was Doug Brown's wingman when shot down) It was also pointed out by Doug Brown that the brass Spitfire mounted on the top of the cup would have been made from a cannon shell casing by one of Reg's ground crew and presented to him. (Photos RNZAF official)
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Post by McFly on Jan 6, 2011 7:06:57 GMT 12
The 70th (and probably last official) No 485 (NZ) Squadron reunion will be held over the weekend 26-27 Feb 2011 in Auckland and hosted again by 485 Wing at RNZAF Whenuapai. Intent is to all meet up on the Saturday afternoon at the Base where an ‘Aerial Symphony’ will be performed with two Spitfires and a Mustang for the reunion pilots and families. A formal dinner in the Officers Mess will follow in the evening for a rousing finale to the days events and a low key BBQ lunch for all on the Sunday at one of the pilots houses.
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Post by McFly on Jan 5, 2011 10:49:38 GMT 12
Ah the Pièce de résistance... These three photos were commissioned following the reunion for presentation to the respective pilots + copies for the Wing 'wall'. I especially like the ‘then and now’ style. Just 67 odd years between the two photos...! Doug Brown in 2010 at RNZAF Whenuapai and as a Sergeant pilot in 1941.F/L Ken Lee – RNZAF Whenuapai 2010 and RAF Biggin Hill 1943. Doug Brown at RNZAF Whenuapai 2010 and with his personal Spitfire coded OU-Q ‘Wine Woman & Song’ in 1942.(Photos RNZAF official)
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Post by McFly on Jan 4, 2011 11:44:33 GMT 12
Not sure if he carried his nose art through to the other Spitfires he flew? (he wrote a few off too). I'll see if I can find out. Here is his photo of 'Wine, Woman & Song' (Mk IX..?). (Photo RNZAF official via Doug Brown)
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Post by McFly on Jan 4, 2011 10:34:02 GMT 12
While continuing on the 485 (NZ) Sqn theme. The 2010 reunion held at RNZAF Whenuapai over the weekend 26-28 Feb (closest to 1 March when the Squadron was first formed in the UK) was a great affair with eight of the former Squadron pilots and their families attending the various functions. Along with the meet and greet at the Wing HQ on the Friday evening (see previous photos) and the Saturday evening formal dinner in the Officers Mess, the Saturday highlight was the opportunity to get up close and personal with a Spitfire again (thanks Brendon) and to be treated to a fantastic private flying display (thanks Sean). All the pilots had an opportunity to reacquaint themselves with the Spitfire’s cockpit, and for many it was the first time since 1945 to have done so. Some were transported back to another time where they could be observed running checklists, conducting scans and reliving some significant experiences and memories. A wonderful weekend for all. A selection from the day: S/L Doug Brown retelling how it was… W/C Owen Hardy W/O Dave Fail (486 (NZ) Sqn – Typhoons) F/L Maurice Mayston F/O Max Collett F/O Russ Clarke F/L Dave Iggo (Photos RNZAF official)
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Post by McFly on Jan 2, 2011 20:15:17 GMT 12
Yup - Non standard repo. It's a pretty thin perspex canopy fitted to a rudimentary frame and fixed in the open position (doesn't close). Hopefully the Air Force GRP lads are able to 'blow' a suitable period canopy or copy the Air Force museums one (Mk XVI Spitfire), or they may have to use someone like Auckland based 'Composites International Ltd' who made the Spitfire canopy for Brendon Deeer's Mk IV (PV270). Doug Brown (485 Sqn) has also asked for 'wingtips' to be fitted to this replica aircraft. He says they (Spitfires) just don't look right without the full elliptical wing, although he added that the clipped wing versions he flew in combat had a pretty quick roll rate at low level.! Brendon Deere has kindly supplied a set of drawings for the wingtips which will be helpful (the wingtips are bolt-on bolt-off and pick up on the end of the spars). Doug has also expressed a desire for his personal aircraft codes OU-Q and scheme to be used on the finished example. Long way to go yet and nothing firmed up on the end scheme, however the Air Force Museum is advising on much of this historical detail to ensure an accurate representation (if that is the end decision?) or a generic aircraft representation that covers all bases and satisfies all. 485 Sqn did fly Mk XVI clipped wing 'low back' Spitfires late in the war, however whether any were the full elliptical wing is not currently known. Nevertheless I tend to agree the full wing does look better (correct..) and there are a few nice examples of the MkXVI flying today in the full wing (see below). UK based MkXVI G-OXVI/TD248/CR-S (photo Tim Storr)
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Post by McFly on Jan 1, 2011 8:02:30 GMT 12
Attached FYI a copy of the GPCAPT's eulogy read for SQNLDR Sheddan at his funeral. McFly Attachments:
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Post by McFly on Dec 31, 2010 20:26:35 GMT 12
Speaking of 485 Wing and its association with 485 (NZ) Sqn. I thought I'd share some photos of the memorial wall in the HQ building at RNZAF Whenuapai plus a few more from the last reunion held at Whenuapai at the end of Feb 2010. It's always a privilege to have the ex 485 Sqn pilots and families visit the HQ and RNZAF Whenuapai where many of them did their pilot training. Honoring them in some small way helps also to maintain the linkages between the Wing and the Sqn. First up - The photo wall (much bigger now): Signed Spitfire prints & paintings: WGCDR Johnny Checketts log book entries & photo: Honours Board listing all the Sqn COs and Wing OCs: Brendon Deere, Kirsty Pattison (SQNLDR Johnny Pattison's grand-daughter) and GPCAPT Tony Davies discuss all things Spitfire in front of 'the wall': W/C Owen Hardy (NZ Ace) beside his photo on the wall: See: www.nzfpm.co.nz/article.asp?id=hardy and rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Books&action=display&thread=11300FLTLT Maurice (Red) Mayston points out to LTCDR Brendon Clarke the Spitfire he was flying on the morning of D-Day over the landing beaches: Kirsty Pattison stands beside a painting of her grandfather SQNLDR Johnny Pattison at the Wing HQ: (Photos RNZAF Official)
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Post by McFly on Dec 31, 2010 17:27:05 GMT 12
A couple of photos of the Spitfire now safely in the workshop. Note the internal (or lack of) fuselage bracing structure/mounting frame etc, hence the need for more. Look even closer and you'll see the still extant (but no longer functional) red fire sprinkler piping that was a requirement when suspended inside the cinema. (Now that would have been an interesting war time modification..! Water bomber perhaps?) I think the pilot has seen better days too.. Cheers Marty
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Post by McFly on Dec 31, 2010 11:54:05 GMT 12
S/L Jim Sheddan's funeral was attended by quite a number of personnel from RNZAF Whenuapai and HQ 485 Wing including Group Captain Tony Davies (current OC 485 Wing) who read an eulogy on behalf of the RNZAF. The contingent helped swell the small church in Helensville to overflowing and fittingly an Air Force bugler sounded the Last Post following the formalities and to close the service. An honour guard was formed outside to farewell S/L Sheddan from the church to a private cremation. A fine send off for a fine man. (Photos - Roy Brooks)
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