biggles7
Leading Aircraftman
Rest in Peace TT Bland ! In my early Harvard "fossicking" days you were a huge influence!
Posts: 8
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Post by biggles7 on Dec 23, 2017 18:58:09 GMT 12
I do have photos of this crash site but find the application to upload photos too complicated for a person of my vintage !!
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biggles7
Leading Aircraftman
Rest in Peace TT Bland ! In my early Harvard "fossicking" days you were a huge influence!
Posts: 8
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Post by biggles7 on Dec 23, 2017 9:07:48 GMT 12
Members may not be aware that a statue is to be erected in Thames portraying Keith Park. ( Hauraki Herald 22nd Dec 2017) Planed by the Thames RSA the life size bronze statue estimated to cost $250000 will be erected on a site yet to be decided but may be placed near the present Thames War Memorial in Mary Street. Sir Keith was born near Totara June 1892 and Died at Auckland February 1975. He had very distinguished careers in World War 1 and World War 11 being at Gallipoli and the Western Front 1915 - 1916 then transferring to the RFC 1917 and finally the RAF. At present the only tangible ties to Sir Keith is The airfield at Thames named in his honour and a stone memorial outside the ATC building on the airfield. Apparently tourists and "buffs" making their pilgrimages to see where the great man came from are disappointed he has not been recognised in a way a man of his stature should be .
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biggles7
Leading Aircraftman
Rest in Peace TT Bland ! In my early Harvard "fossicking" days you were a huge influence!
Posts: 8
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Post by biggles7 on Jun 1, 2017 20:35:31 GMT 12
I read this thread with interest and can only reply to my particular situation in 1976 in which I requested the permission to recover two Harvards (NZ977 and NZ989) from the Dee Stream area in the Inland Kaikoura Ranges after a March 1942 accident in which one of the trainee pilots was fatally injured. Permission was granted on the 7th July 1976 from the then Minister of Defence Allan Mcready. The letter contained certain conditions including the fact that the remains of one of the pilots was interned at the site> All of these requests were carried out with dignity and respect. Prior to the recovery of these aeroplanes in 1983 the Airforce Museum showed interest in obtaining these aircraft so I really don't know if the Museum has overruling salvage rights to these WW2 relics today . In the 1970s I think the interest in vintage aeroplanes and archaeology was just beginning, particularly in NZ , so it was probably a lot easier to get rights of salvage when I was in the Harvard trail back then.
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biggles7
Leading Aircraftman
Rest in Peace TT Bland ! In my early Harvard "fossicking" days you were a huge influence!
Posts: 8
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Post by biggles7 on Dec 30, 2014 8:16:30 GMT 12
Yes huge loss to the NZ Warbird fraternity I remember when I first started fossicking for Harvard bits in the 1980s he always had time to listen and help! Great Gentleman. RIP Trev.
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biggles7
Leading Aircraftman
Rest in Peace TT Bland ! In my early Harvard "fossicking" days you were a huge influence!
Posts: 8
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Post by biggles7 on May 18, 2014 10:58:43 GMT 12
With regards to the on-going reconstruction of NZ977 I can confirm that the restoration is progressing slowly. I will update its progress in the near future.
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biggles7
Leading Aircraftman
Rest in Peace TT Bland ! In my early Harvard "fossicking" days you were a huge influence!
Posts: 8
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Post by biggles7 on May 18, 2014 10:54:02 GMT 12
PS: A footnote! photos were taken at the lower crash site on that rainy dull day and amazingly none came out!!!
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biggles7
Leading Aircraftman
Rest in Peace TT Bland ! In my early Harvard "fossicking" days you were a huge influence!
Posts: 8
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Post by biggles7 on May 18, 2014 10:50:13 GMT 12
With regards to LAC Brian Heaps I am certain that his remains are still at the crash site and buried under a rock cairn. I have kept in contact with his relatives and this is what was indicated to me. At the time that I obtained the salvage rights, part of the conditions of removing the Harvard's remains was that Brian's burial area was not to be disturbed under any circumstances. After dismantling NZ977 and having a couple of days left of our expedition, we attempted to tramp the approximate one mile to NZ989 crash site further down the stream, but the terrain was too difficult to negotiate on foot. Next day we were flown down stream and dropped off in the river bed where we located the actual crash debris spread out amongst Birch trees, ferns and undergrowth. It was obvious that given the small burnt pieces left a violent crash had occurred, the only substantial piece of NZ989 was the tail section which we salvaged. After the passage of time Brian's actual resting place at the site was not found, so we were unable to leave at the crash site a memento we had with us to mark a brave mans resting place!
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biggles7
Leading Aircraftman
Rest in Peace TT Bland ! In my early Harvard "fossicking" days you were a huge influence!
Posts: 8
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Post by biggles7 on Feb 22, 2014 14:01:54 GMT 12
Some of you will be aware of the tragic training accident involving two Harvards in the Kaikouras in March 1942. One of the two pilots, LAC J. Voss, survived and was rescued three days later. In October 1943 two P-40s collided in the air near Woodbourne. One of them, NZ3089 landed safely and was repaired. The pilot, who was unhurt, was named as Warrant Officer J. Voss. Does anyone know if this was the same pilot ? I read with interest this post regarding W/O Jack Voss. I am in possession of all the documents regarding the unfortunate incident in the Kaikoura Ranges on 22nd March 1942 involving Jack Clarence Voss (NZ977) and Brian Cecil Heaps (NZ989) as I am hoping to make it the subject of a book. In 1976 I received the salvage rights from the MOD to recover the remains of the two MK11 Harvards and accomplished this in April 1983, after spending a week at the remote crash sites and dismantling the aircraft into components capable of helicopter recovery. The two aircraft were separated by approx half a mile from each other and both situated in the upper Clarence River in the Dee Stream area with Mt Tapuaenuku looming in the distance. Because of the remote area our team had a specially modified Toyota Land Cruiser and trailer to access part of the way to the site and from the Dee Hut, helicopter assistance the remaining distance needed to access the crash sites, with the Hughes 500 flown by intrepid deer recovery pilot Noel Boyd of Kaikoura. It is I can see common knowledge that Jack served 28 days in detention at Harewood, missing his chance to go to England with the rest of his course, however as fate would have it served in the pacific doing 4 tours. On August 15th 1943 Jack flying P40M s/n 3033 shot down a Val and was mentioned in dispatches he was promoted Pilot Officer and Flying Officer. In 1945 he was transferred to the RNZAF Reserve and returned to his family business AULD & Voss in Palmerston North. According to his widow Joan he suffered with back problems directly related to the crash in the Kaikoura Ranges. Jack died at 59 years of age November 1981. It is ironic whilst I write this I have had advice from Jacks daughter that Joan his wife has just passed away.
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