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Post by longforgan on Mar 24, 2024 6:24:01 GMT 12
I am holding some books back for people who have contacted me and asking me to hold the book for them. so no problem.
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Post by longforgan on Mar 22, 2024 14:07:47 GMT 12
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Post by longforgan on Jan 5, 2024 17:13:45 GMT 12
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Post by longforgan on Dec 29, 2023 12:55:47 GMT 12
I now have less than 200 copies left of 'Forgotten Heroes' If you would like a signed copy please contact me before they are all sold out. Thanks don Wilkie
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Post by longforgan on Dec 13, 2023 8:51:56 GMT 12
"Forgotten Heroes" is now available at the Air Force Museum of NZ shop in Christchurch.
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Post by longforgan on Nov 26, 2023 13:40:12 GMT 12
Reviewed by Michael Fowler
Many will know Don Wilkie as an accomplished artist and Port to Port, a pictorial history of Ahuriri.
In Forgotten Heroes – Don’s passion for the 489 Squadron has resulted in a detailed record and a fascinating collection of stories – and a comprehensive photo and document archive.
Don brings alive the personnel of 489 squadron of which was formed in 12 August 1941,at Lechars, Scotland, of which 700 pilots and navigators served. Four hundred and fifty of these men lost their lives – and lost almost 250 aircraft.
The squadron was part of Coastal Command, which involved the dangerous and difficult job for the young servicemen of attacking well-fortified enemy targets – especially as the aircraft available to them – with their limitations ‒ made this a challenging task – hence the high casualty rate.
Provided in the book is a comprehensive list of those who served in 489 Squadron, and an index.
Don Wilkie has insured the legend of the 489 Squadron will never be forgotten, and places them through this book in a deserved place in our World War Two history.
The book provides incredible value at just $80 (plus p & p) and will not only appeal to those who are interested in military history, but also wider of audience of those who are fans of general history.
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Post by longforgan on Nov 21, 2023 19:03:36 GMT 12
Copies still available but at this stage I have only done 400 and now sold 1/3. cheers Don
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Post by longforgan on Nov 21, 2023 8:35:58 GMT 12
Here are some feed back from people who have received the book:
What a fabulous publication. You have done such a thorough job. I’m really looking forward to reading it. Steve T
A quick glance thru looks to be a great read ahead for me. You have captured the Squadron wonderfully. Best wishes Les O
It is a magnificent publication and I have been devouring it on this rainy morning! Congratulations- a superb tribute to all those brave men and women who served on 489 Squadron. Best Regards, Martin B
First impression - what a huge effort to compile the book and what a great result! Well done on a terrific book - I shall enjoy working my way through it. all the very best Richard
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Post by longforgan on Nov 8, 2023 17:35:20 GMT 12
All pre-orders will be sent out over the coming week.
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Post by longforgan on Aug 10, 2022 1:27:07 GMT 12
The book was turned into a play broadcast on 1ZB Sunday night theatre. I remember listening to it as a kid.
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Post by longforgan on Jun 1, 2022 9:58:47 GMT 12
Thanks Larry for putting this up on the book. All going well the release date will be Oct-Nov this year.
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Post by longforgan on Feb 7, 2021 13:38:47 GMT 12
CHRISTCHURCH MAN RESCUED.During a recent attack on the Dutch coast a Beaufighter piloted by Warrant Officer Douglas Mann, Christchurch, was hit by anti-aircraft fire. Mann and a companion were forced to land in the North Sea and, confined to small one-man dinghy, they survived for five days, when they were spotted by an Allied aircraft, which dropped them a larger rubber dinghy. Three more days were spent on the open sea, and then they were picked up and conveyed to England. TOP: The crew of a high-speed rescue launch stands by, about to rescue the two airmen. BELOW: Douglas Mann, smiling, bearded, and grey-faced after his ordeal, is shown being removed on a stretcher at a rescue base after his harrowing eight days at sea. PRESS, 2 DECEMBER 1944 By the time Douglas Mann and Don Kennedy were rescued Douglas Mann was in a very poor state so the person sitting up in the Landholme dinghy (This was dropped to them a couple of days before by a Warwick) was Don Kennedy. He is also the person on the stretcher not Douglas Mann. From a tape done by Douglas Mann in 1982 he give details of this ditching: ..... However I couldn’t have been out for long I woke up, the water was around my waist and I climbed out of the top hatch having jettisoned it before of course and climbed out onto the wing and just from reflex action I leaned into the cockpit ‘K’ type dinghy with me. I looked around and Don was sitting in the aircraft dinghy which was only a few feet away possibly still tied to the wing I had to jump in (I have always been a good swimmer) and I swam over to the dinghy. This is where we struck real trouble as I climbed into the dinghy, I put my foot through the fabric in the floor. We had come through some very heavy and accurate flak. Whether the dinghy had been damaged from Flak or faulty manufacturing we will never know. The actual position we found ourselves in, we were virtually sitting on the side of the dinghy and the whole thing was water logged.
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Post by longforgan on Nov 3, 2020 21:24:20 GMT 12
Just heads up the pictures are composites and a guide for the paintings that will be the cover of the book. I'm just not sure which one I like yet.
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Post by longforgan on Aug 25, 2020 14:28:17 GMT 12
Would anybody have a copy of this book. I am trying to get a copy of it. If you have could you email at longforgan@xtra.co.nz
thanks for looking. Don Wilkie
FIXED EMAIL. Thanks David
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Post by longforgan on May 12, 2020 9:38:44 GMT 12
"RAF Harriers over Afghanistan 2005" Flare dispenser checks before descending into the action. oil on canvas 710x560mm The english electric lightning RAF No11 squadron, oil on canvas 760x760mm based on a series of sorties done by N0486 (NZ) squadron during the last months of the war over Germany attacking one of the 5./JG 301. Oil on Linen 910x610mm No 303 Polish squadron in battle against the 5/ZG 26 during the Battle of Britain. 910x610mm oil on canvas Al Deere during the Battle of Britain just in time for the birthday of the Spitfire. oil on canvas 910x610mm my tribute to the Tuskegee airman. "DEARLY BELOVED" flown by 1Lt. Earl Lane - 31. 910x610mm oil on canvas.
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Post by longforgan on May 21, 2019 21:51:08 GMT 12
'Dawn Takeoff' 487 squadron attacking railway ards in France 'Hitting the Coast' US Army PR Spitfire
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Post by longforgan on May 21, 2019 21:25:38 GMT 12
I have just finished Formatting and correcting this book and sent it off to the printers. This book is the life of Sergeant James Ward VC. It is 304 pages long and covers his life from his birth to his death. Bob Moore has had an amazing amount of contact and information from James Ward's family and I found it a great book to read while formatting and correcting it. There will be three launches for the book, two in New Zealand and one in England. It will be available from July this year and for those interested pre-orders are from patrobmoore@xtra.co.nz. The book is hard cover and the price of the book has been set at $69. Bob Moore was born in Wellington: the 4yr-old saw his father enter Trentham Military Camp and later embark with 22Bn 2nd NZEF for England and WW2. Post war attendance at Christchurch Boys’ High School and the School Cadet Corps( 1st= prize in graduating from the Training Unit) developed an interest in the military. A degree from Auckland University, CMT and near 10 years in the Territorial Force, was followed by Teaching: initially Primary then 35yrs in Secondary and some Tertiary Education. Appointment as Senior Master to Wanganui Boys’ College (now Whanganui City College) started a near 40years of research on James Allen Ward VC: Jimmy, after whom the hall was named was unknown. Jimmy’s sisters, with the Army Museum, Waiouru, enabled the creation of the James Allen Ward Memorial Display Archive that graces the foyer of City College. Bob was elected an Honorary Member of 75Sqn NZ Association, lectured to USAF Sergeants at RAF Feltwell in 2012, and now, his story culminates in the definitive biography of Jimmy Ward VC. 5th August, 1941: the London Gazette announced that King George VI had graciously conferred the award of Victoria Cross on Sgt Pilot, James Allen Ward, 75(NZ)Squadron,RAF. Vickers Wellington AA-R was attacked by a night fighter when returning from a raid on the German City of Munster on the night 7/8th July 1941. Amidst other major damage, bullets from the MeBf 110 punctured a fuel line to the starboard engine causing a jet-like fire to emerge from the wing. Desperate efforts to put the fire out proved useless: the wing covered in dopped linen was threatened. Jimmy summed up the situation and thought ”he had a good chance!” Helped by the Observer-Navigator, Jimmy climbed out through the astrodome and along to the seat of the fire to try and put it out. While not extinguished Jimmy saved the wing by his actions in tearing the fabric away from the fire. Given the freezing temperature, the prop-wash, the aircraft bouncing around at thousands of metres above the Zuider Zee, Jimmy hung on with one hand while trying to stuff an engine cover into the seat of the fire. Such action in saving his crew and aircraft, gallantry in the face of the enemy, warranted the award. Sadly, after the announcement, Jimmy and his crew were shot down over Hamburg on 15/16th September. Attendance at Buckingham Palace he had been notified of was not to be: his parents were presented with his medal by NZ’s Governor General, at Wellington, in October 1942. The book corrects myths and previously published errors. It is the story of Jimmy’s family in Coventry and later as immigrants to NZ ; Jimmy’s life, his death, and later, discovery by exhumation in 1946.
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Post by longforgan on Jul 20, 2017 17:05:25 GMT 12
I know this is not an RNZAF subject (not sure where to put it) My new painting of a USA PR Spitfire Mkx11 20-7-17-3w by longforgan2009, on Flickr
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Post by longforgan on Jul 10, 2017 19:30:10 GMT 12
I have started using Flickr now on other sites and it is working well.
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Post by longforgan on Jul 1, 2017 11:10:38 GMT 12
A small up date of the painting. All my paintings are for sale please look at my website.
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