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Post by alanw on May 25, 2020 18:52:53 GMT 12
Hi All,
I have some questions, I'm hoping the Forum Knowledge Trust maybe able to assist with? The name Kohimarama, I'm picking is for the Suburb in Auckland. The Tiki and the number IX in Roman numerals is the query I have. Does anyone know why the aircraft was adorned with the Tiki and Roman Numerals. Given that most young men either played Rugby/Cricket, being 15 or 11 but 9? The Tiki for good Luck?
Thanks for any/all assistance
Regards
Alan
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Post by alanw on Apr 24, 2020 11:39:01 GMT 12
No I do not know the measurements. You can probably work it out, or David Duxbury or Barf Bosher may have a more precise idea. I am pretty sure that NZ3072 is known to have had codes because it w wearing them at Rukuhia. Hi Dave - Thanks for that, your comments reminded me that I have a photo of NZ3082 OD-19 at Rukuhia. The interesting thing is, that the Codes don't appear to follow conventional lettering so that can come in handy Also, I note that on NZ3082, some of the Red has worn off the nose cone, exposing the white underneath, along with the red on the tail planes showing the white underneath also Regards Alan
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Post by alanw on Apr 24, 2020 9:28:29 GMT 12
Hi Dave,
Thank you again for the awesome information.
Since reading your last post, it occurred to me that the photo of NZ3072 in "RNZAF The First Decade", may have been already at 4 OTU Ohakea, but perhaps the War Time Censor had Removed/Blotted out the Red Codes (just a thought)
Might need to re-think adding them on.
Might sound a silly question, by chance do you know what the code measurements would be? I have some for a RNZAF Hudson, but they seem a little big for a Fighter Aircraft measurement wise
Thanks
Alan
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Post by alanw on Apr 23, 2020 17:05:04 GMT 12
Hi Dave and David
Thank you so much for that information.
So if going by the the premise, that 4 OTU was at Ardmore, and the Red Spinner and Codes were not adopted till Ohakea, I wonder what colour the spinner was at Ardmore?
I guess there is the other possibility, that the Photo on page 76 of "RNZAF The First Decade", could have been taken after arrival at Ohakea, (Spinner looks dark enough for a Red, and it has the Red Tail stripes) prior to addition of Red Codes OD-17?
Thanks
Alan
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Post by alanw on Apr 23, 2020 13:42:09 GMT 12
As a general rule, 4 OTU had red spinners, red codes and red tail stripes on the white tail. 2 OTU had white spinners, sky codes and no stripes on the tail. Hi Dave- Thank you - Per normal you're a Legend Thank you for the Info on the white tails too. I note your comment on the Red Codes, it's interesting that NZ3072 in the photo doesn't show any codes. Any ideas as to why that might be? (If I don't have to paint them that's good too ) Edit - I assume you're referring to the Code letters on the Fuselage, I see that the Code "072" is on the cowling, I at first assumed them white, but could they also be Red? Thanks Alan
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Post by alanw on Apr 23, 2020 12:48:07 GMT 12
Hi All, I trust you are all doing well (or as well as can be) during this
time in Lockdown? Since I saw the posts on John Smith's P40's, I decided to do a P40M I have, as one redone in NZ Foliage Green/NZ Sky Grey, seeing how NZ3220 was painted, got the modelling juices going. There is a photo in Darby's "RNZAF The First Decade" on page 76 of NZ3072 (Wairarapa Wildcat) after return to New Zealand, and being re-painted in NZ Foliage Green/NZ Sky Grey with 4 OTU. The only item I haven't been able to reconcile, is the Propeller Nose cone colour? From memory from past readings on the Forums, I believe it is Red? Tried to Search the Forum boards but was not successful. Can our Forum Knowledge Trust please confirm or steer me in the right direction of the correct colour? Edit - another quick question I'm sure the White tail paint is both upper and lower Stabilizers? Thanks Alan
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Post by alanw on Mar 3, 2020 12:07:22 GMT 12
Spent yesterday moving the wings for Gloria Lyons NZ3220 from Mapua to Omaka. The wings are large and heavy to move requiring the assistance of many good people. It is interesting to see the white side bars for the blue pacific roundel reappearing as the later paint flakes off. Overall the wings are in great condition considering this is the first time they have been indoors since being delivered to NZ. IMG_1400 by Mike Nicholls, on Flickr I've just caught upon this awesome thread, Photos are just jaw dropping - Thank you so much for posting!!! Quick question for our RNZAF Museum Guru's (aka David D/Nathan) I'm picking the Blue/Green/Greyish paint on the above photo is the "NZ Sky Grey" painted on Return P40's/other New Zealand based aircraft circa 1944/45? If so, then it's certainly not the "Grey/Green" quoted by Darby in his book "RNZAF First Decade for Gloria Lyons NZ3220 (see page 73). I'm also grateful for the RNZAF Roundels showing what a faded RNZAF Roundel Blue from WWII actually looks like - this is a gold mine of information Thanks again for posting Regards Alan
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Post by alanw on Feb 9, 2020 12:41:33 GMT 12
Hi All,
Just read through this whole thread. Awesome!!!
I had hoped to make a pilgrimage to see John's collection one day - My condolences to John's family - Blue Skies and following Winds to John.
The fantastic thing is, these are Time capsules into our Air Force's past and the Aircraft, especially the P 40's allow us to actually see (for the most part) the real colours of a P40E-1 and P40N -especially the cockpit of NZ3043 (it's not US Interior Green or Curtiss Cockpit Yellow Green!!!)
Thank you so much for posting these photos Hopefully more to follow??
Thanks/Regards
Alan
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Post by alanw on Sept 26, 2019 22:56:33 GMT 12
How many depth charges would a Sunderland carry as a full load? Hi Dave Generally 8 (250lb each), the 1st pilot can either drop all at once or, just behind him, was a Clockwork type mechanism (nick name Mickey Mouse) that could be set to drop the munitions even numbers/odd numbers or combinations. I have actually seen it work, pretty cool gizmo Lots of folks seem to think (especially WWII) that Sunderland's carried spares on the bomb bay floor. All the Aircrew I have spoken to or read reports fromn only ever carried the 8 (Plus you need special equipment to help load them on board) Regards Alan
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Post by alanw on Sept 26, 2019 17:34:12 GMT 12
Hi Gents
Many thanks for your replies
Thanks/regards
Alan
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Post by alanw on Sept 25, 2019 19:42:09 GMT 12
Hi All, An interesting topic came up just a couple of days ago to do with NZ4115 at MOTAT, which got me thinking Our Sunderland's won the 1964 Fincastle trophy, using what technology they were equipped with then. The had use of sonobuoys/Mk VI ASV systems etc. Sonobuoy tracking station ASV Mk VI System Flight Deck My question is, if they had to sink say a Soviet Submarine back then, what weapons would they have used? Comments/help most welcome Thanks Alan
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Post by alanw on Jul 9, 2019 20:18:00 GMT 12
Hi Gents,
As usual this Forum and members are a Goldmine full of awesome information - Thank you so much!!!
Thanks and regards
Alan
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Post by alanw on Jul 8, 2019 18:46:05 GMT 12
Hi Gents Thank you ever so much for that information - I did a search and found a photo on Phillip Treweek's Kiwi Aircraft images, of the sealant on the rear gear wall www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/pages/01ohkc37.htmlA couple of other questions if I may? If the A4K was loaded for say Ground Attack (as in a an Exercise), load could be center-line MER with Mk 82's, Wing tanks inner pylons, anything carried on the outer wing pylons? (Too early for AIM 9L's) If flying "Clean" except Wing tanks, pylons on or off center line and outer wings? I'm staring a 1/32 Build, so want to build as good a representation as I can Thanks again Alan
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Post by alanw on Jul 8, 2019 15:07:36 GMT 12
Hi All, Some questions for our Technical Experts on our A4Ks circa early 1980's (before Kahu Upgrades) The A4K's arrived with the wiring/Plumbing for the Bull Pup missile, in 1982, did they still carry them/use them? In this Link borrowed from Wikipedia - nice shot of NZ6206, is it me or have the Greens changed from the original SEA scheme the A4K's arrived in 1970? upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/36/A-4K_with_75_Sqn_RNZAF_members_1982.JPEGIf so, what Greens were they (I would presume locally sourced paint?) Edit - Where the Wheel wells/Gear doors, still Insignia White at this time? Thanks for any/all help Regards Alan
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Post by alanw on Jun 6, 2019 19:52:29 GMT 12
Wow, Really nice!! Great memories of seeing my brother off to Woodbourne on one of these from Whenuapai Thanks for sharing your model with us A model on my to get list Regards Alan
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Post by alanw on May 9, 2019 17:34:18 GMT 12
Very Very nice To this day I can hear the sound of those Aircraft (Engines especially) over Wigram I have to say (Proud Kiwi and all) Our Harvard's (in that scheme) were the coolest looking aircraft. Thanks for sharing your model with us Regards Alan
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Post by alanw on May 6, 2019 18:21:07 GMT 12
Hi Nick,
For starters, you could request a copy of his Service Records which would give some information, but may not necessarily have aircraft information.
RNZAF Museum may have 490 Squadron records of aircrew/aircraft?
There were a few RAF Sunderland Squadrons in Africa (West) that flew with New Zealander's, namely: 95 Sqn, 204 Sqn, 270 Sqn, 490 (NZ) Sqn.
The Mk III Sunderland your family friend would have flown (certainly with 95/270/490 Sqn's) would have worn typical RAF Markings, (Code Letter Slate Grey) over the Dark Sea Grey/White Scheme. Most Mk III's were received roughly mid 1944, so would not necessarily have the mid upper turret (270 & 490 Sqn Mk III's didn't)
Regards
Alan
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Post by alanw on Apr 23, 2019 18:46:26 GMT 12
Alan, Apart from the details you have pointed out, would this likely be the best starting point for a Mk.5 Sunderland?. Decals are easy enough to source, so as long as it doesn't have any major shape issues i'm keen to have a go at this one. The Italeri doesn't look right to me, that area around the cockpit appears to have contours that just aren't there and the detail is heavy. The model it self should build into a nice kit, has the main bits needed Just bear in mind SH would have you place three port holes aft on the rear fuselage, there are only two (get rid of the furthest one) and on the Starboard side upper (between Canopy and wing leading edge) SH have three Portholes, when there is only one (the one next to leading edge is correct) The Fore part of the flight deck is reasonably accurate. If you need any photos just ask away Regards Alan
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Post by alanw on Apr 22, 2019 21:40:37 GMT 12
Depending on how accurate you want to be, the SH Sunderland Mk V is not so accurate. It has no markings for RNZAF Aircraft, (they probably would have had Kiwi Roundels) The Main fore and aft hatches are missing the Fire Axe and Fire Extinguisher pexiglass cutouts, and the the upper dorsal hatch/fairing in wrong. The rear decking provided is more for a Mk III not a Mk V/MR5 The forward flight deck is okay for our Sunderland's, but you will have to scratch build the Radio section, as the SH version is more for a RAF aircraft If you do build one and are happy with the model OOB, "Old Model Decals" have a range of decals for late 1950's and 1960's scheme/markings, for RNZAF Sunderland MR5's Regards Alan
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Post by alanw on Jan 15, 2019 19:13:19 GMT 12
Awesome Dave, It's so good to capture all this information, while we still have these great people. I thought it looked white too Now I know better Thanks for posting this Regards Alan
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