clint
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Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Jun 14, 2018 15:33:30 GMT 12
I have just finished reading Mel Rolfe's "Bomber Boys" and in one of his stories he tells the tale of RAF Navigator Ken Trueman who is shot down in August 1944. Trueman along with other downed airmen join and fight alongside the Belgian Resistance taking part in many raids. Near the end of the story it mentions "Another time a New Zealander was killed in a fierce gun fight with Germans after the Belgians and airmen tried to steal lorries before switching camps".
No date or location is given for this particular raid but would anyone out there have any idea who this may have been?
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clint
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Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Jun 14, 2018 15:22:31 GMT 12
Today I went to hear Brendan Deere give a presentation about about the Battle of Britain. It was held at Te Manawa Museum in Palmerston North and touched on a range of subjects such as the build up to war, military aviation between the wars, aircraft, tactics, and the role played by New Zealanders. If you ever get an opportunity to hear him speak it is well worth it, a large audience as well and extra seating had to be found.
The presentation was sponsored by the Engineer Corps Memorial Centre and next month they have a Naval theme with a presentation on New Zealanders who served in Midget Submarines in the Pacific/Asia theatre during WWII.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on May 11, 2018 12:55:14 GMT 12
I see one of the latest Commando Comics has a RNZAF story, more of a 'what if' scenario as Corsairs didn't dog fight Zero's but at least the RNZAF is getting recognised! The 'Mutiny Island' story goes; Haruki Murakami, of the Imperial Navy Air Service, and Josh Croydon, of the Royal New Zealand Air force, duelled in the bright blue skies above the Pacific Ocean. The war was nearing its end, but Haruki’s Mitsubishi Zero Type 0 model 52 and Josh’s Vought F4U Corsair fought on like clashing eagles – until a crash sent them careering towards a small island. They were mortal enemies in the sky, but now stranded on a remote Pacific island teeming with ruthless pirates, they would have to learn to work together if they were to survive. www.commandocomics.com/
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Mar 7, 2018 7:02:12 GMT 12
All the best Sir, get well soon. Once a fighter always a fighter!
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Mar 5, 2018 20:53:53 GMT 12
Great interview, he's a very switched on gentleman.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Mar 1, 2018 13:19:47 GMT 12
Just been reading about Ashley Faulkner in Wings Over The Pacific, RIP.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Mar 1, 2018 12:23:12 GMT 12
Great episode Dave,he was lucky to survive that anti aircraft shell. I really enjoy hearing from the Pacific veterans.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Feb 13, 2018 18:54:57 GMT 12
Brilliant pictures, thanks for posting.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Nov 21, 2017 14:52:17 GMT 12
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Nov 18, 2017 18:34:01 GMT 12
I have a bit of a fascination with Air Gunners so it is always great to see bombers firing their weapons from their turrets and other gun positions;
Although a PV2 Harpoon, probably very similar to what our Air Gunners did in the PV-1's in the Pacific;
Bomber Camp! I watched a documentary on this not long ago and it looks great. Basically a 2 day camp where you go through all the training of a WWII Bomber Crewman and fire the weapons in flight and even drop some bombs.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Nov 14, 2017 12:36:29 GMT 12
That kind of family history should be told in a book or documentary.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Nov 14, 2017 10:17:01 GMT 12
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Nov 11, 2017 16:20:13 GMT 12
New cover for an upcoming book on the Rabual Campaign of 1943/44. According to the artist "An RNZAF P-40 about to collide with a Japanese Zero during a combat of 17th of December 1943. The painting is based upon the Japanese pilot's account and shows the P-40 as being the one flown by F/O J O McFarlane, (who was lost in this combat), although it's difficult to be 100% certain that it was his aircraft involved".
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Oct 31, 2017 13:01:15 GMT 12
Thanks very much chook much appreciated
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Oct 30, 2017 9:13:54 GMT 12
If anyone has a copy of Kittyhawks and Coconuts for sale or knows of where I can get a copy can you let me know please? I've been after a copy for a while now, it sometimes pops up on Trademe but the price usually skyrockets before I can get a look in.
Many thanks.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Oct 26, 2017 17:38:05 GMT 12
I have this on DVD at home and totally agree its a fantastic movie. The producer I believe was a Polish fighter pilot in WW2 and was involved in the Battle of Britain movie. I've also seen a version with an extended ending.
I really enjoyed Wings as well, watched all the episodes on YouTube.
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Oct 16, 2017 17:13:02 GMT 12
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Oct 3, 2017 11:38:35 GMT 12
Some great colour film shot by a Beaufort Pilot with the RAAF in New Guinea who also narrates. Great shots of Beauforts, Hudsons, Beaufighters, P-40'S and P-39'S. The take offs and landings in the wet took some skill!
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Sept 20, 2017 12:36:13 GMT 12
Here is another one I found with what is described as some members of an Indian Anti Aircraft Regiment looking over some allied aircraft on Bougainville. NZ Corsairs are near the end;
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clint
Squadron Leader
Posts: 135
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Post by clint on Sept 4, 2017 15:15:50 GMT 12
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