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Post by flyinghilly on Apr 16, 2021 20:26:22 GMT 12
Nick - did you get hold of Robbie Booth - I know where to find him - boy has he got some stories to tell.
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Post by flyinghilly on Apr 16, 2021 20:20:54 GMT 12
This is not exactly the right place for this post but I thought I would post it here anyway.
I have a collection of signatures of all the NZers who achieved the rank of Air Vice Marshall and above in the RNZAF or the RAF - (AVM is equivalent to a 2 star general)
I have a few gaps in the collection (only a few) and one of them is the signature of AVM Sir Kenneth Hayr.
After he retired from the RAF he spent half his time in NZ and was quite involved with the warbirds scene here and I wondered if anyone might have his signature on any correspondence that they might like to part with
I would be most grateful
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Post by flyinghilly on Apr 12, 2021 17:17:47 GMT 12
Greetings I only just came across your posts on the forum about Ron Fulstow.
I introduced him to his UK agent Nick Stein and I have a number of original paintings from him. If you would like to contact me on larry.hill.nz@gmail.com I can send you pics of my paintings and tell you more about Ron - I knew him very well
Larry Hill
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Post by flyinghilly on Jan 15, 2021 9:24:30 GMT 12
I think this book was published by his family after Ted's death and I would like to know where I can get a copy.
I know Ted privately published some of expereinces in 3 volumes of memoirs and I think the published book was based on these memopirs.
Any help I can get to find a copy would be appreciated.
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Post by flyinghilly on Mar 28, 2020 19:27:55 GMT 12
I just came across this post and noticed the post by Phasselgren regarding 489 Squadron Books and the info on the book by Harold Blampied called Diary of a Beaufighter Pilot" - I created this book fro Hal from notes that he created from his diary - I only every printed 2 copies - Hal nad one and I have the other. I cant help but wonder how The The BRITISH AVIATION ARCHAEOLOGICAL COUNCIL found out about the book.
As an additional point I also worked with Hal's daughter to create a much more extensive biography of Hal's life. We printed 20 copies of the book which were distributed to his family
Hal Blampied DFC was a terrific person - modest and brave I couldn't speak highly enough of him
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Post by flyinghilly on Mar 27, 2020 18:25:14 GMT 12
Thats correct Lord Sam Elworthy was the only NZer to acheive the rank of marshal of the RAF
In total 15 NZers acheived the rank of AVM or above in the RAF including Marshal of the RAF Lord Sam Elworthy ACM Sir Keith Park AM Sir Arthur Coningham (he was Australian born ut came to NZ at the age of 6 and identified as a NZer all his life. His Nick name was "Mary" and one theory about why he was called this is that during WW2 his fellow pilots initially called him Maori and "Mary" was a corruption of that. AM Sir Roderick Carr AVM Curthbert Mclean AM Sir Hector McGregor - he commanded a fighter Squadron in the BoB ACM Sir Dennis Barnett AM Sir Charles Broughton AVM "digger" Magill AM Sir Rockford Hughes AVM Sir Alan Boxer AVM Sir Charles Gibbs AVM Bill Crawford-Compton - very high scoring WW2 fighter ace AM Sir Ken Hayr AM Sir Robert Clark-Hall - he is interesting because he was not a NZ. he rose to high rank in the Royal Navy during WW1 - he commanded the first Aircraft Carrier, the Ark Royal, at Gallipoli - he retired to NZ in 1935 and joined the RNZAF to "help out" in WW2 - he served in some very important roles and rose to the rank of Air Commodore in the Rank of AVM in the RAF
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Post by flyinghilly on Mar 27, 2020 15:11:05 GMT 12
I have been quite successful in seeking out infornation on all the Chief's of the Air Force (and Chief's of the Air Staff) and I have found contact information on ost of the men who are still alive except for a few
Can anyone conncet me with these men AVM Dave Bamfield - Rtd Vice Chief of Defence Force AVM Dave Hill - Rtd Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff AVM Patrick Neville Rtd Chief of Air Staff - I had heard that Pat Neville lives in Taupo but I have not been able to find him - it may be that he lives in a retirement village AVM Don Hamilton Rtd. Cheif of Air Staff
I would appreciate it if anyone can provide me with contact information on any of these men - email eddress, physical address or even a phone number I have been working on putting together a biography of every senior (AVM and above) New Zealander who served withthe RNAZF, NZDF or the RAF
I now have photos of every man in this group which I could publish on the forum if anyone is interested
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Post by flyinghilly on Oct 6, 2019 14:33:52 GMT 12
I have just read this thread and while I cant add anything I want to make a comment. The progress of this thread clearly illustrates the power of the 'network' and the incredible power that is contained in technology and especially the Internet.
This started with a simple enquiry about a 485 Squadron pilot wo seemed to have disappeared into the ether. It ended with input from his family and member producing photos of his flying years and even a recording that he made way back during the war. Truly amazing.
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Post by flyinghilly on Oct 6, 2019 14:16:34 GMT 12
The previous post was about The NZ defence Force but I woiuld like to dig a little deeper and identify every NZer who held an Air Force Rank of Air Vice Marshal and above - in NZ (the Air Force or Defeence Force) the RAF or in fact any other air Force
I would appreciate it if members could look at this list and tell me if I have missed anyone
Chief of the Air Force
1. Gp Capt Ralph Cochrane (Apr 1937-March 39) RAF
2. Air Comm Hugh "Ding" Saunders (March 39 - Dec 1941) RAF
3. AVM R.V. Goddard (Dec 1941 - July 1943) RAF
4. AVM Len Isitt (Jul 43 - May 46)
5. AVM Arthur Nevill (May 46 - Jan 1951)
6. AVM D. Carnegie (Jan 51 - Feb 54) RAF
7. AVM Walter Hugh Merton (Feb 54 - June 56) RAF
8. AVM Cyril Kay (June 56 - July 58)
9. AVM Malcolm Fredrick Calder (July 58 - July 62)
10. AVM Ian Morrison (July 62 - July 1966)
11. AVM Cameron Archer Turner (July 66 - July 69)
12. AVM William Hector Stratton (July 69 - July 71)
13. AVM Douglas Fitzclarence St. George (July 71 - Sept 74)
14. AVM Sir Richard Bolt (Sept 74 - Oct 76)
15. AVM Larry Siegert (Oct 76 - Oct 79)
16. AVM David Ewan Jameison (Ewan) (Oct 79 - April 83)
17. AVM David Crooks (Apr 83 - Oct 86)
18. AVM Pat Neville (Oct 1986 - 1988)
19. AVM Peter Adamson 1988 to 1992
20. AVM John Hosie 92 to 95
21. AVM Carey Adamson 1995 to 1999
22. AVM Don Hamilton 1999 to 2002
23. AVM John Hamilton 2002 to 2006
24. AVM Graham Lintott 2006 2011
25. AVM Peter Stockwell 2011 to 2014
26. AVM Mike Yardley 2014
27. AVM Tony Davies MNZM 23 March 2016
28. AVM Andrew Clark 10 September 2018
NZ Defence Force
1. AM Sir Richard Bolt
2. AM Sir Ewan Jamison
3. AM David Crooks
4. AM Kevin Short
5. AVM Bruce Ferguson 7. AVM Robin Klitscher
2. AVM Dave Bamfield
3. AVM Dave Hill
Others from the RAF
1. Marshal of the RAF Lord Sam Elworthy (only NZer to hold this rank) 2. ACM Sir Keith Park (Very high ranking WW2 Officer - WW1 fighter ace) 3. ACM Arthur Coningham (very high ranking WW2 Officer - WW1 fighter ace)
4. AVM Alan Boxer
5. AVM Graham Reese Magill
6. AVM Charles Gibbs
7. AM Roderick Car
8. AVM Denis Barnett
9. AM Sir Sydney Weetman Rockford Hughes
10. AVM Bill Crawford-Compten (WW2 fighter ACE)
11. AM Sir Kenneth Hayr
12. AM Hector McGregor (Battle of Britain Pilot) 13. AVM Cuthbert McLean (WW1) 14. AM Sir Charles Broughton 15. AM Sir Robert Clark-Hall
Any help in identifying other men who weer AVM or above would be appreciated
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Post by flyinghilly on Sept 29, 2019 18:44:30 GMT 12
On 2 occasions an RNZAF Officer who has not been the Chief of the Air Force has been promoted to the Chief of the Defence Force. These are Air Marshal Bruce Ferguson Air Marshal Kevin Short (current)
I am aware of one Deputy Chief of the Defence Force who was not the Chief of the Air Force - AVM Robin Klitscher
Does anyone know if there has been any other RNZAF officer who was Deputy Chief of the Defence who was not the Chief of the Air Force?
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Post by flyinghilly on Aug 23, 2019 17:27:04 GMT 12
I see that you mentioned Warren Schrader in your original post - I met him a few times and he told me a great story about how he had flown a ME262 - its was before the end of the war and he was having a few days off with another pilot and came across 2 Me262s in a paddock. The soldier guarding them told him that two pilots had surrendered that morning and they were in the local jail. Warren Schraeder went into the town and bought one of the pilots back and hd him explain the systems and how to start it etc. They took off in these two aircraft and headed back to the airstrip they had come from - long story short when they came to land the other pilot landed successfully and Smokey couldn't get his front wheel down despite throwing the aircraft around a lot. In the end he landed on the main wheels and when the front of the aircraft dropped it scraped along the ground causing it to catch fire. Johnnie Johnson was in charge of this base and came out and delivered a very colourful speech.
I did some research and discovered that this aircraft is still in a museum in Denmark
I suspect that Smokey was the only NZ airman to fly a ME262 - he told me that the speed of it took his breath away and it was a delight to fly.
Smokey was promoted and put in charge of the first squadron of jets in the RAF - his instructions were to" engage with the German jets and see if he could shoot a few dow"n - he told me that they shot up a few on the ground but as the performance of the Meteor was nowhere near the performance of the 262 so they avoided them in the air.
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Post by flyinghilly on Jun 2, 2019 14:56:04 GMT 12
Dave - do you know where this Vampire came from? Where has it been stored all these years?
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Post by flyinghilly on Sept 15, 2018 21:58:38 GMT 12
As you are aware Alan Peart DFC passed away a few days ago in Hamilton at 96 years of age.
After some research I thought that he was the Last NZ WW2 Fighter Ace but after the Herald and the Stuff web sites reported this they later recanted and said that there was another NZ Ace still living in Australia.
As quoted in the Herald:
"That title now belongs to John Forrest, in his 90s and now lives in Australia, but is involved in the RSA in his home country."
Being an Ace is an unofficial status however the definitive list of RAF and Commonwealth aces is the book called "Aces High" Christopher Shores and the edition of this book that I have makes no mention of a John Forrest.
There is another book called "Those Other Eagles" that lists pilot with 1 - 54 combat victories - I have yet to check this
Does anyone have any information on John Forrest - who he flew with?, how many victories did he have?, was he a NZer? and so on.
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Post by flyinghilly on Nov 1, 2017 12:26:42 GMT 12
From the files of things that are not widely known
There is a privately published book about Nugget Cohen called "Eyes turned Skyward' - The Berlin Airlift and other RNZAF Pioneer Stories
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Post by flyinghilly on Jul 8, 2017 16:20:21 GMT 12
Greetings
I am looking to identify all the NZers who held a Air Marshal rank in the RAF - this would include ACM, AM, AVM
The names I have so far are:
ACM Sir Keith park AM Sir Arthur Coningham Marshal of the RAF Sir Lord Elworthy AM Sir Rockford Hughes AVM Bill Crawford-Compton AM Sir Roderick Carr AVM Charles Gibbs AM Sir Kenneth Hayr
So are there any I have missed - you help would be appreciated
I also does anyone know any RNZAF people officers who held the post of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff of Deputy Chief of the Defence - so far the only man I can think of is the current Deputy AVM Kevin Short
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Post by flyinghilly on Apr 25, 2017 10:09:15 GMT 12
Hopefully some of you (or all of you) have watched the documentary featuring Arthur Joplin, Keith Boles and Alan Peart. Alan is about to turn 95. Some years back Alan commissioned a painting of his action over Broadway by Ron Fulstow. Ron, who has now passed away, once told me that it was one of his favourite works. Ron convinced Alan to invest in having prints made of the painting and he sold quite a few but he still has some left and I am helping him to try and sell them. The prints are on archival quality paper and are signed by Ron Fulstow (artist), Alan Peart, Jim Robinson (who flew with Alan on 81 Squadron across North Africa, up through Malta to Sicily and Italy and then on the Burma) and Russell Clark who flew Spitfires with 485 Squadron in Europe. The Prints are being offered t o forum members for $120 plus postage and packaging Anyone interested in buying one can email at lhill@clear.net.nz Perhaps we can help Alan sell the remaining few prints that he has
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Post by flyinghilly on Apr 24, 2017 9:10:57 GMT 12
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Post by flyinghilly on Apr 23, 2017 21:00:56 GMT 12
As some members may know I have, along with a few other people been working on producing a new documentary featuring 3 of our airmen. The documentary, funded by NZ on Air and supported by Fairfax will be available for viewing tomorrow on the Stuff web site. The series of 4 videos is titled 'Last of the Few' and features 3 NZ airmen who represent the last of their line of endevour: - Arthur Joplin - the last surviving pilot who flew with 617 Dambusters Squadron - Arthur did not fly on the Dams raid but he did bomb the Tirpitz twice
- Keith Boles DFC - the last NZ Pilot who flew target marking operations flying Mosquitoes equipped with OBOE technology
- Alan Peart DFC - the last WW2 Fighter ace still living in NZ
We hope you will like what we have put produced
I will upload a link to the documentar as soon as its available.
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Post by flyinghilly on Mar 13, 2017 9:47:26 GMT 12
In reading a lot of articles about fighter combat and the activities of the gunners in bombers the terms kills, claims and victories seem to be interchangeable when discussing the number of aircraft shot down. Does anyone have any understanding as to how these various ways of describing that someone had shot down an enemy aircraft came about.
Most of the more professionally prepared texts avoid the word 'kill' - For example Chris Rudge in his book 'Air to Air' refers to combat claims, 'Aces High' by Shores refers simply to ''claims'.
Pilots themselves that I have spoken with frequently mention that they never though of killing someone - their target was simply another aircraft and since you can't 'Kill' an aircraft the term is not really appropriate in my mind
I know that the RAF did not create the concept of an 'Ace' - this concept was created by the press however the pilots did compare tallies and refer to each other as aces - so it has become a generally accepted term for a pilot with more than 5 accepted claims.
Even the Luftwaffe referred to them as 'aerial victories'. The Luftwaffe's aerial victory confirmation procedure was based on directive 55270/41 named "Confirmation of aerial victories, destructions and sinking of ships" (German: Anerkennung von Abschüssen, Zerstörungen und Schiffsvernichtung)
Does anyone know where the term 'kills' with respects to fighter pilots claims came from - perhaps it was perpetuated by the US press looking to sensationalise an event. Did the US pilots talk about 'kills'
Why am I asking about this - I'm working on a documentary and the assistant producer has created a voice over mentioning 'the number of kills' - personally I would much rather avoid the word and simply talk about combat claims.
Does anyone have feed back on this or a better understanding
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Post by flyinghilly on Dec 21, 2016 21:23:24 GMT 12
I visited Arthur Joplin last week and he mentioned that he had heard that he might be the last pilot still alive that attacked the Tirpitz - does anyone have any information on this. I think 2 of his crew are still alive as well
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