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Post by thomarse on Apr 21, 2024 19:55:08 GMT 12
I wonder if that's the same Des Smith who loaded for Chris Pask for years?
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Post by thomarse on Apr 21, 2024 18:50:02 GMT 12
It was the Druine Turbulent BWE - was on loan to HB&EC Aero Club at the time from memory
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Post by thomarse on Apr 3, 2024 19:40:04 GMT 12
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Post by thomarse on Apr 3, 2024 10:54:02 GMT 12
Well, well - I worked with S I Baird at General Motors in Trentham where he was a Superintendent on the Assembly Line - we knew him as "Terry"
He knew I was interested in aviation and we often spoke about his Mosquito days but not in the detail that I suspect Tony is after. Unlike some, he was only too happy to talk about wartime events.
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Post by thomarse on Apr 3, 2024 9:45:02 GMT 12
Leith COMPTON Obituary On Saturday, March 30, 2024, at Gore Hospital, from cancer, aged 72 years. Dearly loved son of the late Gladys and Rex, loved brother of Sharon, and Glenys, much loved Dad of Rex and father-in-law of Sarah, adored Poppa of Daphne, Lily, and Chloe. In accordance with Leith's wishes, a private cremation has been held. Messages to Compton family, 175 Colombo Road, Masterton 5810.
Although I can't see Leith on our Members List, he could well be here under an alias but he was certainly active over on several FB pages
I never met him but Leith was a Wairarapa boy who had been loader-driving not only in NZ but also overseas and had a wealth of knowledge of Ag Aviation - one of those who should have written a book
Blue skies, Leith
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Post by thomarse on Mar 28, 2024 9:33:42 GMT 12
Thanks Leo - NSAC was a safe bet...
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Post by thomarse on Mar 27, 2024 18:37:55 GMT 12
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Post by thomarse on Mar 26, 2024 19:51:09 GMT 12
I wonder where she is now?
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Post by thomarse on Mar 11, 2024 16:23:32 GMT 12
Well I stand corrected on this one - the story has been told. When Ray D alerted me to the fact that this pilot appears in The Topdressers as Dick L "Red" (for obvious reasons if you watch the video!) Graham, I find that the story is covered on pages 159 - 162 and that Red, after contracting polio, trained as a GP and went into practice in Porirua.
So, the answer to the question Dave is: No, he didn't go back topdressing
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Post by thomarse on Mar 11, 2024 9:37:21 GMT 12
Okay, we're making progress: vimeopro.com/withloveweremember/richardgraham/video/186193344The only bits related to Ag Aviation that I can see are him in front of an Ag-Tiger and also in the front of a well-known photo taken at (I think) the first Ag-pilots' Reunion. I do see him in Air Force uniform though
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Post by thomarse on Mar 10, 2024 11:32:51 GMT 12
R L Graham does not appear in the Pilots' List of "the Topdressers", and this is the first time I've heard of this. I'm keen to hear more of this story...
One thing it does underline is the sheer engineering genius of "Mac" Macgregor. Why he never quite rose to the heights he deserved is, again, another story
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Post by thomarse on Feb 27, 2024 12:15:40 GMT 12
These posts interest me, but for a reason - this appears to be another one of those cases where someone ("Linda") joined, started a thread asking a question, then never returned to look for answers. Strange indeed...
I've love to know more about Muriel Dutton.
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Post by thomarse on Feb 24, 2024 14:50:37 GMT 12
And despite the initial mentioned, I believe it was the late Doug Donaldson, also a WRAC member over many years
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Post by thomarse on Feb 24, 2024 5:24:39 GMT 12
Yes, a well-known tale down this way Dave
Some of those involved received Civic Awards for their efforts
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Post by thomarse on Feb 20, 2024 8:19:21 GMT 12
Hi all
While looking for something else, I came across a reference to this bird from 2018, at which stage she was at Te Kowhai.
There seems to be very little other info on her - she's still on the FAA Register to a US owner
Is she still here? Is she ever seen out and about?
Cheers
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Post by thomarse on Feb 18, 2024 20:04:37 GMT 12
I'm interested in the circumstances under which the late SQN LDR Brausch served three stints over a 49 year period - roughly 6 years (1 year gap) then 16 years (5 year gap) then 21 years. His commendation was during this last stint
That would be very unusual wouldn't it?
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Post by thomarse on Feb 16, 2024 9:30:36 GMT 12
I can remember two occasions with bushfires here in Upper Hutt in the late 70s/early 80s. One with Air Contracts Airtruk CJQ and the second with Associated Farmers Agwagons DRZ and DPQ; on both occasions they worked from Trentham Racecourse
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Post by thomarse on Dec 16, 2023 12:10:52 GMT 12
Any update on her please Anthony?
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Post by thomarse on Dec 13, 2023 8:53:46 GMT 12
Around the early 90s there was a couple of humorous but harrowing tales circulating the Aero Clubhouses and Flying Schools of NZ concerning arrivals of CO flights in Auckland.
Anyone else remember them?
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Post by thomarse on Oct 15, 2023 10:33:06 GMT 12
Not the first time; won't be the last....
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