Corsair NZ5648

[Dave Homewood]

I am guessing they have removed the video now? I do not see it.

[Deleted]

Just about ready to go! (link)

Where else in the world are you going to see an RNZAF 1945 FG-1D Corsair Hood Aerodrome this weekend (weather permitting).
Come and visit us at Wings Over Wairarapa
Photo of the Leadership Team that put NZ5648 back in the air.
Jay McIntyre, Keith Skilling, Mike Jones, Frank Parker (Current Display Pilot and NZ Warbirds President)

ZK-COR 20231121 Omaka via Mike Jones 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

A little paint reveal and background (link):

Come and see our Original RNZAF 1945 FG-1D Corsair fly at Wings Over Wairarapa (weather permitting) Our new scheme celebrates the RNZAF pilots and support crews plus other NZ Servicemen. In particular the Port nose art is a copy of the original artwork from NZ5373 from 23 Squadron showing Marie (Earl Thompson’s Girlfriend/wife) modelled off the Vargas Girl.
Thanks to Marty Nicoll and JEM Aviation Ltd for their skill and detailed work providing a period scheme and convincing me to adopt it!

ZK-COR 20231121 Omaka Mike Jones 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

(link)

Marie…

ZK-COR 20231121 Omaka via Mike Jones 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

(link)

With a 5 year old wing man [Mike's son] It was always a given that we would have a tribute to the Disney Studio contribution to WW2.
Marty Nicoll and JEM Aviation Ltd came up with an original Duck applied by 30 SU Service Unit to at least 4 Corsairs in active service providing a link to the brave allied servicemen and pilots of WW2 in all theatres of war.
We have retained our own NZ5648 Identity but given a no[d] to 30SU

ZK-COR 20231121 Omaka Mike Jones 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-COR 20231121 Omaka via Mike Jones 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

(link)

The brakes are now unbelievably good and very positive to operate

ZK-COR 20231121 Omaka Mike Jones 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-COR 20231121 Omaka Mike Jones 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[davidd]

SU = Servicing Unit (in wartime RNZAF)

[colford]

Yes Dave, the video was taken down on FB. Was only there a few hours then gone. I suspect someone asked for it to be taken down so as not to upset the owner's offical 'reveal' of the finalised scheme.

I look forward to seeing the final scheme 'in the metal' at CF2025. It looks very good.

[Antonio]

Agreed.
Will be pleased to see it again.

[chrisr]

If we are trying to save the reveal the cat is well and truly out of the bag, especially when Gavin Conroy posts this stunner of an image


scontent.fchc1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/404565088_10163129956189018_1363259115760097959_n.jpg?_nc_cat=103&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=5f2048&_nc_ohc=VdC6Fb-la2oAX-wPYtI&_nc_ht=scontent.fchc1-1.fna&oh=00_AfCkv1NAXUdj_zUqdXsyrTUCpSxYYwVRG1i50WDvuhr5KQ&oe=6561FD8C


No matter how I try, the image won't imbed.

[Antonio]

Better?

[chrisr]

404565088_10163129956189018_1363259115760097959_n by C R, on Flickr



Not my photo, with respect to Gavin, but this is the only way I can get it to show here.

[Deleted]

What a photo!! I think I'll hold off posting mine now!

[gibbo]

Nov 22, 2023 18:19:39 GMT 12 Antonio said:

Better?

Wow...awesome, just bloody awesome!  Mind blowing to think we are concurrently watching 2 ex-RNZAF aircraft of the 1940's taking flight again = NZ5648 & NZ2423 

[Antonio]

AND NZ1044 too

[planecrazy]

Would love to see a formation shot of those three together, NZ 1044, NZ 5648 and NZ 2423
dream about formation, even more dreamy add NZ 3009 in RNZAF markings as well?

[tbf2504]

Based on the above how about NZ3009, NZ5648, NZ2423 and Brett's Vampire T55 NZ5713 representing all fighter aircraft of the RNZAF since 1941. (N.B. the A-4 was an attack aircraft not a pure fighter)

[Deleted]

I really, really like the sound of that (NZ5712 I believe?).

[chrisr]

Nov 23, 2023 5:54:11 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

Would love to see a formation shot of those three together, NZ 1044, NZ 5648 and NZ 2423
dream about formation, even more dreamy add NZ 3009 in RNZAF markings as well?

Warbirds over Wanaka might have all 3 together during the finale.

[Deleted]

From Mike last night(link):

We are all set for the morning.
NZ5648 has an Early departure from Omaka heading to Wings Over Wairarapa.
Weather is looking good.
Please be there to support us and the Wings Over Wairarapa team!

...and this morning (link):

Our budding young Corsair pilot “Alexander” says We plan to be wheels up Omaka by 09:00 and arriving Masterton by 09:40!

[Deleted]

link

All on track for Wings Over Wairarapa Just gassing up and should be airborne Omaka by 0930. Takes a few minutes with a 237 Galloon tank!

[Deleted]

0955 (link):

Good morning Wellington - Corsair Four Eight

ZK-COR 20231126 inflight Frank Parker via Mike Jones by Zac Yates, on Flickr

1005:
Untitled by Zac Yates, on Flickr

[Deleted]

From James Stokes (link):

Thank you Mike, Frank and everybody who's had a hand in making 648's reappearance possible. Bloody thrilled to see her back on the scene once again!

Mission success from Mike Jones! (link)

The end of a long day! After Wings Over Wairarapa

ZK-COR 20231126 Masterton Mike Jones 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-COR 20231126 Masterton Mike Jones 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

(link)

Dad, Why wasn’t there a Corsair beanie……we will sort merchandise ready for Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow 2024

[Deleted]

A couple more posts from Mike from the show yesterday (link)

One of the Wings Over Wairarapa show highlights was meeting 99 year old ‘Pip’ Piper one of the last WW2 RNZAF Corsair Pilots still around.

ZK-COR 20231126 Masterton via Mike Jones 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-COR 20231126 Masterton via Mike Jones 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

link

One of the iconic WW2 RNZAF Corsair photos is NZ5373 with Marie and the ghost.
Marie is based on the Vargas girl and modified to look like Marie. Earl Thompson flew NZ5373 and had Marie painted on. At Wings Over Wairarapa we had Bryan Thompson (Earl and Marie’s Son) and Marie’s grandson Mark and granddaughter Sarah visit to see Marie restored onto NZ5648 Original photo colorisation by Daniel Rarity NZ5648 image by Marty Nicoll from JEM Aviation Ltd

NZ5373 colorised by Daniel Rarity 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-COR 20231126 Masterton via Mike Jones 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-COR 20231126 Masterton via Mike Jones 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-COR 20231126 Masterton via Mike Jones 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

And post-airshow activities (link):

I used Wings over Wairarapa as an opportunity to collect my Corsair Drop Tank adaptors.
If you have used or New Corsair or Warbirds parts which could help us to keep flying please pm me…[I'll gladly put you in touch with Mike if you can help - Zac

ZK-COR 20231127 Masterton Mike Jones 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-COR 20231127 Masterton Mike Jones 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr

link

Does anyone out there have any WWII RNZAF Flying Logbooks, photos or memorabilia, that belong or belonged to RNZAF pilots, navigators, wireless operators, bomb aimers, air gunners, etc., in your personal possession?
Flying Logbooks form an invaluable resource for RNZAF researchers, as they often contain information that was never recorded in the official records that have survived, like the Operations Record Books of various squadrons.
I like to collect logbooks or copies
Please PM me [again if you can help I'll gladly put you in touch - ZY.

James F Cane RNZAF logbook via Mike Jones by Zac Yates, on Flickr

link

The naughty Anson was about again on Monday Morning so we chased it back to Marlborough! Thanks to Tracy Dixon for the photos

ZK-COR 20231127 inflight Tracy Dixon 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr
ZK-COR 20231127 inflight Tracy Dixon 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr