|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 4, 2020 11:34:53 GMT 12
Thanks Errol, I will have a read.
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 4, 2020 11:55:10 GMT 12
 PASSING-OUT OF PILOTS AT WIGRAM.- Royal New Zealand Air Force men who, having completed their training, passed out at Wigram station yesterday. FRONT ROW (From left); Sergeants A. F. Potter. H. C. Kimpton. A. G. Russell, J. A. Hoffens and G.H. Eastern. SECOND ROW Pilot Officer J. E. M. Steeds, Sergeant J. W. Jesson, R.C. Munro, G. A. Johnston, Pilot Officers G. Hunter, L. St. G. Dobbin, D. J. Jamieson, and D. H. Hammond. BACK ROW, Pilot Officer K. P. C. Morpeth, Sergeants F. T. Morgan, F. M. Laing, E. J. Keen, A. W. P. Bird and Pilot officer J. McB. Kerr. PRESS, 20 DECEMBER 1940 |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 7, 2020 15:10:06 GMT 12
 PASSING-OUT CEREMONY.—A further group of pilots who have completed their training at Wigram was passed out on Saturday. BACK ROW (from left): Leading-Aircraftsmen V. Allport, P. J. M. Ballard, R. P. Bell, S. C. Black, A. C. Bray. MIDDLE ROW: V. H. Griffiths, F. N. Hood, J. B. Kennedy, D. L. C. Liddell, D. L. M. Martin, J. 0. McFarlane, C. B. McKenzie, FRONT ROW: A. G. S. Paterson, S. E. Scales, D. J. Spence, M. E. Spiers, H. M. Thomson, J. E. Wall, and D. H. Atkinson. PRESS, 3 MARCH 1941 |
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Nov 23, 2020 8:02:20 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 23, 2020 8:18:33 GMT 12
My great old mate Ron Noice there in the first shot. I miss him.
|
|
|
|
Post by davidd on Nov 23, 2020 19:07:28 GMT 12
The aircrew trainees at No. 3 Manning Depot, Edmonton, August 1943 were all LAC Air Observer u/t, most of whom passed out of their respective schools in Canada on 14/1/44 as either Sgts or Pilot Officer, most as Air Bombers, but two as Navigators (J L Gilbert, and L M Noble). They sailed from Auckland (20th June 1943) to San Francisco (arrived 3rd July); Just two of these men were lost on operations; E A Roy on 16/3/45, with 166 Sqdn, and I T Yanovich, on 6/1/45, with 635 Sqdn.
David D
|
|
|
|
Post by davidd on Nov 23, 2020 20:07:37 GMT 12
The "Course 50" photograph above would seem to be No. 2 EFTS (Ashburton), so about February - April 1944. The ones who ended up with 1 SFTS (Wigram) included Lt A J Thornton, and 2nd Lt J S Upston, plus LAC J T T Simpson, Sgt K M Moore, LAC I G Lyons, LAC W G Jones. As the photo shows only "D" Flight, there must have been three other photos to complete the full course at Ashburton.
Other graduates would have gone to advanced training at 2 SFTS (Woodbourne); these included R B Warren, V K Russell, H B Nelson, J G McArthur, R H Scorrar, most of whom went onto Corsair squadrons in the Pacific.
David D
|
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Nov 24, 2020 11:58:00 GMT 12
Tom Whyte ( NZ433389) is in the course 50 photo , second row . He came from ITW at Delta to Ashburton where he had landing problems and remustered as an AG . He ended as a rear gunner on 101 squadron in March 1945. He was commissioned in Canada ( Mt Joli ) for topping the air gunnery course.
|
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Nov 24, 2020 12:09:31 GMT 12
The photo of Course 62 was taken at 11 OTU RAF Westcott Dec/Jan 1943.
|
|
|
|
Post by davidd on Nov 28, 2020 11:08:04 GMT 12
Thanks for hunting that one down Peter! So my guess on that one was about right. Also love running my eye along the rows of men in these photos, again just to marvel at the variety of human shapes and sizes! Second row from back in the "Course 62" photo would seem to include 3 very tall chaps (or 14 pretty short ones!) That photo (Course 62) definitely looks like the UK in Christmas (mid-winter!) 1942.
David D
|
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Jan 7, 2021 12:14:07 GMT 12
I agree David , what a mixed bag , I wouldnt stand for that variation in my Perendales!
|
|
|
|
Post by generally on Jun 13, 2021 19:26:51 GMT 12
" Most of these men were numbered between NZ40954 and 40994, although Eccles was 40759, Blake was 401164, McSkimming was NZ1314, Oakden was 401028, Patterson was NZ391845, and Streeter was 401033. "
The reason Dad (R H Patterson) was out of order was due to a rugby-caused knee ligament injury that required hospitalisation. That meant he kept his early number but graduated in a later class.
He was already flying privately before the war with the Palmerston North Aero club, and went from Wigram to 20OTU at Lossiemouth and then to 75Sqdn. He is a ghost in those records, not appearing on crew lists or the lists of postings in and out.
I've only taken an interest in his war years recently, and of course I left it far too late to ask him questions.
From 75Sqdn he became a LINK trainer in Britain for 21months, and in mid-'43 he was sent to South Africa to train pilots there for 14months. On his return to UK he was with the PRDC, although Mum just said he was "in Security".
There is more on the web now about the RNZAF in WW2 than ever before, I thank all of you who have put information up about those days.
|
|
|
|
Post by fwx on Jul 6, 2021 16:25:12 GMT 12
Hi generally, Thanks for that info. Your Dad probably flew just one op with 75(NZ) Squadron from what I can see with a quick look. He appears on the crew list flying with Bob Fotheringham on 2 May 1941: 75nzsquadron.wordpress.com/r-e-e-fotheringham-crew-16-04-41-%e2%80%a0/Interestingly, Streeter also flew several ops as 2nd Pilot with Fotheringham. Please email me on chris@foodworks.co.nz if you would like more info about that crew and (likely) aircraft. I would also like to obtain his full name for the squadron Nominal Roll that is being assembled on that website, thanks. Cheers, Chris |
|
|
|
Post by generally on Sept 25, 2021 14:40:26 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 25, 2021 18:05:22 GMT 12
Weraroa is the correct spelling.
|
|
|
|
Post by jurisnz on Jun 17, 2022 23:11:33 GMT 12
In the 5 Airframe fitters course the guy Street looks like Pete Street who was still around Wigram in the 80s, I think he also became a guide in the Museum, was involved in the CAF as well. When I looked at that photo I also recognized Pete Street. I worked in 4 Hangar as a baggy Acft Mech in 1979 and he was there as an airframe Sgt. Kind of dry sense of humor and first impression he was kind of dingy, but when you were around him more you realised he was just having fun. I guess at that point he had been in nearly 30 years, hasn't changed much from the photo. KC Street joined early 1950s. Left service in mid-1950s' to join NAC. Re-joined the Service April 1961. |
|
|
|
Post by jurisnz on Nov 19, 2022 5:09:07 GMT 12
When I looked at that photo I also recognized Pete Street. I worked in 4 Hangar as a baggy Acft Mech in 1979 and he was there as an airframe Sgt. Kind of dry sense of humor and first impression he was kind of dingy, but when you were around him more you realised he was just having fun. I guess at that point he had been in nearly 30 years, hasn't changed much from the photo. KC kiwirotorwrench Peter left the RNZAF and re-enlisted 11 April 1961. He and I were on the same recruit course at Wigram. Yes, he was on 5 Airframe course, but he must have left the service as prior to his rejoining in 1961 he had worked at NAC. So, as he had a break in Service he had not done quite 30 years in 1979. kiwirotorwrench, like you, I was also at Wigram and perhaps we tripped over each other, particularly if you were anywhere near the RNZAF Museum I don't know if Peter is still alive. But if he is, someone may remind him how he tried to hide a Harvard in 1977 from being disposed - he was the inventory holder for all stored Harvards in 6 Hangar and he seemed to think he had a spare aircraft. jurisnz, yes, kiwirotorwrench, we probably tripped over each other. In 1977 I was looking after the Museum aircraft in the other half of 6 Hangar and remember Peter Street running around for support to hide his "spare" stored Harvard. |
|
|
|
Post by jurisnz on Nov 19, 2022 5:13:25 GMT 12
When I looked at that photo I also recognized Pete Street. I worked in 4 Hangar as a baggy Acft Mech in 1979 and he was there as an airframe Sgt. Kind of dry sense of humor and first impression he was kind of dingy, but when you were around him more you realised he was just having fun. I guess at that point he had been in nearly 30 years, hasn't changed much from the photo. KC kiwirotorwrench Peter left the RNZAF and re-enlisted 11 April 1961. He and I were on the same recruit course at Wigram. Yes, he was on 5 Airframe course, but he must have left the service as prior to his rejoining in 1961 he had worked at NAC. So, as he had a break in Service he had not done quite 30 years in 1979. kiwirotorwrench, like you, I was also at Wigram and perhaps we tripped over each other, particularly if you were anywhere near the RNZAF Museum I don't know if Peter is still alive. But if he is, someone may remind him how he tried to hide a Harvard in 1977 from being disposed - he was the inventory holder for all stored Harvards in 6 Hangar and he seemed to think he had a spare aircraft. jurisnz, yes, kiwirotorwrench, we probably tripped over each other. In 1977 I was looking after the Museum aircraft in the other half of 6 Hangar and remember Peter Street running around for support to hide his "spare" stored Harvard. |
|
kiwiwreckdiver
Squadron Leader
Still military and aviation history mad
Posts: 123
|
Post by kiwiwreckdiver on Jul 14, 2023 22:25:48 GMT 12
DOES ANYONE HAVE A NAMED GROUP SHOT OF THE 18SQN F4U BOYS BEFORE THEY FEW OUT ON THE LAST TOUR ON bOUNGANVILLE IN JUNE45 ?? LOOKING TO FIND A PIC WITH FLT/SGT MURRAY IN IT.
|
|
|
|
Post by tbf2504 on Jul 15, 2023 14:14:13 GMT 12
The saga of the "missing" harvard should be told at some stage, it was a valiant effort by Pete Street and others to acquire an additional airframe for the museum. At one stage I believe it was hidden in Tech Wing HQ or maybe just
some of the bits
|
|
.jpg)
.JPG)
