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Post by pjw4118 on Jan 10, 2020 9:20:34 GMT 12
Brian Wheeler (no relation) from Marton enlisted in the RCAF volunteering from a sheep farm he was establishing in Uraguay. He flew with 226 Sg (Blenheims), 487 Sq becoming its C.O The Bostons were all well decorated, 'Patuoruz' (H) depicting a national comic Indian from Uraguay  This usual aircraft was 'Dumbo' (g) and he carried a large stuffed monkey named Thirsty on operations   Thirsty even went to his wedding  ![]() Brian Wheeler died flighing 'G' on 15 July 44 during a raid over Cherbourg, (by then he was Squaddron Co and had been awarded the DFC) |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 10, 2020 9:52:47 GMT 12
Superb. Thanks Peter. I had come across Thirsty mentioned in the newspapers.
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Post by davidd on Jan 11, 2020 9:22:40 GMT 12
Intrigued by this New Zealander (Brian Wheeler, from Uraguay) being enlisted in the RCAF, so attempted to interpret the identification badges he wears on his shoulders. Perhaps New Zealand, or maybe Uraguay? Impossible to tell as the badges are photographed from all sorts of impossible angles or are out of focus!
David D
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Post by pjw4118 on Jan 11, 2020 12:02:57 GMT 12
David , in another angle of the cockpit shot he is clearly wearing NZ shoulder badges.
Just to correct a couple of typos above, he was OC A flight on 487 sq then went to 226 on Mitchells then finally to 88 as OC on Bostons.
He was one of a dozen or so who went as a group from Uraquay to Canada and there are photos of them leaving.
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Post by davidd on Jan 11, 2020 14:28:57 GMT 12
Thanks very much for the additional information Peter!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 18, 2020 13:16:05 GMT 12
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Post by davidd on Apr 18, 2020 14:10:31 GMT 12
Of course it could just have been the nearest Ventura available for a nice backdrop for this photo opportunity! However this Ventura has the individual letter "V" if the marking on the Plexiglass nose cap is anything to go by - can anyone say that this aircraft was a favourite of Trent's?
David D
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Post by phasselgren on Apr 21, 2020 4:45:26 GMT 12
Of course it could just have been the nearest Ventura available for a nice backdrop for this photo opportunity! However this Ventura has the individual letter "V" it the marking on the PLexiglass nose cap is anything to go by. Can anyway say that this aircraft was a favourite of Trent's? David D I checked the 487 Sqn ORB from December 42 to March 43 and "V" was Trent´s aircraft on most of these operations with only one or two exceptions. Peter |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 21, 2020 9:28:33 GMT 12
Thanks Peter. What was V's serial number, do you know. please?
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Post by phasselgren on Apr 22, 2020 5:05:19 GMT 12
The ORB usually only includes the code letter but for the 3rd May 1943 when Trent was shot down in the attack on Amsterdam there is a hand written note AJ 209 EG-V. I am not 100% that this is the same aircraft as there is very little information about the aircrafts in the ORB. I checked some decal kits and if it is the same aircraft it seems the nose art was removed before it was lost.
Peter
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Post by oldspotter on Apr 29, 2020 11:17:20 GMT 12
A Kiwi Crew and a Tiki Stirling  RAK Oakington August 1943 with their new Stirling EF465 MG-D. L to R 1. Ron Grabtree (B/A) 2 Scittie Fergusson (F/E) 3 Harry Goddard (RG) 4 Don Lamb (Nav) 5 Ben Dallenger (Pilot) 6 Bill Anderson (W/OP) 7 ? Gunner (M/UG) All but the Flight Engineer and M/UG were Kiwis. The large tiki has a motto which is indistinct. Note the 1940's style photo shop. The Bulldog mascot of 7 Squadron was famous for petrol tin bunting.  Skipper Ben Dallenger with the Tiki Stirling. All the crew were killed on the night of 17/9/42 on a raid to Essen, part of 17 New Zealanders killed that night on a large scale raid which drew on Wellingtons from Operational Training Units. This crew was on its 5th Operation together. Graham Burgess was the original skipper of this crew but had been hospitalised with pluresey and eventually was shipped home to recover. PJW were the same crew on 75 Sqn because I have just bought a photo off ebay of this particular Stirling in 75 Sqn markings? Can you tell me what happened with her? I will find some stuff in the Stirling Story I am sure but given you have other pics I thought you would have a more personal version.... Am going to send the pic to Glen along with a profile drawing by Clavework Graphics I found on a forum when I googled her.... |
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Post by oldspotter on Apr 29, 2020 11:24:52 GMT 12
Hi lads, i'm just doing some research of my Mothers- Pat Goddard, relation Sgt Harry Oldfield Goddard from Kinohaku who died on his 5th mission with 7 Sqn in 1942. I noted on this photoshopped pic that the year 1943 must be wrong? Also i dont think person no.3 is Harry, he could be no.2 if it is indeed him. Any info etc on Harry, the Stirling or the crew he was with would be greatly appreciated, all i have is a family photo. Thanks |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 29, 2020 17:11:12 GMT 12
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Post by errolmartyn on Apr 29, 2020 20:19:39 GMT 12
Hayden Williams has sent the following message and photos to us at the New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook page, and he's given my permission to post them here in case anyone can add more info on Nelson Hill, the crew or the aeroplane. "Hi, I was wondering if you could help me? I have these photos with some info on the back of my Grandmothers uncle, pilot Nelson Hill. I was wondering how to get more information on him, his crew and their Lancaster D for Dog (LA VERDA STELO)" NZ427207 Nelson Nolan Hill enlisted at Rotorua on 11 Jul 42, was awarded his Flying Badge in New Zealand then, on 29 May 43, embarked on the Bloemfontien for UK and attachment to RAF. His service record will be available from Personnel Records, NZDF - but not until Covid-19 restrictions are lifted. Errol |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 29, 2020 22:36:38 GMT 12
Errol, Hayden asked me to say thanks very much to you. He's very pleased with this info.
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Post by baz62 on Apr 30, 2020 13:50:23 GMT 12
Wow they look so young in that photo, especially the one in front.
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Post by oldspotter on Apr 30, 2020 21:40:11 GMT 12
Hi lads, i'm just doing some research of my Mothers- Pat Goddard, relation Sgt Harry Oldfield Goddard from Kinohaku who died on his 5th mission with 7 Sqn in 1942. I noted on this photoshopped pic that the year 1943 must be wrong? Also i dont think person no.3 is Harry, he could be no.2 if it is indeed him. Any info etc on Harry, the Stirling or the crew he was with would be greatly appreciated, all i have is a family photo. Thanks This is a link to the crew picture of Stirling MG-D i found with Harry Goddard, Dallenger etc, seems by reading your thread again chaps that its been decided that this Stirling wasn't the one with the Te Kooti Tiki nose art, anymore info would be great? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 3, 2020 16:20:14 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 3, 2020 16:24:50 GMT 12
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Post by davidd on May 4, 2020 10:21:41 GMT 12
Some intriguing stuff there Dave! Also a lot of detail visible inside the nose compartment (Observer territory!)
Dave D
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