johnwag
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 6
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Post by johnwag on May 19, 2018 4:56:40 GMT 12
Thanks Dave
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Post by Peter Lewis on May 19, 2018 14:22:27 GMT 12
Walter J Wagtendonk passed away peacefully at the Waipuna Hospice in the Tauranga area in the early hours of 18 May, aged 88. He was a former RNZAF Flight Leiutenant, a highly respected flying instructor and the author of many books on aviation.
Walter came to New Zealand as a 21-year-old in late 1951 and the following year was accepted for pilot training in the RNZAF. He graduated in March 1953 and became a flying instructor that same year. After eight years’ service, predominantly as an instructor, he retired with the rank of Flight Lieutenant with an A2 instructor rating (the second highest possible).
Instead of entering airline service, Walter chose to stay with instructing, originally with the Nelson Aero Club and subsequently with the Nelson Aviation College which he founded in 1978. He held a civil A-Category Instructor rating (the highest possible) and an Instrument rating.
Walter retired from the college in 1991 and started writing aviation text books covering Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot and Instrument Rating subjects. Under the brand name PilotBooks, he authored seven manuals including Principles of Helicopter Flight which is currently published in the USA and is used worldwide as an official reference. He also co-authored five other training manuals.
He then became involved (and was still active until his death) in authoring exposition manuals for aviation companies seeking General Aviation Air Operator Certificates.
Walter was a founding member of the New Zealand Aviation Industry Group (NZAIG), formed in 2013 following major industry upheaval as the result of the Aviation Industry Association's attempt to impose its Aircare Safety Management System, which he strongly opposed.
This commercially driven tactic adversely affected non-Aircare accredited operators seeking contracts with various agencies including DoC, the New Zealand Fire Service and local authorities. Walter considered the Aircare system to be aimed at gaining a monopolistic control over operators and, supported by other committed people in the industry, he was successful in undermining it.
In 2015, Walter and his AIG members formed a close alliance with the General Aviation Advocacy network and he remained a staunch, watchful and active champion of general aviation until the day he died.
Walter was awarded the OBE for services to aviation and specifically for his work towards flight safety.
With his passing, New Zealand aviation has lost a wise mentor and a great fountain of knowledge.
Kind regards,
Des and Brian
From Des Lines at the General Aviation Advocacy Network
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on May 19, 2018 14:36:26 GMT 12
That arithmetic doesn't add up. 'Passed away 88 years of age' 'Born 8 Feb 1957'  Yeah, considering I was born in February 1954, that must make me 91 years of age. Not bad to still be able to pass the locomotive engineer's medical at that age, eh?  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2018 14:40:34 GMT 12
FLT LT (RTD) Walter John (Wal) Wagtendonk OBE RNZAF (Flight training instructor) on 18 May 2018 age 88 years. Loving husband of the late Ann. Loved father and father-in- law of John and Margarita and loving grandad to Elizabeth and Bruce (all of Rangiora). Cherished Dad and best friend to "his Jan" (Katikati). Proud to be second dad and close friend of Steve and Robin and loved friend of Carol. In lieu of flowers donations to Waipuna Hospice 43 Te Puna Station Road RD6, Tauranga 3176 would be appreciated. "A patient and considerate sufferer at peace". A Celebration of Wal's life will be held at Tauranga Park 383 Pyes Pa Road Tauranga on Wednesday 23 May 2018 at 1pm. A memorial service will be held in Nelson at a date to be advised. Communications to the Wagtendonk family c/- PO Box 3136 Tauranga. And also my friend here in Cambridge, RAF Spitfire pilot Haydn Finbow has passed away. He appeared as a guest on the WONZ Show Episode 126. FINBOW, Haydn Clarence: Reg. No. 175964 Pilot Officer R.A.F. (Spitfires) WW2. Peacefully on Wednesday 16th May 2018, aged 95 years. Loved husband of the late Pat; loved and respected father and father-in-law of Sally & Chris, Ann & Stuart and Angela & Dennis (U.K.). Adored granddad of 6 and great-granddad also of 6 (U.K.). "Will be missed." A Service for Haydn will be held on Thursday 24th May 2018, at 1.00pm, in the Quiet Room, at Resthaven, 6 Vogel Street Cambridge. In lieu of flowers, donations to Hospice Waikato would be appreciated and can be left at the service. Special thanks to the carers at Resthaven for their compassionate care of Haydn. All communications please to the Finbow Family, PO Box 844, Cambridge 3450. Cambridge Funeral Services www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2016/12/haydn-finbow/ |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 19, 2018 14:50:53 GMT 12
FAUSCH, Armand Victor (Fred), Flt Lt RAF. Passed away peacefully at Christchurch Hospital, on Thursday, May 17, 2018, after a short illness, in his 90th year. Dearly loved husband of the late Sheila. Loved brother of Eva (England). Treasured father and father-in-law of Sue and Bob Pritchard, Roger (decased), Andrew, Johno and Karen, and Jackie and Peter Claridge. Loving granddad of Kate, Gareth, Tess, Charlotte, Jake, Harry, Nick, Jeff, and Max. The family would like to thank the staff of Wards 19 and 23, Christchurch Hospital for their care of Fred over the last two weeks. Messages may be addressed to the Fausch family, C/- 19 London Street, Christchurch 8013. A Funeral Service to celebrate Fred's life will be held at the Harewood Crematorium Chapel, entry via Gardiners and Wilkinsons Roads, Harewood, on Monday, May 21, at 2.30pm, followed by private cremation.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 21, 2018 13:33:53 GMT 12
I believe Jim Burns was an RNZAF Squadron Leader.
BURNS, James Lewis (Jim): Passed peacefully on Thursday, 17th May 2018, aged 70, after a short illness. Dearly loved husband of Sara and adored father of Alisha. Brother to Esther and Doreen and brother-in-law to Brenda and Martin. Uncle to Lewis, Mark, Marianne, Debbie and Brian. A service to farewell James will be held at The Whenua Tapu Chapel, Airlie Road, Pukerua Bay on Tuesday, 22nd May 2018, at 11:00am. Heartfelt thanks to all of the nurses and staff at Wellington Hospital and Mary Potter Hospice for their care and support in James' last days. In lieu of flowers, donations to Mary Potter Hospice would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All messages can be sent to "The Family of James Burns" c/- PO Box 50-347, Porirua 5240
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Post by tbf25o4 on May 21, 2018 15:11:42 GMT 12
Jim was a corporal at Air Movements Wellington in the late 1960s and often arranged a "spare" seat for me on flights up and down the country and to two RNZAC air shows on the CAS VIP Dak.
A dry sense of humour, sad to see him pass.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 22, 2018 22:22:42 GMT 12
EADES, Warren (Jim). Born January 07, 1924. Passed away on May 19, 2018. Warren (Jim) Eades WWII RNZAF W132385 Darling husband of Gay (deceased) and father of Dennis, Geoffrey, Jim (deceased), Steven and their families. Passed away peacefully age 94, Saturday 19 May 2018. Private family service to be held.
Neil Malcolm Hurley Teleg OPR / STC OPR RNZAF. On Saturday May 12, 2018 at Ashburton, after a great innings of 89 years. Father of Brendon and Paletza, Kevin and Tonee, Trevor and Jane, Allen and Vicki (Hokitika), Rendell and Donna (Perth), Denise and Kevin (Brisbane), Ian and Debbie (Bundaberg), Michael and Debbie (Dunedin), Margaret and Patrick, and his 18 grandchildren, and 19 great grandchildren. Messages to the Hurley family c/- P O Box 472, Ashburton 7740. Special thanks to the staff at Tuarangi Resthome for their loving care of Neil. A Requiem Mass to celebrate Neil’s life will be held at the Church of the Holy Name, Sealy Street, Ashburton on Wednesday May 16, commencing at 1.00pm. Followed by interment at the Ashburton New Lawn Cemetery.
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Post by tbf25o4 on May 23, 2018 8:26:51 GMT 12
MITCHELL Henry Thomas (Tom) MBE 77038 Warrant Officer of Raumati Beach on 20 May 2018 aged 82 years. A service to celebrate Tom's life will be held in the Funeral Home chapel 9-11 Hinemoa St
Paraparaumu Friday 25 May at 1.30pm followed by a private cremation. Messages to "The Mitchell Family" c/- PO Box 119, Paraparaumu 5254
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Post by errolmartyn on May 23, 2018 13:27:50 GMT 12
MITCHELL Henry Thomas (Tom) MBE 77038 Warrant Officer of Raumati Beach on 20 May 2018 aged 82 years. A service to celebrate Tom's life will be held in the Funeral Home chapel 9-11 Hinemoa St Paraparaumu Friday 25 May at 1.30pm followed by a private cremation. Messages to "The Mitchell Family" c/- PO Box 119, Paraparaumu 5254 From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999 : MITCHELL, Warrant Officer Henry Thomas, MBE. M77038; Born Dunedin, 22 Dec 1935; RNZAF 25 Jul 1953 to 11 Aug 1985; Aircraft Technician. Citation Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (QB1978): Warrant Officer Mitchell enlisted in the RNZAF in July 1953 as an engine assistant under training. He is now mustered as a Mechanical Technician and holds the appointment of Squadron Warrant Officer with No 75 Sqn at RNZAF Base Ohakea. During 1974, W/O Mitchell led a team of four technicians to Coolangatta, Australia to recover an unserviceable Dakota aircraft. Under conditions which were far from ideal, in the open in semi-tropical heat, and with minimal equipment, they worked long hours to achieve a very professional engine change in the shortest possible time. The fore-going statement typified W/O Mitchell’s performance throughout his career. He has consistently been noted by his superiors as an airman whose diligence and exemplary performance of duty have always been an example to others. He has at all time been willing to do more that the Service requires of him. In the past five years he has been the driving force behind the initial maintenance of the newly introduced Strikemaster aircraft at Ohakea, and with his recent posting to No 75 Sqn, has devoted many hours and much effort to the improvement of the unit’s technical organisation and to the preparation for overseas deployments. W/O Mitchell is an inspiration to his subordinates and with his unswerving loyalty to his superiors, he is an example of the very best type of serviceman. Errol |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 23, 2018 14:22:38 GMT 12
I was told this morning that Alexander 'Sandy' Brunt passed away on Monday in Christchurch. Sandy was a Kiwi pilot in the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm, and he served on No. 786 Squadron (Swordfish and Albacores), No. 767 Squadron (Swordfish and Albacores), and No. 775 Squadron (Swordfish and Albacores), before he joined No. 826 Squadron flying the Albacores in action in the Western Desert, North Africa. This squadron, alongside sister-squadron No. 823 Squadron FAA, flew the first flare dropping operations for the RAF Wellington bombers, and from the success of these guys the RAF set up the Pathfinder Force. The two Navy Albacore squadrons and the RAF Wellingtons were key in the break out of El Alamein as the Allies pushed the Germans and Italians back west, although sadly they have been forgotten by the mists of time and now the battle is solely credited to the Eighth Army and the RAF Army Co-op squadrons flying Hurribombers and Kittybombers.
Through most of 1943 Sandy was flying Swordfish with No. 834 Squadron from HMS Hunter. He then joined No. 798 Squadron, flying Miles Masters, Fairey Fulmars and particularly Fairey Barracudas, training other pilots. Then in June 1945 he was flying Avengers with No. 706 Squadron, before returning to New Zealand. So he had a very interesting career. If anyone sees a death notice for Sandy I'd be interested please.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 25, 2018 12:00:34 GMT 12
BETTIS, Eric George Frederick. LAC 1393829 - Normandy Invasion Veteran, WWII. Passed away in the Howick Baptist Hospital, on 20th May 2018. Aged 94 years. The much loved husband and very best friend of Beryl for 65 years, and treasured father of Robert. A service for Eric will be held at the Howick Funeral Home Chapel, 35 Wellington Street, Howick, Auckland, on Friday 25th May 2018 at 10-30am. Special thanks to all the staff at Howick Baptist Hospital for their infinite care and support. 35 Wellington Street, Howick Ph 534 7300
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 27, 2018 15:09:18 GMT 12
MORTIMER, John Bracken. (QSM). RNZAF, No. 431805 WW11 Pacific Services. Died peacefully on Thursday 24th May 2018, in Hamilton surrounded by his loving family, Aged 94 years. Dearly loved husband and wonderful companion of Bunny. Much loved father and father- in-law of Philippa and David, Tony and Yvonne, Joanna and Peter, Matthew, Prudence and Ray, Clive, Jane and David, Rachel and Andy, and Gerald. Treasured grandfather of 18 and great grandfather of 21. A loving family man, generous and considerate. "Special thanks to staff at Waikato Hospital". A private burial will be held. Celebration service details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to The NZ Native Forest Protection Trust and these can be made online at bit.ly/jbmortimer2405 or may be left at the service. All communications to the MORTIMER family C/- PO Box 5523, Frankton, Hamilton 3242. Seddon Park Funeral Home
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Post by errolmartyn on May 27, 2018 19:22:40 GMT 12
MORTIMER, John Bracken. (QSM). RNZAF, No. 431805 WW11 Pacific Services. Died peacefully on Thursday 24th May 2018, in Hamilton surrounded by his loving family, Aged 94 years. Dearly loved husband and wonderful companion of Bunny. Much loved father and father- in-law of Philippa and David, Tony and Yvonne, Joanna and Peter, Matthew, Prudence and Ray, Clive, Jane and David, Rachel and Andy, and Gerald. Treasured grandfather of 18 and great grandfather of 21. A loving family man, generous and considerate. "Special thanks to staff at Waikato Hospital". A private burial will be held. Celebration service details to follow. In lieu of flowers, donations appreciated to The NZ Native Forest Protection Trust and these can be made online at bit.ly/jbmortimer2405 or may be left at the service. All communications to the MORTIMER family C/- PO Box 5523, Frankton, Hamilton 3242. Seddon Park Funeral Home According to RNZAF Routine Orders, enlisted as NZ431805 John Bracken Mortimer-Jones at Levin on 30 Jan 43. Errol |
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Post by pjw4118 on May 28, 2018 15:21:56 GMT 12
Halliwell , Wally. RAF 574066 on Saturday 26 May . Wally enlisted in the RAF in 1938 and was a pre war Halton Brat. As an engine fitter he serviced Spitfires during the BoB then moved to Speke and the Lockheed assembly plant . He later had postings to East Africa then India at the time of the partition. Postwar he worked for BOAC then came to NZ with TEAL
A volunteer at MOTAT for many years , he and the late Des Hall rebuilt many of the aero engines on display .
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 28, 2018 16:33:12 GMT 12
Oh gosh, you'll really miss Wally, a real stalwart of the NZBCA. Rest in peace Wally.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 1, 2018 11:57:56 GMT 12
COFFMAN, George Frederick. Serv. No. 1817679, Flt Sgt, RAF VR, KEV, WWII. On May 26, 208 peacefully at Solemar Rest Home. Aged 93 years. Dearly loved husband for almost 72 years of Chris. Loved father and father-in-law of Leigh and Lynley, and Gary and Dora. Loved grandad of 6 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren. A service to celebrate George's life will be held at The Chapel of Faithfull Funeral Services, 35 Red Beach Road, Hibiscus Coast on Friday, the 1st of June 2018 at 11:00 AM followed by a private cremation. In lieu of flowers, a donation to Starship would be appreciated and may be left at the service. All communications to "The Coffman Family" P O Box 305, Whangaparaoa, Auckland 0943
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 2, 2018 14:30:24 GMT 12
PITTAMS, Aileen Cecelia and Desmond Clark. (RNZAF NZ 437566 WWII). Aileen died peacefully surrounded by her family on May 22, 2018, aged 98 years, Des died peacefully surrounded by his family on 30 May 2018, aged 95 years. Dearly loved parents of Greg and Tupou, Kerin and Pete, Laurie and Sandy and the late Brendan Shane. Treasured grandparents to 9 and great- grandparents to 13. A combined Funeral Service for Aileen and Des will be held at the Pt Chevalier RSA, 1136 Great North Road, Pt Chevalier on Thursday June 7 at 10.30am to be followed by a private cremation. All communications to the Pittams family, c/- PO Box 56013, Dominion Road, Auckland 1446.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 11, 2018 21:55:10 GMT 12
JOHNSON, Maureen Elizabeth: 15.09.1921 - 31.05.2018
RNZAF 73778 Corp (W) WW2. At Christchurch. Wife of the late Ian Allan Johnson, loved Mother of Michele and the late Tony, Ramonde, Jacqui and Peter. Loved Grandma of Tom and Stella. A private family gathering has been held. Messages to the Johnson family c/- PO Box 111-01, Christchurch 8443.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 13, 2018 16:41:03 GMT 12
MacDONALD, Norman John:
Service No 75858, Corporal, RNZAF. Passed peacefully on Monday 11th June 2018 at Ultimate Care Aroha, Palmerston North, aged 84 years. Dearly loved brother to Don and Betty, brother-in-law to Fay and Ra, father to Jean and Bryan, father-in-law to Mary and Richard, grandfather to Daniela, Corban and Selina; friend to many others. According to Norman's wishes, a private service will be held to honour his life. Messages to the family can be sent to 4 Kilmister Avenue, Welllington 6011.
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