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Post by ErrolC on May 15, 2011 19:14:32 GMT 12
I guess Ardmore would be the most logical location (Warbirds or an Aero Club). those of us with aircraft from further afield could fly in, and perhaps visit some hangars afterwards... If there aren't suitable facilities at Ardmore, I note that Papakura RSA as a generous-sized function room. |
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Post by Darren Masters on May 15, 2011 19:15:05 GMT 12
I'm with Bruce.
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Post by Deleted on May 15, 2011 19:22:20 GMT 12
Photos from yesterday Betsy at Ardmore  The venue  No introduction needed  Bruce who was Daves right hand man  Crowd shot  Colin Murray  Bob Gladding  More of the onlookers  Larry Hill  Didn't get this gentlemans name  More of the crowd  Ian Ronalds  Alan Peart .. Spitfire Ace  Ray Tocker  Reg Mitchell  Wayne Green  Crowd again  And again  Geoff Cooper pilot of the Dakota  Larry Hill and Dave  Boarding Party at Hamilton  End of a great day  |
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Post by baz62 on May 15, 2011 19:41:20 GMT 12
yeah Auckland would be good, see if the Christchurch "crew" would be keen to go up. I sure would like to meet the North Island members I haven't met yet. ;D
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 15, 2011 20:13:05 GMT 12
The chap on the couch who's name you missed is Don Mackenzie of Hamilton. Don was an RNZAF pilot who was sent to Singapore in 1941 where he flew with No. 100 Squadron on Vildebeests (see some of his Vilde photos elsewhere on the forum). He was then posted to Ceylon and was flying Viles again patrolling the Indian Ocean when the Japs came into the war. He was flying there on the 25th of April 1942 when the Japanese fleet bombed Ceylon in a massive attack, like Pearl Harbor (the same Japanese fleet actually). He continued to fly there and then became a test pilot and ferry pilot on a maintenance unit there. Later he moved to India again as a test pilot and ferry pilot. He flew all sorts of aircraft from Spitfires and Hurricanes to Mosquitoes to Liberators to Mohawks to Walrus. He was also the first pilot to land and take off an aircraft from the famous Red Road base, which was set up on a main street in Calcutta. Later he went to England and joined the RAFs VIP squadron at Hendon. he transported a lot of top brass around the country and was highly commended and awarded a medal for saving an aircraft and its important passenger Lady Mountbatten after attempting to land on what had been an Allied airfield when he took off and was a German airfield when he got there. they shot up his Lockheed 10 and he lost one engine and most control but he got back to Allied lines and made a safe landing. Near the end of the war he flew a Hudson around the world on a special VIP flight. He lives in Hamilton now and is a really nice man.
In the photo below him is Bob Glading, Val Heffer and Ben Heffer. Bob and Ben were both Corsair pilots on Royal Navy carriers in the Pacific.
Below that in the 'Crowd Again' shot is Damon Edwards and Wayne Bradley. Below that shot in the "And again" we have from left Garry Blayney (Cambridge evteran, a wartime RNZAF Navigator); Peter Lewis (flyernzl), not sure, and Tony McDonald (Macfire).
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 15, 2011 20:15:22 GMT 12
Baz, we have proven this weekend that with the right enthusiastic bunch it is possible to charter a Dakota. Maybe you South islanders could band together and charter ZK-AMY or one of the Convairs down there for a forum trip? Just a thought. it would make a memorable weekend.
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Post by Tony on May 15, 2011 22:10:57 GMT 12
Below that in the 'Crowd Again' shot is Damon Edwards and Wayne Bradley. Below that shot in the "And again" we have from left Garry Blayney (Cambridge evteran, a wartime RNZAF Navigator); Peter Lewis (flyernzl), not sure, and Tony McDonald (Macfire).
...we have from left Garry Blayney (Cambridge veteran, a wartime RNZAF Navigator); Peter Lewis (flyernzl), not sure Blair McDonald, and Tony McDonald (Macfire). |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 15, 2011 22:19:43 GMT 12
Thanks Tony, I wondered if that was Blair but wasn't certain. Cheers. I met so many new faces yesterday and didnt get all the names straight in my head.
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Post by pjw4118 on May 16, 2011 10:50:16 GMT 12
Great day , and well done Dave, the three vets I brought down had a whale of a time and talked all the way home. Whats next ?
MOTAT is always ready to welcome special groups and a special tour could be part of a forum meet.Theres certainly plenty of room now. Mid September is their re open date.
Good photos Ralph. In the fifth one , the first group shot is l to r
Bill Petersen :pilot Halifax 102 Sq, Ron Noice :RAF BC and POW,? ,? and at the table
Des Andrewes : nav 622 Sq, Tom Whyte:RG 101 Sq, Alan Peart.
Alan has a sad memory of the burma campaign which he didnt tell but I think is one of the best lines I have heard in that not only did he shoot down aeroplanes , he also bagged two elephants! Used as tractors by the Japs, Alan straafed a column and the elephants were casualties. After all this time it still disturbs him. And no he didnt add two jumbos to the kill flags he had on his cockpit.
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Post by Darren Masters on May 16, 2011 11:27:06 GMT 12
Great shots Ralph  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 16, 2011 12:41:42 GMT 12
To add to what Peter posted:
Good photos Ralph. In the fifth one , the first group shot is l to r
Bill Petersen Pilot Halifax 102 Sq,
Ron Noice :RNZAF Navigator/Bomb-Aimer No. 405 Sqn and POW,
?? I think (came on the Dakota)
Ian James (partially obscrure)WWII FAA pilot and brother of Ossie)
Thelma Thomas (WWII WAAF)
and at the table
Des Andrewes : nav 622 Sq,
Tom Whyte:RG 101 Sq,
Alan Peart.
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Post by angelsonefive on May 16, 2011 15:40:26 GMT 12
Congratulations Dave and helpers on what sounds like a wonderful gathering..
There was an article in the Sunday Star Times last month about Leicester and Sylvia Smith of Titirangi.
Leicester and Sylvia met at RAF Upavon in 1944 when Leicester was being "rested" from operations, instructing at an OTU.
Theirs is a remarkable story and I wondered if Leicester Smith is one of the WW2 veterans you have been able to talk to..
Not too far OT I hope.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 16, 2011 16:01:34 GMT 12
I haven't personally, but my colleague Richard may have intervewed him. Not sure. I will check. I have certainly heard of him.
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Post by Andy Wright on May 16, 2011 16:55:58 GMT 12
Looks like a superb day. Well done, Dave and everyone who made it happen. I have chatted with Alan Peart a bit and we keep in touch but to shake the man by the hand would be wonderful.
Would love to thank Larry Hill personally too for all he has done in getting stories like Alan's published.
No idea when the next day will be but I'll be keen to come over for it if I can swing it.
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 16, 2011 17:12:10 GMT 12
Andy, maybe the Aussie forum members can also charter a Dakota?  |
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Post by Andy Wright on May 16, 2011 18:55:52 GMT 12
LOL, only if you blokes charter one for Tyabb 2012 ... and the Connie will fit more in.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 23, 2011 1:24:21 GMT 12
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Post by Darren Masters on May 23, 2011 16:40:38 GMT 12
Can you believe I'm at the bar again in these too??? Ts ts ts!
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