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Post by errolmartyn on Sept 12, 2011 15:33:06 GMT 12
"the ITW moved from Levin - Rotorua" WHY  ? Just seems a wast of manpower, money and time don't it - or is it just me? The move was made to free up space for the Bomber Operational Training Squadron which was formed at Levin with effect 7 Mar 42. (BOTS was redesignated No.1 (Bomber) Operational Training Unit on 28 Jul 42.) (With acknowledgement to David Duxbury) Errol |
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Post by Tony on Sept 12, 2011 17:08:46 GMT 12
Ahhhh of course.
I forgot about that fact given the short time the unit was stationed there
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 13, 2011 18:39:12 GMT 12
Thanks for the correct dates Errol. That 'Wings' was a typo, sorry about that.
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Post by thomarse on Sept 27, 2011 12:59:37 GMT 12
My late Dad (who was involved in the Army on some sort of never-discussed Intelligence activities) once mentioned that Weraroa had dummy/decoy aircraft. Any ideas on that? My interest in the whole Levin/Weraroa thing is growing. I've driven past a couple of times and hung over the fence trying to imagine the place all those years ago. Any clues on my bit about the decoys above? On my last visit I observed that there is only a maximum of about 700m available between Kimberley Road and Tararua Road, which I don't think would be comfortable for aircraft of the ilk of Oxfords and Hudsons. Secondly, the airfield as shown in those earlier photos appears to run virtually North - South, whereas the prevailing winds there are very definitely Westerly. Any ideas would be welcome. I might try to find some Levin historians. |
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Post by shamus on Sept 27, 2011 16:47:41 GMT 12
thomarse, did you see the page from 'Contact' about Levin on page seven of the Hind Pile.
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Post by thomarse on Sept 28, 2011 12:15:13 GMT 12
Thanks Shamus - have since noted it's part of this thread too.
I'll look up Anthony Dreaver - had already thought of that.
Re my comment about only 700m available, on looking at those photos I see the airfield is one paddock back from the road as well which reduces length available to say 600m.
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Post by Luther Moore on Feb 22, 2012 23:23:17 GMT 12
Do you think this is from ITW? It has what looks to be 'ITRS' on the photo.  Uploaded with ImageShack.us |
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Post by angelsonefive on Feb 23, 2012 8:54:52 GMT 12
Luther,
Those uniforms look like Army BDs ( battledress ) to me.
Interesting group. Just 3 NCOs, as far as I can tell, the rest appear to be baggies.
Some sort of training course, maybe.
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Post by Luther Moore on Feb 23, 2012 16:34:15 GMT 12
I think your right, it does look like army training.
I read in Bernard's (Great Uncle,2nd top left) biography and it says he trained at ITW.No mention of Army training.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 23, 2012 16:54:41 GMT 12
Was he in the Territorial Army or Home Guard before joining the RNZAF?
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Post by Luther Moore on Feb 23, 2012 17:00:30 GMT 12
In his biography it only says he signed up for the Airforce then started training at ITW.
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Post by angelsonefive on Feb 23, 2012 23:15:38 GMT 12
Luther,
I suspect it is actually 1 TRS. I found a reference in Google to a unit called " TRS Waiouru. "
Nothing to say what TRS stands for though.
An enquiry to the Army Museum might be helpful, if you want to take this further.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 24, 2012 1:25:49 GMT 12
Looking at it blown right up, it's difficult to tell what is lettering, what is grass behind and what is perhaps scratches on the print. Luther would you mind please scannign that corner much bigger so it comes up sharper?
It starts with 40 or 4 O (for orange).
I don't know for sure there is either a 1 or an I as it maybe a blade of grass/stick on the ground. The next letters look like TDS, or TRS, or GDS/GRS.
Below that is "& R" or "& D" isn't it?
Silly question here but is there anything on the back?
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Post by Luther Moore on Feb 24, 2012 1:49:50 GMT 12
Unfortunately nothing on the back,surprisingly. Most of his photos do have writing on the back but not this one.  Uploaded with ImageShack.us |
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tc64
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 90 
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Post by tc64 on Feb 24, 2012 12:12:47 GMT 12
Very interesting, I've driven past that place so many times & have never known it was an ex RNZAF location?!!!  |
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Post by pjw4118 on Feb 24, 2012 13:34:43 GMT 12
Dave, there seems to be continuing interest in "Lost " airfields, Seagrove,Levin ,TePirita, Kumeu ,Waipapakauri ,Fairhall,etc and I suppose we could now include Hobsonville, Weedons,TeRapa and Wigram. Is there a case for a special sub board as the search system doesnt easily pick them up . I am sure that there is plenty more info that could appear.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 24, 2012 14:14:51 GMT 12
Possibly coud. What do people reckon? Maybe we could combine all the Rukuhia graveyard threads in there too and call it the Lost Dreams Board.
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Post by gunny on Feb 24, 2012 17:14:29 GMT 12
Sounds good Dave i spend a lot of time in lost airfields of the U.S and would LOVE to see more local content and am working on some local fields in aus
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 24, 2012 22:11:56 GMT 12
I'd have to get you all to help me find the various threads from the past so they can be moved.
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Post by pjw4118 on Feb 25, 2012 16:17:16 GMT 12
Dave, Larry Hill loaned me his copy of the Official War History.. Aerodrome Services Branch. A lot of detail and some great pictures including the three airfields ASB built at Nadi. Also for a South Is taster Shorty put me onto www.nzrifle.com/ml_canterbury_defence.htmIts worth a look. |
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