WWII RNZAF Avenger photo.

[corsair67]

Sorry if this is common knowledge, and everyone else in the world has seen this - but I found this photo on the US National Naval Aviation Museum website - and from what I can tell, it is not an RNZAF image, but was taken by a US photographer.

I have never seen this image before, hence my excitement! ;D

Anyway, here it is:





The original full size image can be found at -

collections.naval.aviation.museum/emuwebdoncoms/pages/doncoms/Display.php?irn=16034584&QueryPage=%2Femuwebdoncoms%2Fpages%2Fdoncoms%2FAdvQuery.php

or at -

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:TBF-1C_30_Sqn_RNZAF_on_Espiritu_Santo_1944.jpeg

[Dave Homewood]

It's certainly a superb shot. I have seen it before on Pete Mossong's site (he added a few new photos there recently on the Avenger page).

[corsair67]

Aug 17, 2011 0:50:37 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

It's certainly a superb shot. I have seen it before on Pete Mossong's site (he added a few new photos there recently on the Avenger page).

Yep typical - I'm ten years behind everyone else! ;D

[Dave Homewood]

Not at all, it never used to be on the site and is fairly recent as an addition I believe.

[flyjoe180]

Nice photo indeed.

[baz62]

That photo in in a book about the Avenger and they call it a TBM-1c instead of a TBF-1c. Plonkers.

[McFly]

A few more of NZ2510 from the Air Force Museum collection.

Avenger NZ2510 'J' on the flight line. Unknown location, possibly Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Gisborne. Possibly NZ2412 behind. Dated 15 January 1944 (OhG226~44)



Air to air of a formation of 30 Squadron [?] Grumman TBF Avengers, en route to Rabaul. Aircraft NZ2530, NZ2509, NZ2510, NZ2517, NZ2540 and NZ2533 in view. Circa 1944. (PR3261)

(RNZAF Official)

[Tony]

Here is a close up for the underwing roundel



Possibly an attempt to remove the red from our roundels?
References have been made about RNZAF aircraft wearing a plain blue roundel.
Is this one?
Your thoughts on the finish appreciated

[fwx]

Trying to work out what the nose art is on the first photo - is it a Jester or Joker?

[Dave Homewood]

Pete's site says it's a Joker

[fwx]

Thanks Dave, must go and have a look.
Cheers, Chris

[Tony]

Aug 20, 2011 17:10:15 GMT 12 fwx said:

Trying to work out what the nose art is on the first photo - is it a Jester or Joker?

The best I could do

[corsair67]

Aug 20, 2011 17:10:15 GMT 12 fwx said:

Trying to work out what the nose art is on the first photo - is it a Jester or Joker?

If you open the link on the US Naval Aviation Museum link I posted, it certainly does appear to be a Joker.

[Dave Homewood]

See Pete's site here by the way:
rnzaf.hobbyvista.com/avecol1.html