Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 23, 2007 8:42:05 GMT 12
Celebrating Ashburton airfield's history
Sixty-five years ago Ashburton Airfield was home to more than 1000 men and women and played a vital role in training pilots for battlefields in Europe.
From 1942 to 1945 the airfield became a small village where would-be pilots from around New Zealand undertook a pressure cooker course in aviation.
On Saturday the efforts of those men and women will be remembered when the RNZAF Station and No 2 Elementary flying training school’s 65th anniversary celebrations are held.
One of the organisers, Jim Chivers, said the day would be one where aviation past and present was celebrated.
“In some ways it’s a day for the old folk, we’ve got as many of those who trained here coming back as we can, the men and women who were stationed here – WAFS, pupil pilots, instructors, engineers,” Mr Chivers said.
But it would also be a day for the public, for anyone who simply enjoyed being around aeroplanes, he said.
Trainees are coming from around New Zealand, and one of the more poignant moments of the day will be the unveiling of a memorial to five airmen who lost their lives while based in Ashburton.
In true military style, the celebrations will begin with a flag raising ceremony at 11am, followed by a dedication of the memorial and a wreath laying ceremony.
As with any celebration on an airfield, aircraft will take centre stage, with a large number of vintage and veteran craft expected to fly in during the day. There will also be a flight display.
While virtually all remnants of the air base have disappeared, the Ashburton Aviation Museum contains a reconstruction of the complex and guided tours will be run to revisit sites of the base and camp.
The celebrations will end with the lowering of the ensign at 4pm.
November 22 2007
www.ashburtonguardian.co.nz/index.asp?articleid=10571
Sixty-five years ago Ashburton Airfield was home to more than 1000 men and women and played a vital role in training pilots for battlefields in Europe.
From 1942 to 1945 the airfield became a small village where would-be pilots from around New Zealand undertook a pressure cooker course in aviation.
On Saturday the efforts of those men and women will be remembered when the RNZAF Station and No 2 Elementary flying training school’s 65th anniversary celebrations are held.
One of the organisers, Jim Chivers, said the day would be one where aviation past and present was celebrated.
“In some ways it’s a day for the old folk, we’ve got as many of those who trained here coming back as we can, the men and women who were stationed here – WAFS, pupil pilots, instructors, engineers,” Mr Chivers said.
But it would also be a day for the public, for anyone who simply enjoyed being around aeroplanes, he said.
Trainees are coming from around New Zealand, and one of the more poignant moments of the day will be the unveiling of a memorial to five airmen who lost their lives while based in Ashburton.
In true military style, the celebrations will begin with a flag raising ceremony at 11am, followed by a dedication of the memorial and a wreath laying ceremony.
As with any celebration on an airfield, aircraft will take centre stage, with a large number of vintage and veteran craft expected to fly in during the day. There will also be a flight display.
While virtually all remnants of the air base have disappeared, the Ashburton Aviation Museum contains a reconstruction of the complex and guided tours will be run to revisit sites of the base and camp.
The celebrations will end with the lowering of the ensign at 4pm.
November 22 2007
www.ashburtonguardian.co.nz/index.asp?articleid=10571
