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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 16, 2005 22:36:12 GMT 12
A few RNZAF Mustangs survived, but where are they now? I know one that was stored dismantled in Blenheim for many decades went to the Alpine Fighter Collection, and then onto someone in the UK where it now flies with a USAAF scheme and nickname Janie.
Another is in storage with John Smith of Mapua of course.
Another one that was probably NZ's first warbird, ZK-CCG, went to the USA in the 1970's. I lost track of it's whereabouts in the 1990's. Where is it now?
Do any others survive as substantial airframes?
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Post by Swiss Mustangs on Mar 17, 2005 0:50:03 GMT 12
Okay here's for starters Martin
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Post by Swiss Mustangs on Mar 17, 2005 0:54:34 GMT 12
some more NZ 2423 the below photo shows NZ2425 before delivery..... Martin
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Post by Swiss Mustangs on Mar 17, 2005 2:00:33 GMT 12
45-11490 to RNZAF (NZ2401) to No. 4 Sqdn 10.06.52 - 10.05.53; crd Taieri on landing, to 4 TTS (INST162) Woodbourne red. to spares 45-11491 to RNZAF (NZ2402) to No. 2 Sqdn 11.07.52 - 25.10.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11492 to RNZAF (NZ2403) to No. 2 Sqdn 27.01.54 - 25.10.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11493 to RNZAF (NZ2404) to No. 2 Sqdn 11.07.52 - 22.12.1953; crashed Tongaporutu (Sqdn Ldr M.B. Stevens killed) 45-11494 to RNZAF (NZ2405) to No 4 Sqdn 04.05.53 - 08.11.53; crashed Taieri on take-off, t 4 TTS (INST164), red. to Spares 45-11495 to RNZAF (NZ2406) to CFS 1st flight Ardmore 19.08.51; to 75 Sqdn xx.07.52; to No. 2 Sqdn. 22.06.53 - 25.11.55; sold T 5926 45-11496 to RNZAF (NZ2407) not used operationally; damaged in assembly April 1952; reduced to spares August 1953 45-11498 to RNZAF (NZ2408) to No. 2 Sqdn 11.07.52 - 18.10.54; damaged by gunfire 07.10.54; s.o.c, sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11499 to RNZAF (NZ2409) to No. 3 Sqdn 10.06.52 - 05.09.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926; wings used in restoration of NZ2417 45-11500 to RNZAF (NZ2410) to No. 4 Sqdn 13.09.51 - 22.04.54 / 19.08.54 - 23.05.55; crashed on landing Harewood 23.05.55 45-11501 to RNZAF (NZ2411) to No. 2 Sqdn 11.07.52 - 22.12.53; crashed at Tongaporutu (F/O R.M. Westrupp killed) 45-11502 to RNZAF (NZ2412) to No. 3 Sqdn 10.06.52 - 23.04.55; lost in wing in flight & crashed near Lincoln (F/O P.G. Vowles killed) 45-11503 to RNZAF (NZ2413) to No. 1 Sqdn 29.07.52 - 30.09.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11504 to RNZAF (NZ2414) to No. 1 Sqdn 21.07.52 - 14.09.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11505 to RNZAF (NZ2415) to No. 3 Sqdn 10.06.52 - 04.05.54; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11506 to RNZAF (NZ2416) to No. 1 Sqdn 22.07.52 - 26.09.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11507 to RNZAF (NZ2417) to No. 3 Sqdn 10.06.52 - 11.08.55; sold in Tender 5926; rebuilt (w/NZ2409) to ZK-CCG 1964; N921 1974; 45-11508 to RNZAF (NZ2418) to No. 4 Sqdn 22.01.54 - 18.08.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11509 to RNZAF (NZ2419) to No. 2 Sqdn 11.07.52 - 19.10.54; forced landing near Manaia due to coolant leak; red. to spares 45-11510 to RNZAF (NZ2420) to No. 2 Sqdn 27.01.54 - 25.10.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11511 to RNZAF (NZ2421) to No. 4 Sqdn 06.09.51 - 07.08.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11512 to RNZAF (NZ2422) to No. 2 Sqdn 22.06.53 - 13.10.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11513 to RNZAF (NZ2423) to No. 2 Sqdn 12.07.54 - 25.10.55; to No. 42 Sqdn; last RNZAF P-51 flight 30.05.57; sold in Tender 5926 45-11515 to RNZAF (NZ2424) to No. 3 Sqdn 10.06.52 - 27.09.52; crashed at Lyttelton Harbour (F/O V.C. Duckmanton killed) 45-11516 to RNZAF (NZ2425) to No. 1 Sqdn 29.07.52 - 20.03.55; missing, presumed crashed Muriwai Beach (P/O A.I. French killed) 45-11517 to RNZAF (NZ2426) to No. 4 Sqdn 31.08.51 - 25.06.54; to No. 3 Sqdn 03.09.54 - 11.08.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11518 to RNZAF (NZ2427) to No. 3 Sqdn 17.10.52 - 09.08.55; sold in Tender 5926; rebuilt, ff. 12.07.2001 G-MSTG 45-11519 to RNZAF (NZ2428) to No. 1 Sqdn 29.07.52 - 12.10.55; sold as scrap, Tender 5926 45-11521 to RNZAF (NZ2429) to No. 4 Sqdn 06.09.51 - 27.02.53; forced landing Santoft beach; used as range target afterwards 45-11522 to RNZAF (NZ2430) to No. 4 Sqdn 31.08.53 - 10.02.55; forced landing at Ohakea due to coolant system failure
Martin
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Post by Swiss Mustangs on Mar 17, 2005 4:49:48 GMT 12
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Post by turboNZ on Mar 17, 2005 8:46:16 GMT 12
WOW, you really know your Mustang stuff, Martin !!!! I am impressed !!!! TNZ
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IVAN
Flight Sergeant
Posts: 29
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Post by IVAN on Mar 17, 2005 9:40:48 GMT 12
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Eng
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 81
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Post by Eng on Feb 18, 2013 13:42:35 GMT 12
I was talking to Noel Hilliam yesterday. Hes been searching for NZ2425 for years ( pilot French )and he has finally found it in the Kaipara Harbour ( in three sections ) he is arranging to have a barge in position soon for its retrieval. I believe the TV types are interested in a documentary of its dissapearance. I was a flight mechanic on Mustang assembly a VERY long time ago :-) So I am quite interested in it's outcome. Another story there I guess :-) Regards Eng
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 18, 2013 18:16:49 GMT 12
Really interesting news there Eng. Please keep us informed if you hear more.
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Post by baz62 on Feb 18, 2013 18:51:54 GMT 12
Wow that's very interesting. So I take it they never found the pilot? I presume they would have to get the permisson of the family if his remains are present? Would the RNZAF have to be involved too? I know reading in the various magazines about recoveries in the UK and Europe there is a standard procedure to follow (Uk contact the Ministry of Defence) but then New Zealand isn't littered with crash sites from WW2 like they are.
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Eng
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 81
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Post by Eng on Feb 18, 2013 18:59:46 GMT 12
Hey ! hold on ! No, they obviously have never found the pi;ot and its only the fact that Noel hilliam has gone to a lot of triouble trying to find out throgh anecdotal sightings (which you cannot always believe ) that he has finaly obtained enough information to locate it . . Its been along time and the Kaipara Harbour is not the friendliest of places at times ! We will just have to be a bit more patient and when someting tangible shows up and I find out I will do my best to keep you informed . Of course there are procedures to be carried out . . Patience my friend !! :-0 Eng
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Post by planecrazy4 on Feb 18, 2013 19:37:27 GMT 12
the only current flying ex rnzaf mustangs are the 3 listed below the are still a couple in in storage around the world Nz2406 is painted as "little rebel silver blue nose based in the states nz24127 ex mobil mustang painted as "cripes a mighty 3rd"owned by kermit weeks nz2427 is painted as "janie" based in england
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 18, 2013 19:51:51 GMT 12
Yep, you'll notice that this is an ancient thread from the very second month of the forum.
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kiwiwreckdiver
Squadron Leader
Still military and aviation history mad
Posts: 114
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Post by kiwiwreckdiver on Feb 18, 2013 23:23:59 GMT 12
Do they have any photo graphic evidence to say that there is a P51 in Kaipara Harbour ?? Or is this another familiar 'A friend of a friend of a friend said' ??
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Post by SEAN on Feb 19, 2013 11:29:52 GMT 12
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Post by delticman on Feb 19, 2013 12:15:55 GMT 12
findlostaircraft.....all an interesting read.
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Eng
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 81
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Post by Eng on Feb 19, 2013 13:48:45 GMT 12
To kwdriver I did answer your post but its floated away somewhere .Here goes again . As your nom de plume suggests you are faniliar with a "friend of a friend of a friend "etc information . I must say in this case Noel Hilliams is a well known discoverer of many things on the Kaipara and in this case it sounds like the discovery was finally made with the aid of the latest sonar equipment. It still might turn out to be three pieces of swamp kauri! :-) :-) Lets hope not . As far as photographic evidence is concerned at this stage you might be expecting too much :-) Noel will let me know more as it developes . Fingers crossed Eng
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Post by shorty on Feb 19, 2013 14:13:49 GMT 12
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Post by Bruce on Feb 19, 2013 14:30:45 GMT 12
Nothing wrong with the theory of pre-polynesian visitation / settlement of NZ - there is very little evidence to prove or disprove but raising the idea doesnt make you a nut job. Noel is actually very reputable in terms of his historical research in the northland area. He has discovered a very large number of shipwrecks, many of which are documented in the Dargaville museum. Its not like someone hunting Spitfires in Burma!
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Post by shorty on Feb 19, 2013 15:35:30 GMT 12
I wasn't passing comment either way
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