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Post by shorty on Oct 22, 2009 19:53:54 GMT 12
Ah, of course. Never could get my head round those antiquated old measurements from the Imperial age. Obviously you haven't worked on American aircraft then.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 22, 2009 20:06:09 GMT 12
Glad you like them Ken. Here's an Italian helmet.  Here are some wonderful 1/35th scale WWII 2NZEF dioramas. Sorry the photos are not great, with all the glass and spotlights causing reflections this is a difficult museum to photograph things like this.    |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 22, 2009 20:10:45 GMT 12
I didn't work on aircraft Shorty, I worked on components. I was always in MSS, Tech Squadron or Tech Wing in Bays, never on a numbered squadron. I did however know the two measurement systems well enough back then, though I can't recall ever having to use Imperial. Personally I think it is a pointless, confusing system and the move to Metric was a very good one by the government. The USA was very close to goin Metric too then Reagan, or was it Carter, got in and put the kibosh on it. Idiot.
Phil, where is Point Jerningham?
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Post by phil on Oct 22, 2009 21:19:32 GMT 12
It's in Wellington. They fire the salutes for various ceremonial things from there.
And we still do most of our measuring in imperial. Most things are in thou still!
Until we get rid of US aircraft it will probably stay that way too. Worse was the macchi, some things were in both metric and imperial!
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Post by shorty on Oct 22, 2009 21:21:00 GMT 12
You would have loved Mt Cooks 748s Dave, The Fuel came from the tanker in litres,the drip sticks were in gallons, the fuel gauges in pounds and the log book in kilos. Oil in the Darts was Imp pints on the dip stick and put in using US quart cans. Kept you on your toes!
Threads used on the Darts were BSF,UNF,BA and BSP- you got to use all the spanners in your tool box!
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Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 22, 2009 21:43:58 GMT 12
Phil, where is Point Jerningham? It's in the suburb of Roseneath. Point Jerningham is the northern tip of land north of Mount Victoria. To get to Point Jerningham, drive along Oriental Parade, then turn right into Carlton-Gore Road and head up the hill to Roseneath School (right next to St Barnabas Anglican Church). Or you can catch a number 14 bus from anywhere along the golden-mile bus route in Wellington City and get off at the bus-stop right by the school at the top of Carlton-Gore Road. Walk down the driveway into the school grounds and you will see a signposted public walkway (that is part of and within the school grounds) and follow that down to Point Jerningham (which is actually defence land). The school kids use the defence land as part of the school playground (I know this, because a friend of mine has her kids at Roseneath School). The view from Point Jerningham is awesome, plus as a bonus, if the military are firing a 21-gun salute to a visiting dignitary, you are allowed to watch. There is actually a terraced outdoor seating area above the parade ground where they fire the guns. There is a notice board by the entrance into the school grounds that usually lists any upcoming ceremonial firings. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 22, 2009 22:14:35 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 22, 2009 22:16:01 GMT 12
Here are some wonderful 1/35th scale WWII 2NZEF dioramas. Sorry the photos are not great, with all the glass and spotlights causing reflections this is a difficult museum to photograph things like this. I'd meant to congratulate you earlier on minimising these issues. Love the hat! |
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Post by corsair67 on Oct 22, 2009 22:16:51 GMT 12
That German paratrooper isn't a very realistic depiction of one of the paratroopers who landed on Crete: he should be shot full of holes and covered in blood!  I recall reading a book in which a Kiwi who'd survived Crete mentioned that even though it didn't seem very sporting at the time, he and his mates shot at the paratroops as they came down under their parachutes, because they weren't going to give them the chance to land, get out of their kit and then have a go at killing them.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 22, 2009 22:55:46 GMT 12
Yes indeed many were shot in the air Craig (just as the Germans shot Allied paras in their chutes as they dropped into Europe in 1944) but the Allies lacked ammo, equipment and proper leadership so the Germans that were not shot, won! An interesting thing as after the war, the German graves on Crete of the many of their men killed in the invasion were totally desecrated by the locals as retribution for their occupation. The headstones were deliberately shmashed up and the cemetary parctically ploughed and then left to get overgrown. By 1959 when Errol "Bill" Allison visited his old battle ground he was astounded by the sight of the pristine and well tended and respected Allied graves, and the totally destroyed German graves. I understand that somewhere along the way they have been restored as I saw a recent documentary that showed German veterans in the nice cemetery with their comrades. Anyway, here is a couple of photos of a 1/35th scale Semple tank, the last shots here for a bit, because I'm off to Wairakei, Taupo in the morning for a weekend reunion. I love this Semple tank model, so neat. The real thing was so quirky yet so silly. Shows the desperation of NZ back then.   |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 26, 2009 0:03:51 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 26, 2009 0:16:04 GMT 12
The Sherman looks rather shiny, I'll bet they were not thius glossy in service with the NZ Armoured Division in North Africa and Italy   |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 26, 2009 22:16:07 GMT 12
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Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 27, 2009 9:50:06 GMT 12
Thank for the photos Dave, I'm definitely going to stop at the museum next time I drive north.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 27, 2009 21:47:22 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 27, 2009 22:16:32 GMT 12
I wonder why Bernard Diamond's medals are displayed in that order. VC is first in the 'Order of Wear'.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 27, 2009 22:31:17 GMT 12
I was wondering too. I looked him up but can't find what that medal is. He was an 1800's soldier and I wonder if maybe back then there was a medal that superceded the power of the VC?
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Post by ErrolC on Oct 28, 2009 5:50:25 GMT 12
I was wondering too. I looked him up but can't find what that medal is. He was an 1800's soldier and I wonder if maybe back then there was a medal that superceded the power of the VC? It looks to be a campaign medal (with battle pins). Assuming it's not an oversight by staff (very unlikely), maybe at the time the practice was to wear in order of date awarded or something? The VC was fairly new then (started in Crimean, his is from Indian Mutiny), and I don't think that there were any other decorations for bravery - officers could get knighthoods etc for service. |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 28, 2009 14:47:53 GMT 12
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