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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 30, 2012 10:45:19 GMT 12
I read the other day the ceiling was made from a melted down Halifax bomber. I'd have preferred the Halifax whole as a memorial, how did this come about? When did they melt it down? Was it disgarded parts off the one recently restored in Canada's air force museum?
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Post by pjw4118 on Jun 30, 2012 15:49:34 GMT 12
I was told that the aluminium used in just one small section of the roof had been melted down from a collection of scrap/odd parts in Canada and was donated by one of their associations. Similaly the Australians presented a plaque made from aero parts which was included in a gate. By the time we woke up to this, the design had been fixed and no more extras were allowed as the Poles, . Dutch and French wanted a go too.
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Post by ErrolC on Jul 1, 2012 13:22:07 GMT 12
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Post by ngatimozart on Jul 1, 2012 21:47:49 GMT 12
Yep. Bet the Gnat pilot gets a please explain for the tail strike. The F16 (is it Czeck or Slovak?) before the RNZAF B757 has a really cool paint job.
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Post by raymond on Jul 3, 2012 18:50:18 GMT 12
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Post by pjw4118 on Jul 4, 2012 16:48:29 GMT 12
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Post by pjw4118 on Jul 4, 2012 16:55:20 GMT 12
On Thursday 28th The British High Commission invited a number of ex RAF Bomber Boys to a luncheon and Medal presentation to recognise UK Armed Forces Day. Lt Col Tim Woodman, Defence Advisor was our host. Included in the veterans list were two Airborne Division men, an SAS gent and two submariners. The converstaion was spell binding. Medal Talk, Ernest Davenport, Wally Halliwell and Harry Furner comparing medals. Lt.Col Tim Woodman in the background.  How good was that lunch  Lancaster Doll  |
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Post by Luther Moore on Jul 4, 2012 17:00:35 GMT 12
Can't believe they want to add a VAT tax on the Memorial!
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Post by ngatimozart on Jul 4, 2012 18:57:00 GMT 12
Can't believe they want to add a VAT tax on the Memorial! Of course they do. It's money for the govt coffers and since they were to stingy to pay for it, to add insult to injury they want their cut. Tax men see. Should be legal to shoot them  |
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Post by Luther Moore on Jul 4, 2012 19:10:51 GMT 12
Can't believe they want to add a VAT tax on the Memorial! Of course they do. It's money for the govt coffers and since they were to stingy to pay for it, to add insult to injury they want their cut. Tax men see. Should be legal to shoot them I'll happily pay the tax on the bullets needed. |
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Post by pjw4118 on Jul 5, 2012 17:50:23 GMT 12
The UK Government seem terrified of upsetting their European partners ( read ex Axis) and of the PC brigade ( read Dresden) by contributing anything towards the memory of RAF BC. Note that the politicians were completely excluded from the order of service , an interesting message from the Royal Family and Their Armed Forces.
RAF BCA have noted that NZ were the first to send money for the appeal back in 2009 and the only group totally supported by their Government. Well done those men !!
We are looking now to similar ceremony in Wellington during September.
The boys arrive back at Whenuapai 1720 Friday July 6. Photos to come.
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Post by phil82 on Jul 5, 2012 19:20:37 GMT 12
Thank you for putting these photo's up Peter. Well done!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 5, 2012 20:41:31 GMT 12
For goodness sake don't make it the last weekend of September Peter!! The vets won't want to miss the Mossie!
The PC brigade who talk of Desden should talk to my mate (and your's) Ron Noice about that attack. he was the Bomb Aimer who marked the first target on that raid. He said to him it was just like any other raid and the crews had no reason to think otherwise - if these nerks want to blame somone it should NOT be the veterans (who fought and sacrificed so that nerks and others could voice an opinion freely)
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Post by pjw4118 on Jul 6, 2012 9:40:40 GMT 12
Thanks Dave , but I just dont have that sort of pull, its the PMs call . My guess it will be Air Force Day , Sept 15. So we can enjoy two Sept events.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 6, 2012 16:35:45 GMT 12
The PM should be at Ardmore if he had any sense. I won't be happy if his do pulls all the veterans away from our do.  |
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Post by pjw4118 on Jul 6, 2012 18:39:00 GMT 12
The boys are back in town. RNZAF 757 '71' landed at 1705 today with its cargo of Bomber Command Veterans. They all had a memorable time.    |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 6, 2012 21:12:02 GMT 12
Wonderful to see them all return from their last bomber command mission.
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Post by pjw4118 on Jul 30, 2012 15:00:32 GMT 12
When the thirty odd RNZAF veterans flew off in June courtesy VA and RNZAF , there was some sadness about leaving all ( but one ) RAF bods behind.
Thanks to a private sponsor from NZ Tax Management , six of these BC Veterans and partners have now been selected to join a party to go to UK in September and visit the BC Memorial, Runnymede, Hendon and East Kirkby.
With the group will be a TV documentary crew lead by Rob Harley.
It great news and deeply appreciated by the boys
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Post by fwx on Jul 30, 2012 15:49:10 GMT 12
It's bloody fantastic news Peter! Thanks for all your efforts on the vets' behalf, and the rest of the NZBCA bod's ... wonderful news.
I know one ex-RAF vet at least who is very excited!
Cheers,
Chris
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 30, 2012 16:13:11 GMT 12
Well done to all involved in this venture!!
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