|
Post by brisbaneqldau on Jan 3, 2014 22:55:34 GMT 12
Just found the postings about Gordon Roger Hewlett on your web site. I am his son-in-law. He did indeed survive the war, and retired in Brisbane. He died in 2000. If you need any information I maybe could help. Regards
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Feb 17, 2014 10:49:12 GMT 12
Thank you for making contact
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Mar 1, 2014 15:06:14 GMT 12
The Captains Fancy After much discussion, the NZBCA has arranged for the Captains Fancy art and markings to be applied to the Memorial Lancaster at MOTAT And after viewing a lot of photographs and log books, Peter West produced this art work for our sign writers The quest to determine just how many ops JN-M did continues, and FWX has spent a lot of time trying to nail this down. A new story board will be produced for the aircraft and hopefully postcards/posters of the art will be available at MOTAT. Painting starts next week
|
|
waynem
Pilot Officer
Posts: 46
|
Post by waynem on Mar 1, 2014 19:49:45 GMT 12
Hi Peter, That's great news. Has any decision been made on the markings on other side? Will they stay the same for now?
Cheers, Wayne.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 1, 2014 20:12:27 GMT 12
I have an idea for the starboard side. How about we honour not only an absolutely brave and skilled bomber pilot with the scheme, but also one of the really extraordinary and courageous New Zealanders of WWII, Squadron Leader Phil Lamason?
His story in the air is remarkable enough, but to save all those Allied airmen from execution in the concentration camp is a whole added story that can be told in the exhibition too. A remarkable man who needs such acknowledgement in such a museum as this.
What do you all reckon?
|
|
|
Post by baz62 on Mar 2, 2014 8:22:00 GMT 12
Sounds like a fine candidate to me.
|
|
|
Post by Ian Warren on Mar 2, 2014 9:46:39 GMT 12
I would love to have permission to place these markings on to a FS9 and FSX Flight Simulation Lanc, I'm looking and trying pick-out the registration numbers, Super scheme I was on board the MOTAT Lanc in the mid 1980s, I do have a few photos here, have to dig them up.
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Mar 2, 2014 15:28:32 GMT 12
Thanks for the comments. The BC boys and MOTAT bods are all very keen about this project and the completion of the display cabinets. Ian , the copyright to this art is with Pete West,,oneleggedpom.co.nz. Just contact him.
Regarding the starboard side, Dave, we have a number of contenders including Fraser Barron. With the Lanc likely to be moved forward , it will give much better access to the rear gunners position and provide better photography angles , so we are also looking at Lancs with nose art on this side. One thing already determined is that it wont be a 75 squadron aircraft.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 2, 2014 15:49:32 GMT 12
Phil Lamason was flying with No. 15 Squadron when he was shot down. He never served with No. 75 Squadron to my knowledge.
Fraser Barron was indeed a pretty special bomber pilot, but Phil Lamason was also a distinguished bomber pilot PLUS a lot more - as well as his bombing career the stories can also be told of Lamason's - Encounter with the night fighter that shot him down - His escape from the burning aircraft by parachute (Caterpillar Club member) - His initial evasion from capture for seven weeks through contact with French Resistance - His capture by the Gestapo in Paris and interrogation - His internment at the Buchenwald concentration camp and his impending execution - His leading of the Allied prisoners in Buchenwald and his ensuring they were released safely to proper POW camps after months of hardship and threat of execution - Life as a POW in a regular camp
So much more to tell to museum visitors than Barron's story, in my opinion.
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Mar 2, 2014 17:56:18 GMT 12
A good suggestion Dave , I have very little on file , neither a copy of his logbook or photos of his aircraft. Are there details out there?
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 14, 2014 14:44:55 GMT 12
A particularly interesting edition of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association newsletter this month. Here's the front page, but a full copy of the bumper sized issues can be downloaded at www.nzbombercommand.co.nz
|
|
|
Post by Richard Wesley on Apr 11, 2014 19:47:58 GMT 12
Looks like sign writing is complete by the recent post by Motat on Facebook...
|
|
|
Post by Richard Wesley on Apr 12, 2014 16:05:18 GMT 12
|
|
|
Post by avro683 on May 17, 2014 3:02:21 GMT 12
She look's fantastic!
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Jun 15, 2014 10:15:49 GMT 12
Each June Commonwealth wide services are held to honour those who served in RAF Bomber Command. This years service in the Hall of Memories was attended by CAF AVM Nike Yardley, G/C Longstaff (RAF), W/C Oliver RAAF plus Diplomats from the British High Commission, and the Consuls of Belgium, Holland and Poland. Other serving officers and airmen attended from Whenuapai while No 3 Squadron ATC provided ushers. Thirty Veterans paraded and over 200 friends and family gathered for the formal service, Last post and wreath laying. Pictures thanks to Homewood, Wheeler, and Firefly Photography S/L Hight RNZAF Chaplain Front row of veterans, some from the South Island W/C Oliver, G/C Longstaff, AVM Yardley, President Ron Mayhill NZBCA, Lt.Col Woodman British Defence Advisor Phil Furner introduces the service W/C Oliver addresses the assembly More photos are on the NZBCA facebook page
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Jun 20, 2014 12:30:46 GMT 12
Following the June 8 services the NZBCA were presented with two great pieces of art. The first from Nick Carter DFC W/OP 75/156 Squadrons was an oil painting he commisioned of AR-D for Duck. On the crews second tour on 156 Squadron flying GT-T Duck became Thomas Frederick Duck. Ground crew LAC Maund painted two copies on doped fabric. One was attached to their Lancaster, the other presented to the skipper Jack Wright at wars end. The 'flying' version is now on show in the Air Force Museum Wigram while the NZBCA pair will become part of a special display at MOTAT. Thanks for the generosity of the Carter and Wright families, we will be able to display a valuable piece of aviation history
|
|
|
Post by nuuumannn on Jun 20, 2014 14:02:23 GMT 12
Terrific Peter, lovely to see and my hat goes off to you and the members, all gallant chaps. About the Lancaster picture a couple of pages back, it is a post war one and shows the former Aeronavale Mk.VII NX611 that was named Spirit of Surfer's Paradise and flown from Australia to the UK. It is now owned by the Panton Brothers at East Kirkby. Here's a pic of it being a little less shy. my.pinkfroot.com/photo/file0252
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Jun 20, 2014 15:05:37 GMT 12
Thanks Nuu, we had another contact who confirmed this and sent a few other pictures of it in French markings.
|
|
|
Post by pjw4118 on Jun 20, 2014 17:36:36 GMT 12
Now heres a question , we have TCF now on the Lancaster and a good Wellington candidate with D for Duck , a Stirling idea with Alexanders Rag Time Crew. So who can suggest a good nose art job on a Kiwi captained or crewed Halifax. So far we have Bill Petersens Black Mammy. We are looking for a good candidate to appear in the next NZBCA book , this time in colour.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 20, 2014 17:57:43 GMT 12
Of course the most famous is Friday The 13th! Marty Nicoll has all the gen on that you could ever want including details of its kiwi crew members.
|
|