485 (NZ) Squadron 71st Reunion – RNZAF Whenuapai.

[McFly]

No. 485 (NZ) Squadron 71st Reunion – RNZAF Whenuapai.

The 71st anniversary celebrations of No 485 (NZ) Squadron who flew Spitfires during WW2 will be held at RNZAF Base Whenuapai on Saturday 25th Feb 2012 and hosted by HQ 485 Wing RNZAF.

Among the reunion events being held that day will also be a flying display by two Spitfires (PV270 & MH367) scheduled to occur at approx 2:30pm.

Whilst the event is closed to the general public due to being on the base, there may be opportunities to view elements of the display from the base perimeter fence line, with Rata Rd and McKeans Rd probably the best for the approach ends of the display line and Punga Rd for overall vantage.

Veterans in attendance will be Doug Brown (Wine, Woman & Song), Owen Hardy & Harvey Sweetman (NZ Aces) and Ken Lee + various family and friends.

For previous coverage of 485 (NZ) Sqn events see:

Harvey & Owen - rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Wartime&thread=14378&page=1

Previous Reunion (70th) - rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=airshow&thread=12810&page=1

Wing HQ Room Naming - rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Postwar&thread=12527&page=1

[McFly]

Doug Brooker came over to Whenuapai in MH367 this afternoon for a practice before tomorrows reunion events. As expected, the base came to a standstill during the flying...!!

A couple of photos to enjoy.

[johnnyfalcon]

Awesome pics! Cheers!!

[Dave Homewood]

Wow, magic photos Marty!

I am really looking forward to tomorrow, I hope we get weather like that.

[ErrolC]

It looked damn good from the fence!
I didn't even get rained on waiting.
Always a bonus when you are only expecting one Spitfire, and two show up!

[ErrolC]

Right, a quick edit to start with:


Spit485_9646-1 by errolgc, on Flickr


Spit485_9716-1 by errolgc, on Flickr

[pjw4118]

watched from home, what a sound. More pictures please

[jasonmac]

I was lucky enough to get on the flight line (the perks of belonging to the aeroclub at WP!) and snapped these earlier this afternoon.

Was amazing to watch.

[jasonmac]

and a couple more.. ;D













and the last - almost the same as the first but a different aircraft




Rock N Roll

[Dave Homewood]

I wish I'd known you were there Jason, I was there too, along with my mates Mike and Kerry (fockewulf), thanks to Marty's kind invitation.

Here are some shots Kerry just emailed through for me to post:










I will post some of my shots soon. Thanks for a great day Marty and the Association!

[Dave Homewood]

By the way Jason, your photos are simply stunning!

[Dave Homewood]

Here are a few from my camera. Sorry but I am breaking in a new camera (point and shoot) so they are not as great as those above).

My camera has a panorama feature, I've not had one before so I had a go with it. When we arrived at about 1.15pm it was wet and bleak there, and no-one was around.

[Dave Homewood]

[johnnyfalcon]

Great pics people! Big THANKS!! Gotta say how MUCH I like seeing two uniquely camouflaged Spitfires together. Marvellous! Bring on NH799 :-)

[Dave Homewood]

[Dave Homewood]

[Dave Homewood]

Marty kindly insisted that I have a sit in the Spit.

[Dave Homewood]

People were beginning to arrive:

[Dave Homewood]

The Spitfires are stars but it was the No. 485 (NZ) Squadron veterans that this day was all about.

Wartime Spitfire pilot Doug Brown chats with current Spitfire pilot Sean Perrett


The five No. 485 (NZ) Squadron veterans, from left to right: Harvey Sweetman, Jim Robinson, Ken Lee, Doug Brown and Owen Hardy.


And the five veterans joined by Air Commodore Steve Moore on the left, and another officer whom I don't recognise, sorry, maybe CO No. 485 Wing?

[McFly]

Feb 26, 2012 15:18:03 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

The Spitfires are stars but it was the No. 485 (NZ) Squadron veterans that this day was all about.

And the five veterans joined by Air Commodore Steve Moore on the left, and another officer whom I don't recognise, sorry, maybe CO No. 485 Wing?

Officer is Group Captain Tony Davies (TD). Current OC of No. 485 Wing.

And with time in the Spitfire and P-51...!!