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Post by bobajob on Oct 3, 2012 22:17:46 GMT 12
The combat report makes a great read and an amazing insight as to how difficult it was for the crews to make a sucessful interception and then be able to down the enemy aircraft, all at night. I hope I am not stepping out of line here, but, maybe the forum can start a thread so that allan2805 can share his story in more detail. Best regards Bob Howard
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Post by mumbles on Oct 3, 2012 22:45:42 GMT 12
A couple more for the pot, not a patch on some of the others here though  We were still walking down Airfield Road when the first display took place, but moved to the approach end of the grass strip for the second, and were rewarded with great close passes    Hearing the throttles go forward as it neared the crowd on a couple of passes was just magic. |
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Post by TriangleP on Oct 4, 2012 3:56:29 GMT 12
Great to see the current Officer Commanding (OC) of No 488 Wing (Ohakea) Group Captain Darren (Digby) Webb with the veterans group along with the Air Component Commander (ACC) Air Commodore Steve Moore. (GPCAPT Webb 2nd from left - AIRCDR Moore 2nd from right) Great pictures McFly, thanks for posting them. Also, great pics from pjw4118 of the veterans, thank you. Would it be possible to add the identities of everyone here in your group photo McFly? This would be an ideal opportunity to get everyones name in this one very historic photo. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 8:39:55 GMT 12
 I can identify most there - left to right I see: Flying Officer Brett Mann Group Captain Darren (Digby) Webb Kelvin Purdie, Pilot Murray Richardson, Fleet Air Arm Observer, No. 488 (NZ) Squadron Harold 'Bunny' Burrows, Pilot, No. 487 (NZ) Squadron Des Hyland (standing), Pilot, No. 488 (NZ) Squadron Walter Turner in the wheelchair "Mitch" Mitchell, Pilot Alan Speirs DFC, Pilot Bert Pond, Pilot Roy Montrowe, Pilot John Beeching, Pilot (RAF) Ivon Warmington, Pilot Reg Mitchell, Pilot, No. 488 (NZ) Squadron Ross Cleverley, Safety and Surface, No. 75 Squadron RNZAF Air Commodore Steve Moore Sqn Ldr Scott Mackenzie If anyonbe here can fill in the blanks I would really appreciate it. It's regretable that although I tried to get to meet all the veterans I missed out on seeing a few as they arrived and left at all different times through the day. There were actually at least double the number of veterans in attendance as seen in that photo by the way, we were meant to be getting around 35 attend, and I only know of one who pulled out last minute. |
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Post by matariki on Oct 4, 2012 8:56:10 GMT 12
Second in from left is Digby, and furthest right is Scott Mackenzie.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 8:57:30 GMT 12
Ah of course, I should have recognised Scott. Sorry. Will change the listing.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 9:03:56 GMT 12
The only two veterans I have listed as requiring a wheelchair are Des Hyland (who is standing in this photo) and Walter Waterston, so that is probably Wally in the chair in front. Can anyone confirm?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 9:33:37 GMT 12
Here are a few more shots from me: Bunny Burrows who was being interviewed by the lady reporter in orange at right, with Roy Montrowe seated, and another vet who I am not sure the name of, and our own Peter Wheeler taking a snap. Peter, can you put a name to the man in the tan jacket at all please:  The second veteran group shot, at the end of the day     The admiring public throng forward  Mossie just after rool in to become the hangar centrepiece  |
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Post by dazz on Oct 4, 2012 10:59:23 GMT 12
Dave, In the top photo, the last vet on the right whose name you don't have ( brown coat , blue tie , hat ) is Ivon Warmington
Cheers Darren
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Post by JDK on Oct 4, 2012 12:32:11 GMT 12
Let's play 'Where's JDK'  I knew that high viz would stand out! ;D Sorry we didn't get to say "G'Day" nuuumannn, would've liked to. On a trip for an aircraft (or two) it turned out to be great because of the people. Pretty special. Regards, |
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Post by TriangleP on Oct 4, 2012 13:06:15 GMT 12
Thanks Dave Homewood and others that have (and will) identify the gentlemen veterans in the posted pictures.
The veterans that have attended reunions with the 384th Bomb Group (8th Air Force) often show up at different times, and we're never really sure who showed up when and where sometimes! It can be frustrating for the younger members, but the reunion is for the veterans anyway so let them enjoy it the way they can! Great work including your heroes with the Mosquito celebration, well done everyone!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 13:53:59 GMT 12
Thanks dazz, I have updated that list.
Other veterans not in the group photos who attended that I caught up with in the VIP area were Ron Noice, Ray Tocker, Tony Williams, Jim Peters, and I'm sure several more when my brain starts working.
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rodm
Flying Officer
Posts: 67
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Post by rodm on Oct 4, 2012 16:20:31 GMT 12
Thanks dazz, I have updated that list. Other veterans not in the group photos who attended that I caught up with in the VIP area were Ron Noice, Ray Tocker, Tony Williams, Jim Peters, and I'm sure several more when my brain starts working. Hi Dave, re: the group photo - the info is embedded in the pic metadata (IPTC): "New Zealand Mosquito veterans and RNZAF personnel in front the the restored Mosquito aircraft. From left to right: FGOFF Brent Mann RNZAF (488 WG); GPCAPT Darryn Webb RNZAF (OC 488 WG); MR Kelvin Durdie; MR Murray Richardson (ex-488 SQN); MR 'Bunny' Burrows; MR Des Hyland (ex-488 SQN); MR Walter Turner (seated); MR 'Mitch' Mitchell; MR Alan Speirs; MR Bert Pond; MR Roy Montrowe; MR John Beeching; MR Ivon Warmington; MR Reg Mitchell (ex-488 SQN); MR Ross Cleverley; AIRCDRE Stephen Moore RNZAF (ACC), and; SQNLDR Scott McKenzie RNZAF (PSO to CAF)." PS - I'll correct the spelling mistakes in a couple of the vet names when back "in the office" next week. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 18:59:00 GMT 12
Aha, thanks Rod! I wish my camera did that, haha
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 19:08:20 GMT 12
Wierd thing is, I have never heard of Walter Turner. Are you sure that isn't Walter Waterston?
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Post by Gavin Conroy on Oct 4, 2012 19:17:06 GMT 12
Great images everyone. Think I have finally started to come down from the high on Saturday. It really was an amazing day, everybody was smiling and buzzing and that made for an exceptional atmosphere. Seeing the Mossie and Anson flying really was something to see and neat to see so many people connect with the Mosquito and veterans present.  |
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Post by TS on Oct 4, 2012 19:32:55 GMT 12
Great pic once again.... gezz I wish I could take them like that or even half as good as you do Gavin. I quickly checked mine and most are out of focus mainly because I just didn't want the aircraft to look as though it had major engine failure.But I still will post some at a later date.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 19:47:04 GMT 12
WOW, all I can say is WOW!!
Gavin, that shot is simply fantastic!
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Post by nzjet on Oct 4, 2012 20:44:44 GMT 12
So who else managed to just walk in while there was nobody around to pay? we arrived at 8am parked close to the gate and just walked in, same as hundreds of others.... Sombody missed out on a few thousand dollars!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 4, 2012 20:49:27 GMT 12
Seems pretty odd because we arrived just before 8am and there were dozens of marshalls everywhere. Which gate are you taking about? We went through Airfield Road gate and on round to the Avspecs side passing the Hamlin Road gate, and both were very well covered. This would have been 7.50am
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