So the original entry in the photo album is incorrect (ground collision between
NZ1024 and NZ1037) which leaves the two possibilities others have mentioned
and summarised below. Of these, given the damage (and lack of damage) shown
in the original photo, I think Baz62's suggestion that it is NZ1043 after being
struck by NZ1014 is the most likely. NZ1014 seems to have been a serial offender
as it was involved in ground collisions 3 times in 3 years (1943, 1944, 1945).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From ADF-Serials:
NZ1048 88-13905 Mk IIA 41-33764 Previously EX791. From RAF/FAA lend-lease allocations.
Shipped to New Zealand on "B.J. Wheeler" in July 1943 and assembled at Hobsonville.
BOC 19 July 1943.
With No.2 FOTU, Ohakea late 1944. Crashed at Raumai after midair collision with NZ1035
during training flight at 0930 hours on 04 August 1945. The aircraft tail was destroyed
in the accident and it spiralled into farmland near Ohakea. Sergeant Warren Sharpe killed.
Written off books Ohakea 21 August 1945.
From Errol:
Sat 4 Aug 1945
NEW ZEALAND
Air-air practice attacks
2 Operational Training Unit, RNZAF (Ohakea)
Harvard IIA NZ1035 - on a diving pass at 0930 the port wing struck the tail of the target
aircraft (NZ1048). The latter’s tail disintegrated, the aircraft spiralling into the
ground on Mr Dalrymple’s farm at Parewanui, SW of Ohakea, where it burst into flames.
With part of its port wing sheered off, NZ1035 entered a shallow spiral, recovered
momentarily, then flicked over and crashed about 1000 yards away on the same property.
The pilot is buried at Christchurch.
Pilot: NZ4313159 Sgt Charles Roderick GRAY, RNZAF - Age 20. 138hrs solo (85 on Harvard)
Gray’s father, Douglas Wanklyn Gray, was a First World War pilot who served in the RNAS
and RAF, and, for a short time afterwards, the Canterbury (NZ) Aviation Company.
2 Operational Training Unit, RNZAF (Ohakea)
Harvard IIA NZ1048 - collided in mid-air with NZ1035 as described in the previous entry.
The pilot is buried at Otahuhu.
Pilot: NZ4310378 Sgt Warren Selwyn SHARPE, RNZAF - Age 20. 148hrs solo (93 on Harvard)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
From ADF-Serials:
Previously EX746. From RAF/FAA lend-lease allocations.
Shipped to New Zealand on "James Hogg" in June 1943 and assembled at Hobsonville.
BOC 26 June 1943.
Struck by NZ1014 while taxying at Ohakea 28 June 1945.
Written off books at Ohakea 09 August 1945.
From Errol:
The accident cards for these two has this to say:
'Taxying at night - pilot was taxying along taxiway behind aircraft NZ1043. On noticing
aircraft ahead had practially stopped, he applied brake. The aircraft swung to port,
colliding with NZ1043. (NZ1014 - Major repair: NZ1043 - Major overhaul.)'
The event took place at Ohakea at 2000 on 27 June 1945.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following photo (RNZAF Museum) shows NZ971 after it had a go at Kittyhawk NZ3017 on 26-Jun 1942 at Ohakea.
NZ918 and NZ932 (RNZAF Museum).