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Post by shorty on Nov 6, 2008 14:34:33 GMT 12
How about some Hudsons? This is where it all started with the first Hudson to be assembled taking of on it's first test flight at Hobsonville in 1941, this AM 591, which became NZ 2003. I don't know how they got around the CG problem without the turret, presumably a bunch of sand bags?  scan0150 by Neville Mines, on Flickr A later shot of NZ 2003, probably at Gisborne, notice the chamfer at the rear of the bomb doors so they clear the ground. This is a Mk V and is one of those that were disposed of to the Agricultural Department  NZ 2003 by Neville Mines, on Flickr This one is NZ 2035 which I previously posted photos of when it was derelict on Holdaways farm at Blenheim. It is now at Ferrymead.  NZ2035 (2) by Neville Mines, on Flickr |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 6, 2008 15:23:48 GMT 12
Note in the photo of NZ2003 it has the fuselage band, a marking only applied to the No. 1 (Bomber) Operational Training Unit Hudsons. The Mk V's and VI's were sent to the OTU as they had the different engines from the more numerous Mk III's and keeping them off the squadrons allowed for more uniform servicing for the operational squadrons. A few Mk III's later did fly with the OTU.
What makes you think it is possibly Gisborne? My guess would be Levin, where the OTU began (originally as No. 10 Squadron. The OTU moved briefly to Bell Block but the Hudsons were too heavy for the runways and were cutting it up, so they shifted again to Ohakea. Is there some clue that points to Gisborne?
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Post by shorty on Nov 6, 2008 15:42:45 GMT 12
The person who gave me the photo said Gisborne and I never thought to question it. Perhaps I should of as in Darby's book there is the same but more inclusive photo showing a camouflaged Vincent in the background. He states there that 2003 ZX-X is shown when with 1 OTU at Ohakea
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Post by shorty on Nov 6, 2008 18:07:30 GMT 12
Another couple of wartime shots, First up is NZ2080 SJ-T  NZ 2080 by Neville Mines, on Flickr The last four shots are probably RNZAF Museum. But this one isn't. The aircraft is unknown and the location looks like it may be Woodbourne (?)  Document (29) by Neville Mines, on Flickr |
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Post by shorty on Nov 6, 2008 18:52:32 GMT 12
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Post by shorty on Nov 6, 2008 19:04:43 GMT 12
I'll finish off the Hudsons with a very sad example and a query. Taken at Weedons in Oct 83 this is NZ 2084 before going to the Aviators Gallery.  NZ 2087 by Neville Mines, on Flickr The next bit is a mystery. Taken at my house it was acquired by Nigel Wilcox from the Ashburton Aviation Museum. Depite an extensive search we could find no sign of any serial numbers of any sort. One story we were told is that either the Methven or Geraldine Scout Troop used the rest of the fuselage (or at least a large portion of it) as their "camp trailer" and this is a section thet did not use. I do not know the truth or otherwise of this rumour. Any one any ideas??  Nigel's Hudson bit by Neville Mines, on Flickr  Nigels bit by Neville Mines, on Flickr |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 6, 2008 19:53:23 GMT 12
Absolutely marvellous Shorty, thanks so much for those photos. It's so good to see NZ2084 in a photo. First photo I've ever seen of it, though i saw it myself in the flesh many times while at Wigram through 1991-1993 while it sat in No. 7 Hangar helping her sister ship recover back to life.
The mystery section is also wonderful to see,your photo collection has revealed a lot more surviving Hudson sections than I've ever seen before or knew about. What a shame we cannot put a serial to it. I think we can possibly narrow it down to being a C-63 Hudson transport though as the turret hole has been faired over.
Your photo of NZ2013 in No. 7 Hangar is almost identical to one I took around the very same time when it got back onto its wheels. I used to love popping down there on the way back from lunch sometimes and checking on progress of the lovely old bomber. I was always welcomed by the enthusiastic workers there such as Alan Woodley who one time took me all through '13 and showed me lots of details. It was possibly one of the most remarkable restorations ever done in NZ I think. Everything back to original standard following years as a chook pen.
The mystery wartime photo does look like it's possibly Woodbourne, with a cautious Wigram and a perhaps Nelson thrown in. Judging by the way people are looking at it, it's not a regular visitor to the station and perhaps the first time one has been seen there. It would be funny if it were the same aircraft as Nigel' mystery section all those years later.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 6, 2008 19:57:24 GMT 12
Mungall - that's a name from my past. He and Don Subritzky owned Airtourer ZK-CMC. Wonder what happened to it?
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Post by shamus on Nov 6, 2008 20:08:34 GMT 12
ZK- CMC and ZK-CGN which we also owned were sold to Australia. Millicer Aviation at Sale, just out of Melbourne bought them. Do not know their subsequent fate but the company is part of the Airtourer Assn, Aust. Jim Mungall.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 6, 2008 20:16:42 GMT 12
Welcome to the forum Jim. I'd very much like to hear any stories you have about the early days of the Mosquito restoration, or any other such projects you've worked on. The Mossie is looking fantastic these days, thanks for your efforts in saving it.
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Post by shorty on Nov 7, 2008 15:14:31 GMT 12
Staying with Mr Lockheeds twins we have NZ 3510 which was the first NZ aircraft to land in Japan at the end of WW2. Here it is in the USAAC style scheme.  NZ 3510 by Neville Mines, on Flickr and then in its VIP scheme. Arrived in New Zealand on "Francis A Willard" in June 1943 and assembled at Hobsonville by No.1 Assembly Depot. BOC Unit 36 Hobsonville 03 June 1943. To No.41 Squadron, Whenuapai and used as a VIP aircraft by the RNZAF. Issued free to Civil Aviation Administration on 26 January 1949 and entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-ASX. Not flown by the CAA and eventually became derelict at Rongotai. Registration cancelled on 31 October 1951 and sold by tender by the Government Stores Board in 1950 for 55 pounds in "as is where is" condition. The aircraft was removed from Rongotai in 1951 and subsequently broken up. Struck off the register in 1953  NZ 3510 VIP by Neville Mines, on Flickr A rather worn looking NZ 3507.  NZ 3507 by Neville Mines, on Flickr photos:RNZAF Museum Notes: ADF serials |
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Post by shorty on Nov 7, 2008 16:43:11 GMT 12
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Post by contourcreative on Nov 7, 2008 17:34:25 GMT 12
Nice atmospheric shots of the Fieldair Lockheed there Shorty
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Post by shorty on Nov 7, 2008 17:47:56 GMT 12
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Post by shamus on Nov 7, 2008 21:12:06 GMT 12
Hi Dave. Thanks for your welcome. First I must state that I did not work on the Mosquito. When I first joined Motat in the early seventies I worked with the late Barry East on the Ventura until taking on the Hawker Hind rebuild after its recovery from the Tararuas around 1972. I did however negotiate the swapping of Motats Vildebeest to the RNZAF Museum in exchange for them rebuilding the Mosquito wings. I worked on the Hind including the complete rebuild of the rear section, using hand tools as the rollers and dies used today on Dons Hinds were not available then. This rear section is still intact and at Dons place now, stored and not in any other Hind. Work was eventually stopped on the Motat Hind due to lack of space and money for new tubing. Will let you know more in the course of time. Regards, Jim Mungall.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Nov 8, 2008 9:39:13 GMT 12
Staying with Mr Lockheeds twins we have NZ 3507 . . .used as a VIP aircraft by the RNZAF. Issued free to Civil Aviation Administration on 26 January 1949 and entered the New Zealand Civil Aircraft Register as ZK-ASX. Minor correction there - NZ3507 became ZK-AHX with Union AW/NZNAC and eventually ended up back in the USA in 1952. ZK-ASX was ex-NZ3510, intended for the CAA but was condemned due corrosion as stated.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 8, 2008 16:52:35 GMT 12
Thanks for the info Jim. I'm glad that you arranged that swap of the Vilde for the Mossie wing reapir, as now both aircraft are well ontheir way towards a fantastic restoration. Only today i was looking at some interesting sections of Vildebeest wing and seats etc in the RNZAF Museum's display tent here at Armistice in Cambridge. It is a very interesting construction and having seen the restoration they're doing, it will be first class when it eventually rolls out of the workshop.
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Post by fletcherfu24 on Nov 8, 2008 22:04:22 GMT 12
......  F....for Fletcher soon?........ ;D |
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Post by shorty on Nov 10, 2008 20:44:45 GMT 12
Sorry, still with twin finned, twin engined Lockheeds! Starting with 3 RNZAF Museum photos NZ 4551 on patrol and fitted with underwing tanks in june or july 1944 with 1 (B.R.)Sqn Next up is two of them doing what we employed them for and making life unpleasant for those below url=https://flic.kr/p/2iV6PPG]  [/url] NZ 4551 by Neville Mines, on Flickr  Bomb Drop by Neville Mines, on Flickr Venturas of 1 OTU on 23 January 1945. Aircraft are NZ 4534, ZX-D; NZ4521 ZX-G and NZ 4543 ZX-F  1 OTU by Neville Mines, on Flickr |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 10, 2008 21:31:55 GMT 12
Technically that aircraft in the first shot is with No. 10 Servicing Unit and flown by a crew from No. 1 (Bomber Reconnaissance) Squadron, but I won't split hairs as I am more than happy to see some Venturas popping up here. Thanks Shorty.
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