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Post by isc on Jul 6, 2016 21:16:53 GMT 12
Sorry your right. isc
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Post by cliffhawley on Jul 23, 2016 22:12:37 GMT 12
I called an old driver mate ex LAA He told me that what I previously called a 'Squaffer" was known to them as a 'Puddle Jumper" It was a 3 ton short wheel base Chevvy V8 . With straight windscreen.We also had canvas covered GMC's that carried the boys and towed the guns on manouvers as well.
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Post by rone on Sept 2, 2016 20:22:12 GMT 12
The trucks we had in LAA were short wheelbase Chevrolet 6cylinder engines. There are several photos of mine that Dave posted for me earlier in this article. Engines had extended sumps to enable the truck to go up or down steep slopes without running bearings. Chev. 6 engines at that time were splash fed to bigends, pressure fed only on main bearings. A Carco winch was fitted to the front of the truck. At the end of the LAA, these trucks has travelled only roughly 40,000 miles. They were still in mint condition.
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jason
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by jason on Sept 6, 2016 19:13:49 GMT 12
Can any one help me out about anti aircraft guns sites at or around Wigram air base during ww2,i live on Awatea Road next to Wigram and recalled 10 plus years ago talking to a old gent who told me about manning a anti aircraft gun on the property. The property has been sold to a developer and they unearthed some foundations that arent house ones, theres no record of anybuildings on the property.and the slab is about 500mm thick with reo and wire rope in it.
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Post by 30sqnatc on Sept 7, 2016 10:11:10 GMT 12
Go to the library and read Defending New Zealand - Ramparts on the Sea 1840-1950's by Peter Cooke. It contains details of most airfield defences.
Paul
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Post by Dave Homewood on Feb 23, 2017 19:44:35 GMT 12
Is this one of your LAA guns? It's in the hangar at Whenuapai during an Air pageant on the 21st of February 1957 (photo from the Auckland Library Heritage Images site) - look, not one of those kids has shoes!!  |
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Post by rone on Mar 15, 2017 9:16:59 GMT 12
Correct Dave, that is a 40mm Bofors AA Gun.
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Post by davidd on Mar 15, 2017 12:34:30 GMT 12
Ahhh! Summer time in New Zealand! I remember that - bare feet were practically compulsory around the house and lawn. Our parents purchased these awful plastic "Roman sandals" called "Kaydees", which were diabolical things which cut your feet to pieces. However everybody bought them as nobody knew any better! Obviously these things were never tested prior to being put into mass production, then the mass marketing - it was a crime against humanity.
I played on a 40MM Bofors in Akaroa which was located in a small park directly behind the Akaroa Technical Training centre (since demolished in about 1980, perhaps before) where I was introduced formally to the ancient discipline of woodwork. That was in 1963. These guns were simply put out in parks, etc, for the kids to wreck - they were in excellent condition and in perfect working order. Another was placed in the carpark of the Hilltop Hotel, overlooking Duvauchelle and Akaroa Harbour. I believe these guns (dozens of them, presume all Army surplus, all the ones I saw were the dark green colour) had been stored in the old Controlled Minefield building in Tikao Bay, directly across the harbour from Akaroa. The minfield itself was detonated in about mid-1944 after the Japanese threat had evaporated, and I presume the guns were moved into the vast building in the early 1950s. Another Bofors that I recall was in the Duvauchelle School playground, where we occasionally went for dental treatment in those days. Wonder where all these guns ended up? They must have been practically given away - the only catch was you did not get any appropriate ammunition.
David D
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Post by 30sqnatc on Mar 15, 2017 17:55:03 GMT 12
[quote author=" Dave Homewood " source=" [/quote] By gum, when I were lad, lived in hangar, had no shoes, made to work on Air Force guns' |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 15, 2017 18:33:41 GMT 12
There's a pair of Bofors outside the Matamata Memorial RSA, David. Look it up on Google Streetview, Ngaio Street.
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Post by isc on Mar 15, 2017 21:08:32 GMT 12
There is another at Ferrymede in Christchurch, and I think one of the Military Vehicle club guys has one, it's been down to Wanaka a few times along with the 25 pounder. isc
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 16, 2017 10:59:44 GMT 12
The Air Force Museum of New Zealand also has one, of course.
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Post by isc on Mar 16, 2017 20:55:13 GMT 12
Waitara RSA has one ex HMNZS Pukaki, there are guns at Te Kuiti Taupo, and Rarotonga. I'm sure there are others, and among them there are probably ex RNZAF LAA guns. isc
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Post by 30sqnatc on Apr 8, 2021 20:02:37 GMT 12
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