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Post by andrewpit on Apr 3, 2013 10:15:34 GMT 12
I have been reading in Cats Have Only Nine Lives by Bryan Cox that a few years ago NZ5394 was almost salvaged from Bouganville to be brought back to NZ for restoration.
Does anyone know if the wreck is still there and has anyone else investigated whether it could still be salvaged as spounds like the best bet for a Museum in NZ for a corsair ?
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Post by agalbraith on Apr 7, 2013 18:28:52 GMT 12
Hi Andrew
I saw some pics a couple of years ago of an ex RNZAF Corsair that was trying to be exported to Australia.
All I know is that it got stopped and have heard no more.....
Anyone else?
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Post by John L on Apr 8, 2013 18:56:51 GMT 12
This one
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Post by agalbraith on Apr 9, 2013 7:27:47 GMT 12
Hi Jon
Yes mate, that looks like it may be the one....any news on her status? The pics I saw also showed her wings and she was in remarkable condition considering
Anyone know her serial no....
Cheers Anthony
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 9, 2013 8:21:11 GMT 12
See the title of the thread for the serial Anthony
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Post by agalbraith on Apr 9, 2013 11:50:10 GMT 12
Yes, but I was wondering if this was actually 5394, or another one. Not sure if it was actually 5394 the Aussies were pulling out.
Cheers
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Post by andrewpit on Apr 9, 2013 12:45:39 GMT 12
From reading the book it seems only NZ5394 crashed on land and was salvageable. The others lost in the area were in the sea. I am not sure when the attempt was made to get it out to NZ but he said it was around the time PNG took over Bouganville and the rules changed.
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Post by htbrst on Apr 9, 2013 13:09:59 GMT 12
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Post by andrewpit on Apr 11, 2013 14:24:22 GMT 12
Does anyone know if Bryan Cox can be contacted to get some more info about the previous attempt to bring it back
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Post by planecrazy on Apr 11, 2013 20:33:30 GMT 12
I have this book as well it is a great read for those interested. Really gives you the feel of how hard it was to operate these high performance piston engine machines in the harsh environment of the south west pacific. Be great to see a Corsair in RNZAF markings in NZ again.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 11, 2013 22:26:28 GMT 12
I have sent the link of this thread to Bryan (who often reads the forum) so hopefully he may have some comments to add.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 19, 2013 16:57:28 GMT 12
Here is the reply from Bryan Cox: "I have just re-read the section in Wings Over New Zealand and can answer the various queries if you could put my email address on your website - but that may not be possible?? Yes I think the aircraft in your website is definitely 5394 - but probably taken many years earlier, before some of the collateral damage now visible in Gunner Ashford's photos taken 2011. There are a couple of similar markings such as the one on the fuselage just behind the cockpit, and just below and to the rear of the tip of the native's gun barrel, in the photo attached. The native sitting in front of the rudder has his hands where the small square panel is lying open, and it is partially open in the photo in your website. The person who almost managed to recover it many years ago is Ross Jowitt who runs the pilots shop at Ardmore called FLIGHT ACCESSORIES with his contact details available on Google. He even had a helicopter arranged before its removal was blocked politically - probably when PNG took over Bougainville, but Ross will know. That's about all I can help with, but am happy to answer any email queries. Cheers for now, Bryan"Bryan's email is bbcox@kinect.co.nzHere is Gunner's photo that Bryan refer to:
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Post by Luther Moore on Apr 19, 2013 21:04:07 GMT 12
Dave,do you have Gunner Ashford's contact details?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 19, 2013 22:43:20 GMT 12
Nope, but Bryan will.
I forgot to add that Bryan leaves on Sunday morning to go on the Government-sponsored Pacific Veterans trip to Noumea, so if you do email him he may not reply for a week or so.
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Post by agalbraith on Apr 20, 2013 12:25:27 GMT 12
Possibly it is this one then?? This was the same pic I was sent a few years back, but since turned up on Pacific wrecks.com site. I have others taken off the site some time ago of the same airframe and parts dragged out in the open, stating an ex RNZAF machine attempted to be recovered to Australia. I cant find it on the site anymore for some reason as I was going to post a link. Shame they never recovered her...or did they??? Would love to know Cheers Anthony
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Post by Luther Moore on Apr 20, 2013 14:19:42 GMT 12
I was going to add the photo to the PacificWrecks database but I see it's already added.
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mako
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by mako on Jan 28, 2015 1:09:32 GMT 12
Gents, I found this aircraft in November 1998 whilst serving as a NZ Army Officer during Operation Bel Isi II. My patrol had established a base in nearby Torokina. We had heard that there was an NZ plane in the jungle but had been unable to locate it so decided the visit a locally known US crash site. When we arrived at the site 5394 had reverted to her US paint work (hence the thought is was a US wreck) but the NZ number could be clearly seen under the tail plane where the paint was better preserved. The local chief had the pilots seat as a kind of throne. The plane was remarkably intact but every metre or so had a concertina in the skin demonstrating the impact had been sudden. The engine had been thrown forward off of the mounts several metres. From recollection the guns were still in the wings but no ammo. I took photos and a GPS fix which I provided to RNZAF on my return to NZ. As a layman, the crash looked survivable so it was sad to hear that the airman had lost his life in this accident.
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Post by emron on May 21, 2015 21:30:20 GMT 12
Has the Air Force Museum previously investigated this relic ? If a deal can't be done for any the project parts in USA then this would be the next best option if it's still there.
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nzlisa
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by nzlisa on Sept 2, 2016 13:51:08 GMT 12
My colleagues and I visited this plane a couple days ago. I have numerous photos of its current condition 2hich I am happy to share.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 2, 2016 13:55:25 GMT 12
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