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Post by longforgan on Apr 4, 2013 17:37:21 GMT 12
I am looking for any photos of No. 75 Squadron's Short Stirling bomber.
I have started a painting showing two of the bombers returning from a raid.
Hope you can all help.
Cheers Don Wilkie
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 5, 2013 14:25:07 GMT 12
I'd also be keen to see photos posted here of 75 Sqn Stirlings. I've got a few in my collection which I'll post over the weekend.
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Post by fwx on Apr 5, 2013 15:33:59 GMT 12
Posted elsewhere on this forum - rnzaf.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=Wartime&action=display&thread=16083 - Mk I Stirling BF443, AA-V: Fourth from left is the owner of the photo, Sgt. Bruce Hosie, W/Op-A/G. Sixth from left is P/O Jack Bailey, who later (on his second tour with 75 (NZ) Sqdn) became O/C C Flight. The Bailey crew began on Wellingtons (first op' 26 August 1942), then converted to Stirlings in October 42. AA-V "Waikato" eventually became their regular a/c, flying 15 op's in her between 26/27 February 43 (Cologne), and 04/05 May 43 (Dortmund). EDIT: Crew in photo listed on reverse of photo, as supplied by Peter Wheeler (see post below): Cheers, Chris
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 6, 2013 7:38:42 GMT 12
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Post by fwx on Apr 6, 2013 11:00:37 GMT 12
Great photos Don! There don't appear to be many around from the Stirling days so these are great to see. Cheers, Chris
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Post by 75nzsquadron.com on Apr 6, 2013 11:48:27 GMT 12
Don If you'd like to share a story about your Great Uncle, go have a look at my blog;
75nzsquadron.com
I'm keen to try to gather as much as I can about the squadron for the memories of the boys that flew and the relatives the still cherish their memories.
Simon
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 6, 2013 16:11:53 GMT 12
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Post by 75nzsquadron.com on Apr 6, 2013 23:52:34 GMT 12
Don Sorry, the gears have just been turning (slowly) Kevin King mailed me last week to say a relative of the Witting crew had contacted him regarding information on the individual. Maybe give him a mail?
Simon
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 7, 2013 7:40:00 GMT 12
Have you got Kevin's email address Simon?
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Post by fwx on Apr 7, 2013 11:10:32 GMT 12
Hi Don, Kevin King: kevinfkingATtalktalkDOTnet
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 7, 2013 13:41:36 GMT 12
Thanks. I had it when I went to the UK last year but seem to have lost it!
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Post by longforgan on Apr 7, 2013 16:34:12 GMT 12
many thanks for the photos. It gives me a better knowledge of the plane and of the aircrew from 75 squadron. I have attached a work in progress so you can see what I am doing also if you want to watch the progress you can see it in my face book site "artstudioofdonwilkie"
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 7, 2013 17:47:57 GMT 12
Oooh, this is gonna be another good one Don!
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Post by pjw4118 on Apr 7, 2013 19:18:05 GMT 12
FWX and the Stirling AA-V photo, The copy I have came from Bruce Hosie's family. Here's the reverse with Bruces writing naming those in the picture Bruce was later posted to 617 Sq. as a W/op AG. He was aboard NG180 skippered by S/L Wyness on the 7/10/44 (Krems dam raid) and was shot down into the Rhine. Four escaped into their dinghy but when they came ashore they were murdered by local Nazis and thrown back in the river. Local villages downstream buried them and they were later interred in different cemeteries. He was on his 69th operational flight. A particularly nasty episode and a tragic end.
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Post by fwx on Apr 7, 2013 19:49:24 GMT 12
Thanks Peter, I think that would date the photo at 28 April 43, when the Bailey crew flew a Minelaying (‘Gardening’) op' off Helgoland. Four out of the 8 Stirlings from 75 (NZ) Sqdn failed to return that night. Great to have all the crew members identified in the photo - harvard1041 will be interested, if he hasn't already seen this. Cheers, Chris
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Post by pjw4118 on Apr 7, 2013 20:27:53 GMT 12
Nice pictures. What about Allan Alexanders AA-U (BK777) as a model. The nose art is of 'Alexanders Rag Time Boys' Those colour pictures will help with colour schemes. They are from 1651 HCU Waterbeach when many kiwis came after 11OTU Westcott. Here's a B&W shot. And a couple of nice shots of Dick Broadbent Unfortunately most of the BCA collection shots from aircrew are like this. Here's another view of the Shotup Stirling. Hawkeye Wells and Dick Broadbent inspecting And yes 75 lost a heap of Stirlings from Newmarket. Here's a summary found in an old NZBCA Newsletter
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Post by skyhawkdon on Apr 7, 2013 20:38:21 GMT 12
Cheers Peter. Do you know which Stirling/crew or a date for the one of the shot up tail?
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Post by longforgan on Apr 7, 2013 21:45:25 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 7, 2013 22:05:55 GMT 12
Stirling, not Sterling! The latter is a currency, the former is named after the city of Stirling.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 7, 2013 22:08:08 GMT 12
Peter, I love that Alexander's Ragtime Boys nose art, that's really neat.
I wonder why Bill 'Hawkeye' Wells was present - did the aircraft land on a fighter base perhaps? Or was he escorting the bomber when this happened maybe?
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