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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 21, 2014 21:34:29 GMT 12
Heidi Bland has posted to Trevor's Facebook page tonight the following:
"Dad's circuit is nearly complete. He'll be on finals on Wednesday 24th at 1pm at the Warbirds Hangar. After the service will be a fantastic fly past from the Harvards and Graham will come by in the P51-D (lower than normal please, doesn't have to be Dad low ). Dad will come to his full stop after that and we would love everyone to stay with us at the hangar where we will open the floor and encourage you all to share your stories and memories with us all. Please don't censor anything, Dad wouldn't want that Again, I want to express my gratitude for the love and support from NZ Warbirds Association and Dad's amazing friends xxx Thank you just doesn't seem to be enough "
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Post by obiwan27 on Dec 22, 2014 8:56:46 GMT 12
I count myself to have been very fortunate to witness displays flown by Trevor Bland in ZK-TAF. Some that stuck in my mind were at Christchurch Airport in the late 1980s, where the Mustang had a little bit of trouble with the undercarriage doors closing if I recall correctly. I also think he flew the Mustang at the Ohakea Air Show in 1987 where there was a formation flown including P51, A4K, F18 and Mirage. I might have a photo taken a fair distance away to share.
The other one was a WOW display in 1992(?) or possibly 1994. Same aircraft and the memorable moment was a low level strafing run on the water truck as it was heading down the runway. I had made my way along the crowd line and had made it to the front, so I was in the perfect place to witness the display. Unfortunately I had used up my roll of film prior to the finale, so have the memory only.
I must check back through some of the early WOW DVDs to see if it's captured on there.
Blue skies Trevor.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 22, 2014 12:24:01 GMT 12
BLAND, Trevor Thomas (TT) AFC, MNZM. On 20 December 2014 peacefully at Auckland Hospital. Beloved husband of Kathy and the late Jacqui. Much loved and respected father of Leigh, Claire, Michelle, Heidi and step father of Amanda and Jay. Treasured granddad to 12 and great granddad to 4. Loved brother of Joy, Stephen and the late Kevin. Special thanks to all staff of Lifestyles(New Lynn) and critical care Ward 82 Auckland Hospital for their loving care of Trevor. TT was the founding president for 30 years of the NZ Warbirds Association. Squadron leader of 75 and 14 Squadron. Also a member of 92 Squadron Royal Airforce. A service for TT will be held in the Warbirds Hangar, Harvard lane, Ardmore Airfield on Wednesday 24 December at 1pm. In lieu of flowers memorial donations to the Parkinson Society would be appreciated and can be left at the service. Online tributes can be made at www.heavenaddress.co.nz. |
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Post by snaphead on Dec 22, 2014 14:13:32 GMT 12
Very saddened to hear of the passing of TT Bland. As a baggie at Ohakea I came across him numerous times, on 75 Sdn. My most memorable memory ( and there were a few ), was what was his final flight in the A4, sometime before 1978. If I recall correctly a number of A4's took off. The "base whispers" had been busy, saying we could see something spectacular. It was just before lunchtime and ALL non essential staff were on the tarmac. A number off A4's landed, then out of the east came a solo A4, with the power on. (you could see a faint trail of black smoke). He was quite low over Sanson at this point. All the staff watching waved their hands up and down and yelled out "lower". And TT did.. He went lower and lower in distinct steps. Then he tore across the airfield at a high rate of knots with little daylight below him. I don't know how true the story was but we all heard that TT refused promotion so he could keep on flying. I always thought of him as a Gentleman and a scholar, along with Fred Kinvig. The world is an emptier place. Per adua ad astra TT. |
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Post by phil82 on Dec 22, 2014 18:15:01 GMT 12
I don't know how true the story was but we all heard that TT refused promotion so he could keep on flying. I always thought of him as a Gentleman and a scholar, along with Fred Kinvig. The world is an emptier place. Per adua ad astra TT. I believe there was a lot of truth in it because promotion from Sqn Ldr to Wg Cmdr requires attendance at The Staff College Senior Course, and to my knowledge TT avoided that!To see TT and Fred Kinvig in a bar at the same time was an absolute privilige! |
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Post by phil82 on Dec 23, 2014 9:37:12 GMT 12
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 24, 2014 7:59:30 GMT 12
www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=11378544 Legendary Kiwi airman and "genuinely nice guy" Trevor Thomas (TT) Bland will be given a spectacular send-off at Ardmore Airfield today. Mr Bland, an aerobatic pilot and the founder of the New Zealand Warbirds Association, died on Saturday, aged 78, at Auckland City Hospital. He suffered from Parkinson's disease. Three flypasts by the Roaring Forties aerobatic team of five Harvard aircrafts in "missing man" formation, as well as appearances by a DC3 and Mustang, will send Mr Bland off in style. Yesterday, daughter Claire Barlow, mayor of the Mackenzie District, paid tribute to her "extremely diligent" father who was passionate about flying. Mr Bland began his distinguished RNZAF flying career training at Ohakea before being posted to Singapore as part of the Malaysian emergency in 1955-58. He later moved to Britain and joined the RAF and flew Hawker Hunter jets in the Blue Diamonds aerobatic team. In 1963, he returned to New Zealand and rejoined the RNZAF, later becoming the first Flight Commander of 75 Skyhawk Squadron. A civil aviation career followed with Air New Zealand, Southern World Airlines and Polynesian Airlines. After meeting Sir Tim Wallis he became one of Australasia's most accomplished display pilots and a regular star of the Wanaka airshow. In 1978, he founded the New Zealand Warbirds Association. He is survived by his wife Kathy, four daughters and two step-children. - NZME.
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Post by Kereru on Dec 24, 2014 16:41:30 GMT 12
A few pics from the salute after the funeral today. Dc 3, Mustang and five Harvards took part. Preparing to take off.  Geoff taking off.  Harvards start up.  Mustang take off.  Dc 3 display second pass.  Harvards prepare to take off.  Mustang pass.  Harvards display with missing man formation.  Cheers, Colin |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 24, 2014 17:44:22 GMT 12
Thanks Colin. A great tribute. They even had it on 3 News tonight.
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Post by trx850 on Dec 24, 2014 18:12:09 GMT 12
Yes, a great tribute and turnout for Trevor's farewell. Heidi's tales of her dad certainly summed him up well.
Lots of faces I hadn't seen for a while, and lots of white hair (including my own)!
Pete M.
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Post by ErrolC on Dec 27, 2014 12:34:35 GMT 12
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biggles7
Leading Aircraftman
Rest in Peace TT Bland ! In my early Harvard "fossicking" days you were a huge influence!
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Post by biggles7 on Dec 30, 2014 8:16:30 GMT 12
Yes huge loss to the NZ Warbird fraternity I remember when I first started fossicking for Harvard bits in the 1980s he always had time to listen and help! Great Gentleman. RIP Trev.
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ttsgirl
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by ttsgirl on Jan 14, 2015 12:09:25 GMT 12
Hi Team, I have just come across this forum when trying to find records of Dad's service (dates of entering and departing the RNZAF and RAF) and I came across this great tribute page! Thank you so much for all of your lovely comments and for thinking of us all. Dad is very greatly missed and has left a big hole in our lives...........and my heart. I have read things about Dad that I didn't evenknow, the stories from Tengah and Ohakea are very funny and please do tell more if you have them. Thank you to everyone who came to see Dad off, especially at such a difficult time of year, we girls (myself, Claire, Michelle and Leigh) are so grateful to everyone who pushed aside their own plans and travelled from far and wide to attend on Christmas Eve. The photo's taken from the day are just spectacular! Dad has indeed had such a great life full of adventures, laughs and love, he considered himself very lucky, but pure determination on his part set the scene for all of that............although I will have to look at his logbooks re: the Antanov, I don't recall him ever getting behind the contorls of one haha. When I get home I'll post some pics of Dad that we have, so you can see his other life of Dad, Husband, Grandad, Uncle, Brother and Son. Again, thank you so much, it really is overwhelming the amount of love and support we have recieved from people, we are so truly grateful. Low level all the way  Heidi |
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Post by ErrolC on Jan 14, 2015 12:42:47 GMT 12
Let me know if you would like copies of any of my photos.
errolgc@hotmail.com
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