Launching 'Wings over Australia'!

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks too to Ben Stimpson, much appreciated!!

[JDK]

Thanks everyone, all excellent suggestions, and a great story about the AWM, Peter Mac, I'll remember it. Very appropriate.

I've had a chat with Dave, and we're keeping the donations open for more kind people to support this project, thanks to all.

We're also looking at a 'stretch target' if we get to NZ$1500 of sending Dave onto Sydney. That would require some kind of travel cost from Canberra to Sydney, and accommodation in Sydney, and getting around costs, possibly train to HARS at Illawarra, and or the FAAM Museum, Nowra.

If we can make it happen, that'd be great, and would allow Dave to catch another great set of museums there, if we can arrange it, as a couple are not accessible or normally open.

And I re-iterate - any excess funds will go towards the running of WONZ and the podcasts, which we all agree is a great cause, so thanks again.

We'll keep you posted, as we get into planning - Dave's now got a lot of work and homework to do, as it's definitely going to happen, thanks to the donors!


(PS: Yes travel insurance, Dave. Remember, we drive on the right.)

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks James. I'll definitely need that insurance if you're planning to drive on the wrong side of the road, mate!

[dinor]

Just caught up with this thread and when I noticed Canberra I was thinking HARS is 2 hrs away !!!

'train to HARS' be bloody well damned though.

You can assume that I will be driving him up from wherever he is staying in Sydney for the day please !

As with some other members of this forum I have some friends at HARS and should be able to arrange 'something' tour wise. Anyway I applied yesterday to become a tour guide so I can end up showing you around myself.

Keep your options open re accomodation... as I am sure Dave does not want to stay with a boring suburban family with a couple of teenagers....but if down the track the only option is staying at a hotel ..save the money and you are extremely welcome at my place..upside is my wife is an ex chef

Lets us know logistics as and when your ready.

[Dave Homewood]

I have earlier tonight had direct contact from one of the HARS team offering to take me there and give me the tour. Maybe we'll have to have some sort of forum meet there maybe?

Thanks for the offer of accommodation Dino, I'll certainly keep it in mind!! Lots of planning details to be pulled together yet before Sydney is confirmed, so watch this space.

[dinor]

Good idea re Forum at HARS

I had not been there for a long long time prior to yesterdays visit. The progress they have made is astounding.

Let m know whichever way you want a hand with Dave

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Dino!

[exkiwiforces]

Dave, A forum meet at HARS will suit me a lot better (DAR to SYD). If do a HARS trip would you like to meet my partners uncle who is a member of HARS in case I'm unable to attend due work as section manning is at 25% (my SGT and I) and come October it will just be me. You should have my donation next pay Thursday had a lot bills this fortnight.

[JDK]

Thanks again everyone! Several people have advised and offered help beyond the original Melb-Vic-Temoa-Canberra plan, and Dave and I are looking at a Sydney-sweep as suggested to pick up HARS, Nowra and the Sydney area museums.

Lots more planning to be done, but the offers of help and donations certainly make it much more viable, so thanks again, and keep them coming!

And we drive on the LEFT. I keep forgetting...

Regards,

[Deleted]

It's excellent to see so many people contributing and facilitating for this project! Awesome stuff!

[errolmartyn]

Dave,

Have you also thought to ask if the return flight to New Zealand is included? You never know with these Aussies; it could all be part of a cunnning plan to kidnap you in order to set up a Wings Over Oz forum for them!

Errol

[pjw4118]

Errol are you suggesting our Dave will become a WOOZER . Steady on there

[Dave Homewood]

There's not much chance of that Peter, haha.

Thanks very much for the contribution, just spotted!

[Dave Homewood]

A question for you all. Does anyone here know of any interesting WWII Air Force veterans who might be willing to be interviewed about their memories, in the areas of Australia I'm likely to visit - Melbourne, Temora, Canberra and possibly Sydney? I'm interested in either Australian veterans or kiwi veterans who may be living over there.

I'd be particularly interested in meeting:
- Boomerang or Wirraway operational pilots who served as Smokey Joe target markers for the RNZAF Corsairs
- Bomber Command aircrew veterans
- Fighter pilots
But any other suggestions will be considered too.

I'd also be interested to hear of other war Aussie or Kiwi veterans there who flew perhaps in Korea, Malaya or Vietnam.

Any recommendations please?

[Deleted]

I don't know any, Dave, but I sincerely hope you can find some Smokey Joes as that role has always fascinated me and I'd love to hear from them. Good luck!

[Dave Homewood]

Many thanks Doug (Xbaggy)!!

[lesterpk]

The is a Kiwi Veterans in Australia FB page, maybe ask on that.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Les, I'll look into it

[Deleted]

I have the donation page always open on my phone and at least once a day I "refresh" it to see what the new total is. I'm disappointed to see it hasn't moved in a few days - surely everyone on the forum hasn't donated yet??

[Dave Homewood]

Actually some kind person added a donation earlier today Zac, and did not leave their name. Thanks to whoever that was.