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Post by yak11fan on Dec 14, 2006 9:37:47 GMT 12
Superb pics of the ex NZ Mustangs, I would love to see any more you may be able to post, I will look through my archives for what I may have of 2427.
Many Thanks
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Post by phil82 on Dec 14, 2006 11:53:18 GMT 12
I was sun-bathing on the roof of the "H" block at Ohakea 1964-ish, when that Mobil-sponsored Mustang did a couple of high-speed passes before landing. I'd seen air shows featuring Merlin powered aircraft before, but never a Mustang, and it is still one of the nicest sounding aircraft around.
Sadly, T T Bland no longer flies those magnificent displays.
I've flown with Graham Bethell by the way, in the back seat of a Skyhawk [before he went to Cathay].
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 14, 2006 14:28:37 GMT 12
That yellow paint on the cockpit section couldnt have had something to do with the Tiger beer ad could it? I read somehwere that the canopy off the RNZAF museums machine was used for cockpit studio work - perhaps mocked up with that section? just an idea anyway.... Where did you read about the RNZAF Museum's Mustang canopy being used? I was not aware of this and have never heard of it. It seems rather odd in fact, the effort to remove the canopy from an exhibit when lots of cockpit filming was actually done in TAF anyway. There were several close up scenes of the actors in the cockpit with camera on the wing. I was even in one of those shots, being directed to pretend to wind a handle as the canopy closed!! I worked on that advert painting the Mustang, and also as an extra. We did not see nor paint any extra cockpit from another aircraft. If the cockpit in the photo had been used by the filmmakers I'm sure we would have done the painting, and actually gotten it to match, which this doesn't. However if you look at the photo of '17 on the truck where the wing is removed, a similar yellow is seen. I wonder if it was indeed a primer colour used? Perhaps there is some corralation to the Mustang "Dove of Pece" which has original factory yellow primer and Merlin?
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Post by Bruce on Dec 14, 2006 15:21:49 GMT 12
I remeber seeing a note in a Wings magazine (cant remeber when sorry) saying that the museums canopy was temporarily removed and fitted to another airframe for film work of some kind, howver the link to the Tiger Ad was pure speculation, and like you, I couldnt really see any purpose if that was the case. As you point out yellow primer seems standard for P51s, but the odd stripes over the rivet lines are curious. Someone applying fresh primer would normally pay extra attention to applying around the rivets, but in this case it seems to have been masked off. The other possibility is that the silver cellulose laquer (essentially a dope) has been carefully removed with solvent (such as MEK or acetone) leaving the primer behind and once again the rivet lines are masked to prevent contamination. It doesnt look "paint stripped" as very little damage has been done to the yellow paint. yeah - I know, I probably read too much into photos....
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 11, 2007 16:43:37 GMT 12
I am resurrecting this excellent thread simply because looking at the last of Anthony's photos where the tractor is removing/fitting CCG's prop, I note a fairly good grade-looking film camera recording the event. It'd be neat to see the film. I wonder if it exists anywhere and whether it was for an actual documentary at the time or just for the family to keep.
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Post by denysjones on Apr 12, 2007 20:06:43 GMT 12
Dave,
John MacDonald Snr had a film of the entire story which I recall him showing at an AHSNZ meeting many moons ago (say 1960/70s)
Check up with Dave Dubxbury he may be a conduit into the family and the film.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 12, 2007 20:49:22 GMT 12
Thanks Denys. Now that would be a wonderful film to see.
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Post by Radialicious on Apr 12, 2007 21:04:10 GMT 12
Its interesting to see the photos of 'CCG with its flaps and gear doors retracted. It is usual practice to dump the hydraulic pressure after shutdown although I'm not sure why. Perhaps it is to discourage people to mount the aircraft from behind the wing and damage the flaps. It was also interesting to see one of the TAF P-51's resting on its wing even though it has been unbolted from its fuselage.
Great shots.
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Post by tempestnut on Apr 29, 2007 9:06:36 GMT 12
Hi everyone my first post here. Wow those photos of NZ2417 as ZK-CCG bring back memories of seeing her at the then new Rotorua Airport. I don’t know what year it was now but I guess it was mid 60’s sometime. Does anyone know what year that could have been? I vaguely recall that the Mustang was sold shortly after I had seen it but this could be wrong.
I have seen Maurice Hamilton’s restoration several times now and it is one of the best restorations around. Just a pity its not in NZ markings, but for people over here the colourful 353 FG markings are very striking and a crowed pleaser.
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Post by Peter Lewis on Apr 29, 2007 10:12:27 GMT 12
Wow those photos of NZ2417 as ZK-CCG bring back memories of seeing her at the then new Rotorua Airport. I don’t know what year it was now but I guess it was mid 60’s sometime. Does anyone know what year that could have been? 1967 - see earlier this thread. CCG was WFU around 1970 (loss of fuel sponsorship?) and stored for a few years before being sold overseas in 1974.
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bbmffan
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by bbmffan on Jul 27, 2020 20:34:39 GMT 12
It is fascinating reading the fate of the remaining Mustangs when they were sold off by the Govt Stores board in April 1958. NZ2402 was sold for ₤150 to a Gerald Oman of Gisborne, who was a topdressing pilot. NZ2403 was sold to Hastings pilot Kenneth Olsen for ₤100. Sadly neither of them picked up their purchases from Woodbourne, and the aircraft were later onsold to ANSA, the orchard equipment company from Upper Moutere, near Nelson. ANSA bought the rest of the Mustangs at the sale too, most for just ₤70, but NZ2410 and NZ2415 were in a damaged state so they sold to them for just ₤25. ANSA used the wheels to make trailers, or apple trains, which were towed around to collect the apples in the orchards. Most of the P-51D's had already had their engines removed before sale but some did not and so ANSA constructed some trailers with the wheels on which they mounted a few Merlin engines and props, and apple orchradists towed them, running, around their orchards in the early hours of winter mornings to stop the frost settling on their apple trees. Dad worked a season in an Upper Moutere apple orchard and said the sound of Merlins echoing through the valley in the early morning was awesome. Most aircraft had also had their wings cut off at Woodbourne. Once ANSA had removed the wheels and engines, the rest was melted down for scrap. However, three Mustangs did survive to go into private hands. NZ2417 was sold to Ron Fechney of North Canterbury, and was the first to return to the air as ZK-CCG. This was sold overseas and this now flies in the USA with Kermit Weeks as 'Cripes A Mighty III" NZ2427 went to Pete Coleman of Blenheim directly from the Government Stores Board sale, for ₤80 in May 1958. Coleman restored it very nicely to static condition but later disassembled it. The components sold to the Alpine Fighter Collection in about 1993, who considered restoring it, but then they got another flyable Mustang so this one was sold on to Maurice Hammond of Suffolk, UK and registered as G-MSTG on the UK register. He restored it to flying condition with a first flight on the 13th of July 2001. It now thrills thousands at UK shows painted as "Janie" of the 353FG USAF 1945. NZ2423 was also sold directly from the GSB sale in May 1958, to W. Ruffel of Blenheim who wanted it to provide parts for a speed boat. In 1964 he sold it to John Smith of Mapua, near Nelson, where it remains in Mr Smith's collection.
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bbmffan
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by bbmffan on Jul 27, 2020 20:40:27 GMT 12
I believe I have found the failed port under carriage from NZ2410, it is intact except for hub and wheel which have been cut off. The remains of alloy pivot housing is still there but broken (large piece missing) it is coroded but the break is still very clear. Does anyone here have any pictures or information regarding crash at Harewood that could help confirm my thoughts. Thanks
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jul 31, 2020 21:46:49 GMT 12
U/c collapsed on t/off Harewood 23May55 @ 581hrs 10min
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Post by denysjones on Sept 4, 2023 11:13:03 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 6, 2023 19:45:55 GMT 12
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