|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 25, 2007 14:36:21 GMT 12
John Scullin has very kindly just sent me a copule of photos he took as a youngster at Rukuhia, and they're in glorious colour. This one is a Corsair at Asplins Garage  And these P-40's are the ones that were shifted from Jim Larsen's scrapyard to Asplins when Jim gave up the business. Perhaps some of these are flying today.  Aren't they interesting shots. Thanks John! |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 25, 2007 14:38:57 GMT 12
Note the Vampire tail in the Corsair shot!
There seem to be at least nine P-40 fuselages in that second shot too.
|
|
|
|
Post by p40fanatic on Apr 25, 2007 14:56:54 GMT 12
Anyone else keen to pitch in for a time machine?  Seriously though, I find it quite hard to look at pictures of Rukuhia without tears in my eyes. Thanks for the pics! Would be interesting to see that Vampire, too! |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 25, 2007 15:08:08 GMT 12
The Vampire must be NZ5732, an FB.52, as that was at Asplins in the 1960's
|
|
|
|
Post by Bruce on Apr 25, 2007 18:05:11 GMT 12
On a farmlet at Matangi, just down the road from Rukuhia, There is a pair of Vampire drop tanks that have ben there for some time. I wouldnt mind betting that they came off '32.... not many other Vampires ending up in this area did they?
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Apr 25, 2007 20:33:37 GMT 12
NZ5732 was certainly there. It was sold from the RNZAF to Dwens in February 1963, and I took the following photo at Asplins 16th December 1967. Later it went to John Chambers in Auckland. However I cannot say that this Vampire was the only one that spent time at Asplins. Dwens are listed as buying 12 Vampires, and others may have also moved through there. I do have vaugue recollections of the P40s which were very much at the rear of the site, whereas the Corsair and Vampire were quite near the front.  |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 25, 2007 20:49:09 GMT 12
Interesting photo Peter. What did the sign say was for sale? Bricks? Vampires? Old wheels? At least some of those wheels look like they're from aircraft.
That place looks like it must have been quite an interesting treasure trove of all sorts of things.
|
|
|
|
Post by Peter Lewis on Apr 25, 2007 21:56:25 GMT 12
It looks to me to say something like "DRIVE SAFE"
|
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 25, 2007 22:00:57 GMT 12
Wow, did they need to tell people that back in them days? I thought everyone drove slow and careful then. ;D
|
|
Seriously though, I find it quite hard to look at pictures of Rukuhia without tears in my eyes.
