Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 24, 2016 17:53:08 GMT 12
I came across this intriguing photo on the National Library's photo database. Their caption is:
"Royal New Zealand Air Force base, Hobsonville, Squadron leader L B Smith with French aviators"
Date: 1932
Ref: WA-21481-G
Photograph taken by Leo White
Clearly the photo shows S/Ldr Len Isitt (third from left)and F/Lt Ron "Nugget" Cohen (fifth from left)plus the NZPAF's Saro Cutty Sark flying boat behind them. Three of the other men at least all seem to be in some sort of Naval uniform. Are they French Navy pilots/aircrew?
I have searched papers past and so far all I have found in 1932 is this:
This photo appeared in the AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME LXIII, ISSUE 137, 11 JUNE 1932
And this photo in the EVENING POST, VOLUME CXIII, ISSUE 126, 30 MAY 1932
Both newspapers state their photos are of Captain Roques but I am not certain if he's in the Hobsonville picture. Any ideas who the Frenchmen are with Isitt and Cohen?
"Royal New Zealand Air Force base, Hobsonville, Squadron leader L B Smith with French aviators"
Date: 1932
Ref: WA-21481-G
Photograph taken by Leo White
Clearly the photo shows S/Ldr Len Isitt (third from left)and F/Lt Ron "Nugget" Cohen (fifth from left)plus the NZPAF's Saro Cutty Sark flying boat behind them. Three of the other men at least all seem to be in some sort of Naval uniform. Are they French Navy pilots/aircrew?
I have searched papers past and so far all I have found in 1932 is this:
NEW ZEALAND HERALD, VOLUME LXIX, ISSUE 21207, 13 JUNE 1932
FRENCH FLYING "ACE."
The French flying "ace," Captain J. R. Roques, who arrived in Auckland on Friday after concluding a tour of the Dominion, was tendered a luncheon by the French Consul, M. Edouard Joubert, at the Grand Hotel on Saturday. Among the guests wore Major-General Sir George Richardson, Mr. Spencer Mason, president of the Auckland Aero Club, and Squadron-leader L. M. Isitt, officer commanding the Hobsonville air base. Captain Roques will leave by the Aorangi to-day for Sydney, en route to Java, Singapore and French Indo-China.
FRENCH FLYING "ACE."
The French flying "ace," Captain J. R. Roques, who arrived in Auckland on Friday after concluding a tour of the Dominion, was tendered a luncheon by the French Consul, M. Edouard Joubert, at the Grand Hotel on Saturday. Among the guests wore Major-General Sir George Richardson, Mr. Spencer Mason, president of the Auckland Aero Club, and Squadron-leader L. M. Isitt, officer commanding the Hobsonville air base. Captain Roques will leave by the Aorangi to-day for Sydney, en route to Java, Singapore and French Indo-China.
This photo appeared in the AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME LXIII, ISSUE 137, 11 JUNE 1932
And this photo in the EVENING POST, VOLUME CXIII, ISSUE 126, 30 MAY 1932
Both newspapers state their photos are of Captain Roques but I am not certain if he's in the Hobsonville picture. Any ideas who the Frenchmen are with Isitt and Cohen?
