Canadian Argus at CHC

[davidd]

Herewith, official itinerary for the two Argus aircraft in NZ, from 23 till 28 Sept 1959. This itinerary formed Appendix B to Administrative Instruction No. 40/1959, as mentioned previously. Note that Aircraft A was 20725 (F/L E N Starink) and aircraft B was 20731 (W/C C Torontow). Detachment commander was Group Captain J H Roberts, AFC, CD.

23/9 (Wednesday), both aircraft arrive at Whenuapai, crews accommodated at RNZAF station for the night. Time of arrival not stated, presume because this was outside RNZAF control.

24/9 (Thursday), RCAF provided lectures between 0830 - 1000 hours, then crew of aircraft B free for the afternoon. Aircraft A crew completed an air briefing 1030 - 1130, then carried out an anti-submarine exercise 1400 - 1700.

25/9 (Friday), aircraft B to depart Whenuapai for Wellington at 0900, arrive Wgtn 1015, with crew to be accommodated at RNZAF HQ Unit (Shelly Bay). Lectures and inspections to be provided for senior RNZAF and RNZN officers during the afternoon. Meanwhile crew of aircraft A to complete a debriefing of the anti-sub exercise at Whenuapai from 1030 onwards, then at 1400 same crew and aircraft to depart for Ohakea, where crew was to be accommodated at RNZAF Station Ohakea. "CNS (Chief of Naval Staff) will travel in aircraft to Ohakea and then be flown to Wellington by Devon."

26/9 (Saturday), aircraft B to depart Wellington for Christchurch airport at 0900 hours, RNZAF not involved in arrangements at Christchurch. This aircraft to depart for Ohakea in afternoon (no time given), and crew accommodated at Ohakea for the night. Aircraft A meanwhile to remain at Ohakea, crew free for day.

27/9 (Sunday), both aircraft and crews at Ohakea, crews free for day.

28/9 (Monday), both aircraft to depart from Ohakea for Nandi, no departure time stated.

So all in all, not too strenuous a visit, if this is how it really played out (apart from the bit of excitement at Christchurch, that is!)

David D

[pompiergold75]

I remember the Argus flying over our house when we were stationed at Hobsonville, it was an awesome sound. The nearest sound to it is a Lancaster.......Did anyone produce a plastic kit of an Argus ?

[davidd]

An Argus should actually sound more like a B-29, a DC-7 or a Constellation, as all were powered by four Wright R-3350 Cyclone 18s of various models and generations. However as we all know, the sound of any aircraft in flight also depends on the degree of propeller reduction gearing, type of propeller fitted, propeller pitch setting at the time, the design of exhaust system, and the presence or otherwise of turbo superchargers, power recovery turbines, as well as such variables as whether aircraft in question is in a high-power situation (take off, climbing), or cruising, etc. Probably less noticeable, but not to be ignored, are the air noises consequent on the configuration of the airframe at time (flap settings, undercarriage up/down, etc.), although these might be fairly subtle.
David D

[ljmuir37]

Julie - Just found this post my late husband was part of the crew L.J. Muir he was radio operator/navigator. Was he part of your father's crew. He was one of the crew that stayed in New Zealand awaiting the replacement part for the disabled Argus.