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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 1, 2017 23:45:00 GMT 12
From the The Levin Daily Chronicle, FRIDAY, APRIL 16, 1937.
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Post by davidd on Nov 2, 2017 22:03:21 GMT 12
You don't often see military aircraft referred to complete with their relevant mark number. However as the Australians had both Seagull Mk. IIIs as well as later Mk. Vs, they were probably trained to always mention the mark number in case of confusion. However, so far as I know, the two types were never in service at the same time.
David D
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Post by planecrazy on Nov 5, 2017 8:30:07 GMT 12
RAN Supermarine seagull. (PS and Walrus) Be great if someone could shed some light on these machines, Seagulls, yes, RAN yes, model and/or mark, no idea? Pretty sure the aircraft carrier one is RAN. The deteriorating one pretty sure these pic’s where taken near Rathmines the old RAAF seaplane base, I believe she is now restored in a UK museum? (Images, Chase n Thyme collection)     Just realised my pic of the Point Cook Walrus is from a similar angle to the Seagull nice to make the comparison between the two. |
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Post by Bruce on Nov 5, 2017 8:44:17 GMT 12
The aircraft with the tractor propeller is a Sea Otter rather than a Seagull isnt it?
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Post by planecrazy on Nov 5, 2017 19:00:52 GMT 12
The aircraft with the tractor propeller is a Sea Otter rather than a Seagull isnt it? Woops you are correct should have done my research, at least I now know my gulls from my otters, mods should I delete these pic's? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 5, 2017 20:24:56 GMT 12
Nah leave them Peter, all good.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 19, 2024 21:21:08 GMT 12
Here is a different Seagull flying boat visiting four years earlier, I believe this one is a Supermarine Seagull Mark III. NAVAL FLYING BOAT VISITS WELLINGTON.—The Seagull amphibian flying boat of H.M.A.S. Canberra, which arrived at Wellington from Lyttelton, and was later berthed in the Boat Harbour. The pilot is Flying-Officer J. Alexander, of the Royal Australian Air Force, who is attached to the Canberra. The machine is being used for reconnaissance work during the period the Australian, warships are carrying out operations in New Zealand. Northern Advocate, 23 September 1933  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 25, 2024 12:57:55 GMT 12
“A FLYING PLATYPUS.”— A strange visitor to the Wigram Aerodrome at Christchurch recently was the amphibian ’plane from H.M.A.S. Canberra. The machine has wheels below the fuselage for ground landings. Hawera Star, 6 April 1935 
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 25, 2024 12:58:35 GMT 12
So that is two different Seagull III's that visited NZ.
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Post by davidd on Oct 26, 2024 12:23:14 GMT 12
These alleged Seagull I's of the RAAF are actually Seagull III's, that service (nor the Navy) never operated the earlier models. One of the Seagull III's actually landed at Wigram in about 1938 (or earlier?) from one of the RAN's cruisers which happened to be carrying out exercises with the NZ Division at the time. The crew members of this craft added their names to a special board at the Bush Inn pub (Riccarton Rd), provided for the purpose. This building is still there and is nicely painted (although I fear its days are numbered, its maintenance over many years now has been pretty much nil, and its woodwork is not in good shape). There is a large collection of RNZAF signatures on this special signature board, but this now resides in the Air Force Museum of NZ (I think they acquired it shortly after Museum opened), practically all the signatories are wartime RNZAF, so the Australians are real rareties.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 26, 2024 12:31:38 GMT 12
These alleged Seagull I's of the RAAF are actually Seagull III's, that service (nor the Navy) never operated the earlier models. Quite correct, I have amended my posts above. One of the Seagull III's actually landed at Wigram in about 1938 (or earlier?) from one of the RAN's cruisers which happened to be carrying out exercises with the NZ Division at the time. That is likely to be the visit in my post above where the Seagull is seen at Wigram. The crew members of this craft added their names on the Bush Inn pub (Riccarton Rd), this building is still there (although I fear its days are numbered, its maintenance over many years now has been nil, and it is not in good shape). There is a large collection of RNZAF signatures on a special signature board installed for the purpose, and this now resides in the Air Force Museum of NZ, practically all the signatories are wartime RNZAF, so the Australians are real rareties. It is sad the state that the Bush Inn has gotten into. I was quite shocked on my last visit, a real dive now. That building used to be the original Officer's Mess for Sockburn/Wigram before proper accommodation was built. It is a very historic pub. I hope someone invests in it and saves it. |
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Post by davidd on Oct 26, 2024 12:39:52 GMT 12
Totally agree Dave! I live about 200 metres away from it, on Hansons Lane. Johny Checketts is buried in the church yard about 100 metres west of the pub! (He would have approved of that! His funeral took place on the other side of town.)
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Post by davidd on Oct 26, 2024 13:10:50 GMT 12
Just realized that there were more of these amphibians getting around near Wigram than I imagined!
The RNZAF Wigram history states that on 7th April, 1937, there arrived at Lyttelton "the Australian Squadron". "Amphibians visited Wigram from CANBERRA and SYDNEY (both cruisers) on the 9th April, and from HMAS AUSTRALIA (Battleship) on 10th April.
18th October 1937, arrival of amphibian aircraft and personnel from HMS LEANDER and ACHILLES, departed 12th November.
8th - 15th August 1938, visit to Lyttelton by HMS LEANDER - her aircraft could not be re-embarked owing to the position of the wharf - aircraft did not take off therefore, for any flights.
17th August 1938, Walrus aircraft from HMS ACHILLES flew over Wigram en route to Dunedin at 1430 hours. This Walrus called in (at Wigram) to refuel on 18th August en route to ACHILLES.
19th September 1938, HMS ACHILLES arrived Lyttelton on farewell visit; her Walrus arrived at Wigram @ 1200 hours, returned to her ship loater in day.
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