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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 31, 2017 11:08:38 GMT 12
Oh wow, I love Lockheed Hudsons so I love this film showing RNZAF Armourers bombing up a couple of Huddies, and then they head off on a patrol! I am trying to work out if this is RNZAF Station Nelson, Woodbourne or Omaka, or somewhere else? I note one aircraft is NZ2014 'W'. The other is 'B' but I did not catch a serial. www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?record_id=63837 |
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Post by baz62 on Dec 31, 2017 12:13:58 GMT 12
Managed to pause it just as "B" taxied past and it is NZ2032.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 31, 2017 12:17:17 GMT 12
Cheers Baz
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Post by Dave Homewood on Dec 31, 2017 12:18:25 GMT 12
I'm convinced they are with No. 2 (GR) Squadron so it is probably RNZAF Station Nelson.
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Post by baz62 on Dec 31, 2017 12:30:26 GMT 12
You need some photos of the mountains from the airfields and see if you can match them up.
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Post by davidd on Jan 1, 2018 10:00:04 GMT 12
NZ2032 was definitely an aircraft of 2 (GR) Squadron, delivered to Nelson 11/1/42 ex Whenuapai coded UH-B (although the "UH" unit was not painted on in the early days, just the single aircraft letter). Also clearly visible in the film is 2014 "W" (letter applied in a very strange style, guess they had no professional sign writers on strength at this time, just amateurs). Exact period of history would probably be late 1941/early 1942 - looks like summer, with all the khaki drill on parade. Also the style of roundel is the original ones applied at factory - Type A1, etc, although note lack of roundels under mainplanes, a peculiarity insisted on by the Air Ministry at the time, although they never did explain to the RNZAF why this should be so! Should not be too hard to look for "Bonds for Bombers" advertising in papers for this period, to see if it pops up.
Initial Hudsons delivered to the squadron from the pre-Pearl harbour deliveries were NZ2007, 08, 09, 10, 11, 14 (first Hudson delivered to Nelson, 28/9/41), 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 36. NZ2017 (turretless) arrived Nelson 13/3/42, a swap for turret-equipped NZ2008 with 4 Sqdn in Fiji. Later arrivals (May - July 1942) were 2046, 47, 48, 66. 67, 68, 69, 75, with 2083 and 89 arriving Sept 1942, ex 3 Sqdn. Maximum strength at any time with this squadron was 18 Hudsons, plus 4 Oxfords(although up to nine Oxfords were stored at Nelson as a reserve from July to October 1942). Also interesting to glimpse (approx. 1.16 - 1.25) the highly secret radar antennae located on the fuselage sides - seems to have slipped right by the censor! And note that proper depth charges seem to be absent in New Zealand at this time - just standard 250 pound GPs in use. The primitive style of bomb loading is also noteworthy - manpower all the way.
Having spent many Christmas holidays in Stoke (near the airfield) in mid 50s to early 60s, that looks mighty like the rugged and steep hills of Nelson in background to me!
David D
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