A Vintage Collection - Where and When?

[johnnyfalcon]

3 x C-47s Peter

[Peter Lewis]

The final shot from the Mosquito collection is this closeup.

As you can now see, these negatives are all in 2 1/4 inch square format - probably taken with a Rollicord or similar camera.

The rear aircraft, NZ2338, was a Mosquito FB Mk.VI which was relegated to INST158 in September 1952 and used at the TTS, Woodbourne. Declared surplus 30Jun55 ex-Woodbourne. Sold to Ansa Orchard Equipment Co. of Upper Moutere, b/up for parts.

The front aircraft is unidentifiable from the photo, but gives a nice detailed closeup view of the Mosquito nose area.

These may be the two Mosquitos shown in the previous photo, in which case we know both their IDs, but this would now only be supposition.

[Dave Homewood]

So cool being able to climb up into the front line fighter-bombers of the day.a

[scrooge]

For what it's worth, looking at the scoop under the starboard engine there is a remarkably similar dent evident on both photo's, so I'd say same aircraft.

In fact, I think I can also see it on the first individual mossie photo too.

Plus all 3 photo's show a similar oil stain tick aft of the first cowl screw behind the spinner, and another from the top corner of the scoop where it joins the cowl.

Anyhoo, that's my photo interpretation, back to what I should be doing...

[Peter Lewis]

Boeing 707-138 VH-EBA came online with Qantas back in 1959, and carried the name 'City of Melbourne'.
It was operated to/from New Zealand in the mid-1960s.

Seen here presumably at around that time - either at Christchurch or Whenuapai.

After its Qantas service ended in 1967 it was operated in Canada, USA and Saudi Arabia before returning to Australia in late 2006 to become a permanent exhibit at the Qantas Founders Outback Museum, Longreach.

[Peter Lewis]

This Bristol Brittania photo was apparently taken at Whenuapai.
The airline is British United, and the code 'CE' appears on the nosewheel door.

Presumably then, this is G-ANCE which was operated by BUA from 1966.
This aircraft went to Ireland in 1974 as EI-BAA and was broken up in 1981.

The only Brittanias I ever saw at Whenuapai were the Canadian Pacfic ones, so presumably this one was here on charter.

[Peter Lewis]

Time for another local one, DH89B Dominie ZK-AKU at Whenuapai.

Displaying the NAC colours, and carrying the name 'Tawaka'.

This Dominie, and its sister ZK-AKY, maintained the Auckland to Whangarei route for NAC until the Onerahi airport was extended to allow for DC3 flights in 1962.

Both of these aircraft survive today.

[Peter Lewis]

This one is a lot easier - the RAF Far East Command's Armstrong Whitworth Argosy XR108.

Taken at Mangere in 1969, so its obviously at the time of the Mangere opening display event.
Looks like a typical Auckland day weather-wise!

XR108 was BOC in early 1963 and lasted in service until sold as scrap in mid-1975.

[Dave Homewood]

Aug 21, 2018 18:01:33 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

Taken at Mangere in 1969, so its obviously at the time of the Mangere opening display event.

Mangere opened as Auckland International Airport on the weekend of 29th-31st of January 1966. Not 1969.

XR108 was indeed the Argosy at the event though.

[Peter Lewis]

Looks late the date on the bag is wrong then. Thanks.

[Peter Lewis]

This photo of Douglas DC-8-52 ZK-NZA at Mangere must have been taken fairly soon after TEAL became Air New Zealand, as the photo shows the transitional livery.

[Peter Lewis]

This one is a Boeing B-47 Stratojet 31851 (presumably 53-1851).
Location is said to be Ohakea, and judging by the parked cars in the background, at an air display.

Possibly one of the 1950s RNZAF display days?

[Dave Homewood]

Yes it is 53-1851, and it was at the RNZAF 21st Anniversary Airshow, at RNZAF Station Ohakea, on the 29th of March 1958.

[agalbraith]

Aug 10, 2018 19:34:13 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

The final shot from the Mosquito collection is this closeup.

As you can now see, these negatives are all in 2 1/4 inch square format - probably taken with a Rollicord or similar camera.

The rear aircraft, NZ2338, was a Mosquito FB Mk.VI which was relegated to INST158 in September 1952 and used at the TTS, Woodbourne. Declared surplus 30Jun55 ex-Woodbourne. Sold to Ansa Orchard Equipment Co. of Upper Moutere, b/up for parts.

The front aircraft is unidentifiable from the photo, but gives a nice detailed closeup view of the Mosquito nose area.

These may be the two Mosquitos shown in the previous photo, in which case we know both their IDs, but this would now only be supposition.

I agree with Scrooge, I would say 99.9% for sure that is '08'. 08 was an interesting airframe in that when she first got here she had Aussie engine cowls fitted and 08 painted on the nose. Later on she got re-engined(?)with Merlin 25's possibly, she then appeared with British style cowls fitted. Shortly after that the painted 08 disappeared off the nose. That photo is definitely an Aussie T-43 with British engine cowls.


Interesting to note the colour of the 100gal tanks 2328 has fitted, in other photo's they are painted a colour, but not sure what. Those coloured tanks appeared to move around on to other Mosquitoes as well

Thanks for the great photo's, much appreciate you taking the time to post them for us all

Cheers
Anthony

[planewriting]

Somewhere in the Aviation Historical Society journals is reference to a BUA Britannia's visit. I happened to be at Whenuapai when one landed late one afternoon and parked in the usual CPA Britannia spot. My father (Senior NAC Flight Ops Officer) Auckland informed me it had brought a load of immigrating school teachers out from the U.K. What I find interesting is that Peter Lewis says G-ANCE was operated by BUA from 1966 but I can categorically state that I did not visit Whenuapai with Dad after November 1965, when Mangere commenced ops. I will try and find that AHSNZ item and suspect it would be early in the year with the prospect of a new school year ahead for the teachers. I recall it being late afternoon , which supports my "beginning of year" theory. Then again, may be this was another BUA Britannia visit from the one I recall. If any AHSNZ member can remember when it arrived then we should be able to trace the journal entry and tidy up the details.

Aug 19, 2018 22:49:20 GMT 12 Peter Lewis said:

This Bristol Brittania photo was apparently taken at Whenuapai.
The airline is British United, and the code 'CE' appears on the nosewheel door.

Presumably then, this is G-ANCE which was operated by BUA from 1966.
This aircraft went to Ireland in 1974 as EI-BAA and was broken up in 1981.

The only Brittanias I ever saw at Whenuapai were the Canadian Pacfic ones, so presumably this one was here on charter.

[baz62]

Wonder if they painted the tanks the same colour as the undersides (wartime)? Or the camouflage on the top of the wing?

[agalbraith]

I've studied other pics of those tanks. They almost look roundel blue......but purely a guess so wouldn't want to be quoted. Maybe they were painted that colour for the section leaders flight or something???

[Peter Lewis]

Another one from the Mangere opening in '66.

The labels says it's a Blackburn Beverly, but you and I know better.
RAF Short Belfast with USAF Lockheed C-141 Starlifter 63-8090 parked behind.
To the left you can just make out a NZNAC DC-3 Skyliner.

The Belfast is nicely placed to conceal any ID, but it's XR366.

[Peter Lewis]

The next one out of the box is Douglas DC-6 NZ3633. Presumably this was taken fairly early in its service life (1961?) as the TEAL civil registration ZK-BGC can still be faintly seen on the rear fuselage.

Judging by the houses in the background, this is not Whenuapai.
Any ideas where?

[camtech]

Whenuapai, outside the old TEAL (now 6 Sqdn) hangar?
That part of the tarmac was solid seal, rather than the hex blocks.
There were a couple of houses visible across the road IIRC.