|
Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 23, 2019 21:03:23 GMT 12
|
|
|
Post by agalbraith on Aug 24, 2019 7:39:46 GMT 12
Thanks for the update....she looks amazing! Cant wait to see her again one day
|
|
|
Post by Mustang51 on Aug 24, 2019 11:30:10 GMT 12
Marvellous...............
|
|
|
Post by ZacYates on Aug 24, 2019 12:32:26 GMT 12
Beautiful craftsmanship. Just stunning!
|
|
|
Post by senob on Aug 24, 2019 20:57:41 GMT 12
Is the Vincent going to be restored to flying condition or to display condition? It does look stunning so far, so a very well done.
|
|
|
Post by sputnik767 on Aug 25, 2019 10:16:16 GMT 12
No, its to valuable to fly.
|
|
|
Post by davidd on Aug 25, 2019 10:16:20 GMT 12
Looks fantastic! Dave D
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 25, 2019 11:05:18 GMT 12
Sadly it won't fly again. But most of the parts you see on it are original and genuine, carefully cleaned and straightened, etc, and refitted to the airframe.
|
|
|
Post by kiwi285 on Aug 25, 2019 11:59:25 GMT 12
Really great work on a real aviation treasure.
|
|
|
Post by senob on Aug 25, 2019 15:40:02 GMT 12
Sadly it won't fly again. But most of the parts you see on it are original and genuine, carefully cleaned and straightened, etc, and refitted to the airframe. Great, thanks and yes agree with that.
|
|
axelford
Squadron Leader
I have visited 13 Plane wreck sites and counting, happy to help with info!
Posts: 120
|
Post by axelford on Sept 4, 2019 18:53:41 GMT 12
Nice to see a older RNZAF plane being fixed, considering there are few mid war biplanes around.
|
|
|
Post by vultee43 on Sept 25, 2019 21:15:25 GMT 12
Incredible restoration. Great to it finished down the track.
|
|
davidk
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1
|
Post by davidk on May 8, 2020 23:50:47 GMT 12
Hi My father flew Vickers Vildebeestes in RAF 36 squadron in 1941/2 as an RAAF WAG, often with RNZAF pilots who he kept in contact with He was shot down in the Endau raid and survived to father me after some time on the railway I have long had an interest in the Vildebeeste/Vincents and the lack of military intelligence surrounding their deployment
When the virus settles I would be keen to visit NZ and view the restoration
Would someone please forward contact details
Many Thanks
|
|
|
Post by davidd on May 9, 2020 11:18:05 GMT 12
I hope somebody else can help with arranging something with you to enable an overdue viewing of the mighty Vildebeest/Vincent. I found it very interesting that an RAF tradesman who served with 36 and 100 Squadrons at Singapore in 1941/42 called Frank Munger had RNZAF associations. Cannot recall the details at moment, but think he managed to escape Singapore in the nick of time, and subsequently ended up in New Zealand, and served for maybe 18 months with RNZAF on attachment (as did about 50 other RAF refugees from Singapore) - He might even have worked on RNZAF Vildebeests, but cannot say for certain. The interesting thing about Frank was that he survived these experiences and returned to his home in the UK, and eventually became a technical illustrator in civil life. One of his later drawings was a masterful "cutaway" of a Vickers Vildebeest, and this was subsequently published by (I think) the "Aeroplane" magazine, perhaps in 1990s. He dedicated this drawing to all his old mates with 36 and 100 Squadrons, and also to his RNZAF wartime comrades. You may even have a copy of his drawing in your collection! David D
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 9, 2020 11:36:43 GMT 12
I have sent you an email DavidK.
I have spoken with three Kiwi pilots who took part in and survived the Endau Raid - Ron Reid from No. 36 Squadron, Colin Gardner from No. 100 Squadron, and Geoff Fisken from No. 243 Squadron escorting in a Buffalo.
Everyone who took part should be better acknowledged and some of them should have been awarded medals in my opinion but they were seemingly totally overlooked for this brave and desperate action. Around the same time Swordfish attacked a German fleet in the English Channel and it too was a failure but a VC was awarded to the leader and they are forever immortalised.
Do you have your father's flying logbook? Did he ever fly with Ron Reid?
|
|
|
Post by shorty on May 14, 2020 12:56:18 GMT 12
|
|
|
Post by davidd on May 14, 2020 15:16:48 GMT 12
I think you know that that is indeed the picture I had in mind. The only reservations I have with this drawing is the propeller (which looks rather too spindly to my eye) and the pilot's windscreen, which looks too low and wide. However it is almost certainly the best impression of the Vilde/Vincent family ever produced, and cannot fault any of the "key" descriptions. I think he must have enjoyed completing this drawing and derived great satisfaction from doing so. Am guessing he is no longer with us, but would love to be proved wrong. David D Sadly I was correct; Frank died in UK in June, 2010, and according to his obituary (The Guardian) he did indeed serve with the RNZAF (attached), servicing our P-40s in the Solomons before being sent back "home". He was invalided out of the RAF with TB in late 1944, and was eventually on the staff of "Flight" magazine. No doubt got a mention in the "new" Aeroplane on his death.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on May 15, 2020 11:51:16 GMT 12
I love that cutaway. I have that magazine somewhere.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 17, 2020 17:04:26 GMT 12
|
|
|
Post by agalbraith on Jul 18, 2020 9:46:46 GMT 12
This truly is an epic restoration of a practically extinct type. My hats off to Steve and those involved, she truly looks amazing!
Well done!
|
|