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Post by markrogers on Aug 4, 2020 22:31:38 GMT 12
Excellent outcome for the Mustang. I had a feeling that it might go to Brendon Deere if it was to stay in NZ...it's terrific news that he and his team have got the Mustang!! I really look forward to seeing the Mustang take to the air, and perhaps they will do a book on it like the book on his Spitfire which I have. Isn't the Mustang a -30 not a -25?
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Post by agalbraith on Aug 5, 2020 7:37:24 GMT 12
Excellent outcome for the Mustang. I had a feeling that it might go to Brendon Deere if it was to stay in NZ...it's terrific news that he and his team have got the Mustang!! I really look forward to seeing the Mustang take to the air, and perhaps they will do a book on it like the book on his Spitfire which I have. Isn't the Mustang a -30 not a -25? Actually, I think you are correct...-30's Oops, cant rely on the old grey matter it seems
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Post by baz62 on Aug 5, 2020 8:04:00 GMT 12
Hopefully they document the history and restoration in a book. Yep that would be fantastic as his Spitfire restoration book was a fascinating insight into rebuilding a WW2 aeroplane. Brilliant news that shes gone to Brendon Deere. I wonder if Al Deere ever flew a Mustang?
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Post by planecrazy on Aug 5, 2020 8:54:45 GMT 12
Wow fantastic news, would this machine have worn Wellington Territorial markings during it's time with the RNZAF, will be interesting to see what scheme she wears?
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Post by Mustang51 on Aug 5, 2020 9:50:18 GMT 12
Brilliant outcome. Cannot wait to see it under rebuild
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Post by ErrolC on Aug 5, 2020 11:03:59 GMT 12
Wow fantastic news, would this machine have worn Wellington Territorial markings during it's time with the RNZAF, will be interesting to see what scheme she wears? Not that I'm suggesting it for this airframe, but did any NZers fly RAF/USAAF Mustangs operationally in WW2?
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Post by colford on Aug 5, 2020 12:12:39 GMT 12
Wow fantastic news, would this machine have worn Wellington Territorial markings during it's time with the RNZAF, will be interesting to see what scheme she wears? Not that I'm suggesting it for this airframe, but did any NZers fly RAF/USAAF Mustangs operationally in WW2? In a word "yes". A number of RNZAF pilots flew Mustangs with the RAF in Europe, starting with a number who were serving with what were initially Army Co-operation Command Squadrons in 1942 that were re-equipped with the Allison engined Mustang Mk.I. A handful of them over two operational tours between 1942 and early 1945, flew all three of the Allison engined Mustangs that were used by the RAF in the ETO, Mk.I, Mk.IA and Mk.II. There were also a number of RNZAF pilots flying with RAF Fighter Squadrons that converted onto the Merlin engined Mustang Mk.III (P-51B/C), by the time the RAF started to introduce the Mustang Mk.IV (P-51D) and Mk.IVa (P-51K) to their fighter Squadrons it was pretty late in the war and a number of the RNZAF pilots were tour expired and either on their way home to NZ or being held in PDUs awaiting repatriation or fulfilling instructor or staff roles. In relation to the USAAF, Ventura Publications in "From D-Day to Victory!" gives details of RNZAF pilot Jack Cleland who was attached to the USAAF and flew P-51B and early P-51D aircraft with the USAAF in the timeframe mid July 1944 to late September 1944. HTH.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 5, 2020 12:14:00 GMT 12
Errol, yes actually loads of Kiwis in both the RNZAF and the RAF flew Mustang III's (P-51C equivalent) and a few flew Mustang IV's (P-51D's) with the RAF.
Also RNZAF pilot Jack Cleland was posted to a USAAF squadron and flew P-51D's, including as Chuck Yeager's wingman. The Mustang at Hendon (now I think in Cosford) was in his colours, and also the AFC's second Mustang wore the scheme temporarily at a Warbirds over Wanaka, It was known as Isobel III.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 5, 2020 12:15:59 GMT 12
Oh, snap!
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Post by planewriting on Aug 5, 2020 12:29:38 GMT 12
No, those are the ones that Ken Jacobs got and they are shown in their storage at Renwick. It is where the Tauranga one came from I think I have found part of the answer to the four aircraft being at Renwick. I have conferred with Andrew Gormlie, CEO Classic Flyers, Tauranga who emailed me; "No - that photo is certainly not of the Renwick Vampire. To me it does not look like John Smiths shed either, as when I was there last myself, the layout was not at all as the photo depicts. (Though in saying that, its quite possible it could be from years earlier prior to certain additions to his collection perhaps). My money is on that it is from somewhere else altogether". Looking at www.adf-serials.com.au/nz-serials/nzdh100.htm I first looked at NZ5751 "Sold by GSB tender number 7132 closed 28 May 1973, complete with Goblin Mk 2 engine. To K.Jacobs and D. Subritzky on 03 July 1973. Stored at Blenheim, along with NZ5709." Transported to Classic Flyers Museum, Tauranga, January 2019, for restoration to taxy status". I then did a search for Jacobs which showed up four references. They appear under NZ5709, NZ5774 and NZ5776. The latter two were later exported to the USA and I assume '09 transferred at some stage to the Auckland area. Either '51 stayed in the shed and was joined by all the engines or it then moved to somewhere else in Renwick where the engines at some stage took up residence. I suspect the first option is the case but then I didn't go down to Renwick to collect the Vampire. Looking closely at the photo www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Vampires.jpg I reckon that is the T.11 5709 facing the camera and the 3 FB5s (including NZ5751) are side on. Comments anyone?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 5, 2020 12:58:56 GMT 12
I'm confused Peter, which photo is being discussed here?
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Post by 11SQNLDR on Aug 5, 2020 13:06:51 GMT 12
This is the best possible outcome Here's hoping she returns to her Kiwi scheme (as she wore with No.2 Sqn TAF, I'm sure that will be Brendan's intent. I've always liked this scheme but then again I'm a 'Canes supporter
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 5, 2020 14:25:30 GMT 12
I love that the rest of the forum membership - and Facebook users - share my excitement about this news. I just can't stop smiling! Now I feel the need to ask if there are any other photos out there of NZ2423 besides the one Brendon shared yesterday. I too would love to see the yellow-and-black of 2Sqn TAF - I'm so excited at the idea of a TAFtang Twosome display - but he also mentioned she served with 42Sqn *... A quick Google unearthed this undated image that looks to be fairly early given the roundel bars and USAAF serial on the fin and rudder: www.airport-data.com/aircraft/photo/001166028.html*More Googling led me back to WONZ: I was going through some NZ Wings magazines today and in the December 1993-January 1994 issue there's a section called 'Ohakea Album'. I'd forgotten all about this but it is coloured photos taken at Ohakea at various points between 1953 and 1958 by photographers Ron Brazier and Brian Darrah. In the four page spread there are beautiful coloured photos of the following static aircraft: - 42 Sqn Mustang NZ2423 complete with target tow gear visible. A Devon in the background. Sometime btw 1955-57
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Post by shorty on Aug 5, 2020 14:50:55 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 5, 2020 15:01:42 GMT 12
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Post by shorty on Aug 5, 2020 15:02:35 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Aug 5, 2020 15:06:14 GMT 12
I was just about to share that! Thanks, Shorty!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 5, 2020 15:53:11 GMT 12
With the Mustang, Avenger and Harvard, Brendon has a nice little "No. 42 Squadron 1950's Flight" going on. It's great that the squadron is still on the base too.
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Post by kiwi285 on Aug 5, 2020 16:13:47 GMT 12
We all owe a big debt of thanks to John Smith for saving so many of these aircraft and for keeping them from straying overseas and being lost forever. Certainly interesting times ahead for the historic aircraft scene in the future.
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Post by planewriting on Aug 5, 2020 16:56:23 GMT 12
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