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Post by baz62 on Sept 3, 2020 18:55:35 GMT 12
Cut was definitely outboard of nacelle. You can see the main wheel and U/C leg which is directly behind the engine. There are also other head on photos showing the cut was outboard. Ah right thanks Ants and Curtiss.
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 4, 2020 21:06:05 GMT 12
There is now a Facebook group where updates on the Mosquito project will be shared. If you are a Facebook user I highly recommend joining the group for videos and photos you may not see elsewhere. Search "Omaka John Smith Mosquito Project" or visit this link: www.facebook.com/groups/319631725815182I'm not involved with running the page, just a fan who wants as many people as possible to be a part of it.
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Post by baz62 on Sept 5, 2020 9:38:59 GMT 12
And on this new Facebook page Al Marshall presented a video showing items off the Mosquito being worked on and finished it off showing quite a remarkable display......of what? Go have a look it's worth it.
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 8, 2020 15:09:34 GMT 12
I'm not sure how long it's been up there but I just found this great photo of NZ3043, from Des White's collection, on the AFMNZ photo site: DWNZ3043 - AFMNZ by Zac Yates, on Flickr Any ideas as to location, unit (2OTU going by the B?), year, who the gent in the cockpit might be?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 8, 2020 16:17:47 GMT 12
It went on the site yesterday Zac.
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 9, 2020 21:03:10 GMT 12
That's a great photo isnt it!
I see announced on FB that TE910 is to be painted as a 487 sqn aircraft
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 9, 2020 21:48:36 GMT 12
Yep. Bloody great choice in my opinion.
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 9, 2020 22:18:42 GMT 12
Yep. Bloody great choice in my opinion. Yep, that too was my initial thoughts on a choice of colour scheme, then I got to thinking.... Now this is my opinion only and am not looking at getting into the merits of 'my plane my decision' etc. In fact some might not even like the original RAF/RHKAAF scheme I am going to paint my Auster in(I was in fact originally going to paint her up as the RNZAF Antarctic one) and frankly I dont care, so please dont flame me... I wonder if TE910 should be painted up/kept as 'herself' and not pretend to be another airframe. I see this is the trend these days with Museums as in the RNZAF Museum as a case in point. As she stands I believe is a true artifact in her own right, and painted in a factory 'Day Fighter' scheme she would have rolled out of the Standard Motors factory and arrived in NZ in. To me would seem fitting? This could honor and tell the story of the people that actually built the Mosquito and not detract from the John Smith story by telling the story of another airman. The airframe is not at all configured for a wartime fit and was built incorporating all the late production 'Tropical Mods', strike Camera nose (as used by Coastal Command), RP rails etc. If anything she might be more suited to representing a 489 Mosquito with the Coastal Command Camera nose, 100gal tanks and RP set up they used? I dont know, at the end of the day it feels to me like painting Queen Victoria's face on the Mona Lisa?? Dont get me wrong, I totally respect the people involved, I the love the attention they are lavishing on her, their passion and quality of work etc. You couldnt pick a better team. But we already have a flying tribute to 487 with Jerry's machine, as well as Kermit Weeks airframe(not airworthy). But even more importantly the remains of a genuine 'Combat Vet' 487 Mosquito being painstaking and lovingly incorporated into TE758/NZ2328 to be repainted up as 'herself', honouring the Airmen and crews that flew and maintained Mosquitoes during WWII. Please take this as a genuine constructive discussion and in no way any disrespect to anyone. Either way I am thrilled to have such a remarkable survivor in our midst... Cheers Anthony
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 9, 2020 22:23:20 GMT 12
You have to remember it does not belong to a museum and the owners have chosen the colour scheme.
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 9, 2020 22:42:31 GMT 12
Yep, I agree. When I met with Robbie at John's place he was pretty open to mention he wanted her to be in a 'Factory fresh' RAF camouflage scheme even back then. So the choice to pick a particular aircraft since, has obviously influenced him...and I respect that.
I was just thinking out loud...
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davem2
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 97
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Post by davem2 on Sept 9, 2020 23:00:51 GMT 12
The OAHC is a 'war museum' for want of a better word, and I don't believe the story of 487 (NZ) Squadron has been told in detail in any other NZ museum to date. Also, there is a direct connection to a staff member at the museum, her great uncle was killed flying a 487 Mossie on a sortie.
The 'average' museum visitor (that is, not us anoraks) is drawn to the excitement, danger and heroes of combat - all present in spades with the daring raids flown by 487. Also, the 'average' museum visitor has no idea about the squadron or any 'tributes' to it already out there (Kermits has a 633 Sqdn film scheme IIRC)
Honouring the 'build' of Mossies pales against honouring those who flew and died in it IMHO.
John Smith's story will be told across the three aircraft on display (Mossie, P-40 and Tiger Moth).
cheers Dave
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 10, 2020 0:08:32 GMT 12
Dave, on top of that, the pilot who is being honoured with the particular No. 487 (NZ) Squadron Mosquito scheme - his brother actually flew Hudson NZ2049 in the Pacific, so there's an awesome tie in, with two John Smith aeroplanes in the same museum.
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Post by agalbraith on Sept 10, 2020 0:17:13 GMT 12
Cant argue at all with you there Dave, in fact I fully agree with everything you say.
The 487(NZ)Sqn story has never been told in any detail in any other Museum, and rightly needs to be too. Packed with all of those elements you mention, and with many many local family connections to so many crew all over NZ. Many of us have/had family members, and great friends who served with 487 and and had the privilege to hear their stories related to us over the years. I think Kiwi's can relate to the Mosquito and others will marvel when they find out, and the OAHC will do an amazing job showcasing her and 487...no doubt!
I guess where I was coming from is to paint TE910 as TE910 and display her as the centrepiece in the middle of a big 487 (NZ) Squadron display. Hang bombs off her, display her canons and showcase what an amazing airframe she was for her time, but does she need to have 'EG' codes painted on her to tell that story? She is just so original and unique in so many ways, I think it would be a shame to paint codes on her outside. But as I say, that's just my opinion and I probably should have not said anything as these discussions usually turn south, which I dont want to happen. So thanks for the sensible educated reply.
Anyway, maybe she could have adhesive ones put on that's not permanent? Kermit's is representing Pickards bird EG-F, but as you rightly say...that does nothing in telling the story here.
Cheers Anthony
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Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 10, 2020 0:47:00 GMT 12
Silver is a terrible colour for a museum aircraft, especially old wooden aeroplanes. It shows up all the problems under the paint, and it also shows all the dust.
The RNZAF operated four Mosquito squadrons, if your idea of removable vinyl codes were adopted Anthony, I guess down the track over time there's always the chance the other squadrons could be depicted too, a No. 489 Squadron scheme with rockets would be pretty special, and a No. 488 Squadron night fighter too. Much better than depicting a plain old unmarked camo example as they were in postwar storage.
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Post by ZacYates on Sept 12, 2020 8:47:07 GMT 12
I'd rather have seen NZ2336 returned to her silver RNZAF scheme but I'm happy to see a 487Sqn machine represented and, alluding to what DaveM2 said, when it was announced she would be on display at the OAHC I half-expected a wartime scheme. Plus I come back to the classic Spencer Flack line "When you get your own *whatever type* you can paint it however you like"! Bottom line is I and many, many other people will be able to see an amazing example of a significant aircraft type. And that is a truly wonderful outcome. Especially for someone like me who has been dreaming of seeing this aircraft and John's collection since childhood - the prospect of NZ2336 on public display is just amazing. In all the (warranted) excitement over the Mossie, NZ3220/Gloria Lyons has taken a bit of a backseat. But work has been progressing and, thanks to Facebook, there are photos! On Tuesday - while visiting to wish Mosquito project lead Al Marshall a happy birthday - Graeme and the Fighter Flights team took and shared these two images: NZ3220 Omaka 080920 Fighter Flights 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr NZ3220 Omaka 080920 Fighter Flights 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr And Scott Lambie, a member of the Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre group, kindly gave me permission to share these photos he took on Thursday: NZ3220 Omaka 100920 Scott Lambie 01 by Zac Yates, on Flickr NZ3220 Omaka 100920 Scott Lambie 02 by Zac Yates, on Flickr NZ3220 Omaka 100920 Scott Lambie 03 by Zac Yates, on Flickr NZ3220 Omaka 100920 Scott Lambie 07 by Zac Yates, on Flickr NZ3220 Omaka 100920 Scott Lambie 04 by Zac Yates, on Flickr NZ3220 Omaka 100920 Scott Lambie 06 by Zac Yates, on Flickr NZ3220 Omaka 100920 Scott Lambie 05 by Zac Yates, on Flickr As I was typing this post I started listening to The WONZ Show Mosquito Special and Dave H mentioned there was an Oxford in John's collection?!
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Post by planewriting on Sept 12, 2020 10:24:02 GMT 12
What is the Harvard in the background with red lettering on the fuselage and upper cowling?
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Post by keroburner on Sept 12, 2020 12:41:34 GMT 12
John's NZ1041.
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Post by planecrazy on Sept 13, 2020 8:16:26 GMT 12
These images are so good to see, the panels with the mission markings and the name are amazing, their weathered state say so much.
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Post by planewriting on Sept 13, 2020 8:36:58 GMT 12
Thank you for that. I take it you mean John Saunder's not John Smith.
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Post by keroburner on Sept 13, 2020 10:06:21 GMT 12
Correct yes. John Saunders Harvard. The Gloria Lyons P40 is being worked on in his Hangar. Well worth a visit!
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