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Post by Damon on Mar 8, 2020 15:13:06 GMT 12
Cool, well that must confirm it that it's NZ3220's tail, great. So I wonder, when was it on 4OTU? I think most of the P-40's were at Ohakea by September 1944. 4 OTU perhaps ?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2020 16:26:52 GMT 12
Oh right. It was delivered from the factory on the 30th of September 1943 so I guess that is right.
I wonder did all P-40's get a date stamp there?
Interesting that the white paint, applied much later, does not seem to have adhered to the lettering.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 8, 2020 16:33:59 GMT 12
I think most of the P-40's were at Ohakea by September 1944. 4 OTU perhaps ? NZ3220 was based at Ohakea from August 1944 at the latest but it was with No. 2 OTU. The red marking on the tail as seen in Mike's photos is a specifically No. 4 OTU making but so far in my research I have seen no trace of NZ3220 serving with that unit - but it seems it must have done. This is why my collecting of pilot's logbooks has been crucial to piecing together the histories of these aeroplanes, because there are no records existing from the OTU's to check. Anyone who has a logbook with RNZAF P-40's in, please get in touch as I'd love to get a digital copy, to keep building up the jigsaw that s the P-40's histories.
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Post by baz62 on Mar 8, 2020 17:03:24 GMT 12
Let's hope way back in 1944 a painter painted the wrong colour stripe and got a bollocking from his Sergeant to paint it the right colour....meanwhile in 2020...:-)
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Post by camtech on Mar 8, 2020 18:56:04 GMT 12
My notes for NZ3220:
2 Sep 44 2OTU 5 Sep 44; 9 Oct 44 2OTU 26 Mar 45; 18 Apr 45 2OTU;
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Post by Mustang51 on Mar 8, 2020 20:07:24 GMT 12
This machine is an aviation archaeological treasure trove!
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Post by markrogers on Mar 8, 2020 20:18:30 GMT 12
Awesome!! That's all I can say!
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Post by Damon on Mar 8, 2020 20:41:38 GMT 12
P-40N NZ3220 was displayed in Cathedral Square Christchurch . It had the codes FE + D , so I guess 2nd OTU at some point !
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Post by nzgrasshopper on Mar 8, 2020 21:18:08 GMT 12
More amazing history, thanks for sharing these detailed photos.
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Post by curtiss on Mar 9, 2020 16:12:25 GMT 12
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Post by agalbraith on Mar 9, 2020 17:48:46 GMT 12
P-40M NZ3119 43-5813 ex Chambers/Subritzky. Now with Tri State in the US
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 9, 2020 17:51:04 GMT 12
It's really interesting to see the markings like No Lift, etc, on these.
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Post by Damon on Mar 9, 2020 18:52:17 GMT 12
Great shots of the upper surface of the tailplane. Thanks Curtiss. Was the rectangular patch a doped fabric patch covering the tip damage or something else. Any pic's of the port tailplane most welcome. (thumbs up)
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Post by curtiss on Mar 9, 2020 20:12:08 GMT 12
Great shots of the upper surface of the tailplane. Thanks Curtiss. Was the rectangular patch a doped fabric patch covering the tip damage or something else. Any pic's of the port tailplane most welcome. (thumbs up) The rectangle is where the factory "NO LIFT" decal was applied. Port tailplane upper paint is in worse condition and harder to work out demarcation lines.
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Post by dazz on Mar 9, 2020 21:10:49 GMT 12
It's going to be a real treat to see the old girl fully ( as parts allow ) reassembled for the first time in what's got to be nearly 60 years! It's got to be every young ( and not so young ! ) aeroplane nuts dream to find a fighter plane in a 'shed', and put it back together!
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axelford
Squadron Leader
I have visited 13 Plane wreck sites and counting, happy to help with info!
Posts: 120
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Post by axelford on Mar 10, 2020 7:13:33 GMT 12
Wow, I don’t check the forums enough! Amazing condition, testifies to Smiths work. Will NZ3220 be given new paint? I think it would be interesting to keep the paint as it is, a time capsule.
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Post by curtiss on Mar 10, 2020 7:58:02 GMT 12
The aircraft will not be repainted - one of the major challenges is matching the weathered finish on replacement parts and repairs.
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Post by noooby on Mar 11, 2020 5:53:51 GMT 12
I wonder why John Chambers didn't have the vertical fin off of his aircraft?
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Post by curtiss on Mar 11, 2020 6:30:15 GMT 12
I think John Smith was collecting his aircraft and parts before John Chambers had acquired his P40E and P40M. In other words, he got there first and had the pick of the best stuff in the yard.
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axelford
Squadron Leader
I have visited 13 Plane wreck sites and counting, happy to help with info!
Posts: 120
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Post by axelford on Mar 11, 2020 19:09:52 GMT 12
Ops did I get mixed up with names? I’m not familiar with the topic, just saw cool pictures and info about a elusive collection and wondered what would become of the planes. Happy to hear that they’ll be kept in paint condition they’re in.
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