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Post by 30sqnatc on Mar 12, 2020 18:54:55 GMT 12
I found this pair of Marmon-Herrington photos in the new RNZAF Museum online photo collection.  ALB971531100.t5e388670.m800.xnbt4aL0R by tankienz, on Flickr As this is in NZ I assume it is red. This pair are in the Islands. Note the apparent different colour between the two appliances.  PR3390.t5e3883e8.m600.xs7fa6uWN by tankienz, on Flickr I have been wondering if: - the one on the left could be red and green on the right hand appliance? - Or are they both green but one had been there longer so has faded more? - Or they are different shades of green? Any ideas? |
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Post by davidd on Mar 13, 2020 7:00:42 GMT 12
I favour the second option!
David D
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Post by kiwiruna on Mar 17, 2020 17:05:22 GMT 12
In between masking up the camo for my Mk 1a Spitfire (Airfix Kit not the real thing unfortunately) and planning a couple of assignments for my degree I came across these two sites. I'll take a punt and guess they may have already been seen but if not.... I do have a bit of a soft spot for Fire Trucks of all persuasions.
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Post by 30sqnatc on Mar 17, 2020 17:35:04 GMT 12
Thanks I'm all over the info on the Maple Leaf forum. I only recently became aware that the RNZAF M-H 6x6 crash tenders had their bodies manufactured in NZ. Previously I believed they were purchased complete from Canada.
I'm planning to build a 1/48th scale model so I'm trying to determine just what form the imported chassis took as M-H utilised products from several different suppliers when converting the standard Ford truck chassis into 4x4 and 6x6 configurations. Unfortunately none of the 1942 M-H tenders have survived so it may not to be possible confirm many details.
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Post by 30sqnatc on Nov 3, 2020 18:17:05 GMT 12
A new upload from RNZAF Museum site.  ALB20084682036.t5f8f7c00.m600.xYrmvBJFM by tankienz, on Flickr So whats with the Aussie slouch hats: - Issued? - Supply Officer/Fire Master did a deal with Aussie Army? - The Aussies were crewing NZ produced M-H crash fire appliance? |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 3, 2020 19:00:07 GMT 12
The venue was believed to be at Bougainville. The RAAF had a presence there with their Boomerangs and Wirraways, plus I think perhaps Beauforts too based there. So maybe they had RAAF fire crew working alongside RNZAF guys?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 3, 2020 19:03:19 GMT 12
And of course they may not be RAAF at all. Perhaps they are visiting or resident members of the AIF. Bougainville had a very large Australian army presence.
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Post by davidd on Nov 5, 2020 11:14:37 GMT 12
I do not think there is any doubt that the airfield in question is Piva, and almost certainly Piva Uncle (or Piva North, also known as Piva Bomber strip). The Aussies were at Piva by November 1944, and were still there at the Surrender. Australian 2 Corps was the resident AIF Army formation (two Divisions), so could well be them standing in front of tender, although RAAF also wore slouch hats, cocked up on one side I believe. However these, although those in photo are just tilted, not pinned up by service badge as was usual for the Army. Any experts out there? The RAAF (17 AOP Flight, Army pilots, perhaps 17 Flight was also Army?, although ground staff probably RAAF) also had Auster III's near Piva, although at a small strip called (I think) Halsey Field, also used for sports! RAAF C-47s were also based at Piva to do supply drops to the Army "in the field" throughout this period, although it was probably just a detached Flight from somewhere else, usually only a few (2 or 3) on Bougainville at any given time. Of the Beauforts at Piva (again just a very few), at least one was a "Beaufreighter", a strange looking beast.
David D
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