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Post by shorty on Jan 24, 2022 14:33:50 GMT 12
Just to be pedantic it's actually called Marston Matting\ From our friends at Wiki Marston Mat, more properly called pierced (or perforated) steel planking (PSP), is standardized, perforated steel matting material developed by the United States at the Waterways Experiment Station shortly before World War II, primarily for the rapid construction of temporary runways and landing strips (also misspelled as Marsden matting). The nickname came from Marston, North Carolina, adjacent to Camp Mackall airfield where the material was first used.[1]
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 24, 2022 15:23:35 GMT 12
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 24, 2022 16:13:36 GMT 12
The paint is one colour rather than camouflage, and it looks dark like a green or olive drab, bit it may well have been trainer yellow and the dark shade comes from the film stock? I generally have no idea when it comes to this sort of thing, but if it were Trainer Yellow would it stand out so much against the roundel's yellow?
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Post by saratoga on Jan 24, 2022 18:07:51 GMT 12
I think Marston matting was quite common. Definitely used to some degree at Ohakea, as when they redid the runway a few years ago('90s?)lots of rusty matting was lifted and carted to the scrappy. Also used at Masterton, quite a bit still in the area, a few fences still in existence.
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Post by oj on Jan 24, 2022 20:17:05 GMT 12
Antonio, If you are referring to No. 1 hangar at Ohakea, that would be near to the northern perimeter road. The southern perimeter road is closer to No. 5 hangar. Assuming 1960's designations.
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Post by Antonio on Jan 24, 2022 21:53:57 GMT 12
The area above the bomb dump where the met service launched their weather balloons from
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 25, 2022 16:36:05 GMT 12
I think Marston matting was quite common. Definitely used to some degree at Ohakea, as when they redid the runway a few years ago('90s?)lots of rusty matting was lifted and carted to the scrappy. Also used at Masterton, quite a bit still in the area, a few fences still in existence. There's one in central New Plymouth my Dad told me about, I've verified it's there (albeit well overgrown) on Google Streetview and hoping to see it in person later in the year.
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Post by saratoga on Jan 25, 2022 17:38:01 GMT 12
That i know of,2 matting fences in Masterton, one on SH2(more Carterton) and one just north of the airfield. There is one in Karori and I managed to get a few panels from one in Upper Hutt when it was being demolished a few years ago.Keep yours eyes peeled, they are still about.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 25, 2022 18:02:58 GMT 12
Interesting to hear Marston matting is so widespread in NZ, I wonder why this is the first time I have noticed it in a wartime photo.
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Post by oj on Jan 25, 2022 19:29:16 GMT 12
The area above the bomb dump where the met service launched their weather balloons from Yes I thought that is where you meant. I reckon to have walked on it when the Hastings were put into outdoor storage for a period before their disposal. For many years at Ohakea during the 1960s the civilian Weather Man was a Scotsman named Willie Wadell or Waddell. He lived on base and had honorary ranking to belong to the messes but did not wear any uniform. A thoroughly decent and sociable chap. Anyone know when he retired from Ohakea?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 31, 2022 16:04:02 GMT 12
Wow look what I just discovered in Fred Ladd's logbook, he flew Tokyo Bound from Rukuhia to Ohakea! It must have still had the name on the side!!And still no serial number associated.
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Post by ZacYates on Jan 31, 2022 17:01:35 GMT 12
Man oh man would I love to see more photos of Tokyo Bound and find its serial, I'd dearly love to build a model of her! How amazing Fred flew her!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 31, 2022 17:41:00 GMT 12
With a Shower Of Spray, He was Tokyo Bound!
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Post by camtech on Jan 31, 2022 22:02:27 GMT 12
I note that the entry for Tokyo Bound appears out of date sequence and I also wonder if the entry dated 5th should actually read "Ohakea - Rukuhia"? Having read many logbooks, I am aware of slipups in detailing flights that would not necessarily be picked up by an authorising officer. Just my thoughts. Was NZ3290 based at Ohakea at that time?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 31, 2022 22:21:30 GMT 12
I also noticed that and wondered exactly that, perhaps it was NZ3290 and he took it up for the exhibit.
If nothing else his logbook entry may help us date the photo more accurately.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jan 31, 2022 22:26:25 GMT 12
The exhibition in the Drill Hall we discussed recently was in August 1944. This entry was February 1945. So either it was not the display in the Knox Street Drill hall, or the aeroplane kicked around Hamilton for six months!
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Post by madmac on Feb 9, 2022 19:49:59 GMT 12
Well, I can't find any reference to the flying of a lodestar wing to Norfork island, so guess it hasn't been posted. Anyone know of the photos of the other half of this exercise? All RNZAF Museum, dated 1944 Lodestar wing mounted under Dakota NZ3516 for delivery to Norfolk Island, via Whenuapai. RNZAF Station Rukuhia.
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Post by camtech on Feb 9, 2022 21:08:45 GMT 12
Lodestar NZ3515 - brake failure Norfolk Island 26 June 1944.
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Post by Mustang51 on Feb 9, 2022 22:09:35 GMT 12
Great detail shots.....
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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 Feb 14, 2022 17:16:50 GMT 12
Very interesting that someone saw fit to document such an interesting exercise. So was it just training or was a spare wing needed after damage?
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