RNZAF Museum Photo gold

[Dave Homewood]

If Levin, then it was probably with No. 1 (B)OTU, I guess. I wonder what it was used for. Crew familiarisation training perhaps.

[Dave Homewood]

Although I had seen this photo before LINK

OhG223-44
Harvard from No. 1 Operational Training Unit with nose art at RNZAF Station Ohakea.



I had never noticed the three drogues being towed by the bird (?) in the nose art before. That is pretty cool. I wonder which Harvard it was, and what its ZX- code letter was.



I also wonder, is that meant to be a turkey? It looks like something far less savoury.

[Dave Homewood]

It's interesting to note that Harvard above seems to be yellow, and it has no black anti-glare panel like most of the overall yellow Harvards had.

Also interesting to see the propeller is bare metal but has black paint on the back of the top half of the prop - the bit the pilot looks at.

[oj]

Maybe the PM went for a blat in the instructional airframe and stuffed it up!

[noooby]

Is that target towing gear under the left wing?

Love the Vildebeest in the background.

[johnnyfalcon]

Jun 5, 2024 17:13:41 GMT 12 noooby said:

Is that target towing gear under the left wing?

Love the Vildebeest in the background.

So, around what time period would that date the event? Early 1940s?

[Antonio]

From the 'dates' tab:
Year Of Image:

1944

Image Date:

01/01/1944

[Antonio]

The latest downloads are a goldmine of Vickers finest.
Hog heaven Dave.

[Antonio]

Also a corker pic of Daks showing the transition of markings in 1947.
(third Dak poking its nose through on the right hand side of the original image)



AFMoNZ_OhG4505-47 (cropped)

[Antonio]

Spotted NZ2306 hiding in the background:


DWNZ2357
Image from the Des White personal collection.
3/4 rear view of Mosquito RS670 (NZ2357) at RNZAF Station Taieri.


NZ2306 
Anyone know of other images of NZ2306 or NZ2307?
Both coded YC-Y 

[Dave Homewood]

Matthew has posted photos today of a number of military personnel who were given awards at an investiture at Government House on the 5th of June 1971. He has names for some of them, not for others. I found a list of names in the Press newspaper for 5 June 1971. These people were collecting awards they received in the New Years Honours list. I wonder if we can work out a few more of the names.

Here are the ones he knows the names for.


Warrant Officer William Twaddle Frickleton Buchanan MM, 72898



Rear Admiral Lawrence George Carr DSC



Brigadier Ian Thomas Galloway OBE ED




Family portrait of Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Wynyard Beasley



Group Captain Nelson Hastings Bright, NZ416975 & 70140



Wing Commander David Manson Crooks, C300083



Squadron Leader Donald Raymond Smith, L77221


Temporary Warrant Officer Second Class Daniel Wilfred Wilson

But who are these gentlemen? I will add my thoughts in this colour next to names


Portrait of an unknown Army Lieutenant, after the award of his MC I cannot find who this was


Portrait of an unknown soldier, after the award of his MBE  I cannot find who this was



Portrait of an unknown Lieutenant Commander, after the award of his MBE I think this is Lieutenant-Commander (Special) lan George McLean, Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, Auckland.



Portrait of an unknown Army Major, after the award of his ED The Efficiency Decoration was not part of the NY Honours List but three were awarded at this investiture, and this is either Major D. Dobson, Major G. Pallo, or Major N. Scott—all of Wellington.



Portrait of an unknown Navy officer, after the award of his MBE I think this is Lieutenant-Commander John Joseph Maire, Royal New Zealand Navy, Auckland.



Portrait of an unknown Flight Sergeant, after the award of his BEM Flight Sergeant Wallace Frederick Cleaver, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Christchurch.



Portrait of an unknown Army Major, after the award of his ED The Efficiency Decoration was not part of the NY Honours List but three were awarded at this investiture, and this is either Major D. Dobson, Major G. Pallo, or Major N. Scott—all of Wellington.



Portrait of an unknown RNZAF Sergeant, after the award of his BEM Flight Sergeant Joseph John Keegan, Royal New Zealand Air Force, Ohakea


Unknown Army Cadet looking at his father's(?) Medal, after the award of his BEM Warrant Officer First Class George Hedley Newcomb, Royal New Zealand Infantry Regiment (Territorial Force), Napier



Portrait of an unknown Major, after the award of his ED The Efficiency Decoration was not part of the NY Honours List but three were awarded at this investiture, and this is either Major D. Dobson, Major G. Pallo, or Major N. Scott—all of Wellington.




NOTE: This one is labeled as Warrant Officer William Twaddle Frickleton Buchanan MM, 72898 but he was in the RNZAF by 1971 and is seen at the top of this post, so this gentleman's name is also unknown. He is wearing Army uniform. No pips on his shoulders or stripes, so likely a Warrant Officer. I believe he is Warrant Officer Second Class David Ernie Dorset, Corps of Royal New Zealand Engineers (Regular Force), Christchurch. See here

[planewriting]

When looking at Antonio's photo of 7 June highlighting RS670 (NZ2357) and reference to NZ2306 in the background, my thought was that that aircraft was NZ2316, I acknowledge from rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/29651/rnzaf-mosquito-codes-matched-serials that '06 was "Y" but do we know what code was worn by NZ2316?

[skyman]

 The 14th medal recipient photo is not Joe Keegan. The 16th photo is Joe Keegan.

 Al.

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Al. Good info.

[Antonio]

Jun 11, 2024 14:20:41 GMT 12 planewriting said:

When looking at Antonio's photo of 7 June highlighting RS670 (NZ2357) and reference to NZ2306 in the background, my thought was that that aircraft was NZ2316, I acknowledge from rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/29651/rnzaf-mosquito-codes-matched-serials that '06 was "Y" but do we know what code was worn by NZ2316?

There was no NZ2316.
I placed the image in the other thread as well

[planewriting]

Quite right Antonio - quite right. Solves my query too...

[davidd]

For sake of completeness, can add following to caption of the 17 Squadron pilots in front of the Kittyhawk (4 pictures above). R H Covic was Robert Anthony - I would guess he was called Bob (or Tony?). B A McHardie was Bruce Allen, take your guess as to his preferred given name. He was killed on following tour with 17 Squdron (P-40) on 1/6/44. McHardie was first shipped overseas on 8/4/42 as a trained pilot, completed courses in UK at 17(P)AFU from 16/8, then to 52 OTU (Spitfire) from 15/9/42, then nothing known till returned to NZ by 20/6/43 (sickness?). Another full FOTU course (at 2 OTU, Ohakea) from 20/9/43, posted to 17 Sqdn 29/10/43. A fuller history in Errol Martyn's For Your Tomorrow, Vol 3, p 334.

[Antonio]

Fantastic latest downloads for us.
(Wellingtonians - check out the Operation Yale Lock series).



2001-093.3L
Awesome pic of NZ3052 in 4 OTU markings with what appears to be a replacement engine cowl (from a P-40E?) and showing the different placement of the RNZAF roundel compared to the original USAAF one.

[Dave Homewood]

Yes those P-40, Corsair and the lone Harvard shots that went online yesterday from the OTUs at Ohakea are superb!

[Deleted]

It really is a goldmine...it's incredible to see what's being unearthed after eighty years (or more)!