Aeroplane Scrap From Blenheim

[Dave Homewood]

An article I just came across in The Press from 29th of July 1943 that may be of interest:

AEROPLANE SCRAP FROM BLENHEIM

CHRISTCHURCH DEALER’S PURCHASE

FATE NOT YET DECIDED

Several loads of aeroplane scrap purchased at Blenheim, the fate of which will depend on an official ruling from Wellington, have been brought to Christchurch by Mr L. E. Edwards, a scrap metal and bottle dealer, who is now owner of the Kaiwarra’s coal. Reference to the purchase was made at the sitting of the No. 3 Transport Licensing Authority (Mr T. H. Langford) yesterday by Mr J. D. Hutchison, who appeared for Edwards to obtain a licence for the handling of scrap metal and bottles between the Conway and Rangitata rivers, subject to the 30-miles rail restriction regulation.

Adding that Mr Langford might be aware of the purchase of a quantity of aeroplane scrap at Blenheim, Mr Hutchinson said that Edwards had held a special licence to make the journey and asked if it was necessary to apply for a branch of the other scrap metal licence to enable such scrap to be carried from Blenheim. Mr Hutchison said that the Kaiwarra coal might possibly be transported by barges or by road, and he asked about the position of a licence in the latter event. Mr Langford said that a special licence could be applied for in either case when the time arose.

Questioned by a reporter later about the aeroplane scrap. Mr C. S. Sapsford, district officer of the Department of Industries and Commerce, said that a quantity had arrived in the city recently and authority from Wellington as to the disposal of the metal was still awaited.

[Dave Homewood]

And I found this advert from later, in the OTAGO DAILY TIMES, 7 SEPTEMBER 1949

[Dave Homewood]

And this from the OTAGO DAILY TIMES, 30 AUGUST 1949

[camtech]

Mr Edwards acquired 9 Hudsons ex WARB Tenders at Woodbourne (2008, 2015, 2049, 2069) in 1947 and a further 2 (2035, 2060) in 1949, then also 6 (2010, 2013, 2016, 2031, 2059, 2079) at Taieri in 1949.
The AF380 shows Mr Edwards purchasing 5 Hudsons at Woodbourne in 1947 (NZ2068 is the extra one).

[Dave Homewood]

And of them NZ2013, NZ2031, NZ2035 and NZ2049 are now all in museums, so it's great that he actually probably unintentionally saved some from scrapping.

[Dave Homewood]

So the P-40's he got were NZ3028, NZ3032, NZ3093 and NZ3095.

[Dave Homewood]

He got two Venturas, NZ4592 and NZ4593.

And he purchased 24 of the Dauntless.

[denysjones]

Dave,

The AHSNZ history of the Hudsons says that Edwards' first block was five a/c including 2068 (Nov 12 1947). In respect of the Taieri block it says the last two were 2039 and 2089 not 2059 and 2079 but it individually id's 2010 going to R H Caley, 2013 to J W Clark, 2031 to W Carr and the other 3 to Edwards which I'd read as implying they were sold as 6 individuals not as a block block. (Edwards is also cited as buying 2026 ex Wigram in Sept 1948)

Which sources are right?

I've also made the assumption that 2060 was on-sold by Edwards to my uncle Bert Crouch of Blenheim as the most likely candidate given it was in 1949 and based on family dates relating to my uncle moving to Blenheim.

[Dave Homewood]

Who wrote the AHSNZ history that you cite Denys?

[denysjones]

Some chap called Duxbury...I believe known to this parish

[camtech]

Nov 6, 2020 8:11:36 GMT 12 denysjones said:

Dave,

In respect of the Taieri block it says the last two were 2039 and 2089 not 2059 and 2079



Quite correct - an error in my records, now corrected. Cross checked with AF380 - confirmed. '59 and "79 went to Asplin.

NZ2026 was indeed sold to Edwards, from Wigram as a hulk - it is noted as crash landed at Wigram.

[camtech]

Nov 6, 2020 8:11:36 GMT 12 denysjones said:

Dave,

The AHSNZ history of the Hudsons says that Edwards' first block was five a/c including 2068 (Nov 12 1947). In respect of the Taieri block it says the last two were 2039 and 2089 not 2059 and 2079 but it individually id's 2010 going to R H Caley, 2013 to J W Clark, 2031 to W Carr and the other 3 to Edwards which I'd read as implying they were sold as 6 individuals not as a block block. (Edwards is also cited as buying 2026 ex Wigram in Sept 1948)

Which sources are right?

I've also made the assumption that 2060 was on-sold by Edwards to my uncle Bert Crouch of Blenheim as the most likely candidate given it was in 1949 and based on family dates relating to my uncle moving to Blenheim.

What issue, please? still some detail off AF380 not making sense.

[denysjones]

December 1996,June 1997 and December 1997 where the first two are the Chronology and the last deals with colours and modifications.

Unfortunately I don't have a pristine original just a somewhat poor copy but perhaps someone else hereon can help with a scan for you.

[camtech]

Thanks for that - I'll go dig them out.

[30sqnatc]

With this talk of aircraft parts disposal this is where the main wheels from four Mosquitos went. Aircraft scrap - this is where the main wheels of four Mossies went.

fullsizeoutput_1a8f by tankienz, on Flickr

Note in 1991 the transporter wagon was still in existence 'on a local farm'.

[camtech]

Just had a quick re-read of the Hudson article, and note that although the record shows 21 Hudsons being sold by tender 2 Mar 1948, the notice in newspapers advertising this tender quotes 23 aircraft. Another little hiccup! I believe David's article and the AF380 got it right and only 21 were actually available. I guess a typo by someone in the process.

Also I note a photo in an edition of the Otago Daily Times, 4 October 1948, showing 6 Hudson aircraft parked at Taieri and apparently are being stripped by air force staff of usable items. NZ2016 is one, another coded "H", 5 are stripped of camouflage, with one still in camouflage.

[denysjones]

Good luck!

Now I know it is scope creep but re the comment about mossie wheels...way back in time one Saturday a chap who at that time was operating the bakery at Ferrymead rocked into the workshop and said "Jonesy show me those Mosquito wheels you've got" which I did. He then said "I've found you four more".

He was a sales rep for DYC (as in vinegar) and had been to a client in Waltham suburb and opposite the client's site (down a driveway off the main street) was an open section overgrown but on which he spied two units of very large steel members with two wheels on each...said wheels being mossie as it turned out.

The story was a guy had a business importing bakers' ovens to CHC and these two units were what would be called jinkers in transport terms and he used to take them over to Lyttelton then lower the ovens onto them and tow them to the recipient bakery. In between jobs the units reposed on said site but eventually the trade demised and the units were abandoned there.

The next Saturday baker and I staged a daylight midnight recovery

[30sqnatc]

A Mosquito wheeled jinker like this West Coast forest example.

26194-max by tankienz, on Flickr

[Dave Homewood]

Interesting how wide these items spread when sold off, and how some bits are still turning up.

[baz62]

Yes, the Hudson Undercarriage, complete with wheel and tire which Anthony and I took up to Omaka for Bill Reid was from one of at least two Hudsons that came to the Canterbury area. Anthony might know which one perhaps? Ended up with farmer and Auster owners Les Vincent which is where Anthony got it from. There must be more items still on farms out there.