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Post by corsair5517 on Feb 10, 2021 10:31:02 GMT 12
Hey troops...
I have a chap who is looking to find out about the a/n, an RNZAF pilot in the Solomons 44 & 45.
Can anyone help??
Thanks
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Post by errolmartyn on Feb 10, 2021 10:40:54 GMT 12
Hey troops... I have a chap who is looking to find out about the a/n, an RNZAF pilot in the Solomons 44 & 45. Can anyone help?? Thanks Enlisted as NZC437341 Vance Kevin RUSSELL at Omaka as an AC2 and ACH (ATC), 14 May 43. Errol |
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Post by delticman on Feb 10, 2021 11:44:04 GMT 12
Hey troops... I have a chap who is looking to find out about the a/n, an RNZAF pilot in the Solomons 44 & 45. Can anyone help?? Thanks Enlisted as NZC437341 Vance Kevin RUSSELL at Omaka as an AC2 and ACH (ATC), 14 May 43. Errol Vance K Russell, 25/01/1925-26/01/1999. Was an Air Traffic Contoller at Wanganui 1960's thru 1970's. |
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Post by baronbeeza on Feb 10, 2021 12:34:37 GMT 12
Artist, born in Lower Hutt. Educated at Nelson College. Enlisted with the RNZAF during World War II. Served in in the Pacific. Drew cartoons for newspapers including the Free Lance ca 1956. Worked as an air traffic controller from 1957-1980, when he retired to Whitby, and took up painting of the "natural realism" school. natlib.govt.nz/records/22371096 |
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Post by corsair5517 on Feb 10, 2021 13:18:16 GMT 12
Ahhh, but you're a good bunch!!
Thanks ever so much...
... and I wonder if my uncle Pat Stokes knew him; Pat was invalided out of Singapore just before it fell - he was seconded to the RAF on Blenheims there - and was permanently grounded... he was the ATC on Norfolk Is until demob, thence ATC at Momona till his death in the mid 70s.
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Post by delticman on Feb 10, 2021 13:54:41 GMT 12
Ahhh, but you're a good bunch!! Thanks ever so much... ... and I wonder if my uncle Pat Stokes knew him; Pat was invalided out of Singapore just before it fell - he was seconded to the RAF on Blenheims there - and was permanently grounded... he was the ATC on Norfolk Is until demob, thence ATC at Momona till his death in the mid 70s. Vance K flew Corsairs in the Pacific. I think he came to Wanganui about the time the DC-3 services started. The chief controller was a guy called Tom Fox. |
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Post by davidd on Feb 10, 2021 14:41:16 GMT 12
Quick synopsis of most of the flying career of V K Russell: trained in NZ, advanced training at Woodbourne (Course 50B, 2 SFTS, Harvard), to NCO cse 6/9/44, then to fighter training @ Ohakea (2 OTU, P-40) 30/9/44, to Corsair conversion, Ardmore from 25/11/44, to Aircrew Pool 16/12, to 18 Sqdn (Ardmore) 4/1/45; completed 2 tours in South/Southwest Pacific between Jan and Aug 45, tfd to Reserve D 14/11/45, to General Reserve 4/9/50, discharged 15/1/57.
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Post by McFly on Feb 10, 2021 15:45:03 GMT 12
A couple of examples of his artwork (apologies for the small file size..) "Copy of an acrylic painting by Vance K. Russell 'Corsair Landing'." (MUS050631)  "Oil painting by V.K. Russell, 'Corsair, Harvard, Tiger Moth, Kittyhawk'." (MUS030569)  (Air Force Museum Collection) |
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Post by buzzrick on Jul 23, 2021 17:30:20 GMT 12
Vance was my grandfather. An amazing bloke, who I still consider my hero. After he retired he became a full time artist, mostly painting sceneries from all around the world. I still have many of his paintings on my walls at home, including this one, which is my favourite.  Corsairs(sorry for the bad cropping) I have a couple of other photos from his Air Force days   I would also be keen to hear any other information from his time flying in the Pacific. |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 23, 2021 23:22:28 GMT 12
Great stuff Buzzrick. Do you or anyone in the family happen to have his Flying Logbook?
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Post by buzzrick on Jul 24, 2021 16:36:36 GMT 12
Yes! My mum has it. I'm going to borrow it and scan it in to a PDF or something, and I'll post it here if you like.
It might take me a couple of months though, we won't get together until October before I can get it.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 24, 2021 16:52:05 GMT 12
Fantastic! Thanks! I'd love a copy when you have scanned it, thanks.
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Post by delticman on Jul 24, 2021 23:36:25 GMT 12
Fantastic! Thanks! I'd love a copy when you have scanned it, thanks. Is you mum, Gaylene? |
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Post by buzzrick on Jul 25, 2021 16:38:46 GMT 12
Haha, yes! Gaylene Holt is my mum. I'm her son, Beric Holt.
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toycollector10
Leading Aircraftman
RNZAF Base Wigram, 1972. 2TTS.
Posts: 5 
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Post by toycollector10 on Sept 11, 2022 16:40:02 GMT 12
Vance was my grandfather. An amazing bloke, who I still consider my hero. After he retired he became a full time artist, mostly painting sceneries from all around the world. I still have many of his paintings on my walls at home, including this one, which is my favourite. Corsairs(sorry for the bad cropping) I have a couple of other photos from his Air Force days I would also be keen to hear any other information from his time flying in the Pacific. |
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toycollector10
Leading Aircraftman
RNZAF Base Wigram, 1972. 2TTS.
Posts: 5
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Post by toycollector10 on Sept 11, 2022 16:46:30 GMT 12
I worked at the Wanganui control tower in 1974. Vance was an Air Traffic Controller there. Tom Fox who was also ex RNZAF (India) worked there as well. Vance and I used to talk about his war experiences but in hindsight, I never asked him enough questions. I was only 21 years old probably the same age that Vance was when on active duty. I do remember he still had his moustache. He described straffing and bombing Japanese troops in PNG. He said the natives called the Corsair the "Pick, pick, dick, dick, bird" Pick pick being pissing or machine gunning and dick dick being bombs (shitting.) What a life he must had had with the RNZAF. A top troop. Mark Bryant, Christchurch
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chook
Flying Officer
Posts: 64
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Post by chook on Nov 15, 2023 15:50:36 GMT 12
I've just stumbled across this thread when I googled the name of an artist (VKR) of a landscape painting my Aunt left me many years ago. It was interesting reading Vance was a flying Corsairs in 18 Squadron. My Father also was in 18 Squadron but I'd say he would have left by the time Vance joined (Father completed the first three tours of 18 and was back in NZ later 44 and 45). Also I spent my high school years at Nelson College so a few coincidences here. Its one of my favourite paintings although I have no idea where it is set, looks like Akaroa.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 15, 2023 21:47:46 GMT 12
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Post by buzzrick on May 7, 2024 10:13:40 GMT 12
Those are great paintings thanks Zac. I remember seeing photos of them as a kid, but I'm not sure I ever saw the originals. It's great to see them being donated to the Wanganui Aero club.
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Post by buzzrick on Jun 4, 2024 11:21:51 GMT 12
FYI I've added a bunch of details to the 1945 daily reports thread with notes from Vance's flight logbook that I found interesting (and a couple of photos) |
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