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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2021 10:09:22 GMT 12
Check this out. Barry Fitzgerald of Timaru sent me these photos of his model depicting No. 4 Servicing Unit ground crew members sitting on the wing of P-40N NZ3148 Gloria Lyons. What an amazing model!   The model is based on this famous photo - go HERE for a larger version |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2021 10:12:55 GMT 12
Check out this video of his models on his YouTube channel
Barry is trying to find a copy of Wally Ingham's book "The Avengers". Can anyone help?
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Post by shorty on Mar 22, 2021 11:20:00 GMT 12
I saw Barry's model in Dunedin and was stunned!
I have Wally's book, don't want to get rid of it but happy to copy bits for him
Drop me an email
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Post by hardyakka on Mar 22, 2021 11:51:30 GMT 12
Check this out. Barry Fitzgerald of Timaru sent me these photos of his model depicting No. 4 Servicing Unit ground crew members sitting on the wing of P-40N NZ3148 Gloria Lyons. What an amazing model! The model is based on this famous photo - go HERE for a larger versionAwesome modelling skills! Is there any significance to the fact that the man on the left has a completely different style of boots to the others? What kit in terms of footwear variety was issued back in the day? |
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Post by davidd on Mar 22, 2021 17:21:24 GMT 12
He has captured the look of these men to a "tee", extremely well done that man! Don't think there was any "standard" footwear for airmen working on aircraft in the South Pacific theatre, but a lot of it would be American. A favourite was the one the Americans called the "Boondocker" which probably means a lot to them, but practically nothing to me. It was famous for having a "composition" sole, which allegedly had an almost unlimited life (unusual at the time). The shoe leather was worn "inside out" - that is, the "Kip", or rough-side on outside, smooth on inside, and was only boot (so they say) that was sanctioned for use on aircraft. Hob-nail boots were definitely NOT allowed on aircraft. There is at least one official photo showing an airman wearing leather Roman sandles. I think comfort was pretty important to airmen, not so certain if good grip was considered important.
David D
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Post by Mustang51 on Mar 22, 2021 18:18:08 GMT 12
Right up until they slipped off the wing in the rain wearing "Hong Kong Safety Boots"
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 22, 2021 19:06:05 GMT 12
Don't think there was any "standard" footwear for airmen working on aircraft in the South Pacific theatre, but a lot of it would be American. David D The boots may have been American issue, but most of the boots worn by US servicemen in the Pacific were in fact manufactured in New Zealand and Australia, under 'reverse' Lend Lease contracts. It is interesting how in that photo the long boots seem to be lace-up gumboots. I think boondockers are suede boots, aren't they? |
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Post by Deleted on Mar 22, 2021 23:12:00 GMT 12
What a fantastic diorama, executed so well! I'm glad it's been shared here. Wow.
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Post by wanganui on Mar 23, 2021 3:16:57 GMT 12
Don't think there was any "standard" footwear for airmen working on aircraft in the South Pacific theatre, but a lot of it would be American. David D The boots may have been American issue, but most of the boots worn by US servicemen in the Pacific were in fact manufactured in New Zealand and Australia, under 'reverse' Lend Lease contracts. It is interesting how in that photo the long boots seem to be lace-up gumboots. I think boondockers are suede boots, aren't they? Yes the boondocker boots you're referring to were a mid brown suede with a rubber sole, often they're referred to as Rough Outs and were extremely popular with RNZAF airmen. I have a pair in my collection, made by Goodyear from memory!! |
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Post by harvard1041 on Mar 23, 2021 7:24:52 GMT 12
...sort of diorama we're hoping the AHC get on board with for NZ3220  |
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Post by dewobz on Apr 13, 2022 11:03:48 GMT 12
WOW!!! That's awesome!
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Post by zaphod42 on Apr 13, 2022 19:46:19 GMT 12
Absolutely stunning work! I like to model but I am nowhere near that! Fellow Timaruvian to boot |
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