Brian Darrah's Fantastic 1950's Coloured RNZAF Slides

[Dave Homewood]

Huge thanks to Brendon Deere, who has sent me the following amazing coloured slides that were taken in the 1950's by Brian "Slim" Darrah at Ohakea and in Cyprus. They were sent to Brendon by Brian's son Neil Darrah, who has given Brendon permission to pass them onto me to share here. These are sensational.

First up, shots from what I believe to have been all taken at the Air Force Day at RNZAF Station Ohakea on the 29th of March 1958:

[Dave Homewood]

And these I believe were all taken in Cyprus or nearby, during No. 14 Squadron's posting to the Middle East in the mid-late 1950's.







This one could actually be Ohakea, hard to tell.






















I am not sure where this airfield was but I do not think it is Cyprus




And these are my absolute favourites - these slides prove how wonderfully colourful No. 14 Squadron's Vampires actually were! Some with red trim and some with blue (likely denoting A and B Flights I am sure), plus some with red or black rudders, and yellow tailplanes, and even a camouflaged example! Bearing in mind that other photos show very cool nose art on a lot of these aircraft, it would be great to match up some of the colours to the artworks. Modellers will be very interested in these, I am sure.


WR106 - Delivered 26 March 1952.
With No.8 Squadron, RAF.
To No.14 Squadron, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Aircraft hired from RAF and stationed in Cyprus as part of the Middle East Air Force.
Squadron strength of 16 aircraft was comprised of various aircraft at different times from 1952-1955.
Returned to RAF with No.8 Squadron.
Sold for scrap on 06 September 1957.



WX220 - Delivered 10 March 1953.
To No.14 Squadron, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Aircraft hired from RAF and stationed in Cyprus as part of the Middle East Air Force.
Coded "C" and named Cupid.
Squadron strength of 16 aircraft was comprised of various aircraft at different times from 1952-1955.
Returned to RAF with No.107 Maintenance Unit, Kasfareet on 19 March 1955.
Sold for scrap on 06 September 1957.

WR119 - Delivered 31 March 1952.
To No.14 Squadron, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Aircraft hired from RAF and stationed in Cyprus as part of the Middle East Air Force.
Coded "D" and named Dingbat.
Squadron strength of 16 aircraft was comprised of various aircraft at different times from 1952-1955.
Returned to RAF with No.107 Maintenance Unit, Kasfareet on 18 February 1955.
Sold for scrap on 06 September 1957.



WR111 - Delivered 31 March 1952.
To No.14 Squadron, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Aircraft hired from RAF and stationed in Cyprus as part of the Middle East Air Force.
Coded "I" and named Irene.
Squadron strength of 16 aircraft was comprised of various aircraft at different times from 1952-1955.
Returned to RAF with No.107 Maintenance Unit, Kasfareet on 18 February 1955.
Sold for scrap on 06 September 1957.

WR195 - Delivered 20 June 1952.
To No.14 Squadron, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Aircraft hired from RAF and stationed in Cyprus as part of the Middle East Air Force. Squadron strength of 16 aircraft was comprised of various aircraft at different times from 1952-1955.
Returned to RAF with No.107 Maintenance Unit, Kasfareet on 19 March 1955.
Sold for scrap 25 October 1957

WG928 - Delivered 08 February 1952.
With No.4 Flying Traing School, RAF.
To No.14 Squadron, Nicosia, Cyprus.
Aircraft hired from RAF and stationed in Cyprus as part of the Middle East Air Force.
Coded "N".
Squadron strength of 16 aircraft was comprised of various aircraft at different times from 1952-1955.
Returned to RAF with No.107 Maintenance Unit on 09 March 1955.
To No.4 and No.7 Flying Training Schools.
Sold for scrap on 13 September 1960.

WZ516 - Delivered 20 April 1953. To No.14 Squadron, Nicosia, Cyprus in November 1953.
Aircraft hired from RAF and stationed in Cyprus for instrument flying and flight checks.
Coded "Z".
One aircraft only replacing Meteor T.7 WH206.
Returned to RAF at Nicosia in March 1955.
To RAF Central Flying School.
To Royal Air Force college. Sold for scrap on 05 October 1960.

[Dave Homewood]

Again, a huge thanks to Neil Darrah for allowing these to be shared, and to Brendon Deere for making it happen. Also thanks to Brian Darrah for photographing these wonderfully historic photos.

It goes to show there must be loads more really interesting photos and slides out there in people's cupboards, albums and boxes.

[phil]

If my memory serves me, Slim was an Armourer. I believe he was a regular at Ohakea St Barbara's day celebrations.

[steveh]

Wonderful photos Dave, the Cyprus ones especially. The Vampire colours are most welcome, the Pak AF Sea Furys, delivery flight?, look pretty damn cool too. As for the Ohakea ones, wow, what a collection.
Steve.

[Dave Homewood]

This shot was scanned the wrong way around, and Brendon has kindly sent it again the right way:

[davidd]

Those RAAF Lincolns and RNZAF Harvards are, of course, at Wigram, though I am not prepared to guess a date at this stage! And the twin-engined machines with target tug markings are rare beasties, cannot recall their name at the moment. Somebody out there must already be busy looking them up in their Observers Book of Aircraft dated in the mid-1950s I would imagine. Certainly a treasure trove of wonderful views on this thread. Many thanks to all who have contributed, does show that they 1950s were a colourful decade.

[Mustang51]

I'm here in UK but guessing Short Sturgeon............I shall stand corrected....

[baz62]

Jun 9, 2022 21:53:51 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

This shot was scanned the wrong way around, and Brendon has kindly sent it again the right way:

Trying to decide where the aircraft are parked. Wondering if it's on the tarmac running along the side of 6 and 7 hangars? That's where the US Deep Freeze aircraft were usually parked.
Stunning photos. Just reinforces what treasures are still out there! Thanks Brendon Deere and Neil!

[davidd]

I think Mustang51 is correct with that identification.

[tbf2504]

The unidentified airfield is Changi at Singapore. No.41 Squadron was to eventually occupy the area on the end of the asphalt runway (middle right of picture)

[Mustang51]

Unbelievable....colour shots of Pakistani Furys on delivery !!!!!!!!! This Forum is GOLD !!!

[JollyGreenSlugg]

The shots with the F-84 Thunderjets, C-121 Globemaster, VB-17 Flying Fortress, and KB-29 Superfortress were taken during ‘Operation Handclap 2’, a goodwill endurance trip undertaken from Japan to Australia and New Zealand in May-June 1955. The straight-wing Thunderjets were gone by 1957, and the B-17, 44-83798, wasn’t one of the ex-VIP B-17s that survived long enough to become a gate guard.

[Dave Homewood]

Indeed, thanks Matt, there may be a mix of different Ohakea events in there.

And backing up what Paul said about the airfield being at Changi, I just received this email:

Hi Dave,

I'm certain that the attached shot is RAF Changi looking towards Johore, Malaysia.
Mid left is the RAF's Eastern Dispersal and on the right is the Western Dispersal where RNZAF 41 Sqn set up camp from 1955 till 1971.
This shot was taken nearly 20 years later from a similar location.

Regards,
Gary Danvers

[Dave Homewood]

Jun 9, 2022 19:13:53 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Peter Arnold identified this location as "The 13th slide looks to be taken on Malta. The Mdina viewed from Takali airfield."

[Dave Homewood]

Brendon has sent another photo, this time it came from Brian Darrah's photo album rather than a slide. It's not known where the location is, or if Brian took this himself. Does anyone recognise the airport or the photo?

[Dave Homewood]

I knew I'd seen that shot before, here it is on the back page on New Zealand Wings magazine. Apparently at the Cocos & Keeling Island, 1962.

[delticman]

Jun 10, 2022 7:25:52 GMT 12 baz62 said:

Jun 9, 2022 21:53:51 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

This shot was scanned the wrong way around, and Brendon has kindly sent it again the right way:

Trying to decide where the aircraft are parked. Wondering if it's on the tarmac running along the side of 6 and 7 hangars? That's where the US Deep Freeze aircraft were usually parked.


The Hills are too close for Harewood as it would have been then.

Is it not Wigram? but then looking at the hill at left, is it Taieri? Perhaps not the grass is not green enough.

[Dave Homewood]

It's 100% definitely Wigram. Look at the exact same hill outline taken from Google Streetview looking from the over-bridge at Wigram these days.

[baz62]

Yep definitly Wigram. My comment regarding Operation Deep Freeze was mentioned as they were based at Wigram at times.