RNZAF P40 N NZ3253 Code query

[alanw]

Hi All,

Apologies for not being here for a wee while, life/work
have been a tad crazy, which has left little time for much else.

I have a query (on behalf of a foreign friend) re Code Letters on NZ3253?

In the attached link (from P40 Pile), just forward of the fuselage roundel,
are some rather faded letters/numerals.

cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Whitesi.jpg

Question for the Forum Brain Trust, any ideas on what they are?

I have blown up the photo, and the only letters/numerals that are "Possible" to me
are either 32 or very long shot, JZ? (though by the time the N series arrived - JZ Not used?)

NZ3253 having served with 4 (F) OTU could have worn "OD", but there is no individual
Letter aft of the Roundel, and the blown up image doesn't look like an OD

Again from P40 Pile link to forward photo of NZ3253 with T-29 on cowl

www.asisbiz.com/il2/P-40/RNZAF/images/USAAF-43-23247-Curtiss-P-40N-Kittyhawk-RNZAF-4-Operational-Training-Unit-T29-NZ3256-at-Ohakea-01.jpg

Any help on this, much appreciated

Thanks/regards

Alan

[Dave Homewood]

Foreign fiend? Should we be giving out such information? Sounds like some baddie in a 1930's spy thriller.

[Dave Homewood]

The letters are JZ- and the codes were used on P-40Ns at the Fighter Gunnery School, at RNZAF Station Ardmore, in 1944. NZ3253 was certainly with the FGS Ardmore.

I think either that second photo shows it visiting Ohakea from Ardmore, or after the FGS finished with that aircraft it moved to Ohakea and joined an OTU there.

[Dave Homewood]

Realising that the photo of NZ3253 at Ohakea is most likely still in its Fighter Gunnery School, Ardmore, colours, then that lends another piece of evidence to my theory that the two-tone spinner was a FGS marking.

rnzaf.proboards.com/thread/28759/new-rnzaf-40-theory

[alanw]

Sept 12, 2022 12:34:23 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Foreign fiend? Should we be giving out such information? Sounds like some baddie in a 1930's spy thriller.

Hi Dave

Should have (now does) read "friend" -I'll blame it on
the head cold

Thank you so much for that information on NZ3253, especially
with the JZ code and being with the FGS at Ardmore
( I read your whole thread on New RNZAF P40 Theory - great stuff!!)

Knowing that now, makes for a cool looking model theme too... I'm picking
the JZ codes would be either Sky or NZ Sky Grey?

Thanks so much

Kind regards

Alan

[Dave Homewood]

Sept 12, 2022 13:56:09 GMT 12 alanw said:

Sept 12, 2022 12:34:23 GMT 12 Dave Homewood said:

Foreign fiend? Should we be giving out such information? Sounds like some baddie in a 1930's spy thriller.

Hi Dave

Should have (now does) read "friend" -I'll blame it on the head cold

A dastardly fiend, that cold. Get well soon.

Thank you so much for that information on NZ3253, especially with the JZ code and being with the FGS at Ardmore

No problem, always happy to help where I can. The more obscure P-40 schemes are a fascination for me.

( I read your whole thread on New RNZAF P40 Theory - great stuff!!)

Thanks. I really would like to discover more evidence, to see if my theory has any basis in fact about the spinner markings being a FGS marking. Would be nice if some FGS Gisborne/Ardmore photos came out of the woodwork.

Knowing that now, makes for a cool looking model theme too... I'm picking the JZ codes would be either Sky or NZ Sky Grey?

Agreed, it would look quite good. I am thinking the codes will be the Sky blue colour like as seen on NZ3220. Maybe.

[alanw]

Agreed, it would look quite good. I am thinking the codes will be the Sky blue colour like as seen on NZ3220. Maybe.

Thanks for the above Dave

I have a 1/32 P40N in the stash, might be a good Summer build, as NZ3253 in
those FGS colours

Regards

Alan