Post by Dave Homewood on Sept 18, 2022 18:02:27 GMT 12
Here is some information that will be of interest I'm sure.
I discovered recently that No. 14 Squadron, when it was first reforming as a jet squadron in 1951-52, used Harvards for jet training for its pilots before they moved onto the Vampire. In order to get used to the much faster approach then they'd been experiencing in the Oxfords and Harvards they'd been flying, they did a period of training in Harvards doing flapless approaches and high speed landings.
Now I discover that No. 75 Squadron did the same things when they were converting to Vampires too. And it seems they lost one of their Harvards, NZ1063, in an accident. But NZDF Serials is missing some details.
The entry for NZ1063 simply has "Crashed at Waiouru during Army Co-operation flight at 1125 on 05 November 1952. The aircraft was perforing a low level slow roll when it stalled and dived into the ground. Sergeant Pilot Richard Varney killed. Written off books Ohakea 01 April 1953."
Well two of No. 75 Squadron's pilots were in fact onboard and both perished in the crash. Here is an article from The Press dated the 6th of November 1952:
I am wondering, which other Harvards did No. 75 Squadron operate at that time when they were converting pilots to the jets? Are any of their ones still around now?
I discovered recently that No. 14 Squadron, when it was first reforming as a jet squadron in 1951-52, used Harvards for jet training for its pilots before they moved onto the Vampire. In order to get used to the much faster approach then they'd been experiencing in the Oxfords and Harvards they'd been flying, they did a period of training in Harvards doing flapless approaches and high speed landings.
Now I discover that No. 75 Squadron did the same things when they were converting to Vampires too. And it seems they lost one of their Harvards, NZ1063, in an accident. But NZDF Serials is missing some details.
The entry for NZ1063 simply has "Crashed at Waiouru during Army Co-operation flight at 1125 on 05 November 1952. The aircraft was perforing a low level slow roll when it stalled and dived into the ground. Sergeant Pilot Richard Varney killed. Written off books Ohakea 01 April 1953."
Well two of No. 75 Squadron's pilots were in fact onboard and both perished in the crash. Here is an article from The Press dated the 6th of November 1952:
TWO PILOTS KILLED
R.N.Z.A.F. HARVARD CRASHES
(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 5.
Two sergeant pilots of No. 75 Squadron, Ohakea, were killed when their dual-control training Harvard aircraft crashed at Waiouru Military Camp at 11.25 a.m. today during an Army co-operation exercise. The aircraft was completely wrecked. The two men, who were both aged 20, were:— Sergeant Pilot Richard Gardner Varney, whose mother is Mrs H. Varney, of Mount Eden, Auckland; and
Sergeant Pilot Barry John Fisher, whose next-of-kin is his grandmother, Mrs A. Pratt, of Pahiatua.
No. 75 Squadron, the second jet squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, has been using Harvards as training aircraft before pilots proceed to flying Vampire jets.
Sergeant Pilot Varney was educated at Mount Albert ‘Grammar School, served with the Air Training Corps, completed his compulsory military training with the R.N.Z.A.F. at Taieri, and was accepted for the regular Air Force in October, 1950. He completed his training as a pilot several months ago.
Sergeant Pilot Fisher was educated at the Pahiatua District High School and joined the regular Air Force in November, 1950.
R.N.Z.A.F. HARVARD CRASHES
(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON, November 5.
Two sergeant pilots of No. 75 Squadron, Ohakea, were killed when their dual-control training Harvard aircraft crashed at Waiouru Military Camp at 11.25 a.m. today during an Army co-operation exercise. The aircraft was completely wrecked. The two men, who were both aged 20, were:— Sergeant Pilot Richard Gardner Varney, whose mother is Mrs H. Varney, of Mount Eden, Auckland; and
Sergeant Pilot Barry John Fisher, whose next-of-kin is his grandmother, Mrs A. Pratt, of Pahiatua.
No. 75 Squadron, the second jet squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, has been using Harvards as training aircraft before pilots proceed to flying Vampire jets.
Sergeant Pilot Varney was educated at Mount Albert ‘Grammar School, served with the Air Training Corps, completed his compulsory military training with the R.N.Z.A.F. at Taieri, and was accepted for the regular Air Force in October, 1950. He completed his training as a pilot several months ago.
Sergeant Pilot Fisher was educated at the Pahiatua District High School and joined the regular Air Force in November, 1950.
I am wondering, which other Harvards did No. 75 Squadron operate at that time when they were converting pilots to the jets? Are any of their ones still around now?
