WONZ 265 - Vampire Month: Mayn Hawkins

[Dave Homewood]

The Wings Over New Zealand Show 265 - Vampire Month: Mayn Hawkins is now available.

In this episode of the WONZ Show, Dave Homewood talks with former RNZAF de Havilland Vampire pilot Mayn Hawkins. He was one of the RNZAF’s early jet pilots, flying the Vampire in New Zealand, Cyprus and Singapore. He also flew the de Havilland Venom at RAF Tengah in Singapore.

Upon return to New Zealand he became an instructor, at No. 1 Flying Training School, and then the Central Flying School. He became the Commanding Officer of the latter unit, and was the most highly rated instructor in the RNZAF. He also flew in and later led the Central Flying School Harvard Aerobatic Team.

Whilst a CFS instructor, Mayn flew a variety of types, such as the Harvard, Devon, Auster, Vampire, Canberra, etc., whilst ensuring standards were being maintained by units of the RNZAF.

On his retirement from the RNZAF he went to TEAL, which later became Air New Zealand. He flew the Lockheed Electra, the Douglas DC-8, the McDonnel Douglas DC-10 and the 747. With his training background he became a training captain at the airline. Among other achievements in the airline, Mayn was pilot on the first Antarctic flight made by Air New Zealand in the DC-10. He then went to Singapore Airlines, where he finished his career before retirement.

Here is the link:
cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/2022/11/wonz-265-vampire-month-mayn-hawkins/

[Venomnut]

Thanks Dave and Mayn. Another great episode and although being Vampire month, I'm really enjoying the Venom content in these interviews.

To expand a little on your question, Dave, regarding the cartridge starter and cartridges...

The starter has two breeches. After the first cartridge has fired the second cartridge is electronically selected (except for early aircraft which a manual selection was required) ready for the next start.

Used cartridges should not be left in the breech for more than 8 hours.

There is stowage for four cartridges in the port inner flap bay for operations away from home base.

 flic.kr/p/2j7ehcG][/url]IMG_8472 by Jason Mills, on Flickr

The bungee cords on VNM1's wing stubs have seen better days!

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks Jason.

Yes the Venom content has been interesting for sure. Both the Vampire and Venom are great topics.

[Dave Homewood]

I am getting some nice feedback from a few people about the Vampire Month episodes. One was this email from Mark Brown. His link is worth a look and the 11-minute audio piece is great!

Hi Dave

My old Dad (89 with Parkinsons) Ray Brown was a Vampire T11 and single seat pilot in 1950s TAF. I wrote up some of his reflections from his Vamp days and actually made a sort of 'radio play' audio piece of one of his 'true stories' of radio failure in weather flying a Vampire.

Here is a link to this. The audio piece is linked there also.

vhjet.com/home/from-the-cockpit/

Thanks Dave
Best
Mark