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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 13, 2023 11:36:41 GMT 12
Who were in the crews that ferried the sixteen Short Sunderland Mk. Vs from Britain to New Zealand/Fiji back in 1953 and 1954?
All I can find is that they were RNZAF crews, flown to Britain to pick them up. Did the same crews do several ferry flights?
Is there a list of crew for each aircraft's ferry to New Zealand?
And what was the route they took?
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Post by camtech on Aug 13, 2023 12:13:48 GMT 12
Dave, all I have are some of the captains names, from station diaries, etc. I'll dig them out later today.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 13, 2023 12:24:29 GMT 12
Thanks.
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Post by camtech on Aug 13, 2023 14:33:11 GMT 12
NZ4110 - arrived NZ 5 Oct 1953 (Flt Lt Tomkin)
NZ4112 - arrived NZ 2 Nov 1953 (Flt Lt Clarke)
NZ4115 - arrived NZ 17 Nov 1953 (Fg Off D Flintoff)
NZ4117 - arrived NZ 8 May 1955 (Flt Lt Watson) last one to arrive.
NZ4118 - arrived NZ 13 May 1954 (Flt Lt Clarke)
NZ4119 - arrived NZ 22 Apr 1954 (Fg Off Bray)
NZ4120 - arrived NZ 5 May 1954 (Fg Off Patterson.
Those are from Whenuapai/Hobsonville Station diaries.
Some of the others went direct to Fiji.
Further edit NZ4105 1st to arrive direct to Fiji 13 Jun 1953
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 13, 2023 16:18:33 GMT 12
Thanks. I wonder if any of these captains are still alive, or any of their crew members.
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Post by falcon124 on Aug 13, 2023 18:03:54 GMT 12
Dereck Flintoff was one of the pilots my father flew with (and had plenty of stories with  ) but I note that he and about half the others here on the list are also appearing on the 5SQN Association Last Post page. Good luck with your search, there may be one or two crew still with us. www.5sqnassn.org.nz/lastpost.html |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 13, 2023 19:38:47 GMT 12
I think there may be still some 1950s Catalina veterans around, I assume they were the same crews that went onto the Sunderlands. It would be good to record a few of their stories if there are any. I am sure they are growing thinner on the ground now.
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Post by falcon124 on Aug 15, 2023 9:59:37 GMT 12
I just heard from one of Dad's RNZAF mates and he thinks Master F/E Eddie Brown may still be alive. He was English and lived in the mess at Hobsonville but may have returned to England after the Sunderlands retired. Perhaps the 5SQN Association could help put you in contact if he's still with us? PS: Dad's friend says Eddie was a great cook & used to carry all his own condiments & spices |
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) but I note that he and about half the others here on the list are also appearing on the 5SQN Association Last Post page. Good luck with your search, there may be one or two crew still with us.