davidm
Warrant Officer
Posts: 30 
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Post by davidm on Apr 3, 2007 23:47:25 GMT 12
Does anyone have anything on J. D. 'Wac' Whiteman's July 16 1953 SYD-AK record flight in CAC Mustang VH-BVM/A68-5? I have a few bit and pieces of data and a few images but all are from the Aussie side of the ditch where it was front page news on the day. I assume the press in NZ gave it some coverage and would be interested in anything that describes the flight and/or the aircraft.
TIA
David M
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Post by Peter Lewis on Apr 4, 2007 9:13:40 GMT 12
Try the book:
Jillett, Leslie. Wings across the Tasman, 1928-1953. (Wellington, N.Z.) A.H. & A.W. Reed, 1953.
I read it years ago (and don't now have a copy) but from memory there was a chapter on Whiteman's flight.
Apart from that, the NZ Herald newspaper for around that date would have info - your public library may be able to organise access.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Apr 4, 2007 9:25:34 GMT 12
Hi David. Aero Magazine January/March 2007 issue had an article on Ron Flockhart, who purchased CAC CA-17 Mustang Mk.20 VH-BVM from one Arnold Glass. Ex A68-5, it was purchased with only 35 hours by JLD Whiteman for 100 pounds, 30 January 1953. The article goes on to say that Whiteman intended to use the Mustang in the London to Christchurch Air Race in 1953. As a test for the aircraft, Whiteman used the Mustang in a speed record Sydney to Auckland, registering a record 3 hours 13 minutes. Whiteman realised the Mustang wouldnt have the legs to comete with the jets in the Air Race, and withdrew. He sold the aircraft to Glass, who in turn sold it to Flockhart. The aircraft later suffered engine trouble and force-landed in Athens. Flockhart later lost his life in another Mustang, VH-UWB ex-A68-113.
This may not be new information to you, so apologies if so. The author if the article was Eric Allen, maybe he may have access to more information on the Mustang's past with Whiteman?
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Post by flyjoe180 on Apr 4, 2007 9:29:43 GMT 12
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Post by Peter Lewis on Apr 4, 2007 21:08:40 GMT 12
Ah yes, good point Joe - I'd forgotten about Whiteman as an entrant for the air race. A scan from the appropriate page of the air race program follows. It seems, from the bio included, that Whiteman was actually a kiwi. Arnold Glass, that's a Name from the past. The biggest wheeler-dealer car salesman in Sydney during the 1960s/1970s. Australia's version of Colin Giltrap.  |
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Post by peterbright on Jun 21, 2007 17:59:36 GMT 12
Greetings.
I have a coloured photo of the mustang in question here. (G-ARKD) If someone can tell/show me how to post it I will post it.
My father took it while he was in Darwin with the RAAF in 1961.
cheers
Peter Brighton
destino@pipeline.com.au
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 21, 2007 18:12:16 GMT 12
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Post by turboNZ on Jun 23, 2007 21:46:56 GMT 12
Just reading that scan,..top speed of 550mph with the ramjets !!!
Wow,..that's quite unreal, that's close to Gloster Meteor speeds of the same period.
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Post by beagle on Jun 24, 2007 21:04:23 GMT 12
So what officially is the fasted time for an aircraft, civillian and military to fly from sydney to auckland.
Air NZ did have it for a while with one of their B767's.
A good tail wind and I am pretty sure it would be under 2 hours actual flight time.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jun 25, 2007 17:12:47 GMT 12
I would have thought Concorde would have held a record for that trip?
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Post by corsair67 on Jun 25, 2007 17:32:09 GMT 12
Helen Clark - in a Concorde - on the way to a rugby match at Eden Park? ;D
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Post by Peter Lewis on Jun 25, 2007 19:52:23 GMT 12
How about:  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 25, 2007 22:11:21 GMT 12
Interesting cutting Peter. Any idea of the date?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 14, 2007 23:16:15 GMT 12
Peter Brighton has just sent me his coloured photo. Here it is - superb eh! It would make a great model colour scheme.  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 14, 2007 23:17:57 GMT 12
Oh and peter says he has a high resolution version if anyone needs it. His email is above.
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