Army and RNZN Aircrew

[Gareth]

Can again one help?
Did the NZ Army have and aviation regiment and therefore Pilots and Aircrew? If so what and when? When did it all start and stop, what aircrew trades were there and what Brevet was worn?
Met a Officer while i was in the RNZAF who wore Army Wings and said he was a Pilot in the Army flying Helicopters before they and him transfered to the RNZAF. does anyone have information on the NZ Army unit
When did the RNZN start Flying? I assume when the Wasp was purchased, when was that?
thanks for your help

[vgp]

not 100% sure but 3sqn rnzaf was known as 3 ( battlefield Support) Squadron (name changed to 3 sqn RNZAF when the army Pilot ceased)- was known as - due to the Tri-service aircrew I think it ended for army pilots in the seventies and they primarily only flew the Sioux in observation/recce role , although another unit known as the NZ Army air corps(territorial Unit) stayed in excistence till the mid 90s but they were only a non-aircrew communications unit that deployed were 3 sqn went, occasionally acted as huey crew if needed too.

a Photo of army pilots wing is located on this page www.diggerhistory.info/pages-badges/new_zealand2.htm

the wasp were purchased in 1966

as I said not 100% sure of this thou.

[sniff]

I think the last army pilot is Brigadier Warren Whiting; he trained in the 80s. Army pilots did an abbreviated wings course going from the Harvard/CT4 direct to the Sioux. Hence any army pilot who went light blue had to go back and do a full pilots course. All army pilots were posted to 3 Sqn (3 BSS), but only stayed for a limited time before returning to their corps, which is when most enlisted in the RNZAF. As the number of Sioux diminished, they could not support the Light Observation/Waiouru Taxi roles, and were only used in the training role.
Navy pilots do the full wings course and then go to the Sioux and then on to the Wasp/Seasprite. Many navy pilots went to the RN/RAN and flew multi-crew before flying the Wasp, which was single pilot/crewman and demanding flying at night/imc/rolling deck! They got some experience before being sent to sea on their own, on a frigate. Navy pilots also flew the Huey, as did RNZAF pilots fly the navy helos, but again, quite a few navy pilots did go light blue too. Navy were posted to Naval Flight, 3 Sqn. When 3 Sqn moved to Ohakea, the Seasprites formed as 6 Sqn, which was originally the RNZAF maritime training squadron based at Hobby. Seaprite has a pilot, observer(Nav/Air Warfare officer) and crewman.

[phil82]

If you saw that bit on TV recently about the dog-tags of a NZ soldier found by a little French girl, you would have seen said Brigadier Whiting who is now the NZ Defence Attache in London.

[vgp]

Navy pilots do the full wings course and then go to the Sioux and then on to the Wasp/Seasprite. Many navy pilots went to the RN/RAN and flew multi-crew before flying the Wasp, which was single pilot/crewman and demanding flying at night/imc/rolling deck! They got some experience before being sent to sea on their own, on a frigate. Navy pilots also flew the Huey,

Note: Navy pilots now spend 2 Years with 3 sqn Flying the Huey (multi Skill etc)after getting their wings then move onto the Seasprite, and Navy Taccos(observers) are given very Basic Flight Training on the Seasprite just enough to fly it if the Pilot is incapacitated.

[flyjoe180]

If you saw that bit on TV recently about the dog-tags of a NZ soldier found by a little French girl, you would have seen said Brigadier Whiting who is now the NZ Defence Attache in London

www.stuff.co.nz/4402989a11.html

[vgp]

additionally from the WOW website: Several NZ Army pilots flew Bell 47 observation helicopters with the Australian Army.

[30sqnatc]

See www.161recceflt.org.au/Honours/honours.htm for two NZ Army Air Corps pilots who were decorated while serving with 161 Rece Ft in Vietnam.

Paul

[sniff]

I thought Bill Flanag(h)an was RNZAF - note FLTLT stripes in pic? If he wasnt Air then, I am sure he changed service....

but not sure about Mr Steel, seems to nave "New Zealand" flashes on zoom bag, which may suggest army??? Not a name I know.

[30sqnatc]

sniff said:

I thought Bill Flanag(h)an was RNZAF - note FLTLT stripes in pic? If he wasnt Air then, I am sure he changed service....

but not sure about Mr Steel, seems to nave "New Zealand" flashes on zoom bag, which may suggest army??? Not a name I know.

Yes the rank slides seemed strange for a Captain. Steel definitely was an NZ Army Infantry Officer who served for many years after Vietnam

[30sqnatc]

The seems to confirm he was Army. See www.161recceflt.org.au/Honours/DFC/William_Bevil_Flanagan/William_Bevil_Flanagan.htm

[corsair67]

Did NZ Army pilots also fly Austers in the RNZAF during the 1960s?

[30sqnatc]

Yes, I spoke to a former Colonel David Grant who flew Austers. An Army pilot, Lt Cousens (spelling?) was killed flying an Auster in the Antarctic.

Paul

PS. Before it starts an argument I believe the Auster was British, it certainly wasn't RNZAF. I am recalling this info after reading it 30 years ago in the Waiouru Military training area where there was a sign explaining the history behind the name 'Cousens Range'.

[30sqnatc]

Warren Russsells book NZPAF RNZAF Aircraft Colour Schemes Vol 1 has detailed info of Army pilots flying and crashing Austers from as early as Oct 1948. Also training on Harvards.

The colour schemes show at least two Austers carried 'Army' on the side, one silver and one green/dark earth camouflage.

[corsair67]

Cheers for that Paul.

[Gareth]

Just a point of interest.
Just received my copy of the Air Force News February 08 Issue89 and on pg 5 bottom left, there is a photo of RNZAF pers having just received medals. Amongst the group is a SQNLDR Chris Moody - he is wearing an Army Pilots Wings
Go to www.airforce.mil.nz to download a pdf verison

[sniff]

Yep, a pom, ex Army Air Corp.

[30sqnatc]

sniff said:

Yep, a pom, ex Army Air Corp.

Not quite right. Ex NZ Army, ex British Army AAC, ex Aussie AAC

[sniff]

.. and about to become RNZN??
or is that just a rumour?

[Dave Homewood]

For those who were not here earlier there's another thread on Army pilots from the olden days here
rnzaf.proboards43.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=army&thread=1163552870&page=1

Was it perhaps Army pilots who flew the Austers and Harvards in the Rotorua region in the 1950's and 60's in the special unit who hunted for bush fires? This unit featured in a dramatic film at that time, I think perhaps it was Broken Barrier?