|
Post by shorty on Nov 19, 2013 7:56:54 GMT 12
There is no way that an aircraft would be allowed to fly with damage like that, the Engineering Officer would be up before the CO so fast his feet wouldn't touch the ground. The only explanation is that it has to been done while it was awaiting the melting pot.
|
|
|
Post by komata on Nov 19, 2013 8:48:24 GMT 12
Thanks for the replies, and yes, the CO would definitely have been asking questions....
Given that live rounds were apparently readily-available, and equally, that the necessary 'discharge mechanisms' were also close-by, then this would seem to be the most logical explanation. Thank you.
To move on, and an associated question (at least in respect of this thread's title, 'Rukuhia Warbirds'):
How did Mr. Asplin come to be involved in the wrecking business, when Mr. Larsen was doing a perfectly good job only a mile or so away? Were there family 'connections' which made this possible or was it simply a matter of Mr.Asplin taking a 'commercial decision' and submitting a a tender?
Thanks
|
|
|
Post by 42jailbar on Jul 8, 2018 8:46:27 GMT 12
I'd love to see a scan of that article if anyone can find it, or help David to scan it. Hi Dave. What happened to those Kittyhawk's being loaded on the trucks. It looks late in the piece, a final clean up. Why didn't Charles Darby salvage those p40s. Would have been easier than going to the islands. Cheers Ward.
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 8, 2018 9:29:27 GMT 12
This I can't answer but I am sure others here can.
|
|
|
Post by planewriting on Jul 8, 2018 9:58:44 GMT 12
I seriously doubt any pilot would have flown the aircraft back form the pacific with a bullet hole in it. Perhaps the scrap yard guys did it. On looking at this thread I note the above and am reminded of a talk John Coom, the then President of the Aviation Historical Society, gave to its Wellington branch many years ago. John had with him one of his regular pilots (Gudsell). John mentioned that "his personal' aircraft was Hudson NZ2049. Apparently on one flight a bullet entered the cockpit and clipped the ear of the co-pilot (not Gudsell) and passed through the side of the aircraft. Many years later John realised that '49 was with John Smith at Mapua so paid him a visit. JS started getting interested when J C's story unfolded and was able to show JS the bullet holes. On the basis that story is true then that is an example of an aircraft flying home from the Pacific with bullet holes. May be someone can check with Bill Reid, who now has the aircraft, to authenticate John Coom's claim. While typing this I am also reminded of the late Cliff Jenks telling me that B170 NZ5906 was fired upon over Indonesia and retained the holes for a long time afterwards. Can anyone confirm the above instances?
|
|
|
Post by tbf25o4 on Jul 8, 2018 10:15:48 GMT 12
Tfhe existence of patched bullet holes in NZ2049 can be confirmed. I was talking with Bill Reid at Omaka shortly before Easter and he told me there are patches in the fuselage around the upper area by the astrodome and on the side
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Jul 8, 2018 14:34:01 GMT 12
I was told by a member of the Air Force restoration staff of the then RNZAF Museum back in the early 1990's that there's a bullet hole in the cockpit of their Freighter NZ5903, still there from when it was shot at over (trying to recall if it was) Malaya or Vietnam.
|
|