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Post by globemaster on Apr 1, 2009 23:14:37 GMT 12
***Admin note: I have merged several old threads on NZ5517 into the one thread so all the information is together - Dave 21/01/20235***
Hi guys
Recent Investigations into the disappearance of Corsair NZ5517 on Nov 11th 1944 have found the crashed aircraft is most likely located in the Paparoa range south of Westport. A team of guys is currently in the process of organizing another ground search with use of Helicopter into the area. Strong evidence has come to light as to the exact location and from photos can say it looks promising. Will let you guys know how we get on. There are next to no photos of NZ5517 in service so if anyone out there has any, I and others would be really grateful if you could post them or email them.
-Cheers
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 2, 2009 6:19:52 GMT 12
Very interesting. What do you hope to do if it is found. As a war grave it cannot be touched of course. But is a memorial planned or something like that?
I wonder if Google Earth covers that area?
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Post by Tonys18 on Apr 2, 2009 8:53:46 GMT 12
Be interesting to see what it looks like now, but then again after hearing the guy might still be in it no thanks.
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Post by corsair67 on Apr 2, 2009 11:59:00 GMT 12
I hope this does turn out to be a successful search, as there have been more than a few that have turned out to be unsuccessful over the years.
It would be nice to get some closure for "Shorty" Barstow's surviving family and relatives.
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Post by globemaster on Apr 3, 2009 10:04:58 GMT 12
Word at the moment is to have it hauled out and preserved in an RNZAF museum. That won't be easy as the weight of a Corsair far exceeds the lifting capacity of the helicopter so quite possibly only option is to leave it there. A memorial would definitely be erected if found. Yes Google Earth covers the area though you will find it is grown over and impossible to find. With the highly dense bush and approaching winter it will take at least a week to walk in.
Cheers
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Post by flyjoe180 on Apr 3, 2009 10:15:46 GMT 12
Can't they contract a logging helicopter? One of those big Russian things?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2009 10:38:09 GMT 12
You seem to be talking as if it has actually been located, and is relatively intact. This is intriguing.
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Post by sleemanj on Apr 3, 2009 13:03:09 GMT 12
If it is there and largely complete, then I'd say it definately needs to be extracted to a museum, remains or no remains. If it is left there, then the scavenger hunters will be all over it as soon as it's location was leaked.
Do we have a heavy lift helicopter in the country presently anybody know? Quick skim through the register doesn't show any Sikorsky or Mil heavies (apart from an S-55 but I doubt that's got the grunt), I'm sure there used to be.
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Post by Bruce on Apr 3, 2009 13:37:04 GMT 12
The Mil helos used in NZ have never been on the NZ register so they wont show up. There is normally a Mil8 available at Taupo, however this was sent over to Australia to assist the bushfire control. It may be back by now?
There are a couple of K-Max which have impressive powers of levitation...
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Post by baz62 on Apr 3, 2009 14:44:14 GMT 12
Hang on a minute.................wasn't it the 1st of April on Wednesday?? ;D I got all excited back in the early 1980s when some of the lads at the Air Force Museum went off to try and find it. One of them said they had a photo of it in the bush taken from the air. I of course went "Really?" and he said "Yep you can even see the pilot waving in it!"  Be nice if she is found though. Baz ;D |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2009 14:47:47 GMT 12
I agree it would be worthwhile extracting the wreck to the RNZAF Museum if it is largely intact, following the removal of the deceased pilot if he is found, for proper burial.
It would not be the first time considering that No. 3 Squadron recovered a Dauntless that crashed in the Pacific and brought it back to Wigram, despite the crew having been killed in the crash. And recently, it was reported in Air Force News, parts of the crashed Avenger NZ2518, in which the three crew were killed, were brought back to NZ for the RNZAF Museum.
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Post by sleemanj on Apr 3, 2009 15:05:12 GMT 12
Ahh, right they are on the Moldovan register (I guess certification issues prevent it on the NZ, Russian engineering is good but paperwork not so much I understand).
The K-Max is certainly an wonderful machine, but not enough oomph for a corsair in one go though, especially if it has to go any distance. An Mi-8 could do it.
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Post by corsair67 on Apr 3, 2009 15:13:50 GMT 12
If only Crumpy was still alive - he and Scotty would get her out on the back of a HiLux, no worries at all! ;D
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2009 16:26:04 GMT 12
There's an Mi8(?) at Wanganui at the moment, ER-MHZ. I think this was the one that went to Oz. Stops by every couple of months or so, overnights  Would be fantastic to have a missing aircraft located after all this time. Interesting to the idea of it being relocated to a museum |
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Post by flyjoe180 on Apr 3, 2009 16:29:09 GMT 12
Right, not being a helicopter person, can someone please tell me what a K-Max is?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2009 16:31:35 GMT 12
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Post by flyjoe180 on Apr 3, 2009 16:37:45 GMT 12
Goodness gracious, now that is ugly!
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Post by Peter Lewis on Apr 3, 2009 20:18:05 GMT 12
Goodness gracoius, now that is ugly! The kiwi version - Skywork Helicopters K-Max Ltd. ZK-HEE/4  |
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 3, 2009 20:32:35 GMT 12
That doesn't even look like it could fly, near alone do heavy lifting!! I've never seen one of them before. Phewie.
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Post by Radialicious on Apr 3, 2009 20:48:55 GMT 12
Joe, the K-max is a Kaman counter-rotating and intermeshing heavy lift helicopter. Its rotors are used to make it appear to look like a helicopter but it generates most of its lift through ugliness and it resultant rejection from the earths surface......
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