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Post by skyhawkdon on May 29, 2009 19:49:48 GMT 12
In January 1970 a party of RNZAF technical staff was sent to South Vietnam to experience Skyhawk maintenance in a combat environment. Led by Flt Lt Gary Cameron, the party included two airframe fitters, John Marshal and Barry Thurston and two armament fitters, Roy Turner and Snow(?) Jenkins. The RNZAF party spent almost six weeks attached to US Marine Corps squadron VMA-311, the "Tomcats", equipped with A-4E Skyhawks. The USMC squadron was based at Chu Lai, about 50 miles (81 km) south-east of Da Nang. A second group went later in 1970. The photo below shows (I think) the second group. Can anyone name any of the guys in the photo? And even better know where they are now??  |
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Post by sqwark2k on May 29, 2009 22:14:59 GMT 12
Before my time Don, but it's interesting to note that they wear NZ flashes and what i assume to be equivalent USMC rank...
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Post by Dave Homewood on May 29, 2009 23:42:08 GMT 12
Don, have you been in touch with VMF-311 to see if they have a record of their names? Surely it would be in their unit diary or something like that.
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Post by harvard1041 on May 29, 2009 23:46:30 GMT 12
Top right is Joe Keegan - now retired (Wg Cdr) - sort of recognise the guy lower right - but can't recall the name.
rgds
Hvd1041
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Post by skyhawkdon on May 30, 2009 9:00:49 GMT 12
I'm going to have another look through the 75 Sqn unit history at the Wigram Museum too as I'm sure they will be named in there if they were from 75 Sqn. But I'm not sure if everyone who went over was on 75 Sqn at the time. They could have been from AMS and IRD as well, as I know they looked at battle damage repair and engine overhaul facilities while there.
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Post by shorty on May 30, 2009 9:30:55 GMT 12
Lower left may be Geoff Grey, not dead sure, as he was a 14 Squadron Canberra man
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furd
Flight Lieutenant
Posts: 71
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Post by furd on May 30, 2009 9:41:15 GMT 12
Lower left is definitely Geoff Grey now retired and living in Waipu.
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Post by phil on May 30, 2009 10:36:22 GMT 12
Interesting that they are wearing US ERDL uniforms.
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Post by shorty on May 30, 2009 12:29:59 GMT 12
Interesting that they are wearing US ERDL uniforms. It's just what you would expect, otherwise they would have to spend all their time explaining to every jumped up MP or security conscious marine who they were and why they were fiddling around with the aircraft. Far easier to blend in and get on with the job. Also makes them less of a stand out target for any lurking VC with evil intent. |
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wacka
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by wacka on May 31, 2009 18:19:15 GMT 12
Curly Hedges, Joe Keegan
Geoff Grey, Jack Hamley
Regards
wacka...
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jun 1, 2009 14:27:51 GMT 12
Brilliant thanks! What trade(s) were they?
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wacka
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by wacka on Jun 1, 2009 19:36:19 GMT 12
The only one I'm really sure about is Jack Hamley, Com Air, my old trade pre Avionics.
I think Curly was Airframe, not 100% sure with Joe and Geoff but leaning toward Airframe rather than Engines... Someone out there is sure to know...
Regards
Wacka
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Post by shorty on Jun 1, 2009 21:11:28 GMT 12
Geoff Grey was a sumpie, worked in the engine bay for a while.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Jun 1, 2009 22:41:49 GMT 12
Well done everyone, this sort of information sharing and helping with research is exactly why I started this forum. It's always pleasing to see how the forum allows people to connect and help each other out. Even in obscure topics like this. The system works and is good. :-)
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Post by 14liney on Jun 5, 2009 5:29:54 GMT 12
"Before my time Don, but it's interesting to note that they wear NZ flashes and what i assume to be equivalent USMC rank... "
The flashes were worn on summer uniform in the seventies. That's not USMC rank, just an eagle similar to the old red shoulder flash that it replaced. That shoulder flash confused a lot of American servicemen visiting Ohakea, they thought that there were a lot of "Chicken Colonels" on the base and I, an LAC, was saluted several times before thay figured it out.
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jun 5, 2009 7:35:23 GMT 12
If you look closely at the collars of their shirts they are wearing a metal US rank badge. That is what people are talking about.
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Post by 14liney on Jun 5, 2009 8:02:22 GMT 12
I see them now. Gotta get new glasses
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Post by skyhawkdon on Jun 5, 2009 12:28:21 GMT 12
Must be the USMC camo gear they are wearing!! ;D
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Post by obiwan27 on Jun 5, 2009 16:07:40 GMT 12
Yep, back then I'd say the Yanks must have had even less of an idea of what or where NZ was so good call on making sure you don't get drilled by an M16 round although you probably never could be too careful when it comes to operating within a US unit.......
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jimg
Leading Aircraftman
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Post by jimg on Jun 10, 2009 17:46:45 GMT 12
Definitely recognise Jack Hamley from Ohakea. The rank insignia looks about right - Jack was the same vintage as Bob Cusdin and Max Hepburn, CFA Sgts in the early 70's.
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