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Post by McFly on May 3, 2024 17:07:24 GMT 12
Hi, My name is Robin and i am searching for a gentleman called Tony Clarry who used to live in the UK and worked for British Airways. Does anyone here know of his whereabouts? Many thanks. There's a Tony Clarry from Blenheim mentioned a couple of times in previous threads ( here) & ( here) and also in a newspaper article ( here). Part owner in a Nanchang syndicate with Jay McIntyre in 2010 and also involved in the Marlborough Aero Club so might suggest reaching out to them..? And is this the same Tony Clarry when flying for British Airways..? ( link)
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Post by McFly on May 1, 2024 20:01:15 GMT 12
"Large group of people gathered around Will Scotland's Caudron aircraft at Gore, after being the first aircraft to fly cross country in New Zealand. Will Scotland flew from Invercargill to Gore on 20 February 1914, then to Christchurch on 6 March 1914, then the aircraft was shipped to Wellington, then Trentham in late March 1914." (20/02/1914)"3/4 front view of William Scotland's Caudron aircraft at the Christchurch Showgrounds, before (after?) a flight between Timaru and Christchurch. This is believed to be the first aircraft to land in Christchurch." (Circa 1914) - MUS100027 "3/4 rear view of William Scotland's Caudron aircraft at the Christchurch Showgrounds. This is believed to be the first aircraft to land in Christchurch." (Circa 1914) - MUS100026 (Air Force Museum Collection)
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Post by McFly on Apr 29, 2024 19:40:51 GMT 12
Bought new by Wigram Aviation Sports Club and first flew at Wigram 26 Feb 1964 and signed off in Logbook by A E Ashwell. I am looking for any photos of the glider or even pilot log book entries, which would be interesting. This glider was located abandoned and is a possible candidate for restoration to airworthy condition. Any information and history about this glider would be appreciated. "Side view of Elliotts glider ZK-GCZ being prepared to be towed. Believed to be at Lake Coleridge airstrip."(Air Force Museum Collection)
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Post by McFly on Apr 29, 2024 16:47:32 GMT 12
"The future of one of the oldest aircraft in NZ is up in the air" ( link) - FLY DC3 is one of only a handful of licensed airlines in the world that fly a Douglas DC-3.
- The airline is facing mounting operational costs and a struggle to find crew.
- The aircraft, known as Betsy, has been operating since 1944 and arrived in NZ in 1987.
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Post by McFly on Apr 21, 2024 19:52:10 GMT 12
It was the Druine Turbulent BWE - was on loan to HB&EC Aero Club at the time from memory NZ Civil Aircraft ( link).. "Above we see ZK-BWE at Hastings with Des Smith in the cockpit. In the background is the Miles Whitney Straight ZK-AXD and the HB and ECAC Tiger Moth ZK-ANP. ZK-BWE was damaged on 03-01-1963 by another pilot after engine problems at Waiohiki. I seem to recall that the fuel cap vent was blocked. As can be seen below the wing was badly damaged."
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Post by McFly on Apr 20, 2024 9:17:40 GMT 12
But isn't 'Tutae Wera' meant to be a Corsair...? "Unknown man (No. 18 Squadron pilot?) sitting on the wing of Kittyhawk 'Tutae-Wera'. Unknown location. (2008-448.2j)"(Air Force Museum Collection) ( link) And it seems there was also a Hudson named 'Tutae Wera' as well... ( link) A Hudson in No. 3 (GR) Squadron was called 'Tutae Wera', which translates from Maori to English as 'Shit Hot' Interestingly in my research into the GR and BR squadrons I have interviewed a crewmember from that aircraft and another from the Ventura 'Slippery Sam'
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Post by McFly on Apr 13, 2024 12:18:32 GMT 12
There's an earlier thread ( link) running on here of the restoration of S1674 (NZ160). There's also some photos of what few remains they actually started with.! And a photo below from 2019 of the progress on the Baffin
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Post by McFly on Apr 12, 2024 18:11:14 GMT 12
"Baffin crash at Pigeon Bay - Baffin upside down in Little Pigeon Bay, a row boat with two men are at right. Believed to be Pilot Officer Robert Steel Grant. - May 1939. (ALB8553836a.jpg)" ( link) (Air Force Museum Collection) (ADF Serials Website) ( link)
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Post by McFly on Apr 8, 2024 17:56:30 GMT 12
This cool photo popped up on the WoW Facebook page ( link)... "WHAT A BLAST!!! - The grand finale at Wanaka 2024 saw the traditional Fighter Flypast followed by our 300m long 'Wall of Fire'. There have been plenty of ground shots of the fiery finale posted but we thought you might enjoy this one taken from a camera mounted under the Mosquito as it led the flypast over the pyros."
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Post by McFly on Apr 7, 2024 14:53:39 GMT 12
What publication have these profiles come from? This one... ( link) And specifically page 35 ( link)
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Post by McFly on Apr 7, 2024 13:00:44 GMT 12
¯\_(ツ)_/¯ I'm pretty sure it's 2329. 2325 broke in half in the crash, and the style of the 'A' is quite different. Either way, I think it's reasonable to suppose that they didn't transport the wreckage of either aircraft back across Cook Strait to scrap it. NZ2325 with a couple of different looking 'A' letters...
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Post by McFly on Apr 6, 2024 17:06:02 GMT 12
Just to be pedantic, the photo of NZ2329 (YC-A) is at Ohakea after the aircraft was pranged in 1950. I think the one with NZ2349 (YC-G) in the background might be Ohakea too but someone more familiar with the base may be able to confirm that. Or perhaps... Do we (the forum) have a list of codes and which serials they apply to for the Mosquitoes, a la the excellent work on the P-40s?I have a bit of a list, cribbed partly from Ants and partly by trawling pics. The two YC-A's (2325 and 2329) were both destroyed in prangs within months of each other. Based on other angles of the aircraft after its demise I'd say this is NZ2329 which swung on takeoff and suffered a landing gear collapse at RNZAF Ohakea on 18.9.1950. From NZDF Serials: ( link) NZ2325 FB.VI TE913 N/A Built at Standard Motors. Previously TE913 and delivered sometime between 27 May 1945 and 21 December 1945. Ferried from the United Kingdom by an RAF/RNZAF crew and BOC Ohakea on 06 February 1947. Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival. Removed from storage and placed on strength of No.75 Squadron on 22 November 1947. Coded YC-A. Crashed at Ohakea on 13 July 1950. The aircraft landed heavily, burst a tire and ground-looped. The fuselage broke behind the wing and the engine nacelles were badly damaged. The crew were uninjured but the aircraft was not repaired. Written off books at Ohakea on 29 September 1952 with a total of 469:20 airframe hours. And...NZ2329 ( link) NZ2329 FB.VI TE765 N/A Built at Standard Motors. Previously TE765 and delivered sometime between 27 May 1945 and 21 December 1945. Ferried from the United Kingdom by an RAF/RNZAF crew and BOC Ohakea on 03 April 1947. Ferried to Woodbourne for storage shortly after arrival. Removed from storage and placed on strength of No.75 Squadron by mid 1950. Crashed at Ohakea on 18 September 1950. The aircraft swung on takeoff and the undercarriage collapsed. Serious damage to the airframe led to the aircraft being written off the books at Ohakea on 18 October 1950.
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Post by McFly on Apr 5, 2024 16:22:19 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Apr 4, 2024 20:22:33 GMT 12
"Iggy the Scott Base cat. A tiny kitten had flown on a Globemaster in the pocket of an American sailor, but had not been allowed onto the US Navy base. Its saviour was RNZAF cook Morrie Speary, who took it to Scott Base, where it got an interesting reception from the dogs. Named Iggy (in honour of the IGY) the kitten spent most of the time in the galley, where she was fed steak, tinned salmon and water. She used her ‘scratch box’ of earth and stones, made the occasional foray outside and was cared for during the winter. At the end of the next summer Iggy returned to Christchurch and was fitted up with a harness and a lead. However, on seeing grass, trees and birds she ran off and was never seen again."( link)
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Post by McFly on Apr 4, 2024 16:48:01 GMT 12
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Post by McFly on Mar 25, 2024 19:50:45 GMT 12
"One of New Zealand's most iconic aircraft is getting a big send off" ( link)
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Post by McFly on Mar 24, 2024 11:16:20 GMT 12
"The last of the Dambusters dies: Wing Commander John Bell who was final living member of 617 Squadron" ( link) Previous threads ( link & link)
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Post by McFly on Mar 19, 2024 16:30:51 GMT 12
And another...
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Post by McFly on Mar 8, 2024 20:15:57 GMT 12
HMNZS Aotearoa Suffers $10M Damage: Contaminated Diesel and Corrosion Issues Unveiled ( Link) New Zealand's HMNZS Aotearoa faces severe challenges with contaminated diesel and corrosion less than four years post-launch, prompting urgent repairs.
It was supposed to be a shining beacon of naval prowess, yet HMNZS Aotearoa, New Zealand's largest naval vessel, has found itself in murky waters less than four years post-launch. An internal investigation uncovers nearly $10m in damages due to contaminated diesel, with additional concerns over coating and corrosion now coming to light. Built by Hyundai Heavy Industries and delivered in 2020, the ship's woes underscore significant challenges ahead. Contamination Crisis UnfoldsApril 2023 marked the onset of the contamination debacle when routine sampling revealed the presence of damaging fungi in the ship's diesel. Assistant Chief of Navy Captain Simon Rooke highlighted the severity of the issue, noting the potential equipment and machinery damage posed by such microbiological threats. Although the exact cause of contamination remains under scrutiny, the incident prompts a broader inquiry into fuel management and maintenance protocols within naval operations. Remediation efforts promptly initiated in Singapore underscore the urgency of addressing this unforeseen complication. Corrosion Concerns Compound ChallengesIn tandem with the fuel contamination saga, HMNZS Aotearoa grapples with coating and corrosion issues detected since its mid-2020 delivery. These findings necessitate a comprehensive study to gauge the extent of required repairs, with a plan and costing to follow. Expected to conclude by mid-2024, these efforts aim to restore the vessel's integrity. However, this situation illustrates the broader maintenance hurdles facing naval assets, particularly those of significant scale and complexity. Navigating a Retention CrisisThe backdrop to these technical troubles is a broader retention crisis within the Navy, with a notable departure of marine propulsion technicians. This personnel challenge adds a layer of complexity to the ongoing maintenance and operational readiness of HMNZS Aotearoa, reflecting wider staffing issues within the defense sector. As the Navy endeavors to rectify the current predicaments, the intersection of technical and personnel issues will likely influence strategic priorities and resource allocation moving forward. As HMNZS Aotearoa confronts these multifaceted challenges, the implications extend beyond immediate repair needs, hinting at broader considerations for naval asset management, personnel retention, and the ongoing viability of such significant military investments. The unfolding situation underscores the essential balance between operational capability and the maintenance imperative, with a keen eye on the future of naval defense readiness.
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Post by McFly on Mar 7, 2024 20:08:43 GMT 12
NZ Defence Force turns down Australian helicopters ( Link) As the NZ military prepares to sell off decades-old aircraft, it has been revealed it passed up an offer to expand its fleet of helicopters 06/03/2024 The New Zealand Defence Force turned down an opportunity to buy additional helicopters from Australia due to the “challenging and costly” task of adapting them, not because of personnel shortages, the military says. However, the NZDF has acknowledged it is still facing difficulties in recruiting enough crew for its fleet of NH90 helicopters and could have problems sustaining a long-term deployment overseas.
The Australian military decided to put its fleet of MRH90 Taipan helicopters – a variant of the NH90 – into early retirement last September after one of the helicopters crashed during a training exercise near the Whitsundays, killing all four soldiers on board. Although an inquiry into the cause of the crash only began last week, the Australian government decided to bring forward the pre-planned replacement of the helicopters with US-made Black Hawks.
A number of other countries’ militaries, including New Zealand, are still operating the largely identical NH90s and were approached by Australia to see if they wished to purchase their retired helicopters. In an Australian Senate estimates hearing held last month, Major General Jeremy King said New Zealand was the only country that had expressed an interest in buying the Taipans as entire aircraft – rather than for parts – but “eventually stepped back” from making an offer.
Ukraine’s government subsequently asked if it could receive the Taipans as a donation to help in its ongoing battle against Russia’s invasion, with the chief of the country’s defence intelligence service citing New Zealand’s success with NH90s as an example of how it could overcome any servicing challenges. “Ukraine is 13 times smaller than Australia, which allows us to create a single defended maintenance hub, similar to the New Zealand NH90 operations,” Lieutenant General Kyrylo Budanov wrote in a letter to Australian defence minister Richard Marles obtained by the Sydney Morning Herald. However, the Australian government said the Taipans had already begun to be stripped for spare parts and were too far through the disposal process to be returned to flying condition.
Although several other countries have expressed dissatisfaction with maintenance issues related to their NH90s, their manufacturer maintains they are safe to fly, and the NZDF has previously received praise overseas for the reliability of its own fleet. However, broader problems with the recruitment and retention of defence personnel have begun to bite; in January, the NZ Herald reported on the contents of an NZDF briefing to the last government, warning that “low crew numbers present risks to sustained deployments” of Air Force helicopters offshore.
In a statement, a Defence Force spokesman told Newsroom the military had considered a number of options regarding the retired Taipans, but had ultimately focused on seeking to buy spare parts and support equipment “to increase [the] pool size and improve long-term fleet supportability” of the existing NH90s rather than seeking to expand the fleet. “Increasing the New Zealand NH90 fleet size would have been a significant undertaking. The Australian MRH90 helicopters are similar but of a sufficiently different configuration to New Zealand’s NH90s, so standardising the fleet would have been a challenging and costly activity.”
The spokesman said current shortages of defence personnel played no part in the decision, but acknowledged the growth of crew numbers for the NH90s “continues to be a challenge but remains a priority”. “Recently the NZDF has successfully deployed NH90s to the Solomon Islands and the Air Force is ready to deploy internationally again when directed by [the] Government, acknowledging that crew numbers required to sustain longer deployments remains an issue.”
A spokeswoman for Defence Minister Judith Collins told Newsroom work was underway on a new defence capability plan, which would provide the Government with a range of options (including indicative timings and costs) for new investments. The Defence Force was also developing a workforce strategy to determine its future size, shape and composition, while transitioning the military to “modern personnel management practices”.newsroom.co.nz/2024/03/06/nzdf-opts-against-buying-australian-helicopters/
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