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Post by kb on Sept 22, 2015 21:16:47 GMT 12
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Post by kb on Sept 19, 2015 21:04:45 GMT 12
Hi Steve, What is the ordering address and how do we pay from New Zealand?
Cheers
Keith
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Post by kb on Mar 12, 2015 19:02:51 GMT 12
My last message got away on me! To finish;
M Eng Sutton Eng. Leader
No 1 Crew Flight Lieutenant Griffith Captain Flight Lieutenant Mullooly 2nd Pilot Flying Officer Bennett 1st Nav Flight Lieutenant Park 1st Nac Flight Lieutenant Lawson 2nd Nav Flight Lieutenant Brizzell 1st Sig. Flight Lieutenant Embling 2nd Sig. Flight Lieutenant Gray 3rd Sig. M/Sig Cummings 4th Sig. F/S Millett Engineer
No 2 Crew Flight Lieutenant Moffitt Captain Flying Officer Laslett 2nd Pilot Flight Lieutenant Thom 1st Nav. Flying Officer Atkins 2nd Nav. Flight Lieutenant McMurray 3rd Nav. Flight Lieutenant Drake 1st Sig. Flight Lieutenant Whittle 2nd Sig. M/Sig Harrison 3rd Sig M/Sig White 4th Sig M/Sig Strother Engineer
Additional Aircrew Pilot Officer Purdie Nav. Pilot Welch Nav. Flight Lieutenant Whelan Pilot
So far as armament is concerned I lived at Beach Haven as a kid and always shot down the wharf when I heard the engines start and I only remember seeing turret guns on Catalinas. In 1956 or 57 I crewed on a Sunderland as a school ATC member and there weren't any guns aboard that I remember.
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Post by kb on Mar 12, 2015 18:46:07 GMT 12
Alan, I repeat the offending paragraph (admittedly rather cryptic) which has caused you confusion. "By July 1963 the number of permanent crews had been reduced by one, so now numbered as A1 - 5." What I was attempting to state was that the number of crews, not crewmen per crew, was reduced from six to five - the official STRENGTH of each crew remained officially at ten, although in practice this could be as few as seven or eight. The official crew strength of course related to an OPERATIONAL crew; any flying other than operational could have substantially less members required, such as MCT (monthly continuation training), transport or VIP flights (including regular civilian passenger flights to the Chathams), airshow or display attendances, etc. David D Recently I obtained a photo copy of Fg Off G A Wrathall's brief history of 6 Squadron. I haven't seen the original but this appears to have an additional page where he lists the 6 Squadron crews as at 31st January 1957. Thje list is as follows; Squadron leader J B Spencer C.O. Flight Lieutenant James Nav. Leader Flight Lieutenant Leadley Sigs leader M Eng
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Post by kb on Feb 3, 2015 12:54:29 GMT 12
Good spotting Zolteg. My guess is that he held the temporary rank of Warrant Officer during WW1 and reenlisted during WW2 at a lower rank.
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Post by kb on Feb 2, 2015 19:29:44 GMT 12
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Post by kb on Feb 2, 2015 18:45:57 GMT 12
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Post by kb on Feb 1, 2015 16:19:45 GMT 12
I have been copying my Grandmother's photos and memorabilia including a number of WW1 and WW2 photos in NZ. Among the memorabilia is a Christmas booklet produced by Papakura Camp. Unfortunately it is not signed or dated but almost certainly came from my uncle. On the back it has an aerial photo of the camp and inside a complete list of camp personnel.
Is there any interest in posting a copy? I suspect that it is well known.
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Post by kb on Dec 27, 2014 17:59:41 GMT 12
You are of course correct Alan. NZ5016 is an SBD-3 and I knew that. I confused the notes I wrote!
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Post by kb on Dec 27, 2014 17:53:41 GMT 12
I knew somebody would become impatient while I sorted out the photo posting. No not impatient just wondered what I was supposed to be looking at. I use the preview button (bottom left when you type messages)as I've saved myself some grief because I've cocked something up. Great photos. So would they be SBD-3 or 4s he got? Just pulling your leg Baz. I believe it is an SBD-4. My first photo load only produced an X so I am not surprised you were baffled.!
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Post by kb on Dec 27, 2014 16:26:52 GMT 12
I guess this is where he 9is getting the engine prepared for start up.
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Post by kb on Dec 27, 2014 16:23:32 GMT 12
This photo has an inscription on the fuselage which I think is:"San Diego, For Com Air, ?? 53? CU1".
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Post by kb on Dec 27, 2014 16:18:37 GMT 12
No picture equals no proof? I knew somebody would become impatient while I sorted out the photo posting.
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Post by kb on Dec 27, 2014 16:16:53 GMT 12
I have received information that after J Edwards purchased the scrap SBD's he was told to remove them forthwith and that a nearby farmer said he would temporarily accommodate them the price being the only aircraft that had it's wings. I believe that this aircraft was taxied to a nearby location.
First photo. I believe that the aircraft in question is probably NZ5016/INST110. My reason for this is that it has 15 or 16 written on the fin and I can also see the letters INS on the fuselage. I have no record of NZ5015 being used as an instructional airframe.The assumption is backed up by information that this was the only disposal aircraft that had intact wings. If it was used for instructional purposes it would make sense that the wings were retained.
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Post by kb on Dec 27, 2014 15:52:38 GMT 12
How do you confuse a Rearwin with a Dauntless? Peter and Shorty, you don't. You wait until the photos turn up and you post them to prove your point.
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Post by kb on Oct 9, 2014 19:48:27 GMT 12
I have just been advised by Densil at Welsh Models that their recently released 1/72 B-727-100 will be released again in the new year with an RNZAF decal option.
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Post by kb on Oct 6, 2014 20:26:32 GMT 12
Coming back to Alick Mewa his aircraft was a B-25D US S/N 43-3801, RAF 98 Squadron HD329 Coded VO-B. Now all in one place!
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Post by kb on Oct 6, 2014 20:09:53 GMT 12
Dave- A lot more info! He was a FLTLT and there is a 4min 19 Sec interview with him at:
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Post by kb on Oct 6, 2014 20:02:18 GMT 12
Thanks Keith. Does the article mention which part of NZ he lives in? Not on the part I have kept. It may be worthwhile getting in touch with Air Force News.
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Post by kb on Oct 6, 2014 15:16:47 GMT 12
I just found another kiwi who flew in No. 98 Squadron Mitchells. Flight Lieutenant Alick Mewa, NZ414320, was a pilot on the Mitchell II's. Interestingly he was the first member of the Indian race to be granted a commission in the RNZAF. He was however born and bred in Auckland, the son of Ranjan and Piyari Mewa, and he attended Richmond Road School and Auckland Grammar. Alick was killed in action on the 19th of August 1944 on Mitchell II HD329/B. Errol Martyn's book For Your Tomorrow (Volume Two) notes that his RAF navigator was also an officer of Indian descent. I have another. Hugh Findlater flew Mitchells with 180 Squadron in Europe. This is from Air Force News Issue 162. There is a photo of him and it seems that he is still alive so you may wish to communicate with him. It would be great to tie in some specific aircraft with him for historical modelling purposes. After his tour he flew communications aircraft around Europe.
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