The Wings Over New Zealand Show

Guest: David Duxbury Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 3rd of August 2017 Released: 9th of September 2017 Duration: 1 hours 37 minutes 8 seconds In Part Two of this Curtiss P-40 special, following on directly from Episode 159, aviation historian David Duxbury once again joins Dave Homewood to conclude this Duxbury Files story. Together they continue to look at the history of the Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk and Warhawk fighter series in Royal New Zealand Air Force service, with such topics as more interesting incidents, books, collisions in the air and on the ground, weapons they dropped, fighter and bombing tactics, individual aircraft names, and much more. David and Dave also answer more questions that came in from listeners. And they look at surviving examples of the P-40, plus much more. As usual with any conversation with David Duxbury, this is packed with gems of info and snippets that most people will never have heard before, so it is well worth a listen for any fan of the Kittyhawk or Warhawk. • Air To Air – by Chris Rudge • Too Young To Die – by Bryan Cox • Kittyhawks And Coconuts – by Keith Mulligan • The Blue Arena – by Bob Spurdle • Tiger Moths And Butterflies – by Peter Norman • Wings Over The Pacific – by Alex Horn • RNZAF: The First Decade – by Charles Darby • RNZAF: A Short History – by Geoffrey Bentley • Portrait of an Air Force – – by Geoffrey Bentley and Maurice Conly   Quick Links: • The RNZAF Curtiss P-40’s on adf.serials • The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk on Wikipedia • The Royal New Zealand Air Force by S/Ldr J.M.S. Ross • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Museum of Transport and Technology • Classic Flyers NZ Museum Above: A No. 16 (Fighter) Squadron P-40E NZ3044 flight down the Marlborough coast (Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo, via John Saunders) P-40E NZ3027 FE-V in a ditch at Ohakea after a taxiing accident on the 10th of January 1944. The pilot was Allan ‘Skip’ Watson, and this photo comes from his logbook. Above: Allan “Skip” Watson with his personal P-40N aircraft NZ3237 “ESMA LEE”, which was E from No. 4 Servicing Unit. Skip named his Warhawk after a girl he fancied back home in Auckland. From the collection of the late Allan Watson. P-40M’s operated by No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron at Kukum Field, Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands in 1943 (photo via Kerry Carlyle) RNZAF Curtiss P-40’s of No. 2 Servicing Unit lined up while USAAF Lockheed P-38 Lightnings fly over (from the collection of the late Graeme Cosgrove) A great shot of an RNZAF P-40 in operational area stripes and the white tail. (Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo, via John Saunders) Apologies for the slightly off sound quality in parts. This episode has proven a bit of a challenge to edit.

Sub-Series: The Duxbury Files Guest: David Duxbury Host: Dave Homewood Archive Voices: Geoff Fisken, Noel Hanna, Joe McVicar and Owen Hicks Recorded: 3rd of August 2017 Released: 1st of September 2017 Duration: 2 hours 18 seconds Aviation historian David Duxbury once again joins Dave Homewood on the WONZ Show for another in The Duxbury Files series. Together they look at the history of the Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk and Warhawk fighter series which served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force as its front line fighter from April 1942 till June 1944, and then as an important second line fighter till the end of WWII and the last of the type finally retired from RNZAF service in 1946. The RNZAF operated 297 P-40’s in total, equipping No’s 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 (Fighter) Squadrons, plus No. 2 and No. 4 Operational Training Units, and with smaller numbers serving with the Central Flying School of the RNZAF, the Fighter Gunnery School, the Electrical & Wireless School, and the Corsair Conversion Unit. The RNZAF operated P-40E’s, P-40K’s, P-40M’s and P-40N’s, plus for a short time one Packard Merlin engined P-40L that was mistakenly sent to New Zealand. The RNZAF Fighter Wing saw air to air combat in the Solomon Islands, particularly in the defence of Guadalcanal. They also escorted RNZAF, USAAF, US Navy and USMC heavy, medium and dive bombers to targets as far away as Rabaul. The RNZAF Fighter Wing P-40 pilots acquired a fantastic reputation for providing the best escort for the bombers, always staying in close to protect them and seemingly not losing any of the bombers to enemy aircraft. The Fighter Wing pilots shot down 100 Japanese aircraft in aerial combat in the Pacific, with a loss rate of only a fifth of that amount of their own fighters to enemy action. In this episode David and Dave delve deep into the history of the Kittyhawk in RNZAF service, looking at as many aspects of the type as possible, and unearthing some information not widely known to fans of the RNZAF P-40’s. They also answer questions that were sent in by WONZ Show listeners. This is Part One, there is definitely more to come following this episode so stay tuned once you’ve listened to this one. Recommended Further Reading Some recommended books about the P-40 squadrons or by pilots who flew in them • Air To Air – by Chris Rudge • Too Young To Die – by Bryan Cox • Kittyhawks And Coconuts – by Keith Mulligan • The Blue Arena – by Bob Spurdle • Tiger Moths And Butterflies – by Peter Norman • Wings Over The Pacific – by Alex Horn • RNZAF: The First Decade – by Charles Darby • RNZAF: A Short History – by Geoffrey Bentley • Portrait of an Air Force – – by Geoffrey Bentley and Maurice Conly   Quick Links: • The RNZAF Curtiss P-40’s on adf.serials • The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk on Wikipedia • The Royal New Zealand Air Force by S/Ldr J.M.S. Ross • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Museum of Transport and Technology • Classic Flyers NZ Museum P-40E’s of No. 14 Squadron RNZAF in 1942. Closest to the camera is NZ3008 HQ-B “Umslopogaas”, with NZ3035 HQ-Q in the centre,and NZ3007 HQ-A “Magnolia Mufflewort” furthest from the camera. The photo was taken by Leo White and is Air Force Museum of New Zealand Official. This particular print comes from the collection of the late Graeme Ronayne. A lovely portrait of No. 14 Squadron P-40E NZ3008 “Umslopogaas”. The photo was taken by Leo White and is Air Force Museum of New Zealand Official. This particular print comes from the collection of the late Bill Edhouse A look at the top of No. 14 Squadron’s P-40E NZ3035. The photo was taken by Leo White and is Air Force Museum of New Zealand Official. This particular print comes from the collection of the late Dave Howlett Flying officer Peter Gifford of No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron RNZAF in his Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk NZ3007. The photo was taken by Leo White and is Air Force Museum of New Zealand Official. No. 14 Squadron RNZAF P-40E’s lined up in front of the squadron’s Harvards at RNZAF Station Whenuapai in February 1943. The photo is Air Force Museum of New Zealand Official. A No. 15 Squadron RNZAF P-40E NZ3040 over the sea off the coast of New Zealand. This is an Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo A P-40E at Woodbourne in 1942. From the collection of the late Noel Hanna P-40E’s and Harvards lined up at No. 2 Operational Training Unit, at RNZAF Station Ohakea. From the collection of the late Noel Hanna Curtiss P-40N Warhawks and Lockheed Hudsons during a stopover at RNZAF StationWaipapakauri during a ferry flight. The Supermarine Walrus NZ154 seen left was probably performing Air Sea Rescue duties just in case. The photo is Air Force Museum of New Zealand Official. This particular print comes from the collection of Brendon Deere. Six Curtiss P-40K Kittyhawks escorted by an RNZA

Guest: Arthur Gatland Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 21st of August 2017 Released: 26th of August 2017 Duration: 44 minutes 37 seconds Arthur Gatland is a pilot. His father Frank Gatland DFM mid was also a pilot. Frank joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1941 and following his flying training he became a Short Stirling captain with No. 214 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command . Following several operations with the squadron, including a very low level attack he made on Genoa, Italy, in October 1942 that earned him the Distinguished Flying Medal, his luck ran out. He and his crew were shot down/collided with a fighter over France on the night of 28/29 November 1942. Frank survived the parachute jump and he set off on foot in an attempt to evade capture. After covering many miles he was eventually taken prisoner and placed into Stalag VIIIB POW camp. He was not there long before he was planning an escape, the first of many to come. Including the initial evasion, Frank would be officially credited with five escapes by war’s end. He was a genuine thorn in the side to the Germans, continually planning and scheming ways to get away and try to get back to Britain and safety. He loved every minute of it! In later years Frank wrote his memoirs of his wartime experiences, both as a bomber pilot and as an evader, escaper and a POW. Now, ten years after Frank’s death, his son Arthur has published those memoirs as a book, entitled “Escape – The Best Sport Ever!” In this episode of the WONZ Show Arthur talks about his father and about the book which is now available. And he also talks about his own flying career. He too served in the Air Force, flying Hawker Harriers and Hunters with the Royal Air Force in the 1970’s. Later returning home he joined Air New Zealand and flew Fokker Friendships, Boeing 737’s, Boeing 767’s, Boeing 777’s and Boeing 787 Dreamliners, and today he runs the 777 and 787 simulator. Arthur is also a very accomplished glider pilot and is often seen displaying in a glider at airshows around New Zealand. Quick Links: • Arthur Gatland’s Direct Email – [email protected] • Escape: The Best Sport Ever on Facebook • Escape: The Best Sport Ever Book Launch Event Page Above: Arthur Gatland with copies of his father Frank Gatland’s book ‘Escape: The Best Sport Ever” Above: The cover of the book, with Frank Gatland DFM’s photo Note: The theme music at the beginning of this episode is from the television series Hogan’s Heroes, and the music at the end is the theme from the feature film The Great Escape

Guest: Graeme Frew Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 14th of August 2017 Released: 15th of August 2017 Duration: 36 minutes 1 second History is being made right now as the first ever New Zealand race team is on its way to the Reno Championship Air Races in Reno, Nevada. Graeme Frew will be flying his Yakovlev Yak 3M fighter in the WWII class of the world famous air races. Competing as race number 35, with the race name Full Noise, Graeme’s Yak, ZK-VVS, will be supported by the Kiwi team consisting of Jay McIntyre, Daniel Frew, Frank Parker, Liz Needham and many others. In this episode Graeme talks with Dave Homewood about his flying and Air Force background, the history of his Yak 3M, and his great big adventure that is unfolding right now as he prepares for the upcoming Reno races. The racing will be held between the 13th and 17th of September 2017. GO FULL NOISE!!!! Quick Links: • Fighter Flights Facebook Page • FullNoise35 on Instagram • Fighter Flights Website • JEM Aviation • JEM Aviation on Facebook • Reno Championship Air Races 2017 Website • Reno Air Race Association Facebook Page Above: Graeme Frew in his Yak 3M “Full Noise” Photos all courtesy of Fighter Flights Music in this episode is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Guests: Russell Brodie and Ross Brodie Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 10th of August 2017 Released: 11th of August 2017 Duration: 1 hour minutes seconds Russell Brodie and his son Ross Brodie join Dave via Skype from their home at Rangitata Island Aerodrome, near Geraldine in the South Island of New Zealand. The Brodies are a well known flying family, and they have a very significant event approaching to mark 100 years that the family has been involved in aviation, over four generations. The weekend of Friday 8th to Sunday 10th of September 2017 will see them host a very special Fly In at Rangitata Island marking that century of aviation. This social event welcomes pilots and enthusiasts from across the country, with no landing fees, the Lions Club doing the catering, free tenting on site, and lots of time for kicking back with a coffee and a sausage with other like-minded aviators, in a beautiful and idyllic spot. In this episode Russell and Ross talk about their family’s history in aviation, starting with the first Ross Brodie who learned to fly at Sockburn in 1917 with the Canterbury Aviation Company. His son Struan and Struan’s wife Ann both learned to fly in the 1950’s. Their son is Russell and his son, the fourth generation of pilots, is Ross. Russell and Ross also discuss the eclectic collection of historic microlights and aeroplanes they have at Rangitata Island – possibly the largest collection of such types in the world – and they discuss their plans to open up the airfield as a “Shuttleworth of the South” including provision for hangar homes coming soon. Above: The first of the Brodie pilots, Ross Brodie in a Caudron trainer at Sockburn in 1917; and Ross and his Canterbury Aviation Company course mates in 1917. Ross is second from left in the dark suit Russell, left, and Ross in the cockpit, at Rangitata Island. Photo: John Fallon The Brodie Family Tiger Moth in South Canterbury skies. Photo Ross Brodie The Event Details: Rangitata Island Aerodrome, near Geraldine, South Canterbury, New Zealand 8th, 9th and 10th of September 2017 No landing fees Free camping For more details contact Ross Brodie or Russell Brodie Phone: 03 693 8675 Mobile: 027 276 0914 Email: [email protected] Website: www.realflying.co.nz/ Quick Links: • Rangitata Island Aerodrome Website • Rangitata Island Aerodrome Facebook Page • The Brodie Family 100 Years in Aviation Fly-In Facebook Event Page • Rangitata Island Aerodrome on Google Maps • WONZ Show Episode 131 with Ross Brodie The video version of the above Episode 131  

Panel Guests: Andrew Gormlie, Don Simms and Peter Rowley Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of August 2017 Released: 7th of August 2017 Duration: 1 hour 54 minutes 02 seconds This is the second of our semi-regular “The Forum” show, featuring a panel of aviation minded folks discussing the latest news and views, projects and events, and all things aviation from across New Zealand and the world. The panellists this episode are Andrew Gormlie (private pilot, enthusiast and CEO of Classic Flyers NZ Museum in Tauranga); Don Simms (Skyhawk expert, ex-RNZAF Avionics Technician and Guide at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand); and Peter Rowley (private pilot, huge aviation enthusiast, webmaster of the popular Plane Crazy People Facebook page, and much loved comedy actor). Don Simms Andrew Gormlie Peter Rowley   Quick Links to some of the topics discussed: Sites Connected With The Guests • Plane Crazy People – Peter’s Facebook Group • Classic Flyers NZ Museum Website • Classic Flyers NZ Museum on Facebook • Classic Flyers NZ Museum on the WONZ Show • Don Simm’s Skyhawk Book • The Classic Flyers Avenger NZ2539 Thread on the WONZ Forum • The New Zealand Air Show Association • New Zealand Gyrocopter Association • New Zealand Cadet Forces • The Gisborne Aviation Preservation Society • GAPS on the WONZ Forum • The Ferrymead Aeronautical Society • Ferrymead on the WONZ Forum   The News Items • Fisherman Knocked Out By Deadstick Homebuild Aircraft on Matata Beach • Deadly Beach Emergency Landing in Portugal • The Embraer KC-390 Visits New Zealand • Waiheke Island Airfield For Sale • Death of Jim Pearce • The PAC750XL in North Korea • Flights Between New Zealand and Angola, and Myanmar Coming • The Airventure 2017 Airshow at Oshkosh • The Brodie Family 100 Years In Aviation Fly-In • Alexandra Wings And Wheels • The Battle of Guadalcanal on Wikipedia • Singaporean F-16’s To Visit Ohakea, New Zealand • NASA SOFIA Boeing 747 In Christchurch Again   The Great Escapes • Escape: The Best Sport Ever – by Frank Gatland • Dunkirk • Fighters And Bombers by Gavin Conroy • Precious Metal by Gavin Conroy • Vulcan 607 • Highest Duty by Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger • Sully • Duty by Bob Greene Get Some In – 1970’s Air Force Comedy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6QA2nOMPNRs The Most Daring Raid – Operation Black Buck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBJ99bIhAVk   Related WONZ Shows **************************** Don Simms Episodes Episode 2 Episode 134 Andrew Gormlie Episodes Episode 96 Episode 130 Peter Rowley’s Episode Episode 58 NASA SOFIA Episode 104 Theme Music For This Episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud

Guest: Stan Walker (F/O Stanley James Walker, RNZAF, NZ4214446, Pilot) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 17th of June 2017 Released: 28th of July 2017 Duration: 2 hour 15 minutes 42 seconds Back on the 1st of April 2017, 95 year old Stan Walker was one of the speakers at the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet in the New Zealand Warbirds Hangar at Ardmore Airport. His talk was very popular as his memory was extremely sharp and his stories were great. But it was obvious that there was much more he could tell, so Dave Homewood visited him in June to do a more relaxed one to one interview. Stan was at university training to become a teacher when he was called up for the New Zealand Territorial Army, but days after he entered camp the Japanese started the war in the Pacific, and he found himself suddenly a member of the Regular Army. He did not relish this prospect as he’d been planning to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force, so he went AWOL to get his father to sign the paperwork that would allow him to switch to the RNZAF. He trained as a pilot in New Zealand and Canada, and was selected for RAF Coastal Command. He was eventually posted to No. 490 (NZ) Squadron based at Jui, Sierra Leone, in West Africa. He converted to the Sunderland as a second pilot, before eventually going solo and becoming a captain. Stan talks at length about his Air Force days, and the squadron, as well as his life in pre-WWII university and postwar as a teacher. Quick Links: • No. 490 (NZ) Squadron on Wikipedia • No. 490 (NZ) Squadron in the Official History – Episodes And Studies Vol. 2 Notes: My sincere thanks to Stan and his son Gary Walker for assisting with this interview. The music in this episode is from the Coastal Command suite by Ralph Vaughan Williams, recorded in 1942 Stan Walker’s Photos These photos come courtesy of Stan’s album, via his son Gary Walker Stan Walker today Stan Walker during WWII Aerodrome Defence Unit at RNZAF Station Waipapakauri Stan and friends relaxing outside their huts at RNZAF Station Waipapakauri RNZAF Station Waipapakauri’s hut accommodation for the ADU members Stan, left, during his Elementary Flying Training School course at RNZAF Station Ashburton Stan’s course at RCAF Station Brandon, Manitoba, in Canada Back Row: Philips, Salmon, McKenzie, ?, MacRae, Lyall, Logan, Norman, Parker, Rush, Jensen, Heath, MacVicar, Lavin, Tinsley (RAF), Stevens (RAF), Yeoman. Centre Row: Thrall (RAF), Johnson, ?, Waugh (RAF), Davies, Cowell, Marshall-Muir, Latimer, Sturgiss, Hathaway, Hoult, Kether?, Smith (RAF), Harland, Shepherd, MacLellan Front Row: Henderson, Garner, Adam, Lyons, Millar, Wood, McMillan, Pope, Gibbs, Padre’, Padre’ (CofE), Baggott, Walker, Morris, Lilly, Ellison, Forsyth An Airspeed Oxford as flown by Stan in Britain during his refresher training Stan in the Captain’s seat of an Airspeed Oxford No. 490 (NZ) Squadron at Jui, Sierra Leone, West Africa Stan’s Sunderland crew (Stan is not in the photo): Standing, left to right: F/Sgt Maloney, F/Sgt Edwards, Sgt Kemp, Sgt Sinclair, Sgt Allsopp Seated, left to right: Sgt Patterson, F/O Delete, F/Lt ‘Pat’ Paterson, F/Sgt Johnny Greer, F/O Woodward The main hangar and workshops on the waterfront at RAF Jui Moored No. 490 (NZ) Squadron Short Sunderland Mk. III’s with the Jui hangar visible in the background The view from the Sunderland of one of the Jui tender boats Stan in the foreground with Sunderland “V” at Abidjan, French Ivory Coast during ‘Victory Tour’ that ran from the 17th to 27th of May 1945. Stan’s Short Sunderland Mk. III “X” Barrack Block E at RAF Jui The end of Sunderland “X” as she sinks into the Atlantic Ocean   Stan Walker Video At The Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet – 1st of April 2017 Kindly filmed by Stuart Russell  

Guest: Phillip Leech (Flight Lieutenant Phillip Winfield Leech, RAF, Navigator-Wireless Operator/Air Gunner) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 15th of July 2017 Released: 20th of July 2017 Duration: 1 hour 20 minutes 43 seconds Phillip Leech was an English-born member of the Royal Air Force, but he served as a Navigator on the Coastal Command Bristol Beaufighter torpedo bombers with No. 489 (NZ) Squadron. His pilot was Peter Branton, who was also RAF. Phillip joined the RAF in late 1941 hoping to be a pilot, but the RAF had other ideas and after initial training in London and at Babbacombe, he embarked for Canada where he studied Navigation at Hamilton, Ontario. This was followed by a course in general reconnaissance at Prince Edward Island, before he returned to Britain where he did a course at Squires Gate, Blackpool, in beam navigation. Then he completed a wireless operator’s course at RAF Cranwell. Posted to the Operational Training Unit at Crosby-on-Eden near Carlyle, Phillip was only there for a day or so before being posted to No. 489 (NZ) Squadron, at RAF Leuchars in Scotland. He was teamed up with Pete Brunton and would have to learn to adjust to the Bristol Beaufighter and operations as he went. Phillip talks all about life on the squadron, specific operations, and what it was like to fly operationally in the Beaufighter, making torpedo attacks on the German convoys off the coast of Norway, the shipping route up the Dutch coast, and various ports. Phillip served with the squadron also at RAF Langham and RAF Dallachy in Scotland. When he finished his tour with No. 489 (NZ) Squadron Phillip was posted to an Air Sea Rescue squadron flying as navigator in Supermarine Sea Otters. Quick Links: • Nine Minute Film of No. 489 (NZ) Squadron Beaufighters – Imperial War Museum • The No. 489 (NZ) Squadron Association Website • The No. 489 (NZ) Squadron Association Facebook page Notes: My sincere thanks to Phillip’s son David Leech for assisting in setting up the Skype interview. The music in this episode is from the Coastal Command suite by Ralph Vaughan Williams, recorded in 1942 Phillip Leech today (photo courtesy of David Leech). All that remains of the wartime airfield today at RAF Dallachy in Scotland is the old control tower (photo courtesy of David Leech). The Dallachy Strike Wing Memorial at former RAF Dallachy (photo courtesy of David Leech) The Dallachy Strike Wing Memorial at former RAF Dallachy (photo courtesy of David Leech) Phillip’s No. 489 (NZ) Squadron badge (photo courtesy of David Leech) Phillip’s No. 489 (NZ) Squadron badge, his wartime hat and a wartime photo of him and his pilot and two others (photo courtesy of David Leech)   A closer look at that wartime photo. Phillip is second from the right. (photo courtesy of David Leech) No. 489 (NZ) Squadron Photos Kindly Supplied by Don Wilkie No. 489 (NZ) Squadron Beaufighter Artworks by Don Wilkie If you’d like to learn more about Don’s art, click here

Speakers: Squadron Leader Jonathan Pote MBE, AE (Master of Ceremonies) Ron Mayhill DFC (New Zealand Bomber Command Association President) Group Captain Ants Hawes (RNZAF Chaplain) Flight Lieutenant Ken Diekema (RNZAF Chaplain) His Excellency Rob Zaagman (Ambassador to the Kingdom of The Netherlands) Master Aircrew Andrew Burrows (Royal Air Force) Pat Johnson (Area President of the Royal New Zealand Returned & Services Association) Able Musician Rebecca Nelson (RNZNVR, singing the National Anthem) Recorded: 11th of June 2017 Released: 13th of July 2017 Duration: 1 hours 23 minutes 30 seconds In this episode we hear the entire Royal Air Force Bomber Command Commemorative Service that was held in the Hall of Memories in the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Sunday the 11th of June 2017. This includes all the speeches and the prayers spoken during the ceremony, but some small portions of dead air where no speaking was occurring have been removed. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Website • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page • The Auckland War Memorial Museum There are many more photos from the event on the NZBCA Facebook page

Guest: Connie Bickford (Constance Elsie Bickford, Wartime WAAF 2003787, known as “Lucky”) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 9th of June 2017 Released: 7th of July 2017 Duration: 1 hour 24 minutes 4 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with 97-year-old WWII Women’s Auxiliary Air Force member Connie Bickford. Connie was a window dresser in London before she joined the British WAAF and was trained as a plotter and a RADAR Operator. Her training in these specialist roles took place at Portreath in Cornwall, and then she was posted to a RADAR section at Swannage, in Dorset. She also served at RAF Colerne. Connie’s memories of the war, her work, her bending of the WAAF rules, her marriage to a Spitfire pilot and much more make for a very rich and enjoyable episode. Thanks to Lance Bickford and Gary at New Zealand Warbirds Association’s Office for their valued assistance in setting up this interview!

Panel Guests: Bruce Cooke, Alistair Marshall and Peter McQuarters Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 29th of June 2017 Released: 30th of June 2017 Duration: 2 hours 37 minutes 2 seconds The Wings Over New Zealand Show has reached another milestone, our 150th episode! And to mark the occasion the show is trying a new format, a panel style show under the series title of “The Forum”. Dave is joined by three guests from different areas of New Zealand aviation, and together the panel discusses news, current affairs, thoughts and ideas, and the guests tell interesting stories. If this format is popular it could become a semi-regular thing, perhaps once a month, or every six weeks or so, in the WONZ Show series with different panel guests each time. In this prototype episode of “The Forum”, Dave is joined by Bruce Cooke, Al Marshall and Peter McQuarters. Bruce Cooke (above) is a private pilot, an engineer, a home-building boffin, a WONZ forum moderator, and an SAA chapter secretary. Al Marshall (above) is an ex-RNZAF engineer and ex-RNZAF pilot, currently a Virgin Australia Boeing 737 captain and still he’s getting his hands dirty on engineering projects from Bristol Hercules engines to miniature locomotives. He is also one of the few remaining current Bristol Freighter captains!! Peter McQuarters is an ex-radio DJ who has done airshow commentary, he was the founder of the Ashburton Aviation Society, he has collected warbirds over the years including Harvards, a Devon a DC-3 cockpit and he’s even a former Fokker Friendship owner, and he’s an all round enthusiast of old aeroplanes. News items discussed include: Quick Links to some of the topics discussed,in no particular order: • Bruce’s Film “Their Own Wings” • Sport Aircraft Association of New Zealand • The National World War II Museum, New Orleans • The Commemorative Air Force • Avspecs Ltd., Ardmore, New Zealand • Pioneer Aero Ltd., Ardmore, Auckland • The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT), Auckland, New Zealand • SAFE Air Renamed Airbus (News Item) • Warbirds Over Wanaka DVD Re-Release • 100 Years of Brodie Family Flying • Ashburton Aviation Museum • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • Bee Dawson’s Laucala Bay Book • Xtended Podcast Falklands Air War Part 1 • Xtended Podcast Falklands Air War Part 2 • The Beech 18 on Platinum Fighter Sales Mosquito TV959 Rebuilt By Avspecs Flying in the USA The Theme Music for this episode is “Wild Flower” by Joakim Karud

Guest: David Duxbury Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 27th of May 2017 Released: 7th of June 2017 Duration: 59 minutes 23 second In the first of what is planned to become an occasional series that celebrates the history of our Air Force marking the RNZAF’s 80th year, eminent RNZAF historian David Duxbury of Christchurch joins Dave Homewood in a discussion about the earliest years of the Air Force. In fact it began as two Air Forces, in June 1923, as the New Zealand Permanent Air Force and the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial). David discusses how the Air Force in those days was made up and trained, their bases at Wigram and Hobsonville, their aircraft types, their roles, their uniforms and much more. In future episodes with David Duxbury, the WONZ Show plans to cover all sorts of topics from the long and colourful history of our Air Force, from episodes focusing on a particular aircraft type in service, or a particular station or base, or specific people, or campaigns and battles, etc. Each episode should be packed with details, facts, trivia, humorous asides and stuff you probably never knew. Feel free to offer suggestions for topics for upcoming shows. And also if there is anything from show topics such as this episode that you wish we’d covered or you want to ask more about, send in your query and we can follow up on feedback from the previous shows when we record the next one. The following photos have been collected by Dave Homewood over the years from private collections. They must not be reproduced without permission. Above: An early Territorial course at Wigram. As David says, some of the pilots did not have uniforms in the early days. From the collection of the late Ron Sinclair. Air Force members on parade, probably in Auckland, in the mid 1930’s, From the collection of the late Bob Lawn. An NZAF(T) course held at Hobsonville. Pilots parading on the Wet Apron in a mix of uniforms. From the collection of the late Tony Firth. An NZAF(T) course, probably held at Wigram. Tony Firth is squatting, right, and standing in the centre with a stoop is Len Isitt, who would go on to become Chief of Air Staff. Standing left is believed to be Maurice Buckley. From the collection of the late Tony Firth. A Bristol Fighter of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force, which the NZPAF members also trained on during their early courses. From the collection of the late Tony Firth. A line of Bristol Fighters at Wigram. From the collection of the late Tony Firth. de Havilland DH60 Moths of the NZPAF lined up in front of their hangar at Hobsonville in the early 1930’s. From the collection of the late Bob Lawn. A view of a hangar at (probably) Wigram circa 1935 with brand new Vickers Vildebeests and a brand new Avro 626 crowded around a DH60 Moth. From the collection of the late Bob Lawn. An NZPAF DH60 Moth flying alongside two Auckland Aero Club Moths over Auckland city. The Aero Clubs were a vital partner with the Air Force through the 1930’s in keeping pilots current. The Government subsidised the cost of flying lessons for Aero Club pilots in a scheme that would see those pilots enter the Air Force if an emergency arose. Most did just that very thing in September 1939 war war began. NB – subsequent research finds that the Riccarton Line of the Christchurch Tramway did indeed extend all the way to Wigram (or Sockburn originally) where it terminated. The line was completed in December 1915 and was active till 1954, so would have been used by airmen in both World Wars and through the NZPAF and NZAF(T) periods to get to and from Riccarton and the city centre.

Guest: David Duxbury Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 27th of May 2017 Released: 30th of May 2017 Duration: 31 minutes 1 second In a special and rather impromptu episode the Wings Over New Zealand Show marks 75 years to the day since the first “1000 Bomber Raid” was mounted by the Royal Air Force. The target was the city of Cologne in Germany, and the RAF went all out to put together more than a thousand bombers to hit the one city in what was to be both a devastating and unexpected surprise for the Germans as such a tactic had never been conceived before; and also a bit propaganda coup for the British and Allies. Aircraft taking part came from all the operational Bomber Command squadrons able to participate, plus squadrons of RAF Coastal Command and RAF Training Command, including crews not used to night operations over enemy territory, and aircraft that were well past their best condition. In this short special episode Dave Homewood is joined by eminent RNZAF historian David Duxbury to discuss the Cologne raid and to highlight a few stories from New Zealanders who took part. Official British war art imagining a bombing raid on Cologne. The city’s cathedral is clearly visible. It survived the war, despite being hit dozens of times by Allied bombs. NF 3/1603 This image is from the collections of The National Archive

Guest: George Barclay Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of June 2010 Released: 26th of May 2017 Duration: 1 hour 44 minutes 59 seconds George Barclay joined the Territorial Army on the 8th of May 1940. However he hated the Army lifestyle and in 1940 he volunteered to switch to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). On 17 Nov 41 he left NZ in the SS Monterey and was among the first RNZAF trainees to go to Canada where he flew the Cessna Cranes at Saskatoon. He graduated as a Sergeant Pilot on 27 Mar 42. On arrival in Britain he underwent an Advanced Flying Course at RAF Grantham on the Airspeed Oxford from 21 Jul 42 until 15 Sep 42. On 17 Sep 42 he started an Operational Training Unit course at Upper Heyford on Vickers Wellington Mk1C and MkIIIs and completed the course on 17 Dec 42. He was posted to No. 150 Squadron at RAF Kirmington on 12 Jan 43, flying Wellington MkIII (delete 1C’s), and then to 166 Sqn at Kirmington when the squadron formed on 27 Jan 43. In his short 4 months on 166 Sqn, he flew Wellington MkIIIs and later the MkX. On the night of the 8/9 April 1943 George and his crew were forced to bale out of their stricken Wellington over France, having been hit over Duisberg. He was taken as a Prisoner of War by the Germans and after interrogation at Dulag Luft in Frankfurt he was sent on 24 Apr 43 to Stalag Luft 1 near Barth, Western Pomerania, Germany. On 1 Nov 43 he was sent to Stalag Luft 6, Heydekrug where he stayed until 17 Jul 44. He was then sent to Stalag 20A/357 Thorn in Poland. On 13 Aug 44 he was sent on to Stalag 357 Fallingbostel in Lower Saxony, in north-western Germany. There he said he was appointed as interpreter for the Senior British Officer as he was able to speak German and could interpret for the other prisoners. George talks in detail about life in the camp, and his escape from the prison on the 6th of April 1945 that saw him back in England by 17th of April 1945. He also talks about other aspects of Bomber Command life, such as laying mines near the U-boat pens. For many years George and his wife Marian worked tirelessly for veterans’ welfare for the Returned and Services Association in Northland. George died peacefully on 3rd April 2020 aged nearly 97 and while there is the odd factual error in the interview recorded with perhaps a ‘fading memory’ in 2010, when he was 87 years of age, the story is nonetheless of interest. The tune heard in this episode is A Lark Ascending, by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The interview ends somewhat abruptly because at the time that video tape ran out, and so that is all there is I’m afraid. Above: George Barclay during WWII, and in 2010 during the interview.

Guest: James Callister ‘Jim’ Richmond (10 January 1915 – 8 September 2013) Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 3rd of June 2010 Released: 19th of May 2017 Duration: 32 minutes 15 seconds Jim Richmond was a Meteorologist in the Royal New Zealand Air Force during World War Two. He served at RNZAF Station Waipapakauri, with No. 7 (GR) Squadron, then No. 9 (GR) Squadron at Plaine des Gaiacs in New Caledonia, Espiritu Santo, and Guadalcanal. He also served on many stations around New Zealand. Jim recalled his personal connection with the tragic Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress crash at Whenuapai. He also explains the methods they used to predict the weather around New Zealand and the Pacific. This interview was conducted with Jim in his resthome at Onewa Lodge, Birkenhead. The late Jim Richmond in June 2010 Closing Music is ‘Fog’ by Sergey Cheremisnov.

Guest: Paul Brennan Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 11th of May 2017 Released: 12th of May 2017 Duration: 1 hour 8 minutes 40 seconds Paul Brennan is a professional broadcaster, cameraman and media personality, who has taken on the task to run the “Bring Our Birds Home” campaign. This is an ambitious but doable plan to bring five historic airliners that served with Air New Zealand back home to New Zealand to save and preserve them. They are a Lockheed Electra, a Douglas DC-8, a Douglas DC-10, a Boeing 737 and a Boeing 747. Paul talks about their current locations and conditions, the plans in place to hopefully secure and rescue them, and the processes that they hope to utilise to get the aircraft back to New Zealand. The ultimate goal is to have them all restored and on public display in a city museum, but the current aim is to ensure they are not scrapped and lost forever as each is the last of their fleet that served in Air New Zealand service. Paul also talks about his “AirSide Radio” podcast, which he produces with Martin Noakes.   Quick Links: • Bring Our Birds Home on Facebook • Bring Our Birds Home Webpage • Bring Our Birds Home Givealittle Page • AirSide Radio Podcast • AirSide TV • Air New Zealand To contact Paul Brennan call 022 600 7538, or email [email protected] Above: Paul Brennan The Aeroplanes: The following photos are reproduced from the Bring Our Birds Home Facebook page with Paul Brennan’s permission, and due credit to the photographers where needed. DC-8-52 ZK-NZC at Wellington August 1971 courtesy of Bob Leask http://www.airliners.net/user/musice/profile/photos L-188C Electra ZK-TEB at Wellington 1971 courtesy Bob Leask http://www.airliners.net/user/musice/profile/photos Boeing B737-219 ZK-NAD in Air New Zealand/NAC hybrid scheme late 1970s at Christchurch. DC10-30 ZK-NZS at the checkerboard turn for RW 13 Kai Tak Hong Kong late 70s. ZK-NZV arriving AKL on delivery Jun 1981 – Image: Kevin Phillips via Paul Jefferies  

Guest: Barrie “Irv” Irvine Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 25th of September 2016 Released: 28th of April 2017 Duration: 45 minutes 25 seconds In this episode, which was recorded live at the Te Atatu RSA Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet at Auckland in September 2016, we hear from former RNZAF Sunderland and Orion pilot Barrie Irvine. He gives an excellent talk on life and the many adventures as a pilot on the Sunderlands at Lauthala Bay in Fiji and in New Zealand during the 1960’s. And he details the period where he was posted to the USA to convert to the new Lockheed P-3B Orion. Barrie delivered the fourth new Orion to New Zealand, and then became a training officer to convert other members of No. 5 Squadron to the type. Quick Links: • Royal New Zealand Air Force • The Te Atatu Memorial RSA Related Films: Two WONZ Films relating to this episode. The first features Barrie Irvine and fellow crew mate Jim McHerron revisiting to Short Sunderland MR.5 at MOTAT for the first time in 50 years The second film is home movie by Barry Jones of RNZAF Station Lauthala Bay during the Sunderland era

Guests: Squadron Leader Brett Clayton RNZAF (Falcon 1) Flight Lieutenant Dan Pezaro RNZAF (Falcon 2) Squadron Leader Hayden Sheard RNZAF (Falcon 4) Flight Lieutenant Mike Williams RNZAF (Falcon 6) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 14th of April 2017 Released: 20th of April 2017 Duration: 15 minutes 50 seconds In this episode Dave managed to grab a short interview with four members of the very busy Black Falcons, the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s premier aerobatic display team. This was recorded during the recent Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow, which the team displayed at in the Friday evening show and then opened both days on the Saturday and Sunday with their highly polished routine. The Black Falcons team members are all instructors with the Central Flying School of the Royal New Zealand Air Force (who train the flying instructors and maintain flying standards across the Air Force), or with No. 14 Squadron RNZAF who train the new pilots. Their team practices and displays are all done in their own time outside their regular work hours. The other two team members, Flight Lieutenant Stu Anderson (Falcon 3) and Squadron Leader Sean Perrett (Falcon 5) were unable to join the interview as they were flying in the airshow display in other types, Stu in the RNZAF’s famous Harvard NZ1015 which we watched together just after this interview, and Sean in Brendon Deere’s Spitfire. Quick Links: • The Black Falcons Aerobatic Team Webpage • The Black Falcons Aerobatic Team Facebook Page • The Black Falcons on Wikipedia • The Royal New Zealand Air Force Website • The Royal New Zealand Air Force Facebook Page • The Beechcraft T-6C Texan II on Wikipedia Above: The four members of The Black Falcons who appear in this episode. Left to right are FLT LT Dan Pezaro (Falcon 2), FLT LT Mike Williams (Falcon 6), SQN LDR Hayden Sheard (Black 4) and SQN LDR Brett Clayton (Falcon 1). Falcon 6, Flight Lieutenant Mike Williams, commentating during The Black Falcons display at Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow on Saturday the 15th of April 2017. The following photos were taken by Dave Homewood during The Black Falcons’ displays at Yealands Classic Fighters Omaka Airshow on Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th of April 2017. The following clips were filmed by Dave Homewood during the Saturday and Sunday of the Classic Fighters Airshow.

Guest: Derrick Hubbard Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 28th of October 2016 Released: 6th of April 2017 Duration: 57 minutes 40 seconds Derrick was born in England, and as a young man he joined the Royal Air Force as an engineer during WWII. He trained at RAF Halton and worked in the RAF for 10 years. He then joined de Havillands during the time when the Comet jet airliner was being built. Later he worked for Fleetlands with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm. And then he came to New Zealand, where he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force and served for 24 years here. He and his wife are now volunteer guides at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Derrick gave a talk at the Christchurch Forum Meet, but this one to one interview was recorded two days before. Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Derrick on the mezzanine floor about the Atrium in the Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Guests: Peter Mason, Peter Lewis, Warwick Jones, Cliff Hawley and Norm Sanson Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 25th of September 2016 Released: 29th of March 2017 Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes 29 seconds In this episode we hear some of the speakers who appeared at the WONZ Forum Meet at Te Atatu Memorial RSA, in Te Atatu, Auckland, in September. The first speaker is Peter Mason, who helped set up the meet in his local RSA club. Peter has worked for the RNZAF for fifty odd years, first as a Safety and Surface Worker, then as a Helicopter Crewman, then as an Air Loadmaster, and as a Bandsman, and now works in Air Movements at RNZAF Base Whenuapai. We hear from Peter Lewis who is talking about the Aviation Historical Society of New Zealand’s attempts to modernise and appeal to younger aviation enthusiasts. And Warwick Jones talks about the Royal Aeronautical Society’s activities too. Sadly I did not get a photo of Warwick. Cliff Hawley details his days in the 1950’s Compulsory Military Training Scheme where he ended up a member of the RNZAF’s Light Anti-Aircraft Squadron, a Hobsonville-based Bofors gun unit. And lastly Norm Sanson talks about his experiences as a pilot of the Grumman Widgeon and Goose flying boats in the small maritime airlines of New Zealand and up in the Pacific. Norm had just released his autobiographical book A Deviation From The Norm. Sadly there is a little electronic interference from an unknown source during Norm’s talk. It lasts a short while and is rather annoying, but you can still hear Norm telling his story, and so it has been decided rather than edit the noise and thus cut down the story, you get the full version. Bear with it, it does stop after a bit if time. My apologies for the inconvenience. Quick Links: • The Te Atatu Memorial RSA • The Aviation Historical Society of New Zealand • The Aviation Historical Society of New Zealand on the WONZ Forum • The Royal Aeronautical Society – New Zealand • The RNZAF Light Anti-Aircraft “Forgotten” Squadrons on the WONZ Forum • A Deviation From The Norm • A Deviation From The Norm on the WONZ Forum Above: Peter Mason Above: Peter Lewis Above: Cliff Hawley Above: Norm Sanson  

Guest: Captain Michael Cater senior (retired) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 17th of February 2017 Released: 23rd of March 2017 Duration: 2 hours 33 minutes 48 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with his good friend Captain Mike Cater, who served as a pilot in the Royal Air Force and then flew as an airline captain for many years. Initially learning to fly at a civilian flying school on de Havilland Chipmunks and Tiger Moths, in the RAF Mike trained on the Percival Jet Provost, and then went onto Folland Gnats. Once he had his flying badge Mike went onto transports, flying the twin engined Vickers Varsity, and then onto the four engined Armstrong Whitworth Argosy. On this heavy transport type with No. 215 Squadron, Mike served as a co-pilot in Singapore and in the forward area on the island Borneo during the Indonesian-Malaysian Confrontation. They were flying the Argosy at low level through mountain passes over jungle dropping supplies, ammunition and other essentials to the British and Commonwealth troops who manned forts along the border between Malaysia and Indonesia. Following his Far East service, Mike returned to Britain and was posted to RAF Benson to complete a command course, but from there he was deployed several times to Bahrain and was flew all round the Middle East, including supporting British interests in the war in Oman, where they were attempting to keep Soviet and Chinese-backed Communist forces out of the Middle East. During this period he converted to the Bristol Britannia transport. In 1975 he was posted as an instructor to RAF Leuchars, training McDonnell Douglas Phantom pilots in the flight simulator. However he was dissatisfied with this non-flying position and decided to leave the RAF. He then took a job flying for Air Faisal flying freight in Bristol Britannias. This was short lived as the airline went bust, and he then moved onto Laker Airways where he flew the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. Again this was short lived as Laker also went bust. He then began flying cargo in Vickers Vanguards in the East Midlands of Britain. After about nine months he then gained a position flying Lockheed Tristars with Bahrain-based Gulf Air, and moved there with his family. His next move was to Italy, flying Boeing 767’s with Air Europe, before joining Singapore Airlines flying Boeing 747’s. Quick Links: • The Royal Air Force • No. 115 Squadron Royal Air Force • The Indonesia-Malaysian Confrontation • Laker Airways • Gulf Air • Singapore Airways Mike Cater (senior) Mike Cater (senior), left, and Mike Cater (junior). The younger Mike is Dave Homewood’s best mate, so Mike (senior) is also a very good friend. Mike senior lives in Spain these days, Mike junior in New Zealand.

Guests: Julie Bubb, Neroli Henwood and Judy Costello Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 18th of March 2017 Released: 19th of March 2017 Duration: 34 minutes 05 seconds In this episode, recorded in the open air at Te Kowhai Aerodrome, Hamilton, Dave Homewood talks with three ladies at a Fly In of the New Zealand Association of Women in Aviation (NZAWA), which was formerly known as the Airwoman’s Association of New Zealand. The first guest is NZAWA President Julie Bubb, of Paeroa. She is followed by Neroli Henwood of Hamilton. And lastly is one of the original founding members of the NZAWA, Judy Costello. All three ladies talk about the association, its purpose and activities and what it means to them. And they also talk about their personal experiences as pilots. Judy is particularly interesting in that she is one of New Zealand’s earliest female commercial pilots and instructors. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Association of Women in Aviation’s Website • More photos Dave took at the Fly In, on Facebook Julie Bubb with her Sportscruiser Neroli Henwood with her Piper Cub Judy Costello with her Tecnam Golf Note: As this is recorded on an active airfield there’s a little wind noise and background sounds of aircraft movements. Time constraints forced by other commitments meant Dave could only record three interviews, but he hopes to record more stories with NZAWA members and with females in New Zealand aviation in the future, so if you can assist with suggestions, please email Dave at [email protected]

Guest: Edith Josephine “Josie” Miller (nee McGovern) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: July 2012 Released: 8th of March 2017 Duration: 1 hour 06 minutes 37 seconds In this episode Dave delves into the archives to present this great interview with Josie Miller, who was a member of New Zealand’s Womans Auxiliary Air Force during WWII. She joined the WAAF on the 1st of January 1942, at RNZAF Station Hobsonville where she was immediately thrown into the role as a driver in the Motor Transport section. Josie tells the hilarious story of her first day, when she was told to take a large truck, which she’d never driven before, into the heart of Auckland city, alone. She had no experience in the city and was completely lost. She remembers the time a USAAF B-17 bomber crashed on take off from Whenuapai, and what life was like on the station at Hobsonvile. She also recalls her postings to Wellington, Lauthala Bay in Fiji, Mechanics Bay, and Rukuhia at the end of the war. Josie was also selected to represent the RNZAF in London on the Victory Parade. And there’s a lot more stories in between. The following wartime photos with Josie come from the collection of the late Gwenda Reid: Back Row: Helen Smith and Josie McGovern (later Miller). Front Row: Gwenda Nickle (later Reid) and Pilot Officer Jack McKinven, the MT Officer Above: RNZAF Station Hamilton-based WAAFs Josie McGovern (Miller), Gwenda ‘Nicki’ Nickle (Reid), and Helen Smith Above: MT Drivers at RNZAF Station Hamilton. Left to Right: ‘Dick’ ?, Mary Stranger, Mary Crotty, Gwenda “Nicki” Nickle, ? LeBelle, Josie McGovern, Margaret Cornwall, Ailsa Woolven and Helen Smith. Above: A not so good screen capture of Josie during the interview

Guest: Flight Lieutenant Alwynne ‘Bud’ Rose Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 25th of September 2016 Released: 2nd of March 2017 Duration: 40 minutes 35 seconds In this episode, which was recorded live during the Te Atatu RSA WONZ Forum Meet, former RNZAF engineer and flight engineer Bud Rose talks about his career. He worked on the Short Sunderland Mk. III flying boats and Douglas C-47 Dakotas before training to become a Flight Engineer. In that capacity he flew as aircrew on Dakotas and Handley Page Hastings with No. 41 Squadron RNZAF. He was also posted on an exchange to No. 24 (Commonwealth) Squadron RAF in Britain, again flying aboard the Hastings. He talks about those days in a very interesting and entertaining presentation. Above: Bud Rose during his talk at the Te Atatu RSA Above: Bud with one of his multipurpose tools from his days on the C-47

Guest: Frederic ‘Ric’ Martini Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of March 2016 Released: 22nd of February 2017 Duration: 46 minutes 29 seconds In this episode, which was recorded live during the March 2016 WONZ Forum Meet at the New Zealand Warbirds Association hangar at Ardmore, guest speaker Ric Martini tells the story of his father, Sgt Frederick C. Martini USAAF, and Squadron Leader Phil Lamason DFC*, mid(2), RNZAF who were among those that experienced perhaps the most terrifying captivity of any Prisoners of War, in the SS’s notorious Buchenwald death camp. Ric discusses how both men ended up in the camp, what went on during their time there and the threat of death they were under, and also what happened to both men when they finally got out and into regular POW camps, and the forced marches they went on. He also discusses what happened to both men post-WWII and the lack of recognition, the cover up of information and the shameful neglect that particularly the US Government showed the veterans who had lived through the awful imprisonment at Buchenwald. Above and below: Ric Martini during the WONZ Forum Meet presentation heard in this episode Photos: Dave Homewood Above: Ric’s father Sgt Frederic C. Martini, one of the Lost Airmen of Buchenwald (via Ric Martini) Above: Squadron Leader Phil Lamason DFC*, mid(2), who led the airmen in the Buchenwald camp (via Ric Martini) Quick Links: • The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald Official Site • The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald Facebook Page • The Lost Airmen of Buchenwald Thread on the Wings Over New Zealand Forum The music is a royalty and copyright free piece called ‘Touch’, via Youtube

Guest: Jack Marshall DFC (pff) Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 27th of October 2016 Released: 17th of February 2017 Duration: 40 minutes 8 seconds Jack Marshall was born in London in 1920, and moved to Napier, New Zealand in 1937, at the age of 17. He worked as a steward in a Gentleman’s Club, but when the war began he immediately volunteered for service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and entered RNZAF Station Ohakea as early as the 18th of December 1939. He was to train to become an Air Gunner and after very basic training in New Zealand, he boarded the RMS Akaroa, headed for England for service attached to the Royal Air Force. His first posting in Britain was to Uxbridge for square bashing, and then he proceeded to No. 15 Operational Training Unit at Bassingbourne. Having completed his training as a Rear Gunner, on the 1st of August 1940, whilst the Battle of Britain was at its height, Jack joined No. 115 Squadron at RAF Marham. When returning from one trip to Berlin, Jack’s aircraft was damaged and his skipper was forced to ditch into the North Sea, 40 miles off Great Yarmouth. The second-pilot sadly drowned in the ditching, but the rest of the crew spent 16 hours in a liferaft before being rescued by a Naval trawler. The crew returned to operations following a break, and then Jack had a period as a gunnery instructor at No. 11 OTU, RAF Bassingbourn. During this time he flew on two 1000 bomber raids. He remained instructing for nearly two years, before undergoing a course at No. 1657 Heavy Conversion Unit where he gained a new crew and they began flying Short Stirlings. Following the course the crew, which was captained by none other than famous RNZAF pilot Fraser Barron, were posted to operations on Stirlings with No. 7 (Pathfinder Force) Squadron, based at RAF Oakington near Cambridge. Jack completed 46 operations over enemy territory and he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. He is a member of the Goldfish Club due to the ditching in November 1940. Jack Mashall DFC (pff) in his study Jack’s medals, Air Gunner’s brevet, Pathfinders Force badge,and his Goldfish Club badge , mounted with his wartime photo, and he is reflected in the glass A painting of Jack’s crew’s Stirling aircraft, MG-G for George, from when he was on No. 7 Squadron PFF A closer detail of the above painting Below are photos Jack has pasted around the walls of his study, showing Stirlings from his squadron and his crew The music at the end is The Pathfinders March  

Guest: Don Simms Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 30th of October 2016 Released: 7th of February 2017 Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes 52 seconds RNZAF Skyhawk historian and author Don Simms gave a fascinating presentation at the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet held on the 30th of October 2016 at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, in Christchurch. Don is a guide at the museum and he’s also well known and much respected in the Wings Over New Zealand community as he has been a Moderator on the WONZ Forum for many years. He is also co-author of the 2011 book SKYHAWKS: The History Of The RNZAF Skyhawks. He gave a detailed talk on the history of the RNZAF Skyhawks from the process the RNZAF and Ministry of Defence went through to select the type for service, through its early career, its mid-life upgrade, and later service as the Kahu version. He talks about the purchase of the Royal Australian Navy’s Skyhawks to bolster the New Zealand fleet, and about the deployment of No. 2 Squadron RNZAF to NAS Albatross at Nowra, NSW, in Australia. Don covers various exercises the A-4K’s took part in and the various nations they trained with. And he details the highlights and lowlights of the Skyhawk’s career in New Zealand, from the RNZAF’s 50th Anniversary celebrations to the various crashes and losses of the type. Don backed up his talk with 170 photo slides, which he has kindly provided to the Wings over New Zealand Show to accompany the audio recording, so you have the option of either listening to the presentation in an audio-only format as usual, or following the link below to a Youtube version with all the photos as seen during the original Forum Meet talk. NB: Don Simms has previously appeared on the Wings Over New Zealand Show way back in 2011 for Episode 2, so if you enjoy this episode you may also like to go back to his original interview here Video Podcast Version: Above: Don Simms with his very popular Skyhawks book Quick Links: • Link To Don’s Book “Skyhawks – The History of the RNZAF Skyhawk” • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand (Venue for this presentation) • The Wings Over New Zealand Aviation Forum

Guest: Vic Jay Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 24th of January 2017 Released: 2nd of February 2017 Duration: 1 hour 1 minute 7 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with Vic Jay, via Skype from England. Vic has recently released his book “The Mallon Crew” detailing his late father Bob Jay, an RAF Flight Engineer, and his Lancaster bomber crew in No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF during WWII. Vic discusses how the book came about, and the research he did to discover the full story of his father’s war which he’d previously only known small parts of. He talks about the various people who helped him discover the story, including researchers and enthusiasts and the family members of other crew members in the crew under the captain, RNZAF pilot Bill Mallon. He also talks about the tragedies he uncovered along the way, particularly within the Mallon family. Vic has put together another chapter in the famous New Zealand heavy bomber squadron’s history, from the end of WWII. Above: The cover of “The Mallon Crew” by Vic Jay Above: Vic Jay with his book   Quick Links: • Bob Jay’s War – Vic’s Blog Detailing Bob and his Crew • Amazon Listing for “The Mallon Crew” • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Museum of Transport and Technology • The Aviation Heritage Centre, Omaka • Hedley’s Bookshop in Masterton

Guest: Ron Reid (Warrant Officer Ronald James Reid NZ402821, RNZAF Pilot – 30/01/1918 to 02/03/2014) Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 25th of November 2010 Released: 26th of January 2017 Duration: 59 minutes 37 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood interviewed the late WWII Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot Ron Reid, at his home in Tauranga in 2010. Ron was originally from Wellington, and he and his best mate Brian Baber joined the RNZAF together in 1940 as Air Gunners, following in the footsteps of Brian’s brother Jimmy (who was later killed in action). While on their Initial Training Wing course at RNZAF Station Wereroa, at Levin, Ron and Brian both found themselves re-selected for pilot training, and they remustered to become Airmen Pilots Under Training. They proceeded to No. 2 Elementary Flying Training School at RNZAF Station New Plymouth, where they learned to fly on de Havilland DH82 Tiger Moths, before being posted for intermediate and advanced training on Hawker Hinds at No. 3 Service Flying Training School, at RNZAF Station Ohakea. Upon completing their training in New Zealand, Brian and Ron were both sent to Singapore. On arrival in hat country they were posted to Kluang in Malaya where they completed a conversion course on CAC Wirraway advanced trainers in preparation to join a fighter squadron. Brian was ultimately posted to join No. 243 Squadron RAF, flying the Brewster Buffalo fighters. However, on his arrival at another Buffalo squadron – No. 488 Squadron RNZAF – Ron was told they had too many pilots and he wasn’t needed. So Ron was instead posted to No. 36 Squadron RAF at Seletar, where he began flying the Vickers Vildebeest, a large single engined biplane bomber and torpedo aircraft. When the Japanese Empire entered the war and began to attack Singapore and Malaya, the Vildebeests of No. 36 and 100 Squadrons both worked very hard by night bombing the approaching Japanese Army up the peninsula. But then the enemy decided to make another blow by landing a further force at Endau, in Malaya, cutting off some of the Allied Army. When the invasion fleet was spotted, every available RAF aircraft was put into the air to attack them. Vildebeests, Buffaloes, Lockheed Hudsons and Fairey Albacores were sent to attack the Japanese ships. It was not a success. Just before the fall of Singapore the surviving members of No. 36 Squadron escaped in the last two surviving Albacores and flying across to Java. They continued operations against the Japanese as they began to land in Java, and during this time Ron and his crew attacked a Japanese cruiser, with little effect. Soon all was lost and Ron and many others were captured. Following quite some time in various prison camps in Java, he was shipped to Sumatra and put to work on a project to build a 200 km railway line through the jungle between the towns of Pakan Baroe and Moeara. He did this till the war finally ended. He had the key role as front spiker in the railway gang. Quick Links: • The Battle of Endau on Wikipedia • The Sumatra Death Railway   Ron Reid in WWII (left) and during the 2010 interview A No. 36 Squadron RAF Vickers Vildebeest as flown by Ron Reid (Don Mackenzie collection) A photo of Ron Reid (left) and his good mate Brian Baber, two young RNZAF pilots newly arrived in Singapore and enjoying life in 1941, before war would come to that country (Brian Baber collection) The music heard in this episode is a royalty free piece from here

Guest: Ross Brodie Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 30th of October 2016 Released: 19th of January 2017 Duration: 41 minutes 13 seconds Ross Brodie is an inspirational young aviator who is a fourth generation pilot, and grew up with aviation not only in his blood but all around him. He lives on the famous Brodie family airfield at Rangitata Island in Canterbury, in the South Island of New Zealand. In this recording he is speaking at the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet held on the 30th of October 2016 at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, in Christchurch. Introduced by Dave Homewood, in this episode Ross talks about his life in aviation and his achievements with fixed wing aeroplanes of all sorts and gliding, his family background in flying, his love of aerobatics and of air-to-air photography, and he details the events of his 16th birthday where he went solo in 16 different aeroplanes all on the same day! He also talks about the family’s beloved de Havilland Tiger Moth which Ross now flies. In a new move for the WONZ Show, we are also presenting an audio-visual form of this podcast on Youtube, so the listeners can actually see the photos that Ross presented, just as if you’d been at the Forum Meet. This is an experimental idea, if it is popular more audio-visual shows may be made in the future. Quick Links: • The Rangtitata Island Aerodrome on Facebook Here are a few photos of Ross, but to see all his presentation photos please watch the Youtube version of this episode, below:

Guest: Andrew Gormlie Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 13th of January 2017 Duration: 25 minutes 13 seconds With the first big New Zealand airshow of the year coming up, Dave talks with Andrew Gormlie of Classic Flyers Museum in Tauranga about their “Classics To The Sky 2017” airshow. This year’s event is subtitled “Strikemasters At Sunset” with Brett Nicholls’ two ex-RNZAF BAC167 Strikemasters headlining the event. This is an afternoon and evening event, and so like last year we can expect some magic flying displays in the late afternoon sun as it sets over Tauranga harbour to the west of the airfield. Other warbirds will include the Mustang, Catalina, Yak 52 team, and a recently returned to the air Devon. And the RNZAF will be displaying a T-6 Texan II, and a Kaman Seasprite. Andrew also talks about recent projects that the museum has been working on, such as the project to return the Aermacchi MB339CB Macchi jet to running and taxiing condition; and the epic restoration to taxiing condition of the Grumman TBF-1 Avenger, both of which should be seen running and hopefully taxiing at the airshow. He also talks about the current project to restore three Airtourers, two to flying condition and the third as a static for the museum, Plus he hints there are some more big projects to come too. To find out more about the Classics To The Sky Airshow and the Classic Flyers Museum, click the links below: Quick Links: • Classics To The Sky 2017 Airshow: Strikemasters At Sunset • Classic Flyers Museum Note: The music in this episode is ‘Magic Ghost’by Danosongs

Guests: Bruce Cooke, Matt Austin and James Kightly Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 12th of December 2016 Published: 18th of December 2016 Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes 27 seconds In this special Dave and his guests Bruce, Matt and James celebrate both the Christmas season and the Wings Over New Zealand Show’s 5th Birthday. This episode is being published exactly five years to the day after the very first episode of the WONZ Show went live on the website. The series has come a long way, with 129 podcast episodes (averaging out to one every fortnight), plus the spin off live series on Warbird Radio. Dave and the guests look back over the past year at what has happened since the 100th episode special, and Dave looks forward to the coming year, 2017, and what it should hold for the WONZ Show. Happy 5th Birthday to the WONZ Show, thanks to all who listen to the series, and have a very Merry Christmas and a safe and happy New Year!!   Music in this episode includes “Something So Fine” by The Black Seeds, “Happy Birthday Song” by Stevie Wonder, and “War Is Over” by John Lennon.

Guest: Aviation artist Juanita Franzi Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 27th of November 2015 Duration: 29 minutes 42 seconds In this final episode in the Wings Over Australia sub-series, Dave and James discuss aviation profile art with Juanita Franzi of Sydney. Juanita has a background in engineering and graphic design, and she is nowadays one of the world’s more well known aircraft profile artists. Her work appears in many books and magazines, and she’s also worked with model companies in the past to produce accurate model colour schemes and shapes. Quick Links: • Juanita Franzi Aero Illustrations Website • Juanita Franzi Aero Illustration Facebook Page Above: Juanita with one of her artworks, an RAAF McDonnell Douglas FA-18 Hornet (Photo: Dave Homewood) Here are some examples of Juanita’s work This detail artwork of a Polish Air Force Ansaldo A.1 Balilla was prepared for the upcoming Aviattic model kit. In the background is an infographic depicting the final minutes of the British airship R101. Juanita researches her subjects in great depth. For this Mirage IIID drawing Juanita utilised photos and measurements she’d taken from the Fighter World example along with original Dassault drawings and information from various manuals. For some aircraft types, particularly extinct RAF types, it’s not possible to obtain this quality of technical information. This profile represents A3-105 in the temporary brown camouflage it was wearing at the time of its loss, April 1984. RAAF Lockheed C-130E Hercules and McDonnell Douglas FA-18A Hornet – Juanita has produced a series of prints featuring RAAF aircraft. There are available from the RAAF Museum Pt Cook Online Shop and DefenceGifts.com.au. Keep an eye on her Facebook page for announcements of future print releases. A mix bag of WWII heavies: Martin B-26 ‘Flak-Bait’ toward the end of its combat life; RCAF Lancaster that was converted to a firebomber in the 1960’s; Handley Page Halifax from No. 462 Squadron. The Meteor F.8 is one of Juanita’s personal favourites. Also included is a Dutch Fairey Firefly and an example of Juanita’s scale drawing work… in this case a Peruvian Douglas O-38. WW2 theme is continued with a RNZAF Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk training aircraft and a RCAF Avro Anson. In the background is an infographic explaining to operation of the USN’s anti-submarine Retrobomb.  

Guest: Terry Hetherington, Manager of the Australian Fleet Air Arm Museum Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 26th of November 2015 Duration: 1 hour  21 minutes 15 seconds In this penultimate episode in the Wings Over Australia sub-series, Dave and James visited the Fleet Air Arm Museum of Australia at HMAS Albatross, Nowra, south of Sydney. There they met with the Museum Manager Terry Hetherington. They discuss the history of the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Air Arm and the history of the museum. Terry covers the the RAN Fleet Air Arm’s establishment after WWII, its service in the Korean War, and the introduction of  helicopters to the FAA, their uses and the lineage of different types through the decades. Also discussed are the various fixed wing aircraft and the Navy’s entry into the jet era. Terry covers the hangar fire that destroyed nine of the Navy’s Grumman Trackers, the sale of the McDonnell Douglas Skyhawks to the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and their return to Nowra. And he talks about his own career with the Museum, plus a lot more. The opening music heard in this episode is “Diga Diga Doo”, by Bob Crosby and his Orchestra, provided by Matt Austin via his original 1930’s portable gramophone. The closing music is “Wings Over The Navy” by Lew Stone and his Orchestra Quick Links: •  The Fleet Air Arm Museum of Australia Above and below: Terry Hetherington and Dave Homewood during the interview, photographed by James Kightly Note: A huge thanks to Peter Costigan for his great assistance and company as the driver for Dave and James on the day. He’s seen in the photo below with Dave admiring a Sycamore (Photo James Kightly) Photos by Dave Homewood, unless otherwise attributed to James Kightly The Fairey Firefly The Hawker Sea Fury The MiG 15 The de Havilland Sea Venom The Fairey Gannet The 6 inch Gun From HMAS Melbourne and Sopwith Pup replica Above: Dave with the naval gun (Photo James Kightly) Jets – de Havilland Vampire, Aermacchi MB326 and McDonnell Douglas Skyhawks The Prototype Winjeel Douglas C-47 Dakota Bristol Sycamores   Westland Scout Grumman Tracker Bell Sioux Bell Uh-1 Iroquois (Hueys) Westland Sea King Westland Wessex General Dynamics F-111 Aardvark nose Seahawk Models Dave got very excited by a survival equipment display, as this was part of his old trade in the RNZAF (Photo above by James Kightly, below by Dave Homewood)   A painting of the story Terry told of the downed Firefly crew in Korea The right hand photo above is by James Kightly Terry with his absolute favourite exhibit, Robert Little’s flying helmet as told in the interview, and a closer look below of the helmet (Photos James Kightly) Portraits of the founders of the Royal Australian Navy’s Fleet Air Arm. Left: Flight Commander Robert A Little, DSO & Bar, DSC & Bar, RNAS. Right: Flight Commander Roderick S Dallas, DSO, DSC, RNAS. Miscellaneous Photos  

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Haydn Finbow Recorded: 11th of July 2016 Duration: 2 hours 6 minutes 20 seconds Born and brought up in a small village in Suffolk, England, Haydn Finbow joined the Royal Air Force in 1941, with the desire of becoming a Spitfire pilot. In this episode Haydn details his journey through the training system from initial entry at Lords Cricket Ground and flying Tiger Moths at Marshall Airport in Cambridgeshire, to advanced training in the USA, and his return to Britain where he eventually joined No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron RAF. Haydn flew Spitfire Mk. V’s and then the Griffon engined Spitfire Mk. XIV’s on patrols over Europe before and after D-Day, occasionally sighting enemy fighters including the famous yellow nosed Abbeville Boys, sometimes attacking ships, flying Search and Rescue operations, and more. Haydn had two crashes in Spitfires, the first shot down over enemy territory. He flew operationally with the squadron from mid-1943 through till after the end of the war. One of his squadron mates was New Zealander Colin Gray, who ended the war as New Zealand’s top fighter ace of all time. The pair were great friends. Haydn and his wife moved to New Zealand in 1974, living in Cambridge , Hamilton and Tauranga before he has retired back to Cambridge. Above: Haydn Finbow Above: Haydn during WWII, a photo on his wall, hence the glass shine Above: Haydn’s pilots’ certificate from the flying training course in the USA No. 610 (County of Chester) Squadron. Young Haydn

Guests: Jim Thurstan, and Bob Delahunty Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 26th of November 2015 Duration: 59 minutes 35 seconds Dave Homewood and James Kightly continue the Wings Over Australia Tour with a visit to the Historical Aircraft Restoration Society at Albion Park in Illawarra, New South Wales. They talk first with Jim Thurstan, who is one of the volunteer engineers restoring the Fokker F-VII Trimotor “Southern Cross” replica VH-USU. At the time the HARS team were skinning the huge wooden wing. And then James and Dave joined HARS chairman Bob Delahunty in the cockpit of the collection’s flagship, the Lockheed Super Constellation, to talk about the history of HARS. Bob tells how it all started with an ex-RNZAF Harvard, and the rescue of the Lockheed Neptunes, which led on then to the recovery and restoration of the Super Constellation. Huge thanks to the folks at HARS, and particularly to our host Peter Costigan, who volunteers on the HARS Catalina crew. Quick Links: • The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Website • The Historical Aircraft Restoration Society Facebook Page The following photos were taken by Dave Homewood and James Kightly during their visit to HARS on the 26th of November 2016, with additional photos from James of the HARS aircraft in action. Any uncredited photos are the property of Dave Homewood ©2015 Jim Thurstan talking about the Fokker F-VII Trimotor “Southern Cross” Replica Jim Thurstan, left, with Dave Homewood (James Kightly photo) Dave and Jim recording next to the huge wooden wing of the “Southern Cross” replica (James Kightly photo) Jim Thurstan shows how the failure in the Fokker’s undercarriage leg occurred, with the circlip in his right hand, that saw the aircraft damaged resulting in the rebuild HARS is undertaking (James Kightly) The Fokker F-VII Trimotor “Southern Cross” replica wing being skinned. Jim Thurston is seen holding the plywood sheets An underside view of what is actually the upper side of the wing (James Kightly) Interior of the “Southern Cross” replica The Fokker’s cockpit (James Kightly) The Fokker’s fuselage (James Kightly) The “Southern Cross” in better days, at Charleville, Queensland, 10 July 2001 (Phil Vabre photo) HARS President Bob Delahunty Bob Delahunty, the President of HARS, in the Constellation cockpit (Dave Homewood) Above and below, Bob and Dave in the Constellation during the recording of this episode (James Kightly) Bob discusses the Connie’s radio fit with Dave. (James Kightly) Lockheed Super Constellation The classic postwar airliner cockpit in the Constellation. (James Kightly) Some shots from James of the Connie in action Connie flies the flag (James Kightly) A few flames are often part of the Connie’s display. (James Kightly) Where possible dusk flights are impressive when flown by the HARS Constellation. (James Kightly) The Connie is spritely at low load on take off, here seen at Avalon (James Kightly) The elegant curves displayed over Temora in 2013. (James Kightly) The engine collection and other items in the foyer Kite Kawasaki Ki-61 Hien (Tony) CAC Wirraway Bell AH-1 Cobra helicopter Restoration projects – Beaufighter cockpit on the right Lockheed Neptunes Piston and Jet engines on the Neptune HARS’ Neptune at Avalon (James Kightly) Messerschmitt Bf108 (Nord 1002) A Grumman Tracker behind the Bf108 Auster J5G Autocar Douglas DC-4 0n the left CAC Ceres topdresser The General Dynamics F-111 The CAC Sabre de Havilland Vampire Aermacchi MB326 – now on a pole at their gateway entrance, and Mirage IIIO English Electric Canberra Hawker Hunter FR-74S A look over the HARS Black Cat Catalina Catalina crew member and Wings over Australia Tour supporter Peter Costigan left, with show co-host James Kightly inside the Catalina Show co-host Dave Homewood in the Engineer’s position Chad, I mean James HARS volunteer and Catalina crew member Dick Simpson who assisted with the tour of this aircraft, leaning through the crew door HARS volunteer and Catalina crew member Peter Costigan Photos of the Catalina out and about from James Kightly The HARS Catalina on take-off roll at Temora (James Kightly) The Catalina overhead (James Kightly) With the ‘black cat’ Felix visible, the Catalina touches down at Point Cook (James Kightly) One of HARS’s two DHC-4 Caribous One of the HARS Caribou on take-off at Temora (James Kightly) LET L-200A Morava North American T-6 Texan VH-XAN Douglas C-47 Dakotas A HARS Dakota landing back at Avalon. (James Kightly) The HARS Dakota with an admiring crowd at Point Cook in 2014 (James Kightly) de Havilland Drover Boeing-Stearman Kaydet Douglas DC-4 Skymaster de Havilland Mosquito mock up Dave amongst the HARS aircraft! (James Kightly)

Host: Dave Homewood Guests: Matthew O’Sullivan (Air Force Museum of New Zealand Keeper of Photographs), and Simon Moody (Air Force Museum of New Zealand Research Curator) Recorded: 28th of October 2016 Duration: 1 hour 36 minutes 20 seconds This episode, which follows on from the previous show here, continues our look behind the scenes at our Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Dave Homewood talks with the museum’s Keeper of Photography Matthew O’Sullivan, who curates the extensive archive of photos, negatives, glass plates, film and digital images that cover our Air Force’s history from the 1920’s through till the modern era. Matthew shows Dave around the archives and he talks about what his role entails and what services he provides the Air Force, researchers, publishers and the general public. Then Dave discusses historical research and archival matters with the Research Curator Simon Moody, who also talks about his role and experiences within the archives of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Simon oversees the archive team and works on research projects,as well as answering requests from researchers and the public. Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Website • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Facebook Page • The Royal New Zealand Air Force Website • The Royal New Zealand Air Force Facebook Page • Defence Careers Address: 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram, Wigram Park 8042, Christchurch, New Zealand Email: [email protected] Research Email [email protected] Phone: 03-343-9532 Matthew O’Sullivan, the Keeper of Photographs for the Air Force Museum of New Zealand Matthew examines one the glass plate negatives. Behind him on the wall is the 1 metre wide print of the Bristol F2B Fighter that he mentioned as having being printed from glass negative Matthew with a 1980’s era coloured transparency of Skyhawk pilots The Best Photo: This is the photograph that Matthew considers the best photo in the collection. His caption is: “3/4 front view of De Havilland DH4 A7929 ‘J’, being refuelled. Believed to be at Wigram Aerodrome. Merrin (standing on aircraft). On ground (L-R) O Gibson, Syme, Dini.” Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photo Simon Moody in the Museum Archives (Photo – Air Force Museum of New Zealand) Note: The music in this episode is “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra

Host: Dave Homewood Guests: Michelle Sim (Air Force Museum of New Zealand Communications Officer), and Nathan ‘Barf’ Bosher (Air Force Museum of New Zealand Safety and Surface Technician, in the Restoration Workshops) Recorded: 28th of October 2016 Duration: 1 hour 41 minutes 29 seconds Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Website • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand Facebook Page • The Royal New Zealand Air Force Website • The Royal New Zealand Air Force Facebook Page • Defence Careers • The Wings Over New Zealand Film (1941) as mentioned Address: 45 Harvard Ave, Wigram, Wigram Park 8042, Christchurch, New Zealand Email: [email protected] Phone: 03-343-9532 Michelle Sim, Communications officer. Photo credit: Air Force Museum of New Zealand Nathan ‘Barf’ Bosher, the Museum’s Safety and Surface Technician. Photo credit: Air Force Museum of New Zealand All other photos below copyright Dave Homewood 2016 Nathan ‘Barf’ Bosher, the Museum’s Safety and Surface Technician   PHOTOS BY DAVE HOMEWOOD Click the thumbnails for larger versions The Air Force Museum of New Zealand The Atrium – with Michelle Sim Including the main entrance, the replica Bleriot XI “Britannia”, the de Havilland DH82a Tiger Moth and the de Havilland Vampire FB.5 hanging up, the new cafe and the life sized cut outs of influential or interesting people from RNZAF history The life sized cut outs The Horizon To Horizon Galleries – with Michelle Sim World War One Display Case Fighter Command Boy In A Bomber The featured “Ripping Yarns” Personal Stories as detailed by Michelle in this episode Other artifacts in the Galleries Flight Lieutenant Henry Fanshawe The Scaled C-130H Hercules Cabin Movie Theatre The Vampire Jet Cockpit The Air New Zealand Aircraft Hall The Captured Exhibition The Canterbury Stories WWI Exhibition The Caldwell Gallery The Storage Hangar And Restoration Hangar Aircraft that will eventually be on display in the new building The New Building The Airspeed Oxford The Aermacchi MB339 Macchi The NZAI CT/4B Airtrainer The Alpha Helmet The Function Space Which Will Eventually Be Display Space, plus the Building Sponsors The Mosquito Simulator Children’s Birthday Party Activities Note: The music in this episode is “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” by Glenn Miller and His Orchestra

Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 24th of November 2015 Duration: 1 hour 49 minutes 24 seconds In this Wings Over Australia episode, Dave Homewood and James Kightly visit the world famous Australian War Memorial in Canberra. This is a superb museum covering all aspects of Australia’s military history from the Boer War and WWI through to WWII, Korea, Malaya, Vietnam, the Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan, and beyond. And the Memorial commemorates those who lost their lives in the service of their country. In the discussion as they walked around the museum, Dave and James concentrate mainly on the aviation side of things, with particular emphasis on the aeroplanes in the collection from World War One and World War Two. There are some particularly interesting displays, including the Striking By Night display that incorporates an Avro Lancaster bomber with a Messerschmitt Bf109G night fighter, an 88mm anti-aircraft gun, and lighting, sound and video effects. Another display of note is the Over The Front display which has genuine WWI aeroplanes, brought to life by a very wide screen film made by New Zealand’s own Sir Peter Jackson and narrated by New Zealander Sam Neill. Much more is discussed too, in this very interesting and insightful episode. Quick Links: • The Australian War Memorial’s Website • The Australian War Memorial’s Facebook Page • Striking By Night • Over The Front   Dave’s Photos from The Australian War Memorial The Australian War Memorial Click the thumbnails for larger versions The Aeroplanes and Aviation Related Exhibits Striking By Night – Avro Lancaster vs. Messerschmitt Bf109G and 88mm Flak Over The Front de Havilland Mosquito Hawker Sea Fury Mitsubishi Zero Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawkl North American P-51D Mustang Gloster Meteor cockpit Bell UH-1 Iroquois GAF Canberra nose Supermarine Spitfire V Mig 15 fuselage Nakajima Hayabusa “Oscar” CAC Wirraway Avro Anson nose Lockheed Hudson engine Brewster Buffalo engine Other Aviation Bits and Pieces   The Stella Bowen Painting James Discusses Mephisto WWI German Tank Navy Exhibits WWII Army Exhibits WWII Home Front in Australia New Zealand Mounted Rifles In The Foyer!! Other Exhibits at Random Artworks Large Scale Model Dioramas Outside the Australian War Memorial  

Guest: Jamie Croker Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 23rd of November 2015 Duration: 1 hour 57 seconds Another stop that Dave Homewood and James Kightly made on the epic Wings Over Australia tour last year was to the Australian War Memorial’s Treloar Technology Centre in Mitchell, Canberra, ACT. There they met the facility’s Large Technology Conservator Jamie Croker and his colleague Kim Wood, who showed them around the huge state of the art storage and restoration facility for the Australian War Memorial’s collection, where aeroplanes, tanks, artillery, vehicles and other historic items are held in reserve by the AWM. James and Dave were then invited inside the AWM’s WWII Lockheed Hudson Mk. IV bomber (A16-105) which was up on jacks in the restoration workshop, and here they interviewed Jamie about the work that he and his co-workers had been doing to restore this magnificent aeroplane back to pristine condition. This Hudson had been taken on charge with the Royal Australian Air Force on the 5th of December 1941, and served with No. 1 Operation Training Unit at Bairnsdale, Victoria, followed by a move on the 10th of December 1942 to Ward’s Airstrip, Port Moresby, in Papua New Guinea. There it flew transport missions to Soputa and Dobodura. On the 23rd of January 1943 the aircraft returned to No. 1 OTU, remaining there until itwas declared as surplus in September 1947 and sold by tender to European Air Transport for AU£200. The Hudson had a long career in civil aviation with Curtis Madsen Aircrafts [Sic] Pty Ltd, East West Airlines Ltd, Overland Air Services, South Coast Airways Pty Ltd, Herald Flying Services and Adastra Aerial Surveys Pty Ltd. It was then purchased by Malcolm Long who displayed it at Chewing Gum Field, and later at Air World, Wangarrata, Victoria, partly restored to military configuration, but without the Boulton Paul turret or fittings, bomb bay or ventral gun position, but during the restoration a stock Hudson ‘bomber’ nose was obtained from New Zealand and grafted onto the airframe to replace the photo survey nose fitted at the time. The Australian War Memorial purchased the Hudson on the 15th of January 2001. The Hudson was selected for conservation and return to full military configuration as it would have been in W.W.II. This was a major project, requiring the recreation of the W.W.II interior and fittings, including bulkheads and support for the Boulton Paul turret, itself a rebuild from many parts collected over the years, and the rebuilding of the unusual ventral gun position and bomb bay, among many other details discussed in the podcast. Quick Links: • The Australian War Memorial’s Website • The Australian War Memorial’s Facebook Page • History of A16-105 sourced from John Parker’s Warbirds Online Site • AWM Blogposts by Jamie Croker on the early stages of the rebuild Photos from James Kightly: The Hudson as VH-SMO with John Fairfax & Son, the newspaper group. [James Kightly Collection] As VH-AGP with Adastra, with the modified, opening nose section. [James Kightly Collection] After the restoration by Malcolm Long and on display at the now defunct Airworld collection at Wangaratta, Victoria. [James Kightly] Seen just before the start of restoration when in store at the Treloar Centre with the Memorial’s DAP Beaufort and V-2 missile behind. [James Kightly] The Hudson’s turret [James Kightly] Dave recording the interview with Jamie (left) [James Kightly] The wireless telegraphy transmitter and receiver sets [James Kightly] Kim Wood on the ladder, Dave and Jamie [James Kightly] The original factory applied decals revealed behind the later soundproofing. [James Kightly] The Wireless Operator’s position in the left foreground, the pilot’s cockpit beyond and the ‘tunnel’ to the navigator’s nose position right [James Kightly] Inside the storage area [James Kightly] Some of the many other parts of the Hudson, the tail and engine nacelle parts. [James Kightly] Photos from Dave Homewood: The entrance to the Treloar Technology Centre in Mitchell, Canberra [Dave Homewood] Above and below, the ex-RAAF DHC Caribou [Dave Homewood] The Beaufort, right, and the C-47 Dakota with many other bits and pieces between, including the Meteor’s rear end [Dave Homewood] Above and below, the DAP Beaufort [Dave Homewood] The Beaufort’s top turret [Dave Homewood] Above and below, the Canberra jet bomber [Dave Homewood] An engine and the Hudson turret [Dave Homewood] Above and below, a North American Rockwell OV10 Bronco, a type flown by both RAAF and RNZAF pilots in Vietnam while attached to USAF units [Dave Homewood] A de Havilland DH82 Tiger Moth [Dave Homewood] The Lockheed Hudson’s tail [Dave Homewood] The Douglas C-47 Dakota [Dave Homewood] The Bell UH-1 Iroquois, the Pilatus Porter and on top of the shelf, the Nakajima Hayabusa “Oscar” wings and centre section [Dave Homewood]

Guests: WWII Period – Ron Mayhill (Bomb Aimer), John Swale (Lancaster Air Gunner), Jack Meehan (Wireless Operator-Air Gunner), and Alan John (Bomb Aimer) Mosquito Period – Jim Arnold Vampire and Skyhawks Period – Warwick Jones Canberra Period – Barrie Gilliver Skyhawk Period – Nick Osborne Skyhawk Period and Association Secretary Glen Turner Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 30th of September to 2nd of October 2016 Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes 27 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood interviews former members of No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF and No. 75 Squadron RNZAF at a very special reunion held between the 30th of September and 2nd of October 2016 at the Classic Flyers Museum. Former squadron members from across the generations and different eras were in attendance, from seven WWII veterans, to Mosquito era, Vampire era, Canberra era and lastly the Skyhawk era veterans. For this episode we hear from four WWII Lancaster crew members, a Mosquito rigger, a Vampire and Skyhawk engine mechanic, a Canberra navigator, and a Skyhawk pilot who was also the squadron’s last ever Commanding Officer. And we hear from Glen Turner, the No. 75 Squadron Association’s Secretary, himself a former armourer on the squadron during the Skyhawk era. We also hear a few speeches from the Saturday night, introduced by former Vampire and Skyhawk pilot Stewart Boys, former USAF exchange pilot on Skyhawks Tim Brady, former squadron commander and No. 75 Squadron Association President Herb Keightley, and representing the RNZAF, Wing Commander Stu Mackenzie Air Lead, Capability Branch. Please bear in mind the acoustics, sound system and background noise in this hangar made recording of these speeches difficult, so the sound quality is far from perfect. But for those prepared to persevere they’re worth the effort. Quick Links: • The No. 75 Squadron Association Website • The No. 75 Squadron Association Facebook Page • Classic Flyers Museum in Tauranga (a fantastic place for an event!)   Photos: Dave Homewood interviewing the four Avro Lancaster veterans. Left to right, Dave Homewood, Ron Mayhill DFC, John Swales, Jack Meehan and Alan John (Photo: Peter Wheeler) Dave Homewood interviewing the four Avro Lancaster veterans. Left to right, John Swales, Jack Meehan, Ron Mayhill DFC (back to camera), Alan John, Joan (Ron’s companion, back to camera) annd Dave Homewood (Photo: Peter Wheeler) Six of the seven No. 75 Squadron WWII veterans who attended, including the four in this episode. Back row, left to right, John Swales, Ron Mayhill DFC and Jack “Wakey” Wakefield. Front row, Jack Meehan, Ray Tait DFC and Alan John. All served in the Lancasters apart from Wakey who was a Vickers Wellington Air Gunner. His memories of his days on the squadron can be heard by clicking here (Photo: Dave Homewood) Jim Arnold, one of the first members of No. 75 Squadron RNZAF when the squadron number transferred from the Royal Air Force (Photo Dave Homewood) Warwick “Flea” Jones (Photo Dave Homewood) Air Commodore Stewart Boys, rtd. Tim Brady USAF, rtd. Herb Keightley Wing Commander Stu Mackenzie, RNZAF Barry Gilliver Nick Osborne Note: By the way the music heard in the opening of this episode is “Now Is The Hour”, the famous New Zealand wartime anthem which became a favourite with No. 75 Squadron members during WWII, played here by Guy Lombardo and his Royal Canadians. The song at the end is “We’ve Got Tonight” by Bob Seger, which was also adopted by members of No. 75 Squadron as a squadron song during the Skyhawk era.

Guest: Matt Austin Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 22nd of November 2015 Duration: 1 hour 6 minutes 2 seconds Whilst in rural New South Wales to attend the Temora Airshow during the Wings over Australia tour, Dave and James’ host for the weekend was Matt Austin in the historic town of Junee. They took the opportunity to interview Matt about his own interest in aviation, which goes back to his childhood. Matt talks about his love of all things to do with Australian National Airways and the variants of Douglas’s venerable DC-3 airliner. He also discusses his involvement over many years as a volunteer and current treasurer of the Australian National Aviation Museum at Moorabbin Airport in Victoria. And he talks about his mentors, about sacrifice in war, and his love for the underdog. The latter includes the Australian-built Beaufort, of which he owns a small portion that he’d love to restore. Matt is one of life’s true gentlemen, and a wonderful friend of the Wings Over New Zealand Show. Matt Austin, left, with James Kightly when visiting the Junee Railway Roundhouse Museum Matt is a lover of history and is in his element on the footplate of a steam locomotive Matt and James chewing the fat in a historic railway carriage Matt simulating a 1930’s Selfie Matt’s Beaufort relic above and below. Matt has narrowed it down that this is either off A9-129 or off A9-131 “Saucy Sue” Above and below – The former Australian National Airways, and later ANSETT, Douglas C-50 Dakota VH-ANH, as seen at the Australian National Aviation Museum at Moorabbin in November 2015. A hand carved 1/32nd scale wooden model that Matt made of Beaufort A9-131 (Matt Austin) Matt’s ANA pepper and salt shakers in the left and other items in his ANA collection (Matt Austin) Matt is a lover of the Art Deco era, and has an extensive collection of gramophone records. It was from this collection that the theme music to the Wings Over Australia sub-series came from, after a fun evening of listening to swing bands and selecting and recording the favourites for the show. (James Kightly) Dave and Matt make a music selection (James Kightly) Dave recording the theme tune (James Kightly) Matt, Dave and James in a selfie (James Kightly) Photos all round (James Kightly)

“We Span The Ocean” The No. 5 Squadron RNZAF 75th Anniversary Reunion Show Guests, As Below: • Wings Commander Daniel “D.J.” Hunt Current Commander of No. 5 Squadron, Navigator, P-3K and P-3K2 Orions • Wings Commander Gordon Ragg AFC, JP Former Commander of No. 5 Squadron, Pilot, P-3B Orions, and No. 5 Squadron Association president • Peter Culpan Former No. 5 Squadron, Air Signals, Sunderland and P-3B Orions • Pilot Officer Jack Barnett Current No. 5 Squadron, Air Warfare Officer, P-3K2 Orions Training Crew • Mike Karsten Former No. 5 Squadron, Air Ordnance, P-3K Orions • Flying Officer Kate Galbraith Current No. 5 Squadron Air Warfare Officer, P-3K2 Orions • Sergeant Trent Wyatt Current No. 5 Squadron Flight Engineer, P-3K and P-3K2 Orions • Flying Officer Ben James Current No. 5 Squadron, P-3K2 Orions • Alan Bleakley Former No. 5 Squadron, Flight Engineer, Catalinas, Sunderlands • Peter Burch Former No. 5 Squadron, Electrician, Sunderlands, Hobsonville Old Boys Association • Harry Hider Cancer patient and special guest of No. 5 Squadron RNZAF Reunion • Squadron Leader Hilton Baker Current No. 5 Squadron Maintenance Flight Commander, P-3K and P-3K2 Orions Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd and 24th of September 2016 Duration: 2 hour 33 minutes 15 seconds In this very special episode Dave Homewood had the great pleasure to visit No. 5 Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, to join in on the squadron’s double-celebration reunion that marked 75 Years since the unit first formed, and 50 Years since the introduction of their current aircraft, the Lockheed P-3 Orion. No. 5 Squadron RNZAF formed on the 18th of November 1941, operating Short Singapore flying boats from Princes Wharf, Suva, in Fiji, under the command of Squadron Leader Eric Lewis. They were the first RNZAF flying boat squadron, and their mission was patrolling the shipping lanes and seaways around Fiji, Tonga and other pacific areas, searching for submarines, surface raiders and anyone in need of rescue. On the 24th of June 1942 the squadron was expanded, incorporating eight Vickers Vincents based at Nausori. While the Vincents made short and medium range patrols and operated with the New Zealand Army in Fiji, while the Singapores continued longer range reconnaissance patrols. On the 13th of September 1942 the Singapores moved to the purpose built RNZAF Station Lauthala Bay,a new flying boat station built by the New Zealand Government. This place would become the centre of RNZAF maritime operations in the Pacific for the next two and a half decades. With the impending introduction of Consolidated Catalinas to RNZAF Service the squadron’s crews were slowly transferred to a US Navy Catalina unit for retraining, and the squadron was reduced in size. The last Short Singapore operation flown by the squadron took place on the 27th of November 1942, and the final Vincent patrols three days later on the 30th of November. On that same day the squadron was disbanded. However delays that arose with the deliveries of the New Zealand Catalinas and posting away of the US Navy Catalina squadron meant a large gap in the patrolling around Fiji and so on the 1st of March 1943 two of the Singapore III’s were reactivated, and former No. 5 Squadron crews began patrolling in them again. As a reduced size unit this was known simply as the Singapore Flight. This only continued to the 16th of April 1943. It was not till July 1944 that No. 5 Squadron would again reform, initially forming within No. 3 Flying Boat Operational Training Unit. The squadron now also equipped with Consolidated PBY-5 Catalinas. The squadron served in Fiji till October 1944, and then moved as a unit to Luganville Seaplane Base at the Segond Channel, Espirtu Santo from where they made patrols and flew Dumbo rescue operations. There was also a Detachment established in the Admiralty Islands. As well as Consolidated PBY-5 Catalinas the squadron was also operating licence built Boeing-Canada built PB2B-1 Catalinas. When the war ended No. 5 Squadron returned to Lauthala Bay in Fiji, and continued as a defensive presence there flying Catalinas. In August 1953 the first Short Sunderland flying boats arrived on No. 5 Squadron and the type would eventually see the Catalinas phased out of service. In 1966 No. 5 Squadron relocated to RNZAF Base Whenuapai in Auckland, to re-equip with the new Lockheed P-3B Orion. The first of these was delivered to New Zealand on the 27th of September 1966 and a new era began. As the squadron refocused to land-based operations the Sunderlands were phased out by April 1967. The P-3 Orion has now served for 50 years with the RNZAF, and in that time has become an icon of the Air Force and a household name with the public, most notably for the many maritime search and rescue operations the crews perform every year around New Zealand, the Pacific region and down into Antarctic waters. In 1985 a sixth P-3 Orion was added to the fleet of five

Guest: Ron Hildreth Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: December 2011 Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes 59 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood interviews Ron Hildreth of Hamilton, who joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in September 1942, and trained as a Rigger. Following his course at RNZAF Station Rongotai he was posted to No. 16 (Fighter) Squadron at RNZAF Fairhall, the small satellite fighter base right next to RNZAF Station Woodbourne, west of Blenheim in the north of New Zealand’s South Island. The unit was flying North American Harvards and Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawks. Following six months there, Ron and the other groundcrew members of No. 16 Squadron were posted to the Pacific, as part of No. 4 Servicing Unit. The unit was initially servicing P-40’s, and by mid-1944 their fighters were replaced by Chance Vought F4U-1 Corsairs. He spent a brief amount of time at Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal, before the unit headed into the front lines at Torokina, on the island of Bougainville in the Solomons chain. Ron also spent time attached to the RNZAF Station at Green Island before returning to Torokina. Upon completing his year long tour in the Pacific, Ron returned to New Zealand to undergo his senior trade training course at Nelson, and was then posted to No. 1 Repair Depot at Hamilton. When the war ended Ron returned to his pre-war job of cabinet making, but a few years later he was taken on by TEAL, or Tasman Empire Airways Ltd., at Wellington, servicing the Short Sandringham flying boats. He then took up employment with de Havilland (New Zealand) Ltd at Rongotai and worked on Beavers, Devons, Rapides and other types of aeroplanes there. All the time while he was with TEAL and de Havillands Ron was also an active member of the Territorial Air Force’s No. 2 (Wellington) Squadron, which was also based at Rongotai, Wellington. He serviced de Havilland Tiger Moths, North American Harvards and North American P-51D Mustangs in the TAF. Ron then spent a few years working with NAC, or National Airways Corporation, again based at Rongotai, before returning to what was now called Hawker de Havillands. In 1966 Ron and his family moved north to Hamilton where he began working for Air Parts (NZ) Ltd, building the Fu24 Fletcher topdressers at Hamilton Airport. This was the beginning of a long period working at the airport in the various companies that were merged and eventually became what is today Pacific Aerospace Corporation Ltd. Ron’s Photos RNZAF Training Days RNZAF Station Fairhall Days – With No. 16 (Fighter) Squadron RNZAF Pacific Days – with No. 4 Servicing Unit RNZAF RNZAF Station Nelson Days de Havilland New Zealand Ltd. Days – at Rongotai Territorial Air Force Days – with No. 2 (Wellington) Squadron Air Force Band Days Hamilton Airport Days

Guest: Andy Bishop Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 22nd of November 2015 Duration: 53 minutes 54 seconds Following the Warbirds Downunder 2015 Airshow at Temora last year, Dave Homewood and James Kightly got the rare opportunity to sit down with Andy Bishop, the Temora Aviation Museum’s chief engineer, to record an interview for Wings Over Australia. Andy provides a fascinating look into the inner workings of the world famous Temora museum and its collection, discussing the philosophies when it comes to the engineering and preservation side, and the various aspects and challenges of restoring, maintaining and displaying rare and often unique aeroplanes at the rural New South Wales airfield. Often real innovation is needed, and a lot of skill and experience has been built up by the resident engineers in Andy’s team so that almost everything can be worked on and reconditioned in-house. Andy discusses such topics as the recent work to make the Lockheed Hudson’s bomb doors operable; the measures to prevent the big V-12 fighter engines overheating on the hot tarmac, and the co-operation between Temora and other collections in swapping information, knowledge and drawings to enrich all parties involved. And Andy talks about his own personal journey into aircraft engineering and how it has led to his current position in charge of a diverse range of historic piston-engined and jet powered trainers, bombers and fighters. He also flies with the collection. The Wings Over New Zealand Show is very grateful to Andy for taking the time out of his frantically busy schedule following the airshow to give this interview, particularly after such a busy weekend as he’d had keeping the airshow aircraft flying. Quick Links: • Temora Aviation Museum • Warbirds Downunder 2015 Airshow The following photographs are the copyright of James D. Kightly (2015) Temora Aviation Museum’s chief engineer Andy Bishop has a well earned sit down following a busy airshow weekend to be interviewed by Dave Homewood (left) and James Kightly (who took the photo) The bomb doors on the Temora Aviation Museum’s Lockheed Hudson opened ‘in action’ for the first time in public in over half a century. The Temora Supermarine Spitfire Mk.VIII with cooling water spraybar in action so the Merlin engine does not overheat while on the hot ground. Temora Aviation Museum engineering staff refilling the spray tanks in the gun bay on the Spitfire . Andy Bishop working on the museum’s Spitfire Andy on the Temora tarmac near the end of a big day of flying.

Introduced by: Des Underwood MRAeS (Chairman, Bay of Plenty Branch, RAeS) Main Speaker: Brian Lockstone MRAeS Recorded: Friday 2nd of September 2016 in the Boeing Room at Classic Flyers Museum, 9 Jean Batten Drive, Mt Maunganui, Tauranga, recorded by Dave Homewood Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes 2 second In this episode we hear a recording made of the inaugural “Jean Batten Lecture”, an annual event that has been established by the Bay of Plenty Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society. The branch has its base at the Classic Flyers Museum in Tauranga New Zealand. This will become an annual history-based lecture by a notable historian on a New Zealand aviation topic. In this year’s lecture the well known historian and author Brian Lockstone has flown home to New Zealand from New York specifically to give this address, in which he details the life and achievements of New Zealand’s most famous long distance record breaking pilot, aviatrix Jean Jean Gardner Batten CBE OSC. Beautiful, driven and determined, Jean Batten was one of New Zealand’s earliest international celebrities back in the 1930’s, and is still a household name. As well as talking about her family and influences, her aeroplanes and her flights, Brian also details the long string of men that she callously used and abused for their money and influence, and her questionable memoirs that seemingly twist the truth. And we hear of her decline after getting mixed up with a Nazi sympathizer in 1939, and her last days in Spain as an unknown recluse. Thanks to the Bay of Plenty Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society for inviting Dave Homewood of the Wings Over New Zealand Show to attend and record this excellent lecture. Quick Links: • Royal Aeronautical Society Bay of Plenty Branch • Jean Batten on the Teara Dictionary of New Zealand Biography Website • Jean Batten on the Wikipedia Website • Jean Batten on the NZ History.net Website • Classic Flyers NZ Museum • Classic Flyers NZ Museum on Facebook To learn more about the Royal Aeronautical Society Bay of Plenty Branch, or the Jean Batten Lecture, or to request a transcription of this lecture and the powerpoint photos please email Des Underwood at [email protected]   Photos of Jean Batten from around the internet Jean’s famous Percival Vega Gull hanging in the International Terminal at Auckland International Airport, Mangere, Auckland, the airfield where she landed at the conclusion of her flight from England (Photos by Dave Homewood)  

Guests: Mark Awad, Bevan Dewes and Stewart Wilson Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 21st and 22nd of November 2015 Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes 1 second Whilst attending the Warbirds Downunder 2015 Airshow at Temora, in New South Wales last year, Dave Homewood and James Kightly found some time between looking at air displays and the massive collection of vintage aircraft to chat with a few people for the Wings Over Australia podcast series. First up, Dave meets Mark Awad, the President of the Australian Warbirds Association Ltd., and they discuss what the association does and is all about. Mark talks about the airshows and events that AWAL aircraft visit around the country, and comparisons are made with the equivalent organisation across the Tasman Sea, New Zealand Warbirds Association Inc. Then, whilst sheltering from the 41C heat and the 40 knot wind that was being inflicted outdoors (and this was in Springtime!!) , Dave took shelter with fellow melting-in-the-heat kiwi Bevan Dewes in a nice air conditioned building. Bevan is one of New Zealand’s most dedicated and promising young warbird pilots, with the right attitude and keenness to do well and progress in the industry. He discusses his amazing year in 2015 as a pilot and a groundcrew team member with The Vintage Aviator Collection, plus Bevan’s work experience at the Aircraft Restoration Company at Duxford in England, and working and sometimes flying at airshows in the UK, Australia and New Zealand. Bevan was at Temora to once again help out on the busy ramp as a volunteer ground handler. James joined the conversation part way through when the heat and wind outside got even too much for him. Lastly the hosts meet with well known Australian author, journalist, editor and publisher Stewart Wilson, and hear about his background in aviation, music and motor racing, and his famous series of RAAF books, plus his work as the editor of Aero Australia magazine. He and James discuss their experience of the hard work that goes in behind the scenes in the book trade and the aviation magazines on the news agent shelves. Quick Links: • Temora Aviation Museum • Warbirds Downunder 2015 Airshow • Australian Warbirds Association Ltd. • The Vintage Aviator Collection • The Vintage Aviator Collection’s Facebook Page • Aero Australia Magazine Above: Mark Awad of the Australian Warbirds Association Ltd. Above: Bevan Dewes of The Vintage Aviator Collection, eyeing the Spitfire as a future goal Above: Stewart Wilson and his wife Wendy The Australian Warbird Association Ltd. display tent at Warbirds Downunder The Australian Warbird Association Ltd. display tent at Warbirds Downunder. Mark is on the right Bevan working as a flightline volunteer during the airshow, speaking with Warbirds Downunder commentator Peter “Ando” Anderson James Kightly with Stewart and Wendy Wilson The Temora heat was even getting to James Dave taking a photo during the Friday evening show (photo by Grant Finlay) See Dave’s Photos from the airshow here on the Wings Over Australia Facebook Page: Friday 20th of November 2015 Saturday 21st of November 2015

Guest: John Wall Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 27th of July 2016 Duration: 1 hour 43 minutes 6 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood chats with Mr. John Wall, of Hamilton. Born in London in 1923, John fell in love with the Supermarine Spitfire at the age of 16 and determined he’d join the Royal Air Force to fly them. He was enlisted at 17 years old, and following initial training in Britain, he was sent to the USA to learn to fly at a British-owned American-run flying school in Texas. There he trained on Boeing-Stearman PT-18A Kaydets (aka the Stearman), and then he progressed on to North American AT-6 Texans. He then returned to Britain for a short time where he flew Miles Masters at Wrexham and Ternhill, before being posted to Ishmailia in Egypt where he finally got onto fighters, the Hawker Hurricane and then his dream machine, the Spitfire, at an Operational Training Unit. Following this final phase of training he became a courier pilot for a Royal Air Force Photo Reconnaissance Unit in Italy, flying films and photos around the units, flying a Hurricane and a Fairchild Argus. Some months later he was posted again, this time to No. 32 Squadron, on Spitfires. He was part of the Balkans Air Force, based in Italy but regularly crossing the Adriatic Sea to attack German targets in Yugoslavia and perform convoy escorts, etc. Then the squadron was moved into Greece to support the Allied invasion of that country and John’s squadron was involved in the pushing out of the Germans from Athens. Then they moved north to Salonika, but the winter snow curtailed Spitfire flying and the squadron was soon issued a pair of Austers to fly in support of the Army’s push. Next No. 32 Squadron headed south again, this time to Palestine, where they were given the task of carrying out coastal patrols in an effort to prevent the illegal Jewish immigrant boat people landing in the British-ruled Arab country. WWII ended while John was there. He remained there till mid-1946 when he was finally demobbed. John moved to New Zealand in the early 1970’s. John Wall with a model of a No. 32 Squadron Spitfire he built (Dave Homewood) No. 32 Squadron pilots in Italy with a Spitfire Mk. VB. John is second from left No. 32 Squadron Spitfire Mk. VB’s in Italy No. 32 Squadron pilots in Italy walk past their Spitfire Mk. VB’s. John is second from right No. 32 Squadron pilots watch ladies filling bomb craters on the airfieldat Araxos in Greece. John is second from left John with Doug Brooker’s Ardmore-based Spitfire. (Ian Bisset) Note: The Music is Sir William Walton’s “Spitfire Prelude and Fugue” My sincere thanks to John Wal, Liz Needhaml and Ian Bisset

Guest: Steve Death Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 19th of November 2015 Duration: 59 minutes 14 seconds Dave Homewood and James Kightly continue the Wings Over Australia tour in this episode by dropping in on one of Australia’s most well known pilots, Steve Death, at his Hazair headquarters at Albury Airport in New South Wales. Steve is well known for his work in agricultural flying, such as spraying of crops and aerial topdressing of superphosphate. His family company Hazair flies a pair of the extremely recognisable PL-12 Airtruks, as well as other types in the fleet, and they service the farming and agricultural community around the Albury and Wagga areas. Another type of flying that keeps Steve busy is that of a ferry pilot, flying mostly new aircraft from the factories in places like the USA and New Zealand to customers around the world. And he’s also now fulfilling an all important role as an AT-802A “Fire Boss” pilot in an Air Tractor floatplane during the Australian bush fire season, working with the heavy tankers (such as Hercules ‘Thor’ from Episode 107) as their forward air controller. But perhaps Steve is best known to the public as one of Australia’s top warbirds display pilots. He has his own AT-6 Texan which forms part of the famous “Southern Knights” display team, and also a T-28 Trojan. And he is in constant demand to fly and display warbirds at airshows such as the Supermarine Spitfires, Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks, and the Temora Lockheed Hudson. And during our visit the new warbird on the scene that Steve was then preparing to fly was the Fw190 replica German fighter. As well as all the flying Steve is an engineer and his Hazair company also carries out maintenance on aircraft. The company was started in 1949 by Steve’s father Keith Death, and today Steve’s son Hayden is also working at Hazair as a LAME. Our thanks to Steve for taking the time to host the Wings Over New Zealand Show at Hazair on an otherwise busy day, it was an absolutely fascinating visit. Quick Links: • Hazair Pty Ltd • Hazair Pty Ltd on Facebook All photos below copyright Dave Homewood except where otherwise credited Steve Death beside his North American AT-6 Texan. Steve in his Hazair office Steve during the interview (Photo: James Kightly) The replica Focke Wulf that Steve was about to begin flying when the interview was done Steve stands on the Focke Wulf replica’s wing Inside the Fw190 Generations, Steve’s son Hayden Death and father Keith Death Steve’s North American T-28 Trojan. Note the roundel that has rails to slide in another nation’s colours Steve’s stunning Texan Co-host James Kightly and Steve chat in the hangar doorway Steve and Keith prepare the Texan for the flight to Temora The “Fire Boss” Air Tractor that Steve flies in fire season The Lockheed Hudson at Temora that Steve flies on a regular basis    

Guest: Daniel Leahy Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 19th of November 2015 Duration: 31 minutes 24 seconds In this episode – part of the Wings Over Australia sub-series – hosts Dave Homewood and James Kightly met Daniel Leahy for lunch in the Albury Airport cafe in New South Wales, where they discuss Daniel’s work as a historian and his studying to become aviation archaeologist. Daniel explains a new form of 3-Dimensional archaeology that he has been learning and perfecting, where 2-D photos of an object are turned into a 3-D image. Quick Links: • Daniel’s RAAF Casualty Database • Daniel’s Twitter Feed • Click here to see Daniel’s 3-D models on Sketchfab.com • Daniel’s email is [email protected] Daniel talking to Dave during the recording. Note how the Aussie heat out on the tarmac a few minutes before has had its effect on Dave! (Photos above and below by James Kightly) Dave and Daniel in front of an excellent mural in the Albury Airport terminal. (Photo James Kightly)