The Wings Over New Zealand Show

Recorded: 12th of June 2016 Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes 52 seconds In this episode we hear the recording of the New Zealand Bomber Command Commemorative Service held in the Hall of Memories of the Auckland War Memorial Museum. This annual event remembers the thousands of New Zealanders who served with Bomber Command in the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. The Master of Ceremonies who introduces all the speakers is Squadron Leader Jonathan Pote (Rtd), seen above. The speakers, in order of appearance, are: • Ron Mayhill DFC – WWII Bomb Aimer with No. 75 (NZ) Squadron, and now President of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association • Roy Clare CBE – Director of the Auckland War Memorial Museum • Squadron Leader The Reverend Stuart Hight – RNZAF Chaplain • Alfred Ngaro MP representing the Minister of Veterans’ Affairs • Boguslaw Nowak – Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland • Colonel Acton Kilby of the Canadian Armed Forces • Group Captain Tim Walshe – Base Commander of RNZAF Base Auckland • S/Ldr Stuart Hight speaks again • Pat Johnson – President of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand Returned and Services Association, reading The Ode To The Fallen • Sir Richard Taylor via video – Weta Workshops Director (apologies the audio is not better) • Able Musician Rebecca Nelson, Royal New Zealand Navy – leading the National Anthem of New Zealand In t Quick Links • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page • The Auckland War Memorial Museum • The 2014 Bomber Command Commemorative Service in WONZ Show Episode 67 Note: A small amount of editing has been made to the recording to enhance your listening pleasure. The tune heard is Benedictus, by Karl Jenkins, and the Lancaster sounds and poem “Lie In The Dark And Listen” come from the CD release “A Tribute To Bomber Command” by Joe Williams, Rear Gunner

Guests: Andy Wright, Ron Gretton and Geoff Matthews Hosts: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 15th and 17th of November 2015 Duration: 2 hour 2 minutes 9 seconds   In this episode Dave Homewood and James Kightly visit the Royal Australian Air Force Museum at RAAF Point Cook in Victoria. James is a regular volunteer guide within this museum so he gives Dave a tour of the exhibits and they discuss many of the various aircraft in the collection and the history behind them. Dave also meets with Andy Wright, famous for his Aircrew Book Review website and Facebook page, and they discuss Andy’s love of aviation books. Then James and Dave step outside where they met two of the RAAF Museum’s restoration team, Ron Gretton and Geoff Matthews, who have worked on many of the big projects within the museum, from restoring the Supermarine Walrus to building a flying replica of the WWI Bristol Boxkite. Above Left: Andy Wright (centre) with fellow WONZ Forum members and WONZ Show listeners Evan Schoo (left) and Kevin Smith (right) Above Right: Ron Gretton, Geoff Matthews and James Kightly Quick Links: The RAAF Museum at Point Cook Andy Wright’s Aircrew Book Review Website Andy Wright’s Aircrew Book Review Facebook Page The RAAF Museum’s Bristol Boxkite Replica The 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.

Guest: Matt Jolley, James Kightly Hosts: Dave Homewood and Grant McHerron Recorded: April-May 2016 Duration: 3 hour 16 minutes 11 seconds (179 MB) In this special episode we celebrate marking the 100th episode of the Wings Over New Zealand Show. Host Dave Homewood is joined by his WONZ Live Show co-host Grant McHerron, and together they look back over the series and discuss how it came about, stories from behind the scenes, and the many guests and topics that have featured since the show debuted in December 2011. We hear some selected highlights from various past episodes, including clips featuring Noel Kruse, Peter Wheeler, Phil Furner, John Wilding, Don Subritzky, Jim Mungall, Jonathan Pote, Peter Tremayne, Alistair Marshall, and Les Marshall. And we have two guests on this show, Matt Jolley of Warbird Radio and James Kightly from the Wings Over Australia sub-series. Dave and James discuss upcoming WOA shows,and we hear some preview clips from WOA guests Steve Death, Judy Pay and Andy Bishop. We also hear goodwill messages sent in from Errol Cavit, Bruce Cooke, Pieter Johnson, Matt Austin, Andy Wright, and Zac Yates. Episodes that the highlight clips are sampled from were: Episode 12 – Hawker Hinds (Don and Jim) Episode 40 – The New Zealand Lancaster Story (Phil, Peter and John) Episode 42 – Classic Fighters 2013 Episode 55 – Les Marshall Part 3 Episode 69 – Noel Kruse Part 10 Episode 72 – Jonathan Pote Episode 82 – Peter Tremayne Part 1

Guest: Mac Bettjeman Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 30th of October 2015 Duration: 1 hour 39 minutes 26 seconds (136 MB) In this episode Dave Homewood talks with Mac Bettjeman, who lives in a retirement home in Tauranga. Mac talks about his childhood in the fascinating wilderness settlement in the Maungapurua Valley, near the Whanganui River and how the community failed to thrive and was pushed out by the government during the Great Depression era, resulting in what is now known as the famous Bridge To Nowhere. He also talks about his struggle to achieve the academic levels to become a pilot in the RNZAF when WWII begins, and his eventual acceptance into the Air Force. He trained in New Zealand and in Canada as a pilot before heading to Britain and joining a Flying Boat Operational Training Unit on Short Sunderland flying boats. Mac was then posted to Lagos in Nigeria where he and his crew joined No. 270 Squadron RAF, a Royal Air Force Coastal Command squadron that was patrolling deep into the Atlantic Ocean with Short Sunderland Mk. III flying boats to hunt for German U-boats. Mac discusses the roles of the crew onboard and aspects of the aeroplane itself, plus he imparts memories of the work they were doing. And another topic discussed is the work that Mac did over many years on the Short Sunderland MR.5 at the Museum of Transport and Technology, leading the restoration of the interior of the old patrol bomber back to pristine service condition. And Mac also talks about his own personal flying boat, an Anderson Kingfisher ZK-DJH, which he built himself and flew for many years. A Short Sunderland Flying Boat Mac Bettjemen inside the Sunderland at MOTAT, taken by Dave Homewood on the 11th of January 2012 when Mac gave him a tour of the aircraft MOTAT’s Sunderland’s cockpit taken by Dave Homewood on the 11th of January 2012 Mac stooping over in the aft end of the Sunderland fuselage with the rear turret behind him, in a photo taken by James Kightly on the 11th of January 2012 Mac in the Sunderland’s fuselage in a photo taken by James Kightly on the 11th of January 2012 Mac and the WONZ Show’s Dave Homewood beside MOTAT’s Sunderland (right), with the Short Solent in the background, in a photo taken by James Kightly on the 11th of January 2012

Guest: Ian Whitney Host: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 14th of November 2015, at Romsey, Australia Duration: 2 hours 5 minutes 20 seconds In this episode, in the Wings Over Australia sub-series, co-hosts Dave Homewood and James Kightly interview warbird recovery expert and restorer Ian Whitney. Ian talks about his background in aviation and how he got into the unusual field of recovering warbird wrecks from the jungles of Papua New Guinea, and other places around the Pacific War theatre. He also talks about the restoration of his own Curtiss P-40N Warhawk, and its USAAF pilot, Arland Stanton. The following photos should hopefully assist the listener in understanding the many items being discussed. Above: Ian Whitney (photo Dave Homewood) Above: The Beaufort in 2005 (James Kightly) Above: Photos in Ian’s recovery albums (James Kightly) Above: Photos in Ian’s recovery albums (James Kightly) A photo showing the pilot of Arland Stanton, 2nd from left, pilot of Ian’s P-40N restoration aircraft Above: Photos in Ian’s recovery albums (James Kightly) Above: Photos in Ian’s recovery albums (James Kightly) Above: The Douglas Boston in the RAAF Museum at Point Cook Quick Links: A webpage on Arland Stanton For a similar topic, WONZ Show Episode 16 – Neville “Shorty” Mines who also recovered warbirds from PNG

Guest: Lindsay Budge Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 30th of October 2015 Duration: 43 minutes 57 seconds (60.3 MB) In this episode Dave Homewood chats with WWII RNZAF veteran Lindsey Budge of Tauranga, who is now aged 96. He was a herd tester before the war,then spent some time in the Army before he transferred to the RNZAF to train as aircrew. He trained in Canada and by the time he was ready to proceed to England he was a qualified Air Gunner. Lindsay served on Special Operations squadrons, first briefly with the spy dropping Short Stirlings at RAF Tempsford, and then later as the rear gunner of Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress bombers that were engaged in electronic warfare amongst the bomber stream with No. 100 Group. Thanks to Peter Wheeler of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association for his assistance with this episode. Quick Links: The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page

Guest: Andrew Gormlie Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: Friday 8th of January 2016 Duration: 28 minutes 36 seconds (41 MB) In this episode we hear from Andrew Gormlie of the Classic Flyers Museum in Tauranga about the upcoming “Classics To The Sky” Tauranga City Airshow, taking place on the 23rd of January 2016. He discusses what the public can expect to see, including the Spitfire at Sunset display, the Grumman Avenger, hopefully the Venom and many other warbirds and other display aircraft, along with around 140 trucks in The Mount Truck Show, and much more. Andrew also talks about the subsequent airshow scheduled for the 19th of March 2016 also at Tauranga Airport, and we discuss the excellent Classic Flyers NZ Museum team and their current and past projects. Plus there are some hints of exciting future projects too.

Guest: Nat Eichler Host: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 15th of November 2015, at Werribee, Australia Duration: 59 minutes 27 seconds In this episode, another in the Wings Over Australia sub-series, co-hosts Dave Homewood and James Kightly are given a guided tour of the magnificent ex-RAAF Consolidated B-24 Liberator restoration at Werribee, near Melbourne, Australia. Our guide is 95-year-old WWII veteran Nat Eichler, who served as a Radar Operator and Wireless Operator on Royal Australian Air Force Liberators himself. While talking about the restoration and the aircraft’s components that have been restored, Nat also talks about the museum and its plans, the history of the hangar and Werribee Air Force station, and his own service in B-24’s, patrolling over the sea north of the Australian continent in the hunt for Japanese shipping. Quick Links: B-24 Liberator Restoration Australia Website B-24 Liberator Restoration Australia Facebook Page The Photos: The following photos were taken during our visit to the Werribee B-24 Liberator. The first shot was taken by James Kightly and shows Dave Homewood interviewing guide and WWII veteran Nat Eichler with the Liberator in the background, and a gun turret in the foreground. The rest of the photos were taken by Dave Homewood. First shots show the hangar and a board telling about the hangar’s history Nat with a radar unit Exterior Shots of the Aircraft and Components Interior shots inside the fuselage, note the yellow oxygen tanks   Photos of the large map they have on the hangar doors showing the RAAF Liberator bases and areas of operation in WWII

Guests: Dave Sodastrom, Ewan McArthur and Ashley Briggs Host: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 14th of November 2015, at Moorabbin, Australia Duration: 1 hour 57 minutes 46 seconds In this episode the “Wings Over Australia” co-hosts Dave Homewood and James Kightly visit The Australian National Aviation Museum at Moorabbin Airport near Melbourne, in Australia. Here they’re given a guided tour by the enthusiastic team members Dave “Soda” Sodastrom, Ewan McArthur and Ashley Briggs around the museum. It’s a huge collection, well worth a visit, and some of the highlights featured in this episode are the Fairey Firefly, the Bristol Beaufighter, the Douglas C-50 Dakota, the Vickers Viscount and the General Dynamics F-111 cockpit. The Museum Entrance (J. Kightly) The CAC Wirraway sitting out the front of the museum (Dave Homewood) Show Host Dave Homewood with the Wirraway, and sits in the cockpit (both photos James Kightly) Inside the Wirraway cockpit (Dave Homewood) The Boeing 737 Cockpit Section (Dave Homewood) The CAC Ceres (Dave Homewood) The CAC Winjeel RAAF trainer (Dave Homewood) The Mirage (Dave Homewood) The Percival Prentice and the Auster (Dave Homewood) The Fairey Firefly (Dave Homewood)   WONZ Show host Dave Homewood in the Firefly cockpit interviewing Dave Sodastrom The Douglas Dakota (Dave Homewood) The museum’s DC-3 in service with Ansett Airlines. [Via ANAM]   The Vickers Viscount, with Co-host James Kightly in the pilot’s seat (Dave Homewood) Dave ‘Soda’ Soderstrom in the Viscount cockpit, and James’s view of the floor (James Kightly) The Australian National Aviation Museum’s Vickers Viscount when loaned to a fun park ‘Wobbies World’. [Via ANAM] Dave and ‘Soda’ with the F-111 Cockpit (James Kightly) The famous F-111 ‘Dump & Burn’ as described in the podcast, here seen at the Airshows Down Under Avalon show of 2007. (James Kightly) The Beaufighter, including the interior (Dave Homewood, and James Kightly) Dave interviews Ewan McArthur about the Beaufighter; and a happy Ewan, museum secretary and publicist, on the Beaufighter wing. (James Kightly) James in the Beaufighter cockpit with Ewan on the wing during the recording (Dave Homewood) The view from the Beaufighter top hatch (Dave Homewood) The museum’s DAP Beaufighter as used in the children’s playground at the Lord Mayor’s Camp, Portsea, Victoria. [Via ANAM] The Tiger Moth (Dave Homewood) The museum’s Victa Airtourer with the Victa mower alongside. (James Kightly) The Bristol Beaufort cockpit and Mosquito tail (Dave Homewood, left,and James Kightly, right) The Sea Venom (Dave Homewood) The Bristol Freighter (Dave Homewood) A de Havilland Heron (left) and the Westland Wessex (Dave Homewood) The Fairey Gannet (left) and part of an Optica (Dave Homewood) Jet Fighters (Dave Homewood) CAC Sabre (left) and Gloster Meteor (Dave Homewood) Avro Lincoln fuselage (left) and a Catalina aft fuselage section (Dave Homewood) Douglas DC-2 (Dave Homewood) Another Heron project (Dave Homewood) A step back in time to the 1930’s with a Hornet Moth and Moth (Dave Homewood) A rare, genuine Fokker Dr.1 fuel tank, provenance mysterious but intriguing as discussed in the podcast. [Via ANAM] The museum’s project CAC Mustang A68-71 when in service. [Via ANAM] Some shots from a previous live day that James attended and mentions in the show: The museum’s rare Commonwealth Aircraft Corporation Ceres running at the recent Open Cockpit day. (James Kightly) A reunion of CAC workers with the oldest surviving CAC aircraft on its 75 birthday last year. (James Kightly) Dave ‘Soda’ cuts the cake for the CAC Wirraway’s 75 birthday on 6 September 2014. (James Kightly) The Wirraway refurbishment team give a cheer for a job well done. (James Kightly)   Quick Links: Australian National Aviation Museum Website Australian National Aviation Museum Facebook Page The 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.

Guest: Phil Vabre and Maurice Austin Host: Dave Homewood and James Kightly Recorded: 13th of November 2015, at Essendon, Australia Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes 30 seconds In this episode, in the Wings Over Australia sub-series, co-hosts Dave Homewood and James Kightly are given a guided tour of The Airways Museum at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, by Phil Vabre and Maurice Austin. The museum is unusual as an aviation-themed museum that has no aeroplanes, but it more than makes up for it with fascinating display of technological wizardry from through the ages that has all contributed to various forms of aerial navigation and safety when flying across the vast continent of Australia, and around the world. Phil and Maurice demonstrate and explain the various eras of Airways technology in a most entertaining and hands on way. The following photos should hopefully assist the listener in understanding the many items being discussed. The Civil Aviation Historical Society’s Airways Museum at Essendon Airport, Melbourne, Victoria (JDK) Our guides, Maurice Austin and Phil Vabre (DGH) Phil (right) introduces the museum to Dave. Early Aeradio diorama in the background. (JDK) Maurice demonstrating the 1930’s typewriter (DGH) Maurice explains the ACARS system to Dave (JDK)The ACARS readout decoded onto a standard PC screen (JDK) The ACARS Screen close up Computing power. A 1955 IBM. 2K buffer core store. (JDK)Ferranti 16K and 32K memory stores dating from the 1980s (JDK) Maurice explains the Lorenz 33 Mc Radio Range beacon approach with the DC-3 model nearly ready to fly along the beam. (JDK)Maurice demonstrating radio direction finding using a transistor radio and homemade loop antenna to D/F on a local radio station. (JDK) As above (DGH) Left to right,Maurice, James and Phil (DGH) Part of the Airways Museum’s Archives (DGH) More of the Airways Museum’s Archives (DGH) A general view in part of the museum (DGH) A general view in part of the museum (DGH) Maurice explains 1960’s Bright Display radar console we’re all ‘kind of’ familiar with from films. (JDK) The 1960’s Bright Display radar console (DGH) A representation of the radar screen with “Shrimp Boats” on it (DGH) The communicator to talk with other controllers to hand off aircraft leaving your control sector (DGH) Details on the console (DGH) Phil describing the ‘Rebecca-Eureka’ system, wartime predecessor of Distance Measuring Equipment (DME). (JDK)   The Russians are watching – but with a 20 metre error. The Ground-based Regional Augmentation System (GRAS), used to increase the precision of satellite-based navigation instrument approaches.(JDK) A brilliant display of airfield lighting. (JDK) James in the replica 1940’s wartime station (DGH) Below – Photos of the mural at the entrance to the Airways Museum (All DGH) The Airways Museum’s Website Civil Aviation Historical Society & Airways Museum The 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.

Guests: Gavin Grimmer, Chris Rudge, and the Reverend Richard Waugh Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 1 hour, 7 seconds Recorded: 10th of August 2015 Published: Topic: Over the decades many aeroplanes have simply vanished mid-flight in New Zealand, disappearing without trace. Most are thought to have gone down into the bush-clad rugged hill country. Three men who have devoted their time, energy and researching skills towards trying to locate the crash sites of these aeroplanes, and repatriate the bodies of the many lost pilots and passengers out there, are Chris Rudge, Richard Waugh and Gavin Grimmer. In this episode all three of these gentlemen discuss the important topic of the missing aeroplanes and missing people with Dave Homewood. Quick Links: • Gavin Grimmer’s “Find Lost Aircraft” website • Richard Waugh’s “New Zealand Airline Research” website • Chris Rudge’s Red Cat site • Trade Me – for finding Chris’s “Missing” book • The Wings Over New Zealand Aviation Forum Missing Aeroplane Sub-Forum By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Noel Kruse Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 1 hour 17 minutes, 28 seconds Recorded: 28th of July 2015 Published: 6th of September 2015 Topic: In this episode of the WONZ Show we continue the story of Noel Kruse’s aviation career. He talks about his time as a pilot, Flight Commander and then Commanding officer with No. 38 Squadron RAAF, flying the venerable transport aircraft, the DHC Caribou – including more seat of the pants flying in Papua New Guinea. And Noel also talks about some of his ground roles, including a posting as an Education Officer, teaching skilled RAAF tradesmen how to pass on their knowledge to younger airmen. And we hear the superb story of Noel’s last proper operational flight in the RAAF, bringing a Caribou home, around the world, from Pakistan to RAAF Richmond in Australia. By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Bee Dawson Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 43 minutes, 11 seconds Topic: Dave talks with author Bee Dawson about her history-based writing, her RNZAF service, and her RNZAF-themed books, including High Flyers, Spreading Their Wings, Hobsonville, Wigram and her upcoming book on the history of RNZAF Station Lauthala Bay in Fiji. Quick Links: • Bee Dawson’s Website By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Peter Tremayne Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 2 hours, 20 minutes, 42 seconds Topic: In this second episode with Peter Tremayne we begin by revisiting a few of the stories from episode one to add some corrections and a little more information. We then get into his fascinating post-Air Force career, from flying with Capital Aviation across the Cook Strait region, and James Aviation as a demonstration and ferry pilot, then to Stillwell Aviation, and flying in Bougainville, to flying freight airliners with Orion and UPS from the USA. Another fascinating look into interesting New Zealander’s life in aviation Quick Links: • The Flying Kiwi From The USA • High Sierra Kiwi By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Peter Tremayne Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 2 hours 8 minutes, 5 seconds Topic: In this episode of the “Wings Over New Zealand Show” the host Dave Homewood speaks with Peter Tremayne about his flying in the Royal New Zealand Air Force between 1957 and 1977. Peter trained on Harvards and then went to Devons, and onto Bristol Freighters. He then volunteered for the RNZAF Antarctic Flight where he trained in New Zealand on the Beaver and the Auster. The RNZAF Antarctic programme was cancelled before he got down there but he was posted to The US Navy’s VX-6 Squadron and flew with them on the frozen continent in a US Navy DHC Otter. He later went back to Freighters and flew operations in Borneo and then in Vietnam on this type. Then he transferred to the Lockheed C-130H Hercules with No. 40 Squadron in 1968. Peter left the RNZAF in 1977 and now lives in the USA where he runs an excellent website about his aviation experiences Quick Links: • The Flying Kiwi From The USA • High Sierra Kiwi By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Flight Lieutenant Douglas Stanley Peche Smith, DFC (NZ41948) Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 54 minutes, 20 seconds Topic: In this episode Dave Homewood talks with 97 year old WWII veteran pilot Flight Lieutenant Doug Smith, DFC, about his vivid and colourful memories from his flying days. Doug, who now lives in Orewa, tells of his background, joining the RNZAF and training, and then his service in England flying Bristol Blenheims and Douglas Bostons with No. 88 Squadron, his conversion to Vickers Wellingtons and then to Avro Lancasters, and his tour of operations with No. 207 Squadron RAF. He also flew Avro Yorks with the RAF after WWII, then came home to New Zealand and joined National Airways Corporation. With NAC he flew Douglas DC-3’s, Vickers Viscounts, Fokker Friendships and finally Boeing 737’s. Doug Smith DFC By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Part One – The Wellingtons Guests: Jack Wakefield and the late Nick Carter Co-Hosts: Dave Homewood and Glen Turner Duration: 1 hour, 57 minutes, 38 seconds Topic: This is the first episode in a planned series detailing the long and proud history of No. 75 Squadron – both with the Royal Air Force and then with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Regular WONZ Show host Dave Homewood is joined by co-host Glen Turner, the secretary of the No. 75 Squadron Assocition here in New Zealand, who lends his expert knowledge to the series. This first episode focuses on three main areas: – the pre-WWII history of No. 75 Squadron RAF, before the squadron became associated with the New Zealanders – the background of the purchase by New Zealand of 30 Vickers Wellingtons for the RNZAF and how the New Zealand Squadron formed in britain for this purpose, only to be morphed from a peactime ferrying squadron into a wartime operational bomber unit – and the period in which the New Zealand Squadron became No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF We discuss the period of the New Zealanders (in both the New Zealand Squadron and No. 75 (NZ) Squadron) flying their Wellington bombers in action between 1939 and 1942; and Dave talks with two members of the No. 75 (NZ) Squadron aircrew who flew operations in those Wellingtons. John Wakefield, known as Jack and also Wakey. joined No. 75 (NZ) Squadron in November 1940, and flew thirty ops as a rear gunner. He was crewed with Charlie Pownall DFC originally, but when Charlie was posted to North Africa, Jack then flew a few more ops with Oliver Mathieson DFC, RAF. But many of his later ops were flown with Bob Fortheringham as his skipper. Nick Carter joined the squadron later on in May 1942 and flew in Jack Wright’s crew. He was a Wireless Operator-Air Gunner in the crew. Both Jack and Nick tell the story of the squadron and of their own personal experiences very well indeed. It is planned to bring the episode in this sub-series to you in the non-immediate future focussing on the Stirling era – so keep an eye out for it. Apologies for a few sound glitches in a small portion of Jack’s interview. Quick Links: • The No. 75 Squadron Association New Zealand Below are photos from Jack Wakefield’s collection from his time on No. 75 (NZ) Squadron Sergeant Jack Wakefield with No. 75 (NZ) Squadron at RAF Feltwell, late 1940 No. 75 (NZ) Squadron Debriefing Room, RAF Feltwell 1940-1941 An official propaganda photo showing members of the squadron – this was captioned in newspapers that they were the New Zealand Bomber squadron going to Berlin, but it was the genuine No. 75 (NZ) Squadron staging the photo in daytime. Jack’s caption identifies these men as P/O Oliver Matheson DFC, RAF (Captain), Sgt Bob Fotheringham RNZAF (2nd Pilot), Sgt Crossley RAF (front gunner), F/O George Fowler RAF (Navigator), Sgt Jack Wakefield (Rear Gunner), Sgt Robert Newton DFM, RAF (Wireless Operator) Jack Wakefield’s office, the Vickers Wellington’s rear turret. “The Berlin Boys” – being farewelled by Wing Commander Cyril Kay, who’s on the left. Next to him is Squadron Leader Reuben Widdowson DFC , RAF, famous as the captain in Jimmy Ward VC’s famous flight on the wing. Third from left is George Fowler (Jack’s Navigator), with Jack Wakefield next to him, and Bob Fotheringham DFC is seventh from left. Flight Lieutenant William Davenport Brown DFC is also in the photo Prior to joining the squadron but a great photo of Sgt Jack Wakefield (left) and Sergeant Blake in Trafalgar Square, London, July 1940 Jack’s crew’s personal aircraft, Vickers Wellington AA-Y for Yorker R1162 Sgt Jack Wakefield (left) and Pilot Officer Edgar Lockwood RAF, under the nose of Y for Yorker (R1162) By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: The late Ron Noice Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 1 hour 42 minutes, 34 seconds Topic: In this episode Dave Homewood talks with his late friend Ron Noice, an RNZAF veteran who flew in RAF Bomber Command. Ron was a Navigator-Bomb Aimer, training in New Zealand, Canada and Britain, before being posted to No. 405 Squadron RCAF, which was part of the elite Pathfinder Force. The squadron flew Avro Lancasters, attacking German-held targets all over Europe. On their 30th operational sortie, Ron and his crew were shot down over Germany, and he and his surviving crew mates were captured and became POW’s. Ron told his story to Dave back in 2007, and he often referred to his personal memoirs which he’d written on the boat home to New Zealand at the end of the war, following his repatriation. Sadly Ron passed away in 2014. This episode is released as a tribute to him. Ron Noice with his New Zealand Prisoner of War Association flag. He was President and Secretary of this association for many years (Photo Dave Homewood, 2011) Ron Noice as a young man (Noice family collection) Ron Noice (far right) with his No. 405 Squadron crew and their Lancaster. Left to right are:Bill Hamblyn (Rear Gunner), Bernard Smoker (Set Operator), John Ross (Mid-Upper Gunner), Howard Marcou (Skipper), Don Vokins (Wireless Operator), Eric Bolland (Flight Engineer), Tom Downey (Navigator) and Ron Noice (Visual Air Bomber) (Noice family collection) A telegram from the time that Ron received his freedom from the POW camp (Noice family collection) By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Frank Parker Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 25 minutes, 24 seconds Topic: In this episode, another recording from the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet at the New Zealand Warbirds Association hangar at Ardmore, we hear from NZ Warbirds President Frank Parker, who talks about his experiences flying New Zealand’s one and only FlugWerk FW190. This is a full sized, full noise replica of the WWII Luftwaffe fighter, the Focke Wulf Fw190. Frank gives a very interesting and entertaining account of the aircraft, from the first flight where much that could go wrong, did go wrong; through to what it’s like to fly and display. I apologise that this recording is poor quality, due not only to the echo in the hangar that hampered previous recordings but also by the time this last presentation was happening we had rain outside that caused extra noise on the roof, and also forced around 20+ people who’d been talking outdoors inside, and sadly they continued to talk in the background. So I recommend you listen to this one in a quiet environment to be able to catch the story more clearly. It’s well worth it though, a great talk from Frank Parker. By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Peter Wheeler, Roy Montrowe, Keith Boles, Bill Petersen, Reg Dunbar, Des Hall and Alan Taylor Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 39 minutes, 31 seconds Recorded: 28th of September 2014 Topic: In this section of the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet we had a panel in which questions were put to ex-RNZAF and RAF Bomber Command veterans by Peter Wheeler of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association Quick Links: • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page Bomber Command Association veterans, left to right are Alan Taylor, Roy Montrowe DFC, Reg Dunbar, Bill Pedersen, Keith Boles DFC pff and Des Hall Des Hall, with the microphone, makes the other veterans laugh By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: John Lanham Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 39 minutes, 06 seconds Recorded: 7th of January 2015 Topic: In this episode we hear from well known airshow display pilot John Lanham in his capacity of the Display Director for the famous “Wings Over Wairarapa” airshow which is coming up next week. John talks about the various aircraft displays that we can expect to see there, as well as a bit of history of the airshow itself, its connections with the warbird community and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and his own background as a display pilot. Quick Links: • Wings Over Wairarapa Aishow 2015 Website • Wings Over Wairarapa on Facebook • The Vintage Aviator Collection • The Vintage Aviator Collection on Facebook By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Mark Helliwell Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 54 minutes, 33 seconds Recorded: 28th of September 2014 Topic: Former RNZAF Strike Wing pilot and current NZ Warbirds pilot Mark Halliwell talks about the history of the McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawk, and what it was like to fly in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Mark Helliwell By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Gavin Trethewey Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 36 minutes, 49 seconds Recorded: 28th of September 2014 Topic: Well known New Zealand Warbirds display pilot and former RNZAF combat pilot Gavin Trethewey talks about the English Electric Canberras that he flew with the Royal New Zealand Air Force through the 1960’s. Gavin Trethewey By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Brett Nicholls Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 38 minutes, 21 seconds Recorded: 28th of September 2014 Topic: New Zealand Warbirds pilot Brett Nicholls talks about his two ex-RNZAF BAC167 Mk.88 Strikemaster jet fighter-trainers, which are based at Ardmore. Brett Nicholls By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Jonathan Pote Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 2 hours 17 minutes, 34 seconds Topic: In this episode we hear about the amazing life in aviation that Jonathan Pote has had so far. He’s known to many as a regular article writer for vaious aviation magazines, and we hear about his life from his early days as a plane spotting child in Devon, Britain, to wreck hunting and helping to save important airframes as a teenager including a Walrus, Lancaster and Seafire 47. He tells about his adventures just out of school as a volunteer working as a doctor’s assistant in 1960’s Laos, and flying around the “secret war” zone and with Air America. Upon his return to ‘the world’ he studied to become a doctor and learned to fly with an RAF University Air Squadron. Then as a doctor who could fly. He naturally emigrated to Queensland, Australia, to become a Flying Doctor. Another chapter of his life saw him flying as a Search And Rescue doctor back in Britain whilst in practice as a GP, and then he was called up as a member of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force to serve in the first Gulf War in 1990-91. He also recalls stories of flying the BAE Hawk and searching for the pilot of a pilotless Harrier. Also he talks with great pride about meeting WWII veterans including two Victoria Cross holders. Squadron Leader Jonathan Pote (Rtd) giving a speech at the June 2014 unveiling of the new nose art on the Lancaster at MOTAT, just a few hours before he did this interview. By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

  Guest: Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO, DFC Host: Dave Homewood Interviewers: Dave Homewood and Richard Carstens Duration: 1 hour, 24 minutes, 16 seconds Topic: In this episode, part two of two, we continue with the very interesting interview with Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO, DFC, RNZAF. For part one please click here: Les was one of the original members of the Royal Air Force’s most famous unit, No. 617 Squadron – The Dambusters. We pick up the story just as he and his crew are taking off on the famous Dams Raid on the 16th of May 1943. We also hear what happened in No. 617 Squadron after the raid and in subsequent months and years when Les was later made one of the three Flight Commanders alongside Dave Shannon and Joe ‘Mac’ McCarthy, under the leadership of Wing Commander Leonard Cheshire VC. The interviewers are Dave Homewood and Richard Carstens, and this interview was recorded in April 2010. Les Munro (left) meets King George VI after the Dams Raid. Right is Wing Commander Guy Gibson VC Les Munro (Photo Peter Wheeler) By the way the small music clip is The Dambusters March by Eric Coates

Guest: Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO, DFC Host: Dave Homewood Interviewers: Dave Homewood and Richard Carstens Duration: 1 hour, 3 minutes, 25 seconds Topic: In this episode, part one of two, we hear an extremely interesting interview with Squadron Leader Les Munro DSO, DFC, RNZAF. He was one of the original members of the Royal Air Force’s most famous unit, No. 617 Squadron – The Dambusters. In this first instalment we hear about his younger life, and his entry into the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He covers his training in New Zealand and in Canada, and then his posting to England where he completed further training with an Operational Training Unit on Wellingtons followed by a short stint on the Avro Manchester. Then Les was posted to No. 97 Squadron RAF flying Avro Lancasters on operations over Europe. Following 21 ops he and most of his crew volunteered to join a newly forming ‘special squadron’ at RAF Scampton, which would later be renamed No. 617 Squadron. Les details the training on this squadron leading right up to his take off for the famous Dams raid (which will be covered in the next episode). The interviewers are Dave Homewood and Richard Carstens, and this interview was recorded in April 2010. By the way the music clip is The Dambusters March by Eric Coates

Guest: Noel Kruse Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 1 hour, 16 minutes, 04 seconds Recorded: 19th of May 2014 Published: 26th of June 2014 Topic: In another instalment of the life of pilot Noel Kruse we hear about his posting to No. 38 Squadron RAAF, where he converted onto the ubiquitous de Havilland Canada DHC-4 Caribou. This famous transport aircraft could fly loads into the most remote places, and Noel’s conversion to the type saw him flying around Australia and then up to Papua New Guinea. By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Speakers: Phil Furner, Michael Frawley, Ron Mayhill DFC, Group Captain Mike Longstaff, Squadron Leader Stuart Hight, Squadron Leader Dr. Jonathan Pote MBE (rtd) Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 53 minutes, 36 seconds Topic: The New Zealand Bomber Command Association has recently had the Avro Lancaster bomber at MOTAT, which the NZBCA looks after, re-marked with the cods, serial and nose art of the famous No. 75 (NZ) Squadron Lancaster NE181 “The Captain’s Fancy”. That aircraft flew over 100 operations over enemy territory (it’s thought to have completed 107 ops). This episode is a recording of the proceedings during the official unveiling of the aircraft in its new markings. There were over twenty Bomber Command veterans present, and family of the aircrew members who flew in ‘The Captain’s Fancy’. Also present was the RNZAF’s Chief of Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Mike Yardley, among other Air Force and Museum VIP’s. Quick Links: • The Wings Over New Zealand Aviation Forum thread about bombers that achieved 100 or more operations, which sparked the idea for this change in markings on our New Zealand Lancaster • Photos of the process of this nose art and new markings being applied on the Wings Over New Zealand Aviation Forum • Photos of this event on the New Zealand Bomber Command Association’s Facebook page • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association’s Facebook page • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association’s website • The Museum of Transport and Technologys website By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Speakers: Phil Furner, Ron Mayhill DFC, Squadron Leader Stuart Hight, Boguslaw Nowak, Air Vice Marshal Mike Yardley (Chief of Air Force, RNZAF), and Group Captain Stuart Oliver (RAAF) Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 1 hour, 1 minute, 10 seconds Topic: This recording was made by Dave Homewood during the annual Bomber Command Commemoration at Auckland War Memorial Museum on the 8th of June 2014. Some long silences in the recording have been reduced for listening pleasure. Quick Links: • Photos of this event on the New Zealand Bomber Command Association’s Facebook page • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association’s Facebook page • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association’s website • Bomber Command Memorial Website • The Auckland War Memorial Museum’s website By the way the music is I Vow To Thee, My Country by Gustav Holst

Guest: Max Lambert Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 38 minutes, 37 seconds Recorded: 25th of May 2014, published 13 June 2014 Topic: In this episode Dave Homewood chats with well known author Max Lambert, who wrote “Night After Night” about the New Zealanders in RAF Bomber Command; “Day After Day” about kiwis in RAF Fighter Command; and his latest book is “Victory: New Zealand Airmen and the Fall of Germany“. Quick Links: • “Victory” by Max Lambert at Harper Collins By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guests: Geoff Cooper, Jessica Cooper and Noel Kruse Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 57 minutes, 14 seconds Recorded: 11th of May 2014 Topic:In this episode Dave Homewood talks with the operators of two classic aircraft that grace New Zealand’s skies. In the first interview we hear from Geoff Cooper and Jessica Cooper about what it takes to keep the venerable Ardmore-based Douglas Dakota ZK-DAK “Betsy” flying these days, and how there’s a huge need for more people to get involved, either helping out on the crew or buying rides and charter flights. We need to support this superb venture and keep the Dakota flying, we’ve had two grounded already in the past year and ZK-DAK is a pretty unique part of New Zealand’s heritage scene. And in the last half of the show we get an update from Noel Kruse on his classic 1930’s military trainer, the Ryan STM-2 known as “Charlie”. By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Guest: Peter McKinlay, with Trevor McKinlay Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 1 hour, 40 minutes, 44 seconds Recorded: 19th of December 2013, via Skype Topic: In this episode Dave Homewood talks with 94 year old World War Two veteran Peter McKinlay of Cromwell, in Otago, New Zealand. Peter was a pilot on the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and served as an instructor on Tiger Moths before joining No. 15 (Fighter) Squadron, flying Corsairs in the Pacific. He did a second tour with No. 26 (Fighter) Squadron up there too. After the war Peter also flew Mustangs with No. 4 (Otago) Squadron in the RNZAF’s Territorial Air Force. As well as talking about these aspects of his life he also remembers his beloved Cessna C.180. Dave and Peter were joined by Peter’s son Trevor McKinlay to assist Peter with the Skype technology and to throw in a few questions and memories of his own. By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo MUS030093 Flight Lieutenant Peter McKinlay sitting in the cockpit of his No. 4 Squadron, Territorial Air Force, Mustang at RNZAF Station Taieri.

Guests: Warwick Jones, Melanie Salisbury and Ian ‘Iggy’ Wood Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes, 17 seconds Recorded: 19th of January 2014, live at the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet Topic: This is the fourth and final episode of recordings from the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet 2014 held at Karapiro, Cambridge, New Zealand. The guest speakers in this episode are as follows: Warwick Jones talks about the Hamilton Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and the work they do, how you can get involved and what you would get out of being a member Mel Salisbury talks about the Bomber County Tour and other specialist aviation tours that she and her husband Kev run in the UK each year. And Ian ‘Iggy’ Wood talks about his days as a fighter pilot in Vampires and Skyhawks with the RNZAF, and also display flying in the Harvard and his book “Iggy’s Tales”, and more. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society • Mel and Kev’s Aviation Tours • Iggy’s Air Force Tales on Facebook Above: Warwick Jones Above: Mel Salisbury Above: Iggy Wood By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Special Correspondents: Denis Sharp and Tom Allett The Speakers: At Hunsdon, England – Denis Sharp, Lay preacher David Scott, Linda Gough, Martin Gough, Glen Thompson, Arthur Wingate, Roy Howe, Andrew Payne and Jim Cosgrove In Cambridge, New Zealand – Jenny Boon, Dave Homewood and Ray Tocker In Amiens, France – Tom Allett, Pierre Ben and Dr. Jean-Pierre Ducellier Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 1 hour, 20 minutes, 53 seconds Recorded: 16th and 18th of February 2014 Topic: On the 18th of February 1944, de Havilland Mosquitoes from No’s 487 (NZ) Squadron, No. 464 Squadron RAAF and No. 21 Squadron RAF set off from RAF Hunsdon in Hertfordshire to undertake one of the most precise low level bombing raids of World War Two. They bombed and breached the wall of the Amiens Prison, in the north of France, in an attempt to assist hundreds of French Resistance members and political prisoners to escape from Gestapo hands. 70 years later this incredible raid and the men who flew on it were remembered in special commemoration ceremonies at former RAF Hunsdon in England, the town of Cambridge in New Zealand, and at Amiens in France. Also remembered were the airmen lost on the raid, Group Captain Percy Pickard, Flight Lieutenants Alan Broadley and Dick Sampson, and Flight Sergeant Henry Brown. This special episode has recordings from all three commemorations, England, New Zealand and France, in a two hour long Wings Over New Zealand Show Special. Photos from the Cambridge, New Zealand Ceremony (taken by Dave Homewood) Jenny Boon, neice of F/Lt Dick Sampson, and her husband Roger Boon, next to the panel on the Cambridge Cenotaph that commemorates Dick’s service. His name is just below the wreath. Jenny Boon with WWII veteran Noel Helean who was near Amiens on the day of the raid, hiding in a French Resistance safe house, having crashed in his Hawker Typhoon the previous December. Jenny Boon making her speech about her Uncle Dick Sampson Cambridge Returned and Services Association president Ray Tocker (in the suit) and vice-president Bob Devereaux, having just laid a wreath SEE MORE CAMBRIDGE COMMEMORATION PHOTOS ON OUR FACEBOOK PAGE HERE By the way, the music clips in this episode are I Vow To Thee My Country by Gustav Holst, and Fernleaf Headstones by Dwayne Bloomfield and played by the New Zealand Army Band

Guests: Peter Wheeler, and Robert Peel Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 55 minutes, 59 seconds Recorded: 19th of January 2014, live at the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet Topic: This is the third episode of recordings from the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet 2014 held at Karapiro, Cambridge, New Zealand. The guest speakers in this episode are as follows: Peter Wheeler of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association talks about the proposal to repaint the markings on the Avro Lancaster bomber at the Museum of Transport and Technology, into those worn by No. 75 (NZ) Squadron Lancaster JN-M “The Captain’s Fancy”. And Robert Peel, visiting from Denmark, details the raid carried out by No. 487 (NZ) Squadron against the Gestapo Headquarters in the Shell House building at Copenhagen during WWII. This talk relied heavily on photos and diagrams that were projected on the day, which we are sadly unable to supply here. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Website • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association on Facebook • The Museum of Transport and Technology • Robert Peel’s website Peter Wheeler of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association Robert Peel A late war photo of Lancaster NE181 (JN-M) The Captain’s Fancy (From the New Zealand Bomber Command Association Archives, via Peter Wheeler) The artwork by Pete West that Peter Wheeler is referring to in the talk, depicting the colours and markings of The Captain’s Fancy (artwork by the late Pete West, supplied by Peter Wheeler) The nose art in close up. (artwork by the late Pete West, supplied by Peter Wheeler) By the way the small music clip comes from Danosongs and is called Magic Ghost

Host: Dave Homewood Guests: Richard Stowers, Jonathan Pote and Barry Tod Duration: 56 minutes 23 seconds Recorded: 19th of January 2014, live at the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet Topic: This is the second episode of recordings from the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet 2014. The guest speakers in this episode are as follows: Richard Stowers is a well known historian and author of New Zealand military topics and in this talk he tells us about the subjects of his three Air Force related books, Edgar “Cobber” Kain, Fraser Barron, and his own father Bob Stowers’ air war in the Desert Air Force. Jonathan Pote steps up with a quick filler story about the No. 617 Squadron pilot Geoff Rice on the famous Dams Raid. We hope to hear more from Jonathan later this year in a more detailed interview (or three) about his own RAF career and other connections with classic aviation. Barry ‘Baz’ Tod talking about his Auster restoration projects, which have become a big part of his life. Quick Links: • Richard Stowers’ website, from where you can find out more and purchase Bomber Barron, Cobber Kain and Wellingtons Over The Med • Baz Tod’s WONZ Forum thread on his Auster restoration project By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guests: Larry Hill and Reg Wellington Duration: 1 hour 5 minutes 11 seconds Recorded: 19th of January 2014, live at the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet Topic: This is the first episode covering recordings made at the recent Wings Over New Zealand Aviation Forum Meet 2014, held on the 19th of January 2014 at the Don Rowlands Centre, Lake Karapiro, Cambridge, New Zealand. This episode covers the first two guest speakers. The first speaker is Larry Hill of Waimauku, who tells some interesting and amusing tales from various pilots and others he has met in his time researching Air Force books. The second speaker is WWII RNZAF Corsair pilot Reg Wellington of Rotorua, who tells the story of his squadron, No. 22 (Fighter) Squadron, RNZAF, in World War Two. He combines historical research that he has done to compile a squadron history book for relatives of the pilots, with his own personal memories of those days. The speakers are introduced by WONZ Forum administrator and event organiser Dave Homewood. Be aware that this recording was made under live conditions in a room with the speakers and over 70 assembled people, so the recording conditions were not entirely ideal, but I am sure you’ll agree the episode makes a very good record of the event for those who could not attend, and those who did and would like to relive the day. Above: Larry Hill (Photo by Phil Treweek) Above: Alan Peart DFC’s flying helmet as restored by Larry Hill Above: Reg Wellington (Photo by Dave Homewood) Above: Reg showing the photo of the Porton Pot in his book. By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Peter Rowley Duration: 51 minutes 14 seconds Recorded: 7th of January 2014, via Skype to Peter’s home in Melbourne Topic: Dave chats with well known and much loved kiwi actor Peter Rowley about his aviation background. As well as appearing on kiwi screens in such hits as A Week Of It, McPhail And Gadsby, The Billy T. James Show, A Letter To Blanchy, and as the Dog in the acclaimed Footrot Flats: A Dog’s Tale, Peter grew up in an aviation family. His father was a wartime fighter pilot and postwar ran several agricultural aviation companies. Peter himself became a recreational pilot and is a massive enthusiast of aeroplanes. He is currently working on a documentary series on women in aviation. Quick Links: • Over The Top Helicopters on Youtube Peter Rowley senior in front of his RNZAF Chance Vought F-4U1D Corsair in WWII No. 16 (Fighter) Squadron, RNZAF. F/O Peter Frederick Hodgson Rowley mid (and later OBE) is in the rear rank, third from the right. One of the Japanese tanks destoryed by Peter Rowley senior An Auster agricultural aircraft Peter Rowley senior in his beloved Piper Super Cub Peter Rowley junior, the interviewee By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Doug McElwain Duration: 2 hours, 2 minutes 44 seconds Recorded: 15th of August 2013, at Hamilton Topic: Dave Homewood talks with WWII veteran instructor and topdressing pioneer Doug McElwain about his life as a pilot. Doug gives a very detailed account of his RNZAF training, which is often overlooked in interviews with pilots who like to brush over the training side of things and skip to the action. As Doug remained in New Zealand as an instructor the training side of things was paramount. He went on to become a record-setting topdressing pilot postwar, and he tells a few tales from those days too. By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Noel Kruse Duration: 37 minutes 54 seconds Topic: Noel Kruse continues his story of flying in the Royal Australian Air Force, this time as a Fighter Weapons Instructor, flying predominantly Vampires and Macchi 326H’s. By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs  

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Les Marshall Duration: 45 minutes 47 seconds Topic: Les Marshall completes his story of a life in aviation by talking about his lovely Ryan PT-22 trainer that is based at Ardmore Airport, and how he managed to find and buy it. He also has a few more tales of his flying in the DC-3 topdressers, and some very scary stories of incidents in the air where pure luck and flying skill have got him through. Many thanks to Paul McSweeny and Steve Cox of Pioneer Aero Restorations Ltd for setting up this interview with Les, and for providing a great list of topics for discussion that they recalled from many years of hearing Les’s tales over smoko. By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Les Marshall Duration: 1 hour 00 minutes 12 seconds Topic: Les Marshall continues his story and talks about his time as a topdressing Douglas C-47 Dakota (DC-3) pilot with James Aviation Ltd. He also recalls several interesting and a few scary incidents from his long topdressing career. Many thanks to Paul McSweeny and Steve Cox of Pioneer Aero Restorations Ltd for setting up this interview with Les, and for providing a great list of topics for discussion that they recalled from many years of hearing Les’s tales over smoko. By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Les Marshall Duration: 49 minutes 19 seconds Topic: Les Marshall very kindly sat down with Dave Homewood for a couple of hours in the Pioneer Aero Ltd hangar at Ardmore to talk about his long and interesting career in aviation. He talks about his dicovery of aviation in 1945 as a six or seven year old, and his time in the Royal New Zealand Air Force under Compulsory Military Training. He recalls learning to fly at the Waikato Aero Club, Rukuhia, and towing gliders as well as gliding at the Piako Glider Club, Waharoa. He then joined Wanganui Aero Works as a topdressing pilot flying a Piper Cub. Les moved from there into a job with Rural Aviation based at Feilding, flying Cessna C180’s. Next he took a job flying Fletchers with Robertson’s Air Service at Rukuhia, Hamilton. This was followed by a move to Gary Toulson’s Adastra Aviation, also based at Hamilton. When Adastra was bought up by and absorbed into James Aviation Ltd, Les ended up with that well known company. Many thanks to Paul McSweeny and Steve Cox of Pioneer Aero Restorations Ltd for setting up this interview with Les, and for providing a great list of topics for discussion that they recalled from many years of hearing Les’s tales over smoko. By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Noel Kruse Duration: 1 hour 00 minutes 17 seconds Topic: In this episode Cambridge-based pilot Noel Kruse discusses his Ryan STM-S2 which he recently completed a 33-year long restoration on, back to flying condition. Noel test flew his Ryan, which is known as “Charlie”, on the 16th of September 2013. “Charlie” is a very rare survivor of the Royal Netherlands East Indies Navy, and the Royal Australian Air Force in WWII. Noel talks about how the Ryan STM as a type captivated him as a child, and how it became one of his favourite aircraft types. And he tells of the process of finding, buying and restoring the aircraft back to flying condition. By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Richard Small Duration: 1 hour 13 minutes 15 seconds Topic: Richard is the CEO of Waikato Aero Club, based at Hamilton Airport. He’s also the President of the Royal New Zealand Aero Club (also known as Flying NZ). In this episode he talks about his own flying experiences, his roles in these two clubs, and what’s happening these days at the WAC and within the RNZAC organisation. He discusses the challenges that recreational pilots are currently facing, and how the RNZAC is there to support pilots and their aero clubs around New Zealand. Quick Links: • The Waikato Aero Club • The Royal New Zealand Aero Club (Flying NZ) By the way the small music is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guests: Peter McQuarters (aka Peter Mac) and Jason McQuarters (aka Jason Mac) Duration: 1 hour, 6 minutes 18 seconds Released: 20th of July 2013 Topic: In this episode Dave chats with father and son, Peter and Jason McQuarters. Peter has been involved with aviation preservation since he was a teenager, when he founded the group the became the now very popular Ashburton Aviation Museum. He and son Jase tell us about how the museum developed, and how Pete’s own classic aircraft collection has developed over the years. We also hear about their airshow commentary duties, and Jase talks about his flying training and his progress towards flying heavy metal warbirds.

Episode Forty Four – Skyhawk Pilot Barry “Patch” Nelson Host: Dave Homewood Guests: Barry “Patch” Nelson Duration: 40 minutes, 16 seconds Topic: Dave talks with Wing Commander Barry “Patch” Nelson, who flew the McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawk with the Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1987 through till 1997. During that time he served with both No. 2 Squadron and No. 75 Squadron, and he flew as No. 2 in the premier Skyhawk aerobatic display team Kiwi Red. he also went on numerous overseas exercises with No. 75 Squadron, and he remembers the famous jet fighter very fondly. In April 2013 Patch was a guest of honour at the Fun & Sun Airshow at Lakeland, Florida, in the USA, where Draken International – who now operate ex-RNZAF Skyhawks and Aermacchis – hosted a special tribute day to the RNZAF. In this interview Patch looks back on his Skyhawk days and reports on the event in the USA that has marked a new lease of life for the jets. By the way the small music clip is Magic Ghost from Danosongs

Host: Dave Homewood Guest: Noel Kruse Duration: 1 hour, 17 minutes, 06 seconds Topic: Noel Kruse continues his story as a fighter pilot, now flying the CAC Avon Sabre Mk. 32 jets with No. 3 Squadron RAAF and No. 77 Squadron RAAF at RAAF Butterworth in Malaysia during the Indonesian Confrontation conflict.

Guest: Noel Kruse Host: Dave Homewood Duration: 36 minutes Recorded: 15th of February 2013 Topic:. Dave Homewood talks with pilot and author Noel Kruse in the first of a series of episodes covering Noel’s more than 51 years in aviation in Australia and New Zealand. In this episode Noel talks about his earliest involvement in aviation from the age of 10, and working for the Royal Victorian Aero Club in Melbourne from age 16, where he learned to fly in de Havilland Chipmunks. Links: • Noel Kruse’s Fly Better Website • Noel Kruse’s Fly Better Facebook Page • The Royal Victorian Aero Club, Melbourne