March 2017
A classic portrait of Vickers V.807 Viscount ZK-BRD at Christchurch shortly after arrival
RECENTLY READING some of my precious copies of the first three volumes of the Society’s journals I have been taken by two elements: how difficult it must have been for Derek Woodhall and his team of contributors to assemble even basic information about aviation of the day – and secondly how fresh and interesting those contents read, more than 50 years on.
ON 12 AUGUST 1942 New Zealander Rex McIlraith and his crew set out from England on an aircraft delivery flight to the Middle East in Wellington IC HX583. The crew were:
NZ412244 Plt Off Rex McIlraith, RNZAF (pilot) ...
NZ412244 Plt Off Rex McIlraith, RNZAF (pilot) ...
FIGHTER SQUADRONS traditionally employ distinctive markings as a matter of pride, morale and identity. Probably the most distinctive in peacetime have been those of RAF squadrons between the wars and in the post-war period after the advent of the Cold War. Post-war the Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) de Havilland Vampire and Gloster Meteor squadrons became the most colourful. Evidently the squadrons were extremely creative in employing colours and designs reflecting local circumstances.
FRANCE AND NEW ZEALAND have enjoyed aeronautical associations for more than 100 years, beginning with the arrivals of Bleriot and Caudron aircraft before the First World War. In this account I consider contacts between the two countries in terms of visits by French aircraft, the evolution of air services and connections and the establishment of current-day military linkages and air services. In fact, a French airline was the first to establish direct, one-aircraft airline
Editor’s note: Many readers will be familiar with Warren’s Volume One and Three of his N.Z.P.A.F./R.N.Z.A.F. Aircraft Colour Schemes published in 1982 and 1984 respectively. Unfortunately circumstance prevented publication of Volume Two and those following Volume Three. Warren has, however, generously agreed to publication in the Journal of the material he had prepared for his Volume Two. Most keen member modellers no doubt already have well-thumbed copies of Volumes One and Three to hand.
There are a couple of articles I would like to comment on – great articles in themselves...
Tasman Echo Alpha, Guy Clapshaw
Laucala Bay – the story of the RNZAF in Fiji 1939 to 1967, Bee Dawson,
Born to Fly, Bill Reid,
Laucala Bay – the story of the RNZAF in Fiji 1939 to 1967, Bee Dawson,
Born to Fly, Bill Reid,
THE AIR FORCE MUSEUM RECEIVES A ROLLS-ROYCE MERLIN RELIC WITH LINKS TO A NEW ZEALAND FIGHTER ACE
 December 2018 |