The Wings Over New Zealand Show

Guest Speakers: Brendon Deere, Tim Costley MP, SQN LDR Craig Clark, FLT LT Stu Glendinning, Roger Dalziell, and SQN LDR Michael Williams Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎28th of February 2026 Released: 9th of May 2026 Duration: 3 hours 14 minutes 55 seconds In this bumper-sized 350th episode in the Wings Over New Zealand Show podcast series, we hear the various presentations given at the Biggin Hill Hangar WONZ Forum Meet at RNZAF Base Ohakea. We were very fortunate to be hosted by Brendon Deere, who is a great supporter of Wings Over New Zealand. In order we hear from: Tim Costley MP – Tim is a former RNZAF pilot, and he talks about his experiences in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, particularly flying the Bell Iroquois but also in other types. He served operationally on several occasions. And he talks a little about his current position as a Member of Parliament for Otaki in the National-led coalition government. Tim Costley (Dave Homewood photo) Squadron Leader Craig Clark – Craig is the Officer Commanding No. 42 Squadron RNZAF, based at Ohakea, which operates Beechcraft King Air 350s in two roles, two C-12K examples as transports which can carry up to nine passengers , known as Slicks, and two MC-12K used for Air Warfare training and sensor suite training. In this fascinating talk Craig explains how the squadron has been evolving with its previous role of multi-engine training having been phased out, and interestingly the MC-12Ks are being used for actual front line operational missions more and more now, at home and overseas in the Pacific. He also talks about the future of the squadron, and his personal hopes that it will soon be expanded and larger aircraft platforms will be brought into the squadron’s capabilities. Above: SQN LDR Craig Clark (Dave Homewood photo)Below: Various photos of the MC-12K King Airs, including the Fiji deployment. (All NZDF) No.42 SQN’s new Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft takes it’s first flight at RNZAF Base Ohakea, 14/05/18. Flight Lieutenant Stu Glendinning – Stu is a pilot and a QFI on No. 5 Squadron RNZAF, also based at Ohakea, flying the new Boeing P-8 Poseidon. He talks about his RNZAF career, including flying training with the RAAF on NZAI CT/4B Airtrainers and Pilatus PC9s, in a rare case where RNZAF pilots joined an RAAF aircrew course. He talks about his progression to No. 42 Squadron and then No. 5 Squadron, and flying the Lockheed P-3K2 Orions. He then transitioned onto the new Boeing P-8A Poseidon fleet and he shares insights into this amazing aircraft. He also tells the very emotive story of his experience as the Search and Rescue Captain on a P-8A when he was scrambled following the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui. Above: FLT LT Stu Glendinning (Dave Homewood photo)Below: The No. 5 Squadron RNZAF Boeing P-8 Poseidons (All NZDF photos) Arrival of the first P-8A Poseidon 4801 to RNZAF Base Ohakea, New Zealand Arrival of the first P-8A Poseidon 4801 to RNZAF Base Ohakea, New Zealand Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024. Brendon Deere – Our host for the event at the Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre, Brendon spoke about his Biggin Hill Trust collection of warbirds that are based at Ohakea. They include his Supermarine Spitfire IX PV270, North American P-51D Mustang NZ2423, Grumman TBM Avenger “Plonky”, and North American Harvard IIa NZ1037. Brendon Deere Roger Dalziel and Mike Williams – In a very rare opportunity, the audience were able to hear from two Grumman Avenger pilots, Roger Dalziell who flew the Avengers in the RNZAF from Ohakea in the early 1950s; and Squadron Leader Mike Williams who is a current instructor pilot based at Ohakea, and is the current pilot of Plonky, the Biggin Hill Avenger, with the Air Force Heritage Flight. He explains the work of the Heritage Flight, which Mike himself was behind the creation of. Roger is the last known pilot who flew original RNZAF Avengers still living today. Mike had just arrived back at Ohakea following flying a display at New Plymouth in the Avenger, and the two pilots compared notes on flying Avengers 75 years ago and now. Roger Dalziell, left, and Mike Williams, right. Above and below: Mike arriving back at Biggin Hill Hangar from his display at New Plymouth, just before speaking alongside Roger. Quick Links: • The Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre • The Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre on Facebook • The Royal New Zealand Air Force • The Beechcraft King Air 350 in RNZAF Service • The Boeing P-8A Poseidon in RNZAF Service The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guests: Bil Thuma, Don O’Rorke, Arthur Palmer and Dave O’Malley Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎24th of ‎March ‎2026 Released: 14th of April 2026 Duration: 57 minutes 40 seconds A search is currently underway with the aim of locating the remains of a missing Lockheed Ventura, AE665, which vanished in WWII off the eastern coast of Canada. The crew onboard were an ANZAC crew who included the pilot and captain, P/O Donald Shaw Cormack RAAF, the navigator P/O Stanley Joseph James RAAF, and the wireless operator-air gunner Sgt Thomas Matthew Hunter RNZAF. They were training at No. 34 Operational Training Unit, RAF Pennfield Ridge, in New Brunswick, Canada, as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, with the intention of gaining the necessary skills of a crew destined for RAF medium bomber squadrons. The aircraft crashed into the sea off the Canadian coast on the 26th of January 1943, and vanished. All these years later the pilot’s nephew, real estate businessman Don O’Rorke of Queensland, Australia, and his old school mate, anthropologist and pilot Arthur Palmer, have embarked on a mission to locate the aeroplane and find some closure for the families of the lost men. They brought Canadian-based geophysicist Bil Thuma into the team, who is renowned for finding missing aeroplanes – perhaps the best known examples being The Lost Squadron of Lockheed P-38 Lightnings and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses under the ice in Greenland. That expedition resulted in the recovery of the famous P-38 that was restored and now flies in Rod Lewis’s collection as Glacier Girl. Also joining the chat in this episode is well known Canadian aviation historian and writer Dave O’Malley who gives some background to the flight and the work the men were doing. They also talk about another crash site of a separate No. 34 Operational Training Unit Ventura, AJ211, that crashed just a few weeks later on the 8th of February 1943 on a similar training flight from Pennfield Ridge. That accident also claimed the lives of two Australians and a Kiwi onboard. They were pilot Sergeant Hubert Burnham RAAF, navigator Sgt Phillip Edmond RAAF and wireless operator-air gunner Sgt John Hogan RNZAF. And an overwhelming theme of this episode is the ongoing impact on families of the loss of their airmen 80+ years ago in WWII, and making sure they are not forgotten. Quick Links: • Aircrew Remembered on the loss of Ventura AE665 • The loss of Lockheed Ventura II AJ211 • The Last Flight of an Australian Bomber Above: A Lockheed Ventura II, AE658, just a few serials away from the identical aircraft tat the team is seeking under the ocean, AE665. Here is a video version of the episode The article that Don mentioned that appeared in The Australian newspaper. Pennfield Ridge Air Station Pennfield Ridge Air Station Above: The Ventura Hunters The plaque commemorating the crash site of Venture AJ211 The impact crater made by AJ211 The plaque commemorating the crash site of Venture AJ211 Above: The brother of the  airmen Sgt Hubert Burnham RAAF visits his grave. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Wing Commander Barry “Patch” Nelson Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎29th of ‎December ‎2025 Released: 1st of March 2026 Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes 26 seconds Have you ever wondered what is involved when a new aircraft type is selected for service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force? In this episode of the Wings Over New Zealand Show, Dave Homewood speaks with Wing Commander Barry “Patch” Nelson on this very topic. Patch was in charge if the Royal New Zealand Air Force team who were responsible for the their part in the selection of the NHIndustries NH90 twin-engined medium utility helicopters, to replace the Bell UH-1H Iroquois fleet; and also the selection of the AgustaWestland A109 Light Utility Helicopters that replaced the Bell 47G Sioux fleet. There is an inordinate amount of work involved in selecting a new type, and a massive number of people from all sorts of government departments and community groups all have an input, as Patch explains. This is a fascinating look into the inner workings of a selection team, deep in the heart of Defence Headquarters in Wellington. The NH90 was selected to replace the Iroquois, and the contract to buy nine NH90-TTH variant helicopters was finalised in July-August 2006. The first and second examples of the fleet, NZ3301 and NZ3302, were delivered on the 6th of December 2011, and deliveries followed as they were built, through till 2014. The fleet became fully operational in 2015, and eight examples now form the backbone of No. 3 Squadron. And additional ninth NH90 is held as an Attrition Airframe. The A109LUH is a lightweight, twin-engined helicopter with a modern glass cockpit and a retractable wheeled undercarriage. The A109s were acquired under a NZ$139 million contract signed in May 2008 for the acquisition of the five A109s, plus an additional A109 airframe to be used as a source of spares, as well as a simulator and a spares and support package. The A109s began arriving at Ohakea in May 2011, and five of them are now are operated by the Helicopter Transitional Unit, No. 3 Squadron RNZAF, at Ohakea. Quick Links: • The Royal New Zealand Air Force • The NHIndustries NH90 helicopter • The AugustaWestland A109 helicopter • NHIndustries Site • Leonardo Helicopters (successor to AugustaWestland) site NH90 Helicopter’s depart from Westport during EXERCISE SOUTHERN KATIPO 2017, which is a combined joint and interagency Field Training Exercise focused on developing, exercising and evaluating the New Zealand Defence Force’s ability to project forces anywhere in the South West Pacific and either operate independently or with coalition partners. (NZDF Official Photo) An NH90 and an A109 of the RNZAF together at Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow in 2023. (NZDF Official Photo) One of the RNZAF’s new AgustaWestland A109s, NZ3403, over northern Italy, circa 2010. Agusta-Westland Photo. One of the RNZAF’s new AgustaWestland A109s, NZ3403 over northern Italy, circa 2010. Agusta-Westland Photo. One of the RNZAF’s new AgustaWestland A109s, NZ3403 over northern Italy, circa 2010. Agusta-Westland Photo. The official handover of the first A109’s at the production and flight test facility in Vergiate, north of Milan, Ialy. The group from left to right: SQNLDR Chris Moody, FLTLT Wayne Thomas, WGCDR Patch Nelson, SQNLDR Adam Death, AugustWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini, F/S Dale Cox and W/O ‘Mario’ Marteletti. Below: NZDF Photos of NH90s in service. Copyright to NZDF Official. NH90 Images Supplied Ex Blackbird was held at Dip Flat Feb 2022. The ex is designed to expose the pilots and crew to flying in mountainous terrain. Exercise Winchester is 3 Squadron exercise which was held in Waiouru. The purpose of this EX was to qualify and re-qualify Air Force personnel in gunnery in helicopters, and uses the 109 and the NH90. The exercise also involved stationary targets for self-defense. Training in the NH90 flight simulator. Exercise Steel Talon is a helicopter crew training activity conducted by 3 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The aim of the exercise is to train NH90 helicopter crews in day and night tactical battlefield operations for conventional forces. Navy personnel assist with the clean up of debri on the streets of Auckland after the major flooding event as part of Operation Awhina. Mayor Wayne Brown took the opportunity to assist. 3SQN and 5 Aviation Regiment crews conduct 131 bty admin move taskings from RAAF Townsville to the Townsville training area. NZDF personnel from the Royal New Zealand Navy, NZ Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS23) across Australia. TS23 is a bilateral, biennial Australian hosted and USA supported combined exercise focused on the planning and conduct of a high end, mid-intensity warfighting scenario. The exercise is designed to improve combat readiness, exercise war-fighting skills and systems, whilst advancing combined staff and force interoperability. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and its international partners conduct a military assault against a ‘Becaran’ ‘highland militia’ stronghold on the Rainbow Ski-field near St Arnaud in the Tasman district during SK15. The assault was spear-headed by NZ infantry ‘fast-roped’ by Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH-90 helicopters to take the high ground sorrounding the ski-field, and by a combined Australian-New Zealand ANZAC Ready Reaction Force (RRF), utilising Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, which cleared and secured the rebel base at the ski-field Ex Southern Katipo 2015 (SK15) is a combined, joint, international training field exercise focussed on developing, exercising and evaluating the NZDF’s independent amphibious capabilities and ability to project forces anywhere in the South West Pacific. SK15 provides the opportunity to ensure continual preparedness to operate independently or with our coalition partners. The scenario involves a fictional South West Pacific country that has requested international intervention to restore law and order. The scenario allows for an emphasis on amphibious operations within the context of a larger stability and security operation. The following two photos are from Australian Government Defence An NH90 assisting with relief in Australian bushfires, 2019-2020. (ADF Official) RNZAF NH90s operating from a helicopter carrier in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. (ADF Official) The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Grant Harnish Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 19th of February 2026 Released: 20th of February 2026 Duration: 45 minutes 34 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show “Flying Boat Month” episode Dave Homewood speaks with Grant Harnish of Salt Air in the Bay of Islands. Grant owns and flies ZK-CFA, which is the only airworthy Grumman Widgeon flying boat in the Southern Hemisphere. Grant talks about operating the Widgeon, and also sistership Widgeon ZK-AVM, commercially with Salt Air at Paihia from 1992 through till 2000. And he discusses buying ZK-CFA back many years later and embarking on a big restoration that brought it back to pristine airworthy condition. He also talks about the rest of the Salt Air fleet, a mix of helicopters and fixed wing types, and their various roles. The helicopters are based on the Paihia waterfront, and the Gippsland GA-8 Airvan is based at Kerikeri Airport. Quick Links: •  Salt Air •  The 3rd Level New Zealand Blog page on ZK-CFA’s history The following photos are used with permission from Grant Harnish and from the Salt Air Facebook page, here Grant’s Grumman G44A Widgeon ZK-CFA Living the Dream with ZK-CFA History on display. Rafael Sanchez on the left in Cuba, circa 1950s with CU-N346, which is now ZK-CFA Grant in the pilot’s seat at Kingfish Lodge, back in 1992 or 1993. This was at a fire in Ahipara. A barracuda hunt fishing competition, mid ’90’s. Grant says, “We won heaviest fish…. bit of a story with that one.” Bringing CFA north before the rebuild. Above: In the right hand seat this is Katja Sanchez, whose grandfather owned ZK-CFA, which was back then CU-N346, in Cuba from 1949 through till 1962. So her family flew in the same plane 70 years ago! The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: David Berger Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 11th of February 2026 Released: 14th of February 2026 Duration:  1 hour 53 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show “Flying Boat Month” episode Dave Homewood speaks with David Berger, who is an ex-pat British doctor who lives in Fernmount, NSW, in Australia, and works in Broome, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. But he has a hangar at Omarama, Central Otago, and he spends a fair bit of time in this country flying his aeroplanes. He owns a Piper Super Cub, a Cessna 185 and his beloved Republic Seabee which he based here in Omarama. David talks about the history of the Seabee, and what it is like to fly. He also tells some fascinating stories of flying long distance trips around the world in the Cessna, etc. Quick Links: •  Republic Seabee •  Spencer Air Car •  The Franklin Engine Company •  SeaBear Aircraft •  Honoria Glossop The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. David Berger and his Republic Seabee, which carried the name “Honoria Glossop” The Omarama hangar, with the Super Cub and the Seabee tucked up inside. David’s Super Cub VH-YUP on a gravel bar in the South Island of New Zealand David’s Cessna A185F N185MW, ‘Honey Bun 7’, seen here at Cameron Corner, Queensland in the Strzelecki Desert. David’s sons Tom and Ed and some locals refuel the Cessna at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands. This was a major base for RNZAF Hudsons and Venturas in WWII. Below are some of David’s videos of the Seabee operating from Lake Ohau And here is the Blue Horizons movie that David spoke about in the episode

Guest: David Wilkinson, SAANZ President Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 22nd of January 2026 Released: 8th of February 2026 Duration:  58 minutes 06 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show “Flying Boat Month” episode Dave Homewood speaks with David Wilkinson, who is President of the Sport Aircraft Association of New Zealand. He is also owner and pilot of a small fleet of aeroplanes, with his latest addition being a Taylor Coot flying boat that he has restored after it was close to becoming scrapped. The Taylor Coot is a two-seat homebuilt amphibious aircraft designed by Moulton Taylor, who was famous for his flying car designs. David’s example, ZK-JST, was originally built in the 1980s by SAANZ stalwart and Life Member Alistair McLachlan, who had been an engineer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and with Air New Zealand. David talks about the history of the airframe and how he ended up acquiring it. He talks about the restoration process and the various upgrades he has made during the rebuild, including the installation of a bigger horsepower engine then before. And he talks about what it has been like to learn to fly the Coot, his first flying boat. As well as the Coot, Dave also has his father Don’s Corby Starlet ZK-TOY, his Van’s RV-8, his Rihn DR-107 One Design, and a half share with Andrew Hope in the Pitts Special ZK-MPM. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Quick Links: •   Taylor Coot on Wikipedia •  Previous WONZ Show episode with David Wilkinson and Alistair McLachlan – WONZ 88 Photos below were taken by David Wilkinson unless specified. Taylor Coot ZK-JST out and about after restoration by David Wilkinson, who took this photo. David Wilkinson water taxiing his Taylor Coot on the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. Photo from his GoPro. Alistair McLachlan back in the Coot Photo by Dave Homewood Photo by Dave Homewood Photo by Dave Homewood David’s video of his Coot

Guest: Andy Love Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of February 2026 Released: 2nd of February 2026 Duration:  44 minutes 58 seconds In this episode Andy Love, air display coordinator of the upcoming Warbirds Over Wanaka 2026 International Airshow gives a rundown of what the public can expect to see, and he warns that tickets are selling out fast. The three-day show over Easter Weekend – 3rd to 5th of April 2026 – is looking to be a very good one with some spectacular flying acts lined up. Easter Saturday is now fully sold out but there are still General Admission and Silver Pass tickets available for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Get your tickets here!https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/httpswww-warbirdsoverwanaka-comairshow/tickets Also selling fast are the bookings for the various aircraft rides available, so go to the links on this page to make your bookings:https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/flight-experience Check out the line up here:https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/httpswww-warbirdsoverwanaka-comairshow/aircraft-confirmed The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Paul Dalley, aka Seaplane Paul Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 10th of January 2026 Released: 1st of February 2026 Duration:  3 hour 52 minutes 49 seconds In this extra-length Wings Over New Zealand Show “Flying Boat Month” episode Dave Homewood speaks with Paul Dalley, who grew up with aviation around him thanks to his grandfather Ian Henry, a well-known propeller maker. Paul talks about learning to fly, his adventures flying his Piper Cub in Japan while running a language school there, and flying air displays there with fellow Kiwi pilot Robert Fry and others. He talks about flying in Australia where he’d planned to buy a tourism flying business and how things changed. And flying in Papua New Guinea. And then he ended up purchasing a Lake Buccaneer in New Zealand and he took it up to Vanuatu and achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a flying boat pilot in the Pacific, just like Jake Cutter in one of his favourite childhood television shows, Tales of the Gold Monkey, and the 1992 film Porco Rosso. Paul has some wonderful adventure stories and ells of some seriously scary moments in the air, in Japan and in the Pacific. He has real insight into the joys of flight too. So sit back and listen to the stories of Seaplane Paul. Above: The golden sands of a tropical Pacific beach, and Paul Dalley’s Lake Buccaneer flying boat. Paul Dalley Paul with his Piper Super Cub in Japan. Top: Stephen Collins as Jake Cutter with Jack (played by Leo the Dog) in the 1982-82 American television series Tales of the Gold Monkey. Bottom: Jake’s classic Grumman flying boat, Cutter’s Goose. The series was a huge inspiration for Paul that led to his fulfilment of a childhood dream of flying his own flying boat on island adventures in the South Pacific. Tales of the Kiwi Buccaneer Paul’s Lake Buccaneer photographed by Peter Lewis. Paul with Meredith Caisley, left, and Peter Lewis, right, during their Vanuatu vacation flight. Photo Peter Lewis. More recently when Paul returned to New Zealand and flew for Auckland Seaplanes. He now lives in Picton. The trailer for the 1992 film Porco Rosso, which Paul discusses.

Guest: Mark Hillier Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of January 2026 Released: 13th of January 2026 Duration:  1 hour 33 minutes 35 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show episode Dave Homewood speaks with Mark Hillier, who is a recreational pilot, a historian, an author and he is Head of Operations at Spitfires.com, the adventure rides company based at Goodwood Aerodrome, Westhampnett, in West Sussex, UK. Mark discusses his background in aviation, and talks about Spitfires.com and their fleet of aircraft. That includes three two-seaters plus the Silver Spitfire that flew around the world. He also talks about his passion for aviation history, the many books hat he has written, and the veterans he has met along the way. And he talks about his close connection to the late RAF groundcrew veteran Joe Roddis, who served on No. 485 (NZ) Squadron through that unit’s whole existence. No. 485 (NZ) Squadron’s time based at Westhampnett is also detailed, and also a little history of other squadrons based there and at the nearby RAF Tangmere, which Westhampnett was a satellite airfield to. Quick Links: • Mark Hiller’s website • Spitfires.com • Mark’s books on Amazon • Mark’s books at Pen and Sword •  Goodwood Aerodrome (Formerly RAF Westhampnett) •  RAF Westhampnett on Wikipedia Above Left: The late Joe Roddis. Centre: The book by Joe and Mark. Right: Mark with his RAF Tangmere 100 Objects book. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Warrant Officer Raymond William Tocker 73469 (18 June 1931 to 24 September 2015) Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 11th of February 2013 Released: 6th of January 2026 Duration:  1 hour 15 minutes 32 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show episode Dave Homewood pulled another previously unpublished older interview out of the archives. The recording is with the late Ray Tocker, who was a good mate of Dave’s. On a visit to Ray’s place, a couple of blocks from Dave’s, Ray began telling stories of his RNZAF service so Dave gained permission to pull his recorder out of his rucksack and hit record. The result was a great conversation with Ray telling some wonderful and often very funny stories about his days in the RNZAF in the 1950s. The conversation was heavily focused on his days at RNZAF Base Ohakea working in the maintenance hangar on Mosquitoes, Devons, a Grumman Avenger, and more. And he also talks about some adventures when he was a Flight Engineer on the Short Sunderland flying boat, including the incident where he was aboard Sunderland NZ4113 when it scraped its belly along the new runway at the opening of Wellington Airport, and how he repaired the hole to save the aircraft. Ray was awarded a medal for his actions in saving the aircraft. From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999: TOCKER, Warrant Officer Raymond William, (cvsa).H73469; Born Ohakune, 18 Jun 1931; RNZAF 14 Apr 1949 to 27 Apr 1973; Engine Fitter, then Flight Engineer.Citation Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (QB1960): Not available. The following is an extract from a letter to the then Sgt Tocker from the CAS – “This well earned award recognises your personal efforts in enabling the Sunderland damaged at the opening of Wellington Airport [on 25 Oct 1959] to carry out a safe landing on its return to Hobsonville.” Quick Links: •  Ray’s autobiography Adventures of a Kiwi Airman on Amazon For any inquiries into this book, contact Ray’s daughter Ali, email: [email protected] Ray Tocker (cvsa) in the centre, representing the Cambridge RSA during an ANZAC Day. Note his Mosquito lapel pin. Ray Tocker in the centre wit his hand on his heart during a special ceremony that marked the 70th Anniversary of the Amiens Prison Raid held at the Cambridge Cenotaph. You can hear more about this and Ray’s speech in the Amiens Raid episode HERE Above: Five photos come via Antonio McDonald of that hangar fire at Ohakea that Ray talks about. Here is an Archives NZ film about that Rongotai Airshow for Wellington Airport’s opening, showing the unfortunate incident for the Sunderland.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPXcByce_hY The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Flight Lieutenant Wilfrid Leopold “Buck” Pound NZ427559 – 21 October 1922 to 27 January 2021 Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 29th of June 2013 Released: 31st of December 2025 Duration:  53 minutes 23 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show episode Dave Homewood interviews WWII RNZAF bomber pilot ‘Buck’ Pound. He spent a short time in the Army in Tauranga after WWII broke out, before getting into the RNZAF. His initial training was at Rotorua, and he began flying training at Ashburton on de Havilland Tiger Moths. Next he progressed onto flying Airspeed Oxfords at Wigram. Upon passing out with his flying badge, Buck was posted to England where he flew more Oxfords, and then onto Vickers Wellingtons at No. 11 Operational Training Unit at Westcott. He and his crew, and his best mate Robbie who was another pilot with his own crew, volunteered to got to Italy. They joined No. 104 Squadron at Foggia, flying Wellingtons in the night bombing role. He talks about some of the experiences he had including a terrifying night when the Wellington was struck by lightning and they lost all their instruments. Following the tour in Italy, Buck was sent to by converted onto Mosquitoes. And he ended up flying Mosquitoes from Malta in a specialist target marking role. After the war Buck got into banking and finance. Buck was a member of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association. He passed away on the 27th of January 2021. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page Photos from Wilfred ‘Buck’ Pound’s collection, via The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Archive. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud

Guests: Reg Mitchell – No. 488 (NZ) SquadronKeith Boles DFC – No. 109 Squadron PFFHarold “Bunny” Burrows – No. 487 (NZ) Squadron, and No. 75 Squadron RNZAF, and Martial “Sonny” Gaspard – No. 75 Squadron RNZAF Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2013 Released: 25th of November 2025 Duration:  1 hour  19 minutes 23 seconds To mark the 85th Anniversary of the first flight of the de Havilland Mosquito, which took place on the 25th of November 1940, Dave Homewood has pulled an old but never before heard interview from his archive he recorded in 2013 with four Kiwi Mossie veterans. They are pilots Reg Mitchell and Keith Boles DFC, and navigator-wireless operators Harold “Bunny” Burrows and Martial “Sonny” Gaspard. The recording was made at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, and the guys share memories and tell stories from their days flying one of the greatest aeroplanes of all time. As well as war stories, Keith and Bunny also talk about ferrying Mosquitoes to New Zealand after the war. You will also hear Peter Wheeler ask a question too, as he sat in on the interview. Sadly these four wonderful gentlemen have all since passed away. Quick Links: •  The de Havilland Mosquito on Wikipedia •  The Museum of Transport and Technology Above, from left to right: Keith Boles, ‘Bunny’ Burrows, Reg Mitchell and Sonny Gaspard in front of the MOTAT Mosquito. Dave Homewood photo. Above Left: Sonny, Reg and Bunny. Above Right: Sonny and Bunny. In the background is the late Peter Wheeler of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association, who sat in on the interview. Dave Homewood photos. Above: Bunny Burrows receiving his brevet in 1942. NZBCA Collection. Above: No. 487 (NZ) Squadron crews. Bunny Burrows on the right and his pilot F/O Kassler on the left.NZBCA Collection. Above: No. 109 Squadron Kiwis at Little Staughton , Keith Boles is front left. NZBCA Collection. Above: Keith Boles’ special 100th birthday gift , a Mosquito made from recycled Mosquito timber. Peter Wheeler Photo. Above: No. 488 (NZ) Squadron night fighter aircrews at readiness. Reg Mitchell photo. Reg Mitchell collection. Above: Above: Reg Mitchell at RNZAF Station Woodbourne, 1941. Reg Mitchell collection. Above: Reg Mitchell, left, with his navigator. Reg Mitchell collection. Above: No. 1 Navigators course. RNZAF Station Wigram. L-R: Back; Leans, Martial “Sonny” Gaspard, Stevens, Lafferty. Front; Collins, Campbell, Williams, Miller. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Above: Left to Right – No. 75 Squadron aircrew Bob Scott, Bill Annand, Nelson Bright, Colin Hanson, Dave Cohu and Sonny Gaspard, preparing to sink the stricken vessel Lutterworth (not the Shuttleworth, as Sonny remembered). Dave Cohu collection. Above: No. 75 Squadron RNZAF Mossie crews, left to right: Colin Hanson, ‘Joe’ Mace, Ernest Gartrell (75 CO), Cyril Waters, Owen Staple, Ted Arundel, ‘Mac’ McBean, Noel Fraser, Sonny Gaspard, Tony Williams, Rod Dahlberg, Mitch Mitchell, Gordon Shearer. RNZAF Official Photo. Music: The tune is the 633 Squadron theme by Ron Goodwin.Thanks to: The late Peter Wheeler of the NZBCA, and MOTAT.

Guest: Squadron Leader Geoffrey Maurice Rothwell, DFC+Bar, BC Clasp, CDeG1940 + Palme(Bel), COdLeoll + Palme(Bel), LdH (Fra). RAF 42726, RNZAF. WWII. POW#58653 April 1920 to 5 November 2017 Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 4th of March 2015 Released: 9th of November 2025 Duration:  1 hour  22 minutes 56 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show episode Dave Homewood interviews the remarkable WWII veteran Geoff Rothwell, in this recording from the archive, recorded a decade ago. Geoff was an RAF bomber pilot. He joined in July 1939 after working for the construction company that was building RAF Station Benson and watching the Fairey Battles there. He trained on de Havilland Tiger Moths and Avro Ansons, before converting onto the Vickers Wellington. Once training was complete he joined No. 99 Squadron at RAF Newmarket Heath, and flew Wellingtons during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. Following his first tour, Geoff became an instructor on Wellingtons for a period. He was then sent to the USA to do instructing work there in Alabama for RAF trainees who were being trained by American instructors and needed teaching the British methods they’d need when they reached operations. He was also expected to act as an ambassador for the RAF, giving educational talks based on his operational experiences to all sorts of groups in the USA about how the war really was. When posted back to Britain Geoff was posted to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron as a Flight Commander, again at Newmarket. He was not there for long however before he was removed from the squadron dure to a policy that Flight Commanders and Squadron Commanders on New Zealand squadrons had to actually be Kiwis. He took his New Zealand crew, and moved to No. 218 Squadron. They completed their second tour with that squadron. Geoff’s next posting was to No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron, tasked with air dropping SOE Agents and supplies for the Resistance people in Europe. He completed 70 operational sorties, but on the 71st he was brought down in his Stirling over enemy territory and became a prisoner of war. Geoff was also previously featured telling his story in the television documentary series Kiwis At War. He passed away on the 5th of November 2017. Huge thanks to Stuart Russell for his assistance in rescuing the original recording, which had audio issues that he magically removed. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page • The 75 (NZ) Squadron Blog Page on Geoff Rothwell • Buy the book “Last Man Standing – : Geoffrey Rothwell, Survivor of 71 Missions, POW and Last of the SOE Pilots” by his widow Gabrielle McDonald-Rothwell on Amazon “Rothwell’s Ruffians”, just after the crew had left No. 75 (NZ) Squadron and moved onto No. 218 Squadron RAF. Left to right: ‘Ginger’ Negus (Mid Upper Gunner), Mac McGrevy (Flight Engineer), Jock Howat (Rear Gunner), Jacky Drawbridge (Navigator), Geoff Rothwell (Pilot), ‘Whistle’ Entwhistle (Wireless Operator) and Wal Fielding (Air Bomber). Photos from The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Archive via the late Peter Wheeler. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud

Guests: Air Commodore Nick Osborne Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 8th of October 2025 Released: 8th of October 2025 Duration:  1 hour  41 minutes 29 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood interviews Air Commodore Nick Osborne RAAF, known to all as Oz. Oz is a former fast jet pilot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, who then transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force in 2002. He talks about training in the NZAI CT/4B Airtrainer and the BAC 187 Strikemaster Mk. 88 jet, before being posted to fly Skyhawks with No. 75 Squadron during a particularly busy period with exercises and other work. He had a varied career thereafter, including an exchange posting to the RAAF flying Aermacchi 326’s and Pilatus PC-9s, becoming staff at the Central Flying School and a member of the famous Red Checkers aerobatic team, and also instructing on RNZAF Aermacchi MB339CB’s with No. 14 Squadron. He was made Commanding Officer of No. 2 Squadron at Nowra, NSW, in Australia, on one of the best postings in the RNZAF. He then went to Kosovo in a UN role as a peacekeeper. And at the end of his stint there he was promoted and appointed to become Commanding Officer of No. 75 Squadron which he took up on his return to New Zealand. He would be the final commander of that famous squadron, and he talks about that period of the RNZAF losing its Strike Wing. In 2002 Oz transferred to the RAAF, and joined No. 76 Squadron at Williamtown, instructing on Hawks. Over a period of a decade h worked his way up to become C.O. of that unit before heading to Afghanistan in charge of a drone reconnaissance unit. He finally ended up in non-flying staff roles, and he continues to work for the RAAF now as a Reservist with the rank of Air Commodore. Quick Links: •  The No. 75 Squadron Association Facebook Page •  A previous episode that Nick appeared in briefly, WONZ 120 The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud Air Commodore Nick Osborne (from Nick’s Facebook page) Above: Air Commodore Nick Osborne during the Zoom interview. Passing out parade of No. 8/81 Air Crew course on the parade ground at RNZAF Base Wigram. Group Captain Max Hope presenting Pilot Officer Nick Osborne his Pilot’s badge. WgG1237-82 Nick’s Pilots course 8/81, Strikemaster phase, in front of No. 14 Squadron Strikemaster NZ6366. RNZAF Base Ohakea. L-R: Back; D Post, Nick Osborne, AR McGuire, DL Houghton, TDW Lang. Front; DB Saggs, HJ Kim, MG Woodhouse, Rod Fortune, PFA Muysert. OhG2750-82 Nick as a Skyhawk pilot (from his Facebook page) Below: The North And South article from February 1987 Below: Don Simms has kindly provided the following photos of Nick’s RNZAF service from his archive: Above: 75 Sqn Exercise Vanguard: – Wing Cmdr CO 75 being interviewed by TV3. Major Davis being farewelled by Nick Osborne – the last USAF exchange pilot 1986 RNZAF Official 75 Sqn Exercise Vanguard: – Wing Cmdr CO 75 being interviewed by TV3. 2 Sqn Last Exercise, All the pilots in front of A/C NZ6213. Closure of the Air Combat Forces (ACF) 02, 14 & 75 Sqn’s – Parade. 2 Sqn Officers and Oz Elevated view of the base with F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing parked in the foreground and A-4 Skyhawk aircraft of Squadron 75, Royal New Zealand Air Force, in the background. The aircraft are being used during the joint Australian, New Zealand and US (ANZUS) Exercise TRIAD ’84. 2 Sqn last exercise, Base Commander(RAAF Pearce) Group Captain Johnston meet 2 Sqn CO Sqn Ldr Jason Easthope and Wg Cdr Nick Osborne. 2 Sqn last exercise, Base Commander(RAAF Pearce) Group Captain Johnston meet 2 Sqn Air Crew for a briefing 2 Snq last Exercise, CO 75 Wg Cdr Nick Osborne signing out A/C 2 Sqn Last Exercise, Skyhawk NZ6213 7000hrs birthday. Wg Cdr Nick Osborne and AC Ben Braggins cutting NZ6213’s birthday cake Mirage III aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force are parked on the flight line during the joint Australian, New Zealand and US (ANZUS) Exercise TRIAD ’84. Oz unpacking Pannier on arrival Cope Thunder 84 USAF Photo 2 Sqn pilots Christmas Card 1997 Jason Easthope leads 2 Sqn out of HMAS Albatross 7 Dec 2001 RNZAF Official An in-flight view of a Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot in the cockpit of a Mark 88 Strikemaster aircraft during the joint Australian, New Zealand and US (ANZUS) Exercise TRIAD ’84. Nick Osborne’s final entry in unit history as CO 75SQN Dec 01

Guest: Malcolm Laird Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 29th of September 2025 Published: 30th of September 2025 Duration: 1 hour 52 minutes, 48 seconds Joining Dave Homewood on the Wings Over New Zealand Show this episode is Malcolm Laird of Ventura Publications. Malcolm has spent decades working in aviation publishing and the model aircraft industry, and is one of New Zealand’s most well known model products manufacturers. His company Ventura Publications produces decal sets as aftermarket add-ons to scale model kitsets. He also researches, writes and and publishes books on aviation topics and Air Force history, often in collaboration with other historians. He has also been a small-run kitset manufacturer, both vacuum formed and injection moulded, through his original company Falcon Models, which is now owned by Tory Martin. Malcolm discusses all this, and he details his newly released book, Pacific Kittyhawk, which he has co-authored with the eminent RNZAF historian, David Duxbury. Quick Links: • Ventura Publications website • Ventura Publications on Facebook • NZDF Serials (Part of ADF Serials) • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Photo Archive Page Malcolm Laird. Below is a video version of the episode so you can see the books and models Malcolm is discussing: Below are some examples of the decal instructions, etc., from the Ventura Publications Facebook page: Pacific Kittyhawk, the latest book released by Ventura Publications. Check out this video Malcolm made for Brett Green’s Hyperscale site giving a great overview of Pacific Kittyhawk. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: John Gaertner Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 14th of September 2025 Published: 14th of September 2025 Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes, 58 seconds John Gaertner has had a long career and life in aviation, working as a research assistant for the Smithsonian Institute’s National Air and Space Museum, as an airline clerk for TWA, and as the curator of the EAA Museum at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He then went out on his own, rebuilding vintage aeroplanes. His company, Blue Swallow Aviation, based at Free Union, Virginia, in the United States, has restored five Curtiss Jenny WWI biplanes to flying condition, and parts for many other aircraft, and parts for exhibitions. Currently he is working on building several Avro 504Ks, one of which is using the remains of the original ex-New Zealand Permanent Air Force Avro 504K known as A201. This aircraft was the first of six Avros commissioned new for the NZPAF that entered service in 1925. It served with the Air Force till 1931, then was sold into private hands and entered the NZ Civil Register as ZK-ACN. It gained the nickname “Joybird”. It flew till the 1st of January 1940, when WWII forced most civil aircraft to stop flying. The remains of A201 ended up eventually with Stuart Tantrum of Blenheim, who was rebuilding A202. The latter was finished and returned to the air by Stuart, by which time it was now owned by The Vintage Aviator Collection. It still flies today at Masterton. John has been working on A201 for a number of years and he intend to have it flying within the next 15 months. He talks about A201 and the legacy of the Avro 504 as a type, and about his interesting career in this interview. John says, “It sounds corny but most people would not believe me regarding all the projects I have worked on. Museums, Exhibits, making plane parts, instruments, flying cloths … But its all true. Lots of interests and a desire to learn. Not to mention teach. We never touched on my creating an entire 2 year program of technical high school for Aviation Maintenance Technology. I enjoy projects. Start and a finish. I enjoy a challenge that other people don’t or can’t do.” Quick Links: • Blue Swallow Aviation LLC • Blue Swallow Aviation LLC on Facebook • John’s Avro 504 Site • The Smithsonian Institute’s National Air and Space Museum • The EAA Museum, Oshkosh • Classic Aero Machining Services (CAMS) at Omaka, New Zealand • Classic Aero Machining Services (CAMS) on Facebook The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Above: John Gaertner in front of a photo of an Avro 504K. Above: John Gaertner at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio, with their Avro 504K and Curtiss Jenny. He says, “Pretty much say it all. I helped the Museum with restoration details and how to cover the Avro using authentic Irish Linen. Been up there several time to see it before it was hung up.”Below is a selection of photos sent by John of his work on Jenny and Avro biplanes over the years. New Zealand Permanent Air Force aircraft lined up on the airfield at Wigram Aerodrome. Serial numbers are: DH9 D3139; Avro 504K A201 (John’s aircraft); Bristol Fighter 6857; Bristol Fighter 6856.Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photo MUS120012.

Guest: Mike Murray Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of September 2025 Published: 7th of September 2025 Duration: 2 hour 11 minutes, 57 seconds Mike Murray is one of the founders of the King’s Cliffe Airfield Museum. RAF King’s Cliffe was a wartime Air Force station in Northamptonshire. It is located 19 kms west of Peterborough, and lies between the villages of King’s Cliffe and Wansford. Initially used as a night landing ground during WWI, and returned to agriculture between the wars, work commenced to develop King’s Cliffe into a proper airfield in October 1940 as a new satellite to RAF Wittering, which is a permanent station. Kings Cliffe became a fighter station within No. 12 Group, with its first unit being No. 266 (Rhodesia) Squadron, moving in during 1941. They were replaced by No. 616 Squadron at the beginning of 1942, in which were several New Zealanders. In July 1942, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron moved in to RAF King’s Cliffe, taking over from No. 616 Squadron. This New Zealand squadron was flying Spitfire Vb’s at the time, under the leadership of Squadron Leader Reg Grant. They were part of the Wittering Wing that was commanded by another Kiwi ace, Wing Commander Patrick “Jamie” Jameson. No. 485 (NZ) Squadron flew convoy patrols, and Rhubarb low level sweeps over France and the Lowland countries from Kings Cliffe. They temporarily moved to Ballyhalbert, in Northern Ireland, in October 1942 to cover the departing convoy that was heading to North Africa for Operation Torch. They then returned to Kings Cliffe and continued operations. In early 1943 the squadron moved down to RAF Westhampnett, at Goodwood. Numerous other RAF squadrons and units spent time at Kings Cliffe, and the USAAF also moved various fighter squadrons in too. These included the 347th Fighter Squadron with Bell P-400 Airacobras, the 56th Fighter Group with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, the 20th Fighter Group with North American P-51D Mustangs of the 77th Fighter Squadron and Lockheed Lightnings of the 79th Fighter Squadron. You can visit the King’s Cliffe Airfield Museum at Wansford Road, King’s Cliffe, Peterborough PE8 6PB, United Kingdom. The museum is open on the second Sunday of every month. See the Facebook link below to see more and to get in touch. Quick Links: • The Kings Cliffe Airfield Museum • The King’s Cliff Airfield Museum’s Fundraiser A montage of Mike Murray and the Kings Cliffe Airfield Museum, which opened in 2024. Kings Cliffe Airfield – 16 January 1947, British Government – Royal Ordinance Survey. Annotations on photo from Airfields Of The Eighth Then And Now, by Roger A. Freeman (1978). Via Wikipedia, Image from the CJ Sheddan log book. Personnel pushing No. 485 Squadron Spitfire OU-S backwards. Believed to be at RAF Station Kings Cliffe. Group of No. 485 Squadron pilots in front of a Spitfire at RAF Station King’s Cliffe, England. L-R: Flying Officer Doug Brown, Pilot Officer Ian Grant, Flying Officer Bruce Gibbs, Flight Lieutenant Lindsay Black, Squadron Leader Reg Grant, Flight Lieutenant John Pattison, Flying Officer Marty Hume, Pilot Officer Murray Metcalfe, Flying Officer AR “Tony” Robson, Sergeant Brown, Sergeant GM Buchanan, Sergeant Revell Steed, Flight Lieutenant MG Barret. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Image from the Reginald William Baker personal collection. Group of people looking at the smoking wreckage of a Dornier 217, shot down by No. 485 Squadron pilot Lindsay Black. Wansford. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Image from the Reginald William Baker personal collection. Group of people gathered around the rear of a NAAFI Refreshment Van, RAF King’s Cliffe, England. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Image from the Reginald William Baker personal collection. Hay bailer at work on the airfield at RAF Station King’s Cliffe, Wansford, with No. 485 Squadron Spitfire OU-K behind. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Group of No. 485 Squadron pilots with a Spitfire. Believed to be at RAF Station King’s Cliffe. L-R: Flight Lieutenant Gary Barnett, Flight Lieutenant John Pattison, Squadron Leader Reg Grant, Flight Lieutenant Reg Baker and Flight Lieutenant Lindsay Black. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Mike Murray, left, with 20th Fighter Group veteran Joe Peterburs, when they got him up in the P-51D Mustang “Marinell”. Mike Murray with Colin and Bernard Wing to the museum. The two brothers, who lived in Apethorpe, remember their Dad taking them to look at Mac Cole’s Lancaster DV197 of 50 Squadron that had crash landed at the airfield on 31st July 1943. The plane ended up in a field just to the north of Apethorpe having gone off the end of the runway and across the railway line. Below are more photos from around the museum. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Matt Wilcock Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 17th of August 2025 Published: 19th of August 2025 Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes, 43 seconds Matt Wilcock was born and bred in Hamilton, New Zealand, but he moved as a child to Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada. Having a lifelong interest in aviation, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, where he learned to fly gliders, and then powered aircraft. He moved back to New Zealand in his 20s and completed his private pilot’s licence at Ardmore Flying School, and a few years later gained his commercial pilot’s licence. His aviation career began as a pilot dropping skydivers at Mercer, before getting a role with Mountain Air, followed by a fill in job with Barrier Air. He then moved to Air Nelson. After a few years flying the SAAB 340 with Air Nelson, Matt moved to Hong Kong to join CR Airways, which then led to him joining Cathay Pacific. He had a short stint with Fiji Airways, but these days Matt is back based in Hong Kong with the Cathay Pacific. He visits New Zealand often however, on his time off. Matt got involved with NZ Warbirds around 15 years ago and has had involvement with a number of warbird syndicates, but in 2018 he bought Folland Gnat T.1 XR987, from the USA. This Gnat is a former aircraft of the RAF Yellowjacks team, and then the RAF Red Arrows team for many years. Among many pilots who flew and displayed this aircraft over the years with the RAF was the extraordinary pilot Ray Hanna. Matt talks all about getting his Gnat to New Zealand, its restoration back to flight by Aero Restorations at Ararimu, his plans for the jet once it is flying, and his own Conversion training to the Gnat in an example at the Heritage Aircraft Trust at St Athan in the UK. Quick Links: • The “Gnat In New Zealand” Facebook Group • NZ Warbirds Association • Classic Flyers (NZ) Museum • Heritage Aircraft Trust’s Gnat Display Team, UK • The Gimli Glider The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Matt Wilcock, taken at Aero Restorations during the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet to visit his Gnat. (Photo kindly supplied by Phil Treweek) Folland Gnat T.1 XR987 at Aero Restorations. Matt Wilcock Photo. Matt and the Gnat he flew from St Athens in Wales, Matt Wilcock Photo. Matt Wilcock and Paul Levitt (or Aero Restorations) during the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet to visit his Gnat. (Photo kindly supplied by Phil Treweek) Below are photos by Dave Homewood taken on the WONZ Forum visit in July 2025. A few more from the WONZ Forum visit, taken by Phil Treweek

Guest: Squadron Leader John Barry (Retired) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 11th of August2025 Published: 13th of August 2025 Duration: 1 hour 1 minutes, 39 seconds John Barry was born and bred in Wanganui. Upon leaving school he went to the Teacher Training School, and planned on a career as a school teacher. But while he was training as a teacher, he heard that the Royal New Zealand Air Force had Education Officers. He applied and in 1957 he was taken into the RNZAF in that role of the Education Officer, and also spent a lot time as Sporting Officer on various bases he was posted to. He served at Woodbourne, Lauthala Bay and Ohakea, before being posted to RNZAF Station Wigram, at Christchurch. It was while serving at Wigram in the late 1970s that John found himself given a new role, as the officer in charge of the historical collection that had been started in No. 7 Hangar at Wigram. As time went on, this role developed into the position of Director of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum. John oversaw the gathering of aircraft for the burgeoning collection through the late 1970s and early 1980s. Some were straight from RNZAF service and others were recovered from farms as wrecks that would be restored, while others still were swapped from other museums and Air Forces. The museum also gathered a major collection of documents, parts, ephemera and memorabilia from the Air Force’s past years. An amazing number of volunteer groups sprung up to assist in the mammoth task of creating a world class national museum from scratch. These included the Black Hand Gang, the Geriatric Air Force, the Moth Doctors and the Friends of the RNZAF Museum. John, now 94 and in retirement, looks back on those days fondly. Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Geriatric Air Force on National Radio’s Roundabout programme from 1987 The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. John Barry’s Facebook profile. Photos from the Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s collection, with thanks to Matthew O’Sullivan: Portrait of Squadron Leader JK Barry MBE, Director of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. RNZAF Base Wigram. Informal portrait of Squadron Leader JK Barry MBE, Director of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. RNZAF Base Wigram. RNZAF Museum Headquarters staff at RNZAF Base Wigram. In the background is the unfinished Museum building, 06/08/1986. L-R: Back; Sergeant Kevin Bennett (NCO in charge of Accession and Storage), Aircraftwoman T Melvin (Clerk Typist). Front; R Simpson (volunteer), Flight Lieutenant Bob Angelo (Administration Officer), Squadron Leader John Barry (Commanding Officer), M Watson (Archives volunteer). WgG733-86 Air Force Museum staff being interviewed in the glasshouse of No. 1 Hangar on the After the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the RNZAF, at RNZAF Base Wigram, 01/04/1987. L-R: Squadron Leader William “Sandy” Currie BEM (Museum Technical Officer), Squadron Leader John Barry MBE (Museum Director), Rodney Bryant (?). Unknown sound technician in the foreground. PF124-R3-3-87 Air Force Museum Defence staff in the Museum Atrium, 11/12/1987. L-R: Back; Leading Aircraftwoman DM Jamieson, Sergeant Les Bell, Corporal Dave Nicholson, Sergeant Lyn Buttle, Corporal John Harris, Flight Sergeant George Jaunzemis. Front; Flight Sergeant AJ “Jerry” Marshall, Flight Sergeant Alan Woodley, Squadron Leader William ‘Sandy’ Currie BEM, Squadron Leader John Barry MBE (Director), Flight Lieutenant Bob Angelo, Therese Dowman, Sergeant Kevin Bennett. WgG1034-6-87 Air Force Museum Staff in the Museum Atrium, 11/12/1987. L-R: Back; M Watson, Leading Aircraftwoman DM Jamieson, Sergeant L Bell, Corporal DR Nicholson, Sergeant Lyn Buttle, Corporal John Harris, Flight Sergeant George Jaunzemis. Front; D Shaw, Flight Sergeant AJ ‘Jerry’ Marshall, Flight Sergeant Alan Woodley, Squadron Leader William ‘Sandy’ Currie BEM, Squadron Leader John Barry MBE (Director), Flight Lieutenant Bob Angelo, Therese Dowman, Sergeant Kevin Bennett, J Barry. Air Force Museum Sunday Guides in the Museum Atrium, 11/12/1987. L-R: Back; Betty Barry, Jim Kirk, Rose-Marie Barry. Front; Ian Latter, Les Farnley, Pat Barry, Geoff Harrison. WgG1034-12-87 Air Force Museum No. 7 Hangar Technical Section personnel in the Museum Atrium, 11/12/1987. “The Black Hand Gang”. L-R: Back; Flight Sergeant George Jaunzemis, A Weir, B Roberts, B Vallender, Flight Sergeant Alan Woodley, L Heath, Sergeant L Bell, P Whittington, B Streeter, A Henry. Front; Brian Smith, D Gillian, Flight Sergeant Jerry Marshall, J Wright, Squadron Leader William “Sandy” Currie BEM, J Simpson, Corporal John Harris, R Townshend, T Ramsay. WgG1034-2-87 John Barry in 2025 during our Zoom interview.

Guest: Simon “Kermit” Rea Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of August2025 Published: 7th of August 2025 Duration: 1 hour 24 minutes, 57 seconds Simon Rea grew up in Hawera, New Zealand, as an aviation enthusiast. When he left school, he did a little bit of flying with the Hawera Aero Club, before he joined the RNZAF as a pilot. He trained at Ohakea on the NZAI CT/4B Airtrainer, and then the Aermacchi MB339CB ‘Macchi’. He found himself streamed for strike role, and was posted to NAS Nowra, Australia, to join No. 2 Squadron RNZAF to do advanced training on the McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawks. After a couple of years flying Skyhawks there, the Strike Wing was disbanded in December 2001, and Simon took the opportunity to transfer to the Royal Air Force, along with a number of other ex-RNZAF Skyhawk pilots. Simon trained up to fly the BAe Harrier GR.7, and eventually ended up on No. 3 Squadron RAF. He deployed to Afghanistan with the squadron as part of Operation Herrick. The next posting came when Simon was selected to join the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic display team, He flew with this world famous team for three seasons through 2008 to 2010, and got to show his skills all around Britain, Europe and the world. When he left the team, Simon was posted to the Saudi Hawks aerobatic team in Saudi Arabia, and he spent several years with that team, advising and flying the spare aircraft, and also commentating. He eventually returned to the UK and ended his RAF career in London as a liaison between the UK and Saudi air forces. It was after 22 years in the RAF that the desire to return to New Zealand was fulfilled, and Simon was able to reenlist with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He now flies as an instructor on the Beechcraft Texan II’s with No. 14 Squadron RNZAF, at Ohakea. Simon ‘Kermit’ Rea with a Saudi Hawk. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. Simon Rea and Paul Barlow, during the last Exercise Vanguard in Singapore, September 2001. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms. Simon and a Skyhawk. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms. L to R: Andy Duncan, Phil Barnes, Steve Alderton, unknown female, Simon Rea and Muz Neilson. Nowra, 2000. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms. L to R: Simon Rea, Andy Keith, Daz Smith, Nick Osborne, Kelly Logue, Blair Keen, Jason ‘Easty’ Easthope. Perth 2001. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms. No. 2 Squadron officers, 2000. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms Upside-down in a Red Arrows Hawk. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. Red Arrows, tucked in close. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. The four No. 2’s, from the RCAF Snowbirds, the US Navy Blue Angels, the RAF Red Arrows and the USAF Thunderbirds, all together in 2008. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. The Saudi Hawks in formation over a desert canyon. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guests: Sjeord “Chewy” Bakker, Tony “Chipps” Chippendale, Keith “Buck” Harrison, John Lanham, Paul McSweeny, Rene “Red” Redmond. Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 20th of July 2025 Published: 23rd of July 2025 Duration: 1 hour 39 minutes, 21 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood chats with six ex-RNZAF members who were involved in the restoration and operation of the world’s only remaining complete Avro 626, back in the 1980s. It is now 40 years since the Avro returned to the skies. The Avro 626 was a 1930-designed advanced trainer from Britain. Four examples were purchased in 1934 by the New Zealand government, to replace the obsolete Bristol Fighters and to work alongside the Hawker Tomtits in training aircrew at Wigram. Purchased at the same time as the first twelve Vickers Vildebeests, the two new fleets became the the first new aircraft since the NZPAF had become the RNZAF in 1934. Described by the press reports in 1935 upon arrival as the “Last Word in Training Machines”. It had multiple roles:– Dual-control flying instruction.– Blind and night flying.– Offensive gunnery, with Vickers gun, or camera gun.– Defensive gunnery with Vickers, or camera gun.– Bombing by observer, prone position.– Bombing by pilot.– Wireless telegraphy and telephony using two-way radio equipment operating either on short or medium wave-lengths– Aerial photography and survey work– Navigation using elaborate navigating gear for the time which includes equipment for night flying.– Message picking-up.– Casualty evacuation The Avro 626s arrived on the 25th of September 1935 aboard the SS Middlesex. They were allocated to ‘A’ Flight of the Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Wigram. NZ201 was the first to fly in New Zealand, on the 4th of October 1935. NZ202, NZ203, and NZ204 were not assembled until early 1936. The Avros were used to train aircrew of both the regular RNZAF and of the Territorial Air Force. They also appeared at lots of air pageants around the country through the late 1930s. And when the first Wireless Operator-Air Gunner course was held at Wigram in 1939 for TAF aircrew members the Avros were used with the Scarff rings fitted. As the war progressed the Avros were replaced by the likes of the Harvards and Oxfords, and they took on secondary roles. All four had been retired by mid-1943, with three of them reduced to spares, but NZ203, which had spent part of the war as the Wigram station runabout, was converted in June 1943 to become instructional airframe INST90 with the Hastings Air Training Corps squadron. Popular belief has always had it that the aircraft was then sold to Jim Frogley of Havelock North in May 1947, but in this interview Red Redmond reveals what really happened there. Jim Frogley flew it occasionally till he sold it as a derelict airframe to the RNZAF Museum in October 1980. It was trucked in poor condition to RNZAF Base Ohakea, and between November 1981 and July 1985 the Avro 626 was painstakingly restored back to its former glory by a team of skilled staff. Wing Commander John Lanham flew it again for the first time after restoration on the 8th of July 1985. Some of the key members of the restoration team, the pilot and its last minder at the RNZAF Historic Flight all talk about those days when great things were achieved by highly skilled people. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Eventful Years – The Avro 626 NZ203 (ZK-ACP) appears in this 1958 documentary • The 1937 Shipment Mystery as mention is Solved Here on the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Below is a video version of this episode with lots of photos from the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand to illustrate the stories. Air to air view of Avro 626 NZ203 in flight over hills after being fully restored. Above: Avro 626 NZ203 under restoration at RNZAF Base Ohakea. Avro 626 NZ203 on the tarmac at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, Christchurch. Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram MUS21137. Group of staff involved with restoring Avro 626 NZ203. RNZAF Base Ohakea. 08 July 1985.L-R: Back; Sergeant Keith Braddock, Sergeant Paul McSweeny, Sergeant Tony “Chipps” Chippendale, Warrant Officer Mike Singleton. Front; Sergeant George, Corporal Rene ‘Red’ Redmond, Sergeant Sjoerd “Chewy” Bakker. OhC306-85Paul, Chipps, Red and Chewy are all in this episode. The Central Flying School’s RNZAF Historic Flight aeroplanes parked on the grass outside No. 7 Hangar at Wigram just prior to their flypast together for the 50th Anniversary of the RNZAF airshow, on 1st of April 1987. the Avro 626 was flown by W/C John Lanham, the Harvard by S/L Mike Panther and the Tiger Moth by F/Lt Glen Edwards. Maintenance staff were F/Sgt Johnny Miller and F/Sgt Buck Harrison. Photo taken by Buck Harrison. The article mentioned on the second 626 being dug up. From The Press, 3 January 1989.

Guest: Ian Quinn Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 13th of July 2025 Published: 14th of July 2025 Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes, 55 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood chats with Ian Quinn, aka ‘chinapilot’ on the Wings Over New Zealand Forum – https://rnzaf.proboards.com Ian started his aviation career volunteering as a schoolboy at the Wellington Aero Club in the 1960s. He then went on to a long career in commercial aviation, including flying skiplane Cessnas with Mount Cook Airlines, flying in Australia, New Britain, Bougainville, Fiji, NAC, Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific. He lives in Hong Kong, where this interview was conducted from via Zoom, and since retiring from Cathay he has worked for the Hong Kong air accidents authority. Ian talks all about the interesting roles he has had in aviation, the places he has lived and the people he has met along the way. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Photos from Ian Quinn’s collection. All are copyright Ian Quinn. Above: Ian in the captain’s seat of a Cathay Pacific Lockheed Tristar in 1994. Above: 17-year-old Ian Quinn with a Tiger Moth at Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim, while he was working as a refueller for SAFE Air Above: ZK-COH, one of the ski-equipped Cessna 185E tourist flight planes that Ian flew while working for Mount Cook Airlines. Above: Ian and Cessna 185A ZK-CBS on Tasman Glacier, New Zealand, in 1968. Above: Ian at the Inus Plantation, Bougainville, PNG, in 1971. Above: Ian flying over Tarawa, in the Gilbert & Ellice Islands, 1975. Above: Ian with a Britten Norman Islander, at, Mitiaro [approximately 150NM NNE of Rarotonga], Cook Islands, 1979. Above: An Air New Zealand Fokker F-27 Friendship, as flown by Ian in the late 1970s and into the early 1980s. The photo was taken in 1981. Above: The Cathay Pacific Lockheed Tristar as flown by Ian in the 1980s. Above: The Cathay Pacific Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet. Above: Ian with his son, also a pilot. Above: Ian with his daughter who is also a pilot. Above: Ian in the cockpit of a Cathay Pacific Boeing 747.

Guest: Martin Hedley Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2025 Published: 27th of June 2025 Duration:  32 minutes, 38 seconds In this episode we hear the final presentation given at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet at Ardmore. The presenter is Martin Hedley, foreman at Pioneer Aero Ltd., the warbird restoration company at Ardmore. And he is talking about the company’s current main project, the Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bomber from WWII. The Dauntless is being restored from a wreck recovered from Lake Michigan by Taras Lyssenko, General Manager of A and T Recovery, and combining it with parts from a second aircraft that had been a wind machine in the film industry. The project started at Pioneer under the ownership of Jerry Yagen, but he has since handed all his collection over to the care of his museum, the Military Aviation Museum, at Virginia Beach. Quick Links: • The Wings Over New Zealand Forum • Pioneer Aeros Ltd. • Pioneer Aero Ltd. on Facebook • New Zealand Warbirds Association Ltd • NZ Warbirds Association of Facebook Thanks to Stu Russell for the recording. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Above: Photos from Martin’s presentation, taken by Phil Treweek. The Dauntless when it was pulled from Lake Michigan. (From the Pioneer Aero Ltd. Facebook page). Martin unwrapping the Dauntless when it first arrived in New Zealand. (From the Pioneer Aero Ltd. Facebook page). The Pioneer Aero Ltd. team with the Dauntless fuselage in 2023, with Martin standing in the cockpit. (From the Pioneer Aero Ltd. Facebook page). There is also a video version of this podcast below, thanks to Stu Russell.

Guest: Phillip Harrall AFC, MPhil, FRAeS Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 15th of June 2025 Duration:  41 minute, 36 seconds In this episode we hear an edited down presentation given at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet at Wigram by Phillip Harrall, a former Royal Navy Observer. Phillip was born in New Zealand but his career took him into the Royal Navy, where his father was a pilot. After his training, Phillip flew as observer in the Hawker Hunter as lead in to the Blackburn Buccaneer, which he enjoyed immensely till a medical issue saw him move to the Rotary Wing of the FAA. He ended up flying in the Sea King and the Westland Lynx helicopters for a lot of his career, on and off ships. He was involved in weapon development work, and when the Argentinians invaded the Falkland Islands he and a team working on the Sea Skua missile and other developments rushed them into service. Phillip was deployed to the Falklands in command of a Lynx, and he ended up involved in several combat actions, which he describes. He is Secretary of the Canterbury Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society New Zealand Division, and Vice President of the RAeS New Zealand Division. And he is a volunteer at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. There is also a YouTube version of this recording so you can see the PowerPoint slides that Phillip used. Quick Links: • The Wings Over New Zealand Forum • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook • The Royal Aeronautical Society New Zealand Division – Canterbury Branch The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Thanks to Allan Udy for his help with the audio recording. Thanks also to Phil Treweek.

Guest: Bob McGarry Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 8th of June 2025 Duration:  58 minutes, 19 seconds In this episode we hear a presentation given at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet at Wigram by licensed aeronautical engineer Bob McGarry. He talks about his career in aviation, which included the RNZAF, and working with Arch Finch at Rotorua where he learned his trade. He then worked for Fieldair in their engine shop at Palmerston North. He then went to Christchurch to run the engine shop for Airwork (N.Z.) Ltd. Next he set up his own aero maintenance business with Alan Mincher at West Melton airfield. It was while he was there that he decided he needed a project, and he acquired the remains of Simmonds Spartan ZK-ABK back to airworthy condition. The Spartan was New Zealand’s first airliner, having operated originally with New Zealand Airways Ltd of Dunedin in 1929. Bob tells the story of the restoration in some detail. There is also a YouTube version so you can see the photos, which have been extracted from Bob’s PowerPoint presentation. Quick Links: • The Wings Over New Zealand Forum • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook • The Ashburton Aviation Museum (now home of the Spartan) • The Ashburton Aviation Museum on Facebook The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Thanks to Allan Udy for his help with the audio recording. Thanks also to Phil Treweek.

Guest: Anthony Galbraith and Stephen Carruthers Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 23rd of May 2025 Duration: 48 minutes, 34 seconds In this episode recorded at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, during the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet held there on the 23rd of February 2025, we hear from Anthony Galbraith and Stephen Carruthers on their project to bring the 1928 Gloster Grebe biplane fighter back from extinction. They have formed the SHW Aviation Trust, named after Sir Henry Wigram who had donated the money that purchased the New Zealand Permanent Air Force’s first Grebe. The trust is working to gather parts, remnants, drawings, photos, and history of the Grebes and the people who flew and maintained them. Quick Links: • The Wings Over New Zealand Forum • NZ501 Gloster Grebe on Facebook • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Side view of Grebe NZ501 at Wigram Aerodrome. Air Force Museum of New Zealand WgF139. Here is a video version so you can see the slides.

Guest: Chris Newey Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2025 Published: 19th of May 2025 Duration:  47 minutes, 23 seconds In this episode we hear a presentation given by Chris Newey, who talks about his latest book The First Flight – The Origins of the New Zealand Bomber Squadron. The book covers the New Zealand Government’s purchase of 30 new Vickers Wellington bombers in the late 1930’s, and the creation of a special unit, The New Zealand Squadron, who formed in the UK to fly them. Made up from RNZAF members and New Zealanders who had been serving in the Royal Air Force, they were to train up on the new type and then ferry them across the world to New Zealand in five flights of six. However the gathering clouds of war put paid to that original plan, and the aircraft and men were offered to the British Government in August 1939 to form part of Britain defence should war come. In April 1940 the New Zealand Squadron was renumbered as No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF, and the beginning of a legendary fighting unit began. Chris has done extensive research into the New Zealand Squadron and its originals, and along the way he has discovered a lot of previously unknown history, and dispelled a number of myths. The book is highly recommended. The First Flight: The Origins of the New Zealand Bomber SquadronBy Chris Newey Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aviation Books Ltd. (2 December 2024)Hardback/Paperback: ‎ 177 pagesISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1915335493ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915335494Dimensions – 27.9 x 21.6 x 1.3 cm Available online from: The Great British Book Shop (hardback only): www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/the-first-flight Amazon (soft cover only): www.amazon.com/gp/product/1915335493/ Local (NZ) stock of the hardback version now available – you can contact Chris Newey at [email protected] The per copy NZ price is NZ$56.35 (incl. GST)– add $12.50 for packaging & postage – economy tracked courier, anywhere within NZ– add $5.70 for Rural Delivery Quick Links: • New Zealand Warbirds Association Ltd • NZ Warbirds Association of Facebook Line-up of New Zealand Squadron Wellingtons at RAF Station Feltwell, 1939. NZ302 second from the right. Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Chris Newey during the presentation. (Phil Treweek photo) Thanks to Stuart Russell for the video and sound recording.The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Rob Booth Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2025 Published: 13th of May 2025 Duration: 30 minutes, 18 seconds In this episode we hear a presentation given at the Wings Over New Zealand 20th Anniversary Forum Meet at NZ Warbirds Inc., Ardmore, by Rob Booth, a former Warbirds pilot and owner. He is talking about the Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 ZK-SFR, which he and fellow NZ Warbirds pilots Steve Taylor and John Greenstreet brought into New Zealand in 1986, and had restored to fly. Later Grant Biel bought into the syndicate when Steve and John dropped out. The restoration was carried out at Ardmore by Bruce Coulter, who was assisted by Warren Denholm (then of Gulf Aeronautics, now much better known as owner of Avspecs Ltd.). The aircraft was very popular on the New Zealand airshow scene through the 1990s, during which Rob was the main display pilot of the Sea Fury. Hawker Sea Fury ZK-SFR over the Southern Alps. (Rob Booth collection) Rob Booth during the talk at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet, Ardmore. (Phil Treweek photo) The Sea Fury while it as a Hawker Fury in service with the Iraqi Air Force. (Rob Booth collection) Here is a video version of this presentation, filmed by Stuart Russell for the WONZ Show. Quick Links: • New Zealand Warbirds Association Ltd • NZ Warbirds Association of Facebook Here is a previous WONZ Forum Meet presentation by fellow Sea Fury owner-pilot Steve Taylor talking about the aircraft. https://youtu.be/chasI7W-tMU?si=SfDvyXVBaQ5R3bsm Thanks to Stu Russell for the recordings. Photos below are from Rob Booth’s collection, and show the aircraft when they purchased it, and the restoration and then when it was flying around New Zealand.

Guest: Andrew Brian of the Helicopter Heritage Museum Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 4th of May 2025 Duration: 32 minutes, 24 seconds In this episode we hear from Andrew Brian of the Helicopter Heritage Museum. This is a talk given by Andrew during the Wings Over New Zealand 20th Anniversary Forum Meet held at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch. Andrew talks about how he literally stumbled into the saving, restoration and preservation of helicopters that have flown in New Zealand, and the various types he has rescued. His hobby has developed into a proper scale collection with the backing of businessman Daniel Smith. As the talk had a very visual component, the photos shown on Andrew’s PowerPoint have been added to a YouTube version of the talk, and also are displayed below. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Helicopter Heritage Museum website • The New Zealand Helicopter Heritage Museum on Facebook • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook Thanks to Allan Udy for his assistance with recording this episode. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Mark O’Sullivan Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 17th of April 2025 Published: 26th of April 2025 Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes, 42 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood sits down with warbirds pilot Mark O’Sullivan at Omaka to talk about his aviation passion. Mark was born and bred in Blenheim, and he learned to fly with the Marlborough Aero Club at Omaka Aerodrome. His desire to fly warbirds had been sparked when he was a kid and saw Robbie Booth flying his Sea Fury at an airshow at Woodbourne. Mark talks about getting into flying the Tiger Moth and Nanchang in the local syndicate, and then he progressed onto flying Harvards, with Frank Parker in Harvard NZ1065 (ZK-ENF) from Ardmore, and the local Omaka-based ex-SAAF Harvard II, 7660, ZK-XSA. He then had the opportunity to purchase 7660, and this Harvard became the basis of what would later become the basis of his collection. He also owns a Cessna C185F which he calls the family wagon, which he uses to go places with his wife Kate and children George and Mila. Mark also purchased the ex-Wanaka “Red Bull” Pitts S-2B Special, which he rebuilt himself and got it flying again as ZK-STX. He now flies it for fun, and he has been working up New Zealand’s first Pitts Special formation display team with Andy Love, Lincoln Jones and Ross Brodie. This is a great up-and-coming team to watch out for at airshows in the future. And perhaps Mark’s best known an most loved aeroplane is the Yakovlev Yak-3U “Steadfast”, ZK-YOV, the small fighter with the big radial engine, and the awesome smoke trails that form rings and shapes in the sky. Mark initially owned Steadfast in partnership with fellow Omaka resident Ronan Harvey, but recently Ronan sold his share to another partner. Mark displays Steadfast at warbirds airshows around the country and has wowed audiences at airshows such as Classic Fighters, Warbirds Over Wanaka, Wings Over Wairarapa, and recently also Ardmore’s Warbirds On Parade open day. Quick Links: • St Clair Estate Wines Mark O’Sullivan taking off in Yak-3U Steadfast during Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024. Mark O’Sullivan and his Pitts Special ZK-STX, with his Cessna 185 and the syndicate Tiger Moth that he learned taildragger flying in behind. Mark’s Harvard ZK-XSA. Mark and his Cessna C185F. The Yak 3U ‘Steadfast’, in Ronan Harvey’s hangar. The cockpits in Mark’s Pitts S-2B Special, ZK-STX. Another shot of the Harvard in Mark’s hangar. A selection of photos of Mark in Steadfast taken at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024 by Dave Homewood

Guest: Steve Subritzky Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2025 Published: 11th of April 2025 Duration: 44 minutes, 35 seconds In this episode we hear a presentation given by Steve Subritzky and Dave Homewood about the world’s last existing Vickers Vincent biplane bomber. Steve, who is the Aviation Manager at the Museum of Transport And Technology (MOTAT), has been piecing together the puzzle that is the world’s only Vickers Vincent for many years in his spare time after work, without the aid of any drawings as they no longer seem to exist. The Vincent, minus its wings (which are still yet to be restored), had been transported from North Shore Airfield down to Ardmore to go on a special temporary display in the New Zealand Warbirds Hangar from March to May 2025, so it was on display during this event. Dave gives a background to the Vincent as a type, and details the specific aircraft, NZ311 (previously K6357 with the Royal Air Force). And then Steve details how it was rediscovered and dug out of the ground on a riverbank in Marton after being buried for over two decades. Steve talks about the restoration of this rare aircraft, and the challenges along the way. Quick Links: • New Zealand Warbirds Association Ltd • NZ Warbirds Association of Facebook Thanks to Stu Russell for the recording. Above: Steve Subritzky’s magnificent Vickers Vincent. (Nick Sheehan photo) Below: Photos from the event, taken by Phil Treweek. Steve Subritzky, left, and Dave Homewood, right, during the presentation. And below is a video version of the presentation, filmed by Stu Russell.

Guest: Kenn Cox, former RNZAF jet fighter pilot Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 3rd of April 2025 Duration: 44 minutes, 40 seconds In this episode we hear from Kenn Cox, the second speaker from the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum meet at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, at Wigram, Christchurch. Kenn was a young ‘bog rat’ Vampire pilot on No. 75 Squadron RNZAF in the late 1960s, and found himself as one of the ten pilots selected to be posted to Cecil Field in the USA in 1970 to convert onto the McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawk, which had just been purchased by the New Zealand Government to replace the English Electric Canberras. Kenn talks about the trip to the USA, the introduction to US Navy training, learning to fly the Skyhawk, and various adventures in the USA during the months that the group of pilots was there. He also talks about operating the Skyhawk in the early days of its New Zealand service, navigating them around the country, and taking them up to Singapore for their first international exercises. Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook Thanks to Allan Udy for his assistance with recording this episode. Above: Brand new RNZAF A-4K and TA-4K Skyhawks in the USA, Dec 1969, before the Kiwis took them over. McDonnell Douglas photo, via Don Simms. Above: Kenn Cox during his talk at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Dave Homewood photo. Above: A brand new TA-4K Skyhawk NZ6251 in December 1969, before the Kiwis arrived in the USA. McDonnell Douglas photo, via Don Simms. The chosen ten pilots from No. 75 Squadron RNZAF in front of the newly delivered TA-4K “T-bird” Skyhawk NZ6251. Left to right are: Graham Thompson, Ken Gayfer, John Woolford, Roger Henstock, Mike Callanan, Kenn Cox, Murray Abel, Ross Ewing, John Scrimgeour and Trevor Bland. Photo via Don Simms. Training with the US Navy. Left to right, standing: A US Navy Instructor, John Woolford, Ross Ewing, Murray Abel, and Mike Callinan. Seated: Roger Henstock, Trevor Bland, John Scrimgeour, and Ken Gayfer. Squatted: Kenn Cox, and Graham Thompson. Photo via Don Simms. Above: Handover for the first RNZAF Skyhawks from McDonnell Douglas to the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Photo via Don Simms. Above: RNZAF Skyhawks lined up at Cecil Field, NAS Jacksonville, Florida, next to US Navy Skyhawks. Photo via Don Simms. Above: Squadron Leader John Scimgeour, left, and Flight Lieutenant Trevor Bland, third from left, filling in Form 700 logbooks, with a US Navy instructor and an RNZAF Sergeant. Photo via Don Simms. Above: RNZAF Skyhawks and a US Navy tug with a generator on the flight line at NAS Cecil Field, Jacksonville, Florida, USA. Above: An RNZAF Skyhawk flying with an incognito Israeli A-4H Skyhawk. Photo via Don Simms. Above: Air-to-air refuelling with the Buddy Pack. Photo via Don Simms. Above: One of the RNZAF No. 75 Squadron pilots in a Skyhawk. Photo via Don Simms. Above: One of the RNZAF A-4K’s, NZ6201, on the production line. Photo via Don Simms. Above: Skyhawks for the RNZAF under construction at Douglas Aircraft Company, Long Beach, California, United States. Marrying fuselage to the wing of NZ6201. Photo via Don Simms. Above: Onboard the USS Okinawa. Photos via Don Simms. Above: The USS Okinawa berthed in Auckland as seen from Iroquois overhead. RNZAF Official Photo via Don Simms. Protesters and NZ6254 RNZAF Official Photo via Don Simms. The Skyhawks being towed from the Auckland wharves to RNZAF Base Whenuapai. Photo via Don Simms. Above: Stripping the sealant from Skyhawk NZ6210 at Whenuapai. Photo via Don Simms. Above: John Scrimshaw alights from NZ6254 at Ohakea after delivering aircraft from Whenuapai RNZAF Official via Paul Harrison Above: The Commanding Officer of No. 75 Squadron RNZAF, Squadron Leader John Scrimshaw, left, and Group Captain Harold (Mo) Moss after arrival of first Skyhawk at Ohakea on 21 May 1970. RNZAF Official Photo via Don Simms. Above: The A-4K Skyhawk cockpit in its original form. Photo via Don Simms. Above: The first arrested landing at Ohakea, 1970. RNZAF Official Photo via Don Simms. Above: A-4’s and Canberra’s Ohakea taken from 75 Sqn hanger roof 1970 Pat Leggitt Photo via Don Simms. Above: A-4 line up Ohakea 1970 Pat Leggitt Photo via Don Simms. Below: Some more ephemera from the early days of the RNZAF Skyhawks, via Don Simms.

Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2025 Published: 28th of March 2025 Duration: 40 minutes, 42 seconds In this episode NZ Warbirds president Frank Parker is heard talking about flying the various WWII fighters he’s flown during his career. Frank was the first speaker at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet at Ardmore on the 2nd of March 2025. Frank talks about how he first got into aviation, and a little on his RNZAF career, before talking about how he got into flying and owning warbirds. He then starts talking about getting a rating in Garth Hogan’s P-40N, which he and his wife Liz Needham ended up owning. Then he talks about flying the Supermarine Spitfire, the Yakovlev Yak 3, the Flug Werk Fw190 Focke-Wulf replica, the North American P-51D Mustang, the Bell P-39 Airacobra, and the Goodyear FG-1D Corsair. He also gives a mention to the L-39 jet, too. Quick Links: • NZ Warbirds Association Inc. • NZ Warbirds Association Inc. on Facebook Thanks to Stuart Russell for his assistance in recording and editing this episode. Thanks to Phil Treweek for the photos. Video: You can also watch a video version of this episode, filmed by Stuart Russell for the WONZ Show, here:

Guest: Squadron Leader Paul “Skids” Harrison, RNZAF Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 18th of March 2025 Published: 21st of March 2025 Duration:  1 hour, 20 minutes, 4 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with Squadron Leader Paul “Skids” Harrison, who is currently an instructor with No. 14 Squadron RNZAF on the Texan II’s, but he also has a long history as a fast jet pilot with the Royal Air Force. Skids joined the RAF in 1985 after several years in the Air Training Corps in his hometown of Brough, Yorkshire, in the UK. He trained as a pilot on the Jet Provost Mk. 3 and Mk. 5, and progressed to the BAe Hawk. Selected for fast jets, he was posted onto the Blackburn Buccaneer, and following a six month Operational Conversion Unit course on the type, he became operational on the type with No. 208 Squadron RAF, based at RAF Lossiemouth in Scotland. Skids ended up deploying to Bahrain with the squadron as part of the RAF’s Operation Granby, the air component of the first Gulf War. He and his navigator were laser designating targets for the RAF’s Tornado fleet to drop their bombloads on. Following the war he remained with the Buccaneer squadron till the type was wound down and retired. He then became an instructor on Hawks at RAF Valley for a couple of years. Returning to operational aircraft, Skids did an OCU to learn to fly the Sepecat Jaguar single-seat supersonic attack aircraft. He spent time back over Iraq in this type in the policing role, as well as in Norway and other parts of the world. He then was attached to the Omani Air Force for five years, again flying the Jaguar, and other types. A visit to New Zealand with his wife saw them fall in love with the country, and eventually they moved here five years ago. Skids joined the RNZAF, and is based at Ohakea as an instructor. Photos from Paul “Skids” Harrison: Work up (and down) sortie in Bahrain during Gulf War 1, on the 31st of January 1991. A Panavia Tornado leads two Blackburn Buccaneers over the desert. A young Flying Officer Skids Harrison on day one on on the Buccaneer in January 1988. Buccaneer, creating spluff! Circa 1992. Day One on the Jaguar, with his course mates December 1997. FLTLT Rob Harrison (SON) on the way to Incirlik, Turkiye, September 1999 A Jaguar over northern Scotland (not Skids flying) showing the over-wing Aim 9 missiles, c. 1998. November – and why I don’t have one all the time. No. 208 Squadron, RAF Valley 2014. Why the South Island is so stunning, 2022. Black Falcons 5, in the 2024 season. Carousel in the Black Falcons – the best one we got. 2024. Opposition Break, the Black Falcons in 2024.

WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet – Wigram Guest: Wings Commander Brett Marshall, Museum Director at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 17th of March 2025 Duration: 44 minutes, 49 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood introduced Brett Marshall, the first speaker at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet – Wigram. This event was a special gathering of WONZ Forum members and aviation fans to celebrate 20 years of the Wings Over New Zealand Forum. Brett Marshall is an ex-RNZAF pilot who flew Fokker Friendships, Hawker Siddeley Andovers, and Lockheed C-130H Hercules transports. He is now the Museum Director at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram. Brett talks about his background in the RNZAF and with the Museum, and he gives an overview of the history of the Wigram base, which is home to the AFMNZ, and is the birthplace of the RNZAF. He then talks about the arrival at the museum a few days before of the Hercules NZ7001 which was big news, and the plans for it and the building it will go into that he is working on raising the funding for. He also talks about the Lockheed P-3K2 Orion that will also go into the building. Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook • Here is a previous appearance by Brett Marshall on the WONZ Show The proposed new building on the left to house the Lockheed C-130H Hercules and the Lockheed P-3K2 Orion. Thanks to Allan Udy for his assistance with recording this episode.

Guest: Craig Compain, ex-RNZAF and ex-Royal Navy Fighter Pilot Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 9th of January 2025 Published: 9th of January 2025 Duration:  1 hour 57 minutes, 58 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood speaks with Craig Compain, who grew up in Wanganui as an aviation-minded kid and ATC cadet, and he joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1992 as a pilot. His initial training began at the General Service Training School at RNZAF Base Woodbourne, in an experiment the Air Force was conducting to train Officer Cadets like Craig with the non-officer Air Force Cadets. He then joined what was the final Wings course conducted at RNZAF Base Wigram before the Flying Training Wing moved to Ohakea, learning to fly on the NZAI CT/4B Airtrainer. He was then sent to Ohakea for the advanced course on the Aermacchi MB339C Macchi jet, before gaining his wings and being posted to No. 14 Squadron, on the path towards strike jet training. After time on the Macchi, Craig was posted to Royal Australian Navy Base Nowra (HMAS Albatross), to convert to No. 2 Squadron RNZAF’s TA-4K Skyhawks. Following the conversion course he stayed on with the squadron and took part in many exercises around Australia. Returning to New Zealand, Craig was next posted to No. 75 Squadron RNZAF, again flying Skyhawks. He talks about the two Exercise Vanguards that he took part in up in Malaysia and around Asia, and adventures he had in the Skyhawk. By late 1999 he was on an instructor’s course and then was posted to the Pilot Training Squadron, training pilots on the PAC CT-4E Airtrainers. It was while he was there and looking forward to returning to fast jets that the Labour government cancelled the General Dynamics F-16 deal, and then dismantled the RNZAF Strike Wing. Craig found himself out of a job. He travelled to London and approached the Royal Navy with the hope of flying for them. Like the Skyhawk, the Sea Harrier was another jet fighter that had long been a childhood dream of his to fly. Luck was on his side and he was accepted quite readily, and very soon found himself doing the year-long Harrier conversion course. Eventually Craig became operational on the Harrier, and served with the famous No’s 800 and 801 Naval Air Squadrons, embarking at different times upon all three aircraft carriers that were in service at that time, HMS Invincible, HMS Ark Royal and HMS Illustrious. He talks about his first carrier landing in a Harrier, having a major aircraft issue during the Red Flag exercise in the US right next to Aera 51, instructing pupils on the Harrier and more. He also talks about flying both the Harrier and the Hawk through the famous Mach Loop. He also flew numerous types of aircraft in training roles, and for a while flew the Sea Harrier in airshow displays in its last season, until scaring himself too much at a Biggin Hill Air Fare and quitting the display flying. Craig experienced another career ending political move when the UK government decided to scrap the Sea Harriers. He left the Royal Navy and very nearly joined Virgin Galactic in a flying role, which may have led to him becoming New Zealand’s first astronaut – but an unexpected turn of events before he got there saw him end up in the City of London’s financial district working for a hedge fund firm. When the Global Financial Crisis hit, Craig then returned to flying when a position came up as pilot of a Challenger private jet. He worked through a few different business jet jobs till landing a dream job as private pilot to Sir Richard Branson. He talks about how that job took him around the world and gave him many opportunities. Sadly the COVID pandemic ended this and Craig returned to New Zealand with his family, and now lives here permanently. He and his wife are about to embark on a whole new career, buying a McDonalds restaurant. Below: All photos copyright Craig Compain Craig Compain with his two sons in front of an ex-RNZAF A-4K Skyhawk at the Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland. In the Scooter at Nowra All the jets flying in Nowra, No’s 2 and 75 Squadrons. Probably taken in 1999. No. 75 Squadron in the wardroom bar at NAS Nowra. No. 75 Squadron, circa 1999 Craig in the cockpit of a Royal Navy Hawk T.1 Craig flying a Sea Harrier T.8 Craig, left, the day that he flew All Blacks Captain Richie McCaw in a BAe Hawk. Craig in Colombo, Sri Lanka, after the double lightning strike. Craig in the Harrier T.8 Craig reflecting on another successful deck landing onboard HMS Ark Royal. Craig’s old Sea Harrier restored by Ian Wace which led him to the hedge fund job. Craig flying in the Hawk next to what would become his first business jet job. London lifestyle with the Cup. Richard Branson’s flight into space at Spaceport America Craig in front of Richard Branson’s spacecraft at Spaceport America. Future pilots, Craig’s two boys in Richard Branson’s Dassault Falcon 7X. It wasn’t all sunshine! Oxford, England. JFK in June 2020, very quiet. Sir Richard Branson with Craig’s son Blake and his mother-in-law onboard the Falcon. It had to rub off eventually! Flying Obama! Craig visiting an old friend at Mojave, an ex-No. 14 Squadron RNZAF Macchi now operated by Draken International. A photo taken while landing with Sir Richard at Cape Canaveral in the Falcon. Doing it tough in lockdown, on a private Caribbean island. Aloha in Hawaii It was a hard job!

Guest: Dr. Adam Claasen Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 12th of November 2024 Published: 28th of November 2024 Duration:  1 hour 17 minutes, 26 seconds This episode is a recording of a presentation given by historian and author Dr. Adam Claasen at the Resthaven Community Hall in Cambridge, on the evening of Tuesday the 12th of November 2024. Adam was talking about the subject of his latest book “GRID”, about the life of Air Commodore Keith Logan “Grid” Caldwell, CBE, MC, DFC & bar, Croix de guerre. The book was recently released by Massey University Press, and covers Grid’s life of adventure as a fighter pilot in World War One, where he became New Zealand’s top scoring ace, and his days between the wars leading the New Zealand Air Force (Territorial) and a key member of the Auckland Aero Club. And then in World War Two Grid took on leadership roles, commanding both the main flying training stations, Woodbourne and Wigram, and then spending time as the RNZAF representative in London and in India. Grid Caldwell (1895-1980) was a wonderful Kiwi hero, a tenacious fighter and a great man. Adam’s talk gives an entertaining and insightful look into Grid’s life, whetting the appetite to read more in the book. ‘GRID’ has been listed among the top 10 life story books of the year by The Listener. If you wish to get a copy, the book can be purchased here or all good book stores: Above: Dr Adam Claasen. Below: More of Adam’s books. A line up of Royal Aircraft Factory SE5a aircraft of B Flight, No. 74 Squadron, Royal Air Force, at Clairmarais South airfield, France. (Image from the Keith Logan Caldwell personal collection. Air Force Museum of New Zealand)

Guests: Elliott Marsh-Healy, Huw Hopkins, Greg Marsh, Harry Measures and Oliver Stevenson Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 12th of November 2024 Published: 12th of November 2024 Duration:  1 hour 18 minutes, 21 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with the team behind the brilliant new magazine, The Vintage Aviation Echo. Joining Dave on this show are the magazine’s editor, Elliott Marsh-Healy, sub-editor Greg Marsh, editor-at-large Huw Hopkins, photographer and visuals lead Harry Measures, and graphic designer Ollie Stevenson. The guys talk about their background in aviation, and their passion for the warbird scene – both the aeroplanes and the people involved. They speak about how The Vintage Aviation Echo came about, first as a fantastic website and now as a gorgeously printed in-depth magazine. And the team also discusses the UK airshow scene and the warbird restorations that they most look forward to seeing in the air in the near future. And as an exclusive to The Wings Over New Zealand Show, we get to see the first preview of an article that will be upcoming in the future Volume II, that will be out around May 2025. To see this preview, you can watch the YouTube version of this episode below. Elliott Marsh-Healy Greg Marsh Huw Hopkins Harry Measures Ollie Stevenson Quick Links: • The Vintage Aviation Echo site • The Vintage Aviation Echo on Facebook • Fighter Flights for New Zealand and Australian sales of the VAE • Oliver Stevenson – Wartime Artwork Below is an unedited video version of the episode, but at the 41.00 minute mark you can see the exclusive preview from Volume II, the article on Mark Miller’s ex-New Zealand de Havilland Fox Moth.

Guest: Graham Bethell Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 20th of October 2024 Published: 21st of October 2024 Duration:  53 minutes, 58 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with well known Mustang pilot Graham Bethell about his life in aviation. Graham’s father flew fighters in the RNZN with the Fleet Air Arm in WWII, and Graham wanted to fly from a young age. He joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1968, and by the age of 21 he was a fighter pilot, flying de Havilland Vampire jets with No. 75 Squadron RNZAF. In 1970 Graham became one of the first pilots to fly the new McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawks with the same squadron. Graham left the Air Force after six years’ service and joined Air New Zealand, flying the McDonnell Douglas DC-8, and later the DC-10. He then moved to Hong Kong and took a job with Cathay Pacific, where he flew for the rest of his commercial flying years as a 747 captain. In 1990 he was convinced by his friend John Sagar that they should go in together and purchase the North American P-51D Mustang ZK-TAF, which had been flying in New Zealand with Tim Wallis’s Wanaka-based Alpine group since 1985. It had come up for sale so that Tim could finance his Spitfire XVIe. So Graham and John bought the Mustang, and six years later Graham bought out John’s share and he became the sole owner. For many years the display pilot for TAF remained Trevor Bland, who had also flown it for Tim, but eventually Graham worked up his own routine and he debuted his Mustang display at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2004. Graham displayed the Mustang around New Zealand for 20 years till his emotional farewell display at Warbirds Over Wanaka in 2024. The Mustang, which has also been a popular aircraft for paying passenger rides over the years too, was sold in 2024 and it is heading to Ross Pay’s collection at Scone, NSW, in Australia. Quick Links:• NZ Warbirds Association Inc. Thanks to Mike Cater for helping to make this episode happen. Above: Graham Bethell with Mustang ZK-TAF taken in the NZ Warbirds Association hangar on the day of recording, 20th of October 2024, by Dave Homewood Above: Graham with ex-RNZAF Skyhawk NZ6209, which he got for NZ Warbirds to get when they were disposed of, so it has his name on the side. Beside Graham is a manikin wearing his own flight suit, helmet and glasses that he wore in the RNZAF.

Guest: Andrew “Stewie” Stewart and Nicola “Nix” Brooke-Stewart Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 11th of October 2024 Published: 12th of October 2024 Duration:  1 hour, 56 minutes, 29 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with Andrew “Stewie” Stewart and Nicole “Nix” Brooke-Stewart, husband and wife team who are both NH-90 helicopter pilots with No. 3 Squadron RNZAF. They both talk about their training on the PAC CT/4E Airtrainers and Beech King Airs, and their progression onto helicopters. Stewie joined the Air Force a few years earlier than Nix, and he was able to fly operationally on the Bell UH-1H Iroquois, or Huey for short. Nix had a few flights on the Huey, but both progressed to the Augusta A109 LUH (NZ). And from there, on to the mighty NH Industries NH90. They talk about their experiences operating the helicopters in all sorts of missions, from the back of Royal New Zealand Navy ships in the Pacific Islands such as Samoa and Tokelau, and the sub-Antarctic Ocean and Papua New Guinea, to mountain rescue efforts, search and rescues in the sea and rivers and floodwaters, to Australian bush fires. They have some amazing stories, and a wide variety of operational experiences. Quick Links:• The Royal New Zealand Air Force • The A109 in RNZAF Service • The NH90 in RNZAF Service • The No. 3 Squadron RNZAF Association Photos courtesy of Stewie and Nix: Above: Nicole ‘Nix’ Brooke-Stewart and Andrew ‘Stewie’ Stewart with an NH90 in the Solomon Islands in 2023, Above: Stewie’s first flight, in the DC-3, aged 10, in 1997. Above: Nix’s first flight in a Huey, 2006. Above: Nix meeting Prince Charles, now King Charles III. The Chief of Air Force, AVM Peter Stockwell second from right, and then-Ohakea Base Commander Group Captain Darren Webb, right. Webb is now CAF. His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales and Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall paid a visit visit to The Royal New Zealand Air Force Base Ohakea. During their visit to Ohakea, Their Royal Highnesses met personnel and their families in the Helicopter Transition Unit hangar as well as viewing the various aircraft based at Ohakea and meeting some of the crew and personnel who work with the different aircraft. RNZAF Official photo. The election support in Papua New Guinea that Stewie was part of in 2012. Here a No. 3 Squadron Iroquois visits a PNG Village. NZDF was supporting Papua New Guinea’s National Election process, in late June 2012, following a direct request for assistance from PNG authorities. The support mission was based on Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF) 630, comprising elements of the ADF and New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). The CJTF provided specialist support capabilities, particularly helicopters and logistic assets that are not readily available in PNG. NZDF support was an element of a wider assistance programme to PNG, focused on supporting the PNG authorities to conduct a safe, free and fair national election through June and July. The NZ Government offered to support Papua New Guinea’s general election, by providing RNZAF helicopters and crews to transport election officials and ballot papers to remote areas. RNZAF Official photo. Above: Villagers pose in front of a No. 3 Squadron RNZAF Iroquois during the election support in Papua New Guinea that Stewie was part of in 2012. Above: Refueling an Iroquois during the election support in Papua New Guinea in 2012. Above: Stewie waiting to start his Huey at Popendetta Airfield, PNG. RNZAF Official photo. Above: Stewie taking Nix winching from a Huey, in 2012. Above: Nix’s first time flying the Huey, in 2013. Stewie in the foreground. Above: Evacuating families after the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. Above: Evacuees waiting to board an NH90 after the 2016 Kaikoura earthquake. Above: The 2016 Kaikoura Earthquake Fault Line. Above: Stewie flying from HMNZS Canterbury in Vanuatu in 2018. Above: Nix and Stewie on the flight deck of HMNZS Canterbury in Vanuatu, 2018. Above: Nix, centre, in the Sub-Antarctic Islands with her crew. Above: Nix with Flint onboard ship in the Sub-Antarctic Islands, 2019. Above: Flying in formation together during the 2020 Australian bush fires. Above: The low visibility due to smoke at Naval Air Station Nowra, during the 2020 Australian bush fires. Above: 2020 Australian bush fires smoke. Above: Nix flying in Tokelau, 2020. Above: Over Tokelau, 2020. Above: The Christchurch flooding response crew, 2021. Above: Nix and Stewie flying formation near Dip Flat in 2022. Above: Evacuating dogs following the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle. Above: Nix evacuating dogs following the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle. Above: Pakowhai under water during the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle. Above: The Pakowhai gas station under water during the 2023 Cyclone Gabrielle. Above: No. 3 Squadron RNZAF aircrew in the Solomon Islands, 2023. Above: Bloody Ridge, Henderson Field and Honiara on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands in 2023. No. 3 Squadron first operated from Henderson Field and were encamped on Bloody Ridge in 1942-1943. Above: The uncropped photo of Nix and Stewie together in the Solomon Islands in 2023.

Guest: Air Commodore David Harrison RAF, retired. Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of October 2024 Published: 5th of October 2024 Duration:  1 hour, 26 minutes, 19 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with David Harrison, who currently works for the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority, but he started his aviation career in the University of Liverpool Squadron of the Royal Air Force, and he made the RAF a career. David talks about his training on Chipmunks, Bulldogs, Jet Provosts and Hawks, and his conversion to his dream jet, the McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom. He would fly the Phantom for a decade, including tours in the Falkland Islands after the war, eventually was commander of the unit there on his final tour. As he took on more senior positions he also converted to and flew the Panavia Tornado F3. He amassed around 3000 hours of fast-jet time, and he became both a weapons instructor and flying instructor. He was also commander of the RAF’s busiest flying training base at Linton-on-Ouse. Whist stationed at RAF Coningsby, David also became an aircrew member of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight, flying the two Hawker Hurricanes first, and progressing to their Mk. II, Vb, IX and XIX Spitfires. He flew displays around Britain and Europe with the BBMF during his three-year posting. Upon his retirement from the RAF, David moved to New Zealand, and he became a CFI and examiner with Hamilton’s CTC Aviation. He then worked with Aviation Services Limited (now Aspeq). And then joined the CAA team. He has worked in several roles with CAA, and is now the Deputy Chief Executive of Aviation Safety. He now has around 7000 hours, and is a current A-Cat flight Instructor and GA examiner.  Above: David Harrison Above: The four McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms of No 1435 Flight that David commanded in the Falkland Islands in 1990. David Harrison Photo. An RAF Short Tucano, the training type that equipped No. 1 Flying Training School at RAF Linton-on-Ouse while David was Base Commander. MOD Photo via David Harrison. Above: David taxiing in one of the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s Mk. XIX Spitfires, PS915. David Harrison Photo. Above: David with one of the Auckland Seaplanes DHC-2 Beavers on Auckland Harbour. David Harrison Photo.

Guest: Group Captain Roger Selwyn Holdaway Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of May 2024 Published: 8th of September 2024 Duration:  2 hours, 4 minutes, 13 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood chats with Roger Holdaway, a former RNZAF pilot who flew numerous types from the North American Harvard and de Havilland Devon to the Short Sunderland and the Douglas C-47 Dakota. Bell Iroquois helicopters between 1958 and 1984. Roger details his training and learning to operate the Sunderland, and flying the big flying boats with No. 5 Squadron in Fiji. He recalls various search and rescue missions he was involved with, and also the sighting of a Soviet submarine during the last patrol of 1961. He went onto No. 42 Squadron flying the Harvard, Devon and Dakota as a pilot on this VIP Transport squadron. He also did target drogue towing. He then became an instructor and served at Pilot Training Squadron in that role. His next posting was to Whenuapai to become an instructor on Bristol Freighters on No. 3 (Tactical Transport) Squadron. He trained new Freighter crews in this role, and also did all sorts of transport duties around New Zealand. In 1974 Roger was posted to Singapore and joined No. 41 Squadron, flying Bristol Freighters operationally. He was involved in the very last chapter of the Vietnam War when the Allies were pulling out of the country. When he returned to New Zealand he did a Staff Course, and was then made Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron, based at Whenuapai, and flying Hawker Siddeley Andovers. And then Roger was sent to Wigram to learn to fly the Sioux helicopter, as he was being promoted Wing Commander, to take over No. 3 Squadron’s command, where he would be flying Iroquois helicopters. He converted to the Iroquois at Hobsonville. And then Roger was posted to Woodbourne in 1982, to become the C.O. Base Wing of RNZAF Base Woodbourne. And then in 1984 he was posted to Defence Headquarters in Wellington for six months. He then left the RNZAF for a job in Civil Aviation. Parade for the presentation of the No. 3 Squadron Standard by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, at Whenuapai, RNZAF Base Auckland. Prince Charles inspecting the parade of No. 1 Flight, accompanied by Wing Commander Roger Holdaway, Squadron Commander and Parade Commander. Warrant Officer MD Burke (nearest camera) is the Parade Warrant Officer. (Air Force Museum of New Zealand) Parade for the presentation of the No. 3 Squadron Standard by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, at Whenuapai, RNZAF Base Auckland. Prince Charles inspecting No. 1 Flight, accompanied by Wing Commander Roger Holdaway, Squadron Commander and Parade Commander. (Air Force Museum of New Zealand)

Guest: Wing Commander Barry ‘Patch’ Nelson RNZAFHost: Dave HomewoodRecorded: 28th of April 2024Released:  14th of August 2024Duration:  1 hour 8 mins 19 secs This episode is the fifth and last of the recordings from the Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet, hosted by Bevan Dewes and Lucy Newell of Legend Aviation at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, on Sunday 28th of April 2024. Wing Commander Barry ‘Patch’ Nelson joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1982 and is still serving today as a pilot. After completely a BSc at Canterbury University in the University Cadet Scheme that the RNZAF ran, he completed his Wings course and Fighter Lead In course in 1986. In 1987 he joined No. 2 Squadron RNZAF for conversion to McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawk strike aircraft, and he was posted to No. 75 Squadron in 1988. In 1990 Patch flew as Red 2 in the famous No. 75 Squadron Skyhawk display team, Kiwi Red. He talks about those exciting times, with highlights such as opening and closing the Commonwealth Games, and meeting HM Queen Elizabeth II, and the lowest point when the team lost Graham Carter in a tragic accident during a practice session. Patch enthuses about his favourite deployment, back to No. 2 Squadron RNZAF, now in Nowra, NSW, Australia. He was training new pilots and flying strikes against Royal Australian Navy ships to train the crews how to react to air attack. He also flew dissimilar air training against the RAAF’s F/A-18 Hornets. He talks about all sorts of aspects of operating the Skyhawk, from the weapons systems that had, to air-to-air refuelling using the buddy-packs, to the differences between the original Skyhawks they called dinosaurs and the upgraded Kahu Skyhawks. He remembers exercises in Asia as part of the Vanguard deployments too, and so much more in this brilliant talk. Note: When Patch refers to the previous talk by Steve, he means this one recorded earlier that day, given by Steve Davies Howard Air to air view of No. 75 Squadron Skyhawk NZ6203, flown by Flying Officer Chis Hutchison, firing CRV 7 rockets over White Island at Volkner Rock. Photographed from a TA-4K flown by W/C Frank Sharp with Patch Nelson in the back seat. Air Force Museum of New Zealand, cropped from OhC260-88. Barry “Patch” Nelson during his presentation (Phil Treweek photo) Barry “Patch” Nelson during his presentation (Phil Treweek photo)

Guest: Don WilkieHost: Dave HomewoodRecorded: 28th of April 2024Released:  14th of August 2024Duration:  47 mins 56 secs This episode is the fourth of the recordings from the recent Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet, hosted by Bevan Dewes and Lucy Newell of Legend Aviation at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, on Sunday 28th of April 2024. Aviation artist Don Wilkie talks about his book, Forgotten Heroes: Voices of No. 489 New Zealand Torpedo Squadron. The book covers No. 489 (NZ) Squadron from its inception on the 12th of August 1941 at the Royal Air Force Coastal Command’s station at Leuchars airfield in Scotland, right through to its disbandment at Banff on the 15th of August 1945. Don has compiled the book using hours of interviews and delved deeply into personal accounts, albums and anecdotes to reveal the true character of No. 489 (NZ) Squadron.  Containing over 1,000 photos, the book is packed full of incredible detail that chronicles the squadron’s short but vibrant history. In this talk Don details how the book came about and tells some of the stories that he came across in the research for the 490-page book. Quick Links:• Don Wilkie’s Website ANZAC Attack – Don Wilkie’s artwork that adorns the cover of his book. Don Wilkie during his presentation. (Phil Treweek photo) Don Wilkie during his presentation. (Phil Treweek photo) Don’s artworks and his books for sale during the event.

Guest: Tom WilliamsHost: Dave HomewoodRecorded: 28th of April 2024Released:  9th of June 2024Duration:  27 mins 36 secs This episode is the third of the recordings from the recent Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet, hosted by Bevan Dewes and Lucy Newell of Legend Aviation at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, on Sunday 28th of April 2024. Tom Williams is a legend in the Wairarapa. He was responsible for setting up the Sport And Vintage Aviation Society in 1974 with Bob McGarry and Bill Dittmer, which eventually absorbed the Golden Age Flying Society from Blenheim. SVAS later became the Wairarapa Flying Tigers. And Tom led the team that built the SVAS’s big hangar in 1978, and later he had the building moved onto the airfield that would become the George Hood Museum. This is the same building that the WONZ Forum Meet was held in, now known as the Legend Aviation Auditorium. He talks about the inspiration that got him into aviation, and learning to fly Tiger Moths with the legendary instructor and ex-RNZAF WWII Mosquito pilot, Beryck Dalcom, at the Wanganui Aero Club. He then joined the Marlborough Aero Club, and then the Southland Aero Club with Ian Ritchie. In 1967 he bought his first Tiger Moth, ZK-BAT, the first of a number of aircraft Tom has owned over the years. He talks about his adventures in various types, and he talks about how he saved DH89 Dominie ZK-AKY from going overseas. Tom also talks about his great friend Tim Wallis, and how he led a team that created an airshow in 1999, which in 2001 was renamed the Wings Over Wairarapa airshow. Tom was chairman of the organising committee for many years, and he has many memories of the airshow. And he speaks about his fond memories of the WWII veterans that used to come along to the airshows. Quick Links:• Legend Aviation• Legend Aviation Facebook Page• The Wings Over New Zealand Forum• Wairarapa Flying Tigers• Wings Over Wairarapa The music heard in this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud Thanks to Allan Udy for the loan of his audio recording equipment. Tom Williams at the Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet (Dave Homewood photo) Tom Williams at the Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet (Phil Treweek photo)

Guest: Stephen Davies HowardHost: Dave HomewoodRecorded: 28th of April 2024Released:  1st of June 2024Duration: 1 hour 2 mins 37 secs This episode is the second of the recordings from the recent Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet, hosted by Bevan Dewes and Lucy Newell of Legend Aviation at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, on Sunday 28th of April 2024. Stephen Davies Howard was a Royal Air Force fast jet pilot, flying McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantoms and Panavia Tornados during the Cold War, and the latter in the Gulf War. Steve joined the RAF in 1980 straight from school and the Air Training Corps, and following flying training he flew fighter jets. He was also an airshow display pilot in the Phantom. Later in his career he moved into strategic reconnaissance, and various British Ministry of Defence roles. After commanding squadrons and stations, he was posted to Washington D.C. in the USA as the Air Attaché at the British Embassy, where he was able to fly a number of the US fighter aircraft types including the F-15 and F-16. He eventually left the RAF as a Group Captain, and joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force, where he ended up as the Training Group Commander, also with the rank of Group Captain. Since leaving the RNZAF in 2010 Steve has run his own businesses, and is Deputy Commissioner of TAIC. In this presentation, Stephen focuses his talk on his years as a young Phantom pilot during the Cold War years of the 1980s. Quick Links:• Legend Aviation• Legend Aviation Facebook Page• The Wings Over New Zealand Forum The music heard in this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud Thanks to Allan Udy for the loan of his audio recording equipment. An RAF Phantom intercepting and escorting a Soviet bomber during the Cold War. Stephen Davies Howard (photo Dave Homewood) Stephen Davies Howard (photo Phil Treweek) Stephen Davies Howard and the audience (photo Phil Treweek)

Guest: Bevan Dewes of Legend AviationHost: Dave HomewoodRecorded: 28th of April 2024Released:  25th of May 2024Duration:  32 mins 19 secs This episode is the first of the recordings from the recent Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet. This was a gathering of members of the Wings Over New Zealand Aviation Forum, hosted by Bevan Dewes and Lucy Newell of Legend Aviation at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, on Sunday 28th of April 2024. Bevan talks about his and Lucy’s experiences in aviation, and about the aeroplanes in their collection. He also talks about the set-up of their business, Legend Aviation, which they set up in 2023 to fly rides in their Harvard NZ1044 and Tiger Moths ZK-BFS and ZK-ANL. Bevan takes the group outside to his hangar where he gives a guided tour of the Legend Aviation aeroplanes, Harvards NZ1044 and NZ1033, Tiger Moths ZK-BFS and ZK-ANL, and Chipmunk N861WP. Quick Links:• Legend Aviation• Legend Aviation Facebook Page• The Wings Over New Zealand Forum• Wairarapa Flying Tigers• Wairarapa Flying Tigers Facebook Page Connected Past Episodes:• Episode 114 – WOA – Temora Part One – featuring Bevan Dewes• WONZ 197 – Christmas Forum 2018 – featuring Bevan Dewes• WONZ 200 – 200th WONZ Show – featuring Bevan Dewes• WONZ 218 – Lucy Newell – Canadian Bush Flying featuring Lucy Newell• WONZ 250 – 10th Anniversary Special – featuring Bevan Dewes• WONZ 273 – Harvard NZ1044 – featuring Bevan Dewes The music heard in this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud. Thanks to Allan Udy for the loan of his audio recording equipment. Bevan Dewes in front of his Harvard NZ1044, talking about the Legend Aviation aeroplanes. WONZ Forum members listening to Bevan. Harvard NZ1044. NZ1044. Tiger Moth ZK-ANL at Feilding. Lucy Newell and Ryan Dewes filling Tiger Moth ZK-BFS “Queenie” at Feilding. Bevan and Lucy with the Harvards at sunset in front of their hangar and building. Photos from the event from Phil Treweek:

Guest: Roy Boston – de Havilland Apprentice and Engineer, and RNZAF Instructor Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 26th of April 2024 Released:  30th of April 2024 Duration:  1 hour 34 minutes 45 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with 96-year-old Roy Boston, who was born and grew up in London, and became an apprentice at the de Havilland Aircraft Company Limited at Stag Lane Aerodrome, Edgeware. He ended up working in various roles testing engines and propellers that were being developed for aircraft for both de Havilland and for other companies. He was involved with all sorts of aeroplanes, and witnessed other projects under development including jet engines and turboprops. He also reveals some interesting stories and secrets about the company’s projects, an may well be the last living witness to some of those developments of the 1940s by de Havilland. He talks about flying in all sorts of aeroplanes during test flying too, from Lancaster and Halifax bombers to the rarities like the Vickers Warwick and the de Havilland Hornet! After leaving the company in 1950 he emigrated to New Zealand, to rejoin his family who’d moved here some years beforehand. He ended up working first as a civilian instructor on engines with the Royal New Zealand Air Force, and then was commissioned as a serving officer in the Education branch of the RNZAF. These days Roy is a celebrated artist, and he also volunteers as a guide at the Aviation Heritage Centre at Omaka, Blenheim. Quick Links:• Roy’s artworks• The Aviation Heritage Centre, Omaka Thanks to: Huge thanks to Roy’s son Dean Boston for setting this interview up via Zoom, and sitting in to prompt facts when needed, and also thanks to Bevan Dewes and Lucy Newell for the use of their office to record this while I was staying with them. The music heard in this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud. Above: Roy Boston on the day of the interview, aged 96 and sharp as a tack. (Dean Boston photo) Above: Roy Boston at Dog3 ROC,1945. (Roy Boston collection) Above: The Ghost Lancastrian. (Roy Boston collection) Above: Roy carrying out the engine cylinder vibration test at full chat on the DHC-1 Chipmunk prototype. Note the ballast in the back seat as discussed, and also the Vickers Warwick bomber in the background. (Roy Boston collection) Above: The Askania Hand Vibrograph 1. Above: The de Havilland Goblin on the test bed. (Roy Boston collection)

Guests: Larry Hill, Andrew White and Tony Hoskins Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of March 2024 Published: 24th of March 2024 Duration: 2 hours, 57 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood marks the 80th Anniversary of The Great Escape by talking with Larry Hill, Andy White and Tony Hoskins. The Great Escape is the name given to a breakout of Allied prisoners from the German POW camp Stalag Luft III, at Sagan, West Silesia in Germany, on the night of the 24th-25th of March 1944. A total of 76 prisoners, all members of the Royal Air Force and Allied Air Forces, managed to escape through a tunnel before the tunnel entrance was discovered by a German guard. Over the next few weeks 73 of the escapees were rounded up and recaptured after a massive manhunt. Three escaped. And of those recaptured, the Gestapo murdered 50 of the airmen, upon Hitler’s orders. Three New Zealanders were among the murdered airmen, and other Kiwis were involved in the escape. They’re all discussed here. Andy and Tony give a great background to the prisoner of war camp and the escape. And Larry tells some stories of the New Zealanders involved that he knew personally. Above: Larry Hill Above: Tony Hoskins Above: Andy White Above: Porokoru Patapu “John” Pohe, RNZAF Great Escaper, and murdered by the Gestapo. Above: Pilot Officer Arnold Christensen, RNZAF Great Escaper, and murdered by the Gestapo. From The Weekly News issue 25 November 1942, via the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Above: Squadron Leader John Edwin Ashley “Willy” Williams DFC, New Zealand-born Australian RAF Great Escaper, and murdered by the Gestapo. Above: Image from the Edith Lyle personal album collection. “F/L Mick Shand.” No. 485 Squadron pilot Flight Lieutenant Michael Moray Shand DFC sitting in the cockpit of his Spitfire. Unknown location. Handwritten on the reverse of the print “F/L Shand DFC. 485 Sqd RNZAF. Who was lost on a Rhubarb over Holland, he was Flight Commander of B Flight. Fought through “the Battle of Britain” and had many great successes. He was lost in November 1943, but there may be a chance of him being a prisoner of war.” NB. Shand was involved in The Great Escape while interred in Stalag Luft 3. Image via the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Above: Squadron Leader Leonard Trent DFC, pilot with No. 487 Squadron. Taken before his Victoria Cross action. Enlargement from PR10415, via the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Above: No. 485 Squadron’s Sergeant Jack Rae, crouching on snowy ground. Unknown location in England. This was published in Houlton’s autobiography ‘Spitfire Strikes. A New Zealand Fighter Pilot’s Story’, published 1985 by John Murray Ltd. London. Copy negative from the John Arthur Houlton personal collection. Image via the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Above: Jack Rae, RNZAF fighter pilot, and Larry Hill with the parachute Jack used when he baled out and was captured. Above: Jack Rae’s parachute, Caterpillar Club card and the paper with the name of the German pilot who shot him down, now all framed by Larry Hill. Above: The books mentioned in this discussion, left is Sandy’s Spitfire by Tony Hoskins, and right is Extremes of Fortune by Andrew White. See links below. Quick Links:• Born To Fly – A documentary on John Pohe • The Great Escape Stalag Luft III Facebook Group• Sandy’s Spitfire Book by Tony Hoskins• Spitfire AA810 – Restoring Sandy’s Spitfire On Facebook• Extremes of Fortune by Andrew White• For You The War Is Over Podcast, cohosted by Tony Hoskins• The Imperial War Museum’s Interview with Jack Rae Related Episodes:• WONZ 6 – Larry Hill• WONZ 59 – Forum Meet 2014 – Part 1• WONZ 281 – Wings Over Britain: Sandy’s Spitfire The tune at the end is the main theme from The Great Escape (1963) by Elmer Bernstein.

Guest: Sarah Carr (nee Hanna) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 26th of July 2023 Published: 8th of March 2024 Duration: 1 hour 3 minutes, 5 seconds In this episode of Wings Over Britain, Dave Homewood sat down with Sarah Carr of the Old Flying Machine Company, in her office at Duxford, Cambridgeshire. Sarah is the daughter of the legendary pilot, the late Ray Hanna, and sister of the late and equally revered pilot Mark Hanna. She talks in depth about how Ray and Mark both got into flying, display flying and film work. And she details her own experiences with aviation and with running the OFMC, which today operates only the one aeroplane, Spitfire IX MH434. Sarah also talks about her connection with New Zealand and how important that is to her. Quick Links:.• The Old Flying Machine Company• Fans of the Old Flying Machine Company Facebook Group• Ray and Mark Hanna on the WONZ Forum The famous OFMC Supermarine Spitfire LF. IXb Spitfire MH434.