Merged Mosquito Threads
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Merged Mosquito Threads
Congratulations to all involved...
An airworthy Anson and a Mosquito
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
An airworthy Anson and a Mosquito
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
YouTube - Broadcast Yourself.
Last edited by NutLoose; 30th Sep 2012 at 12:25.
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Come on FEAD - they fought more air battles all over the occupied world, when it was needed, than you have had hot dinners.
The NZ boys flew pretty much every type in RAF service and in pretty much every type of air combat and ground attack during WW2.
One of the New Zealand pilots I knew well was Ken Hayr - I was lucky enough to serve under him in Cyprus in 1985/86. He was a gentleman and an inspiring leader (and Mrs SOSL quite liked him as well!).
Some extracts from his obit:
"AIR MARSHAL SIR KENNETH HAYR, who has died in a flying accident at the Biggin Hill air show aged 66, held senior positions in the RAF during both the Falklands campaign and the Gulf War; his abiding passion, however, was piloting fighter aircraft.
Kenneth William Hayr was born on April 13 1935 at St Helier, New Zealand and educated at Auckland Grammar School before attending RAF College, Cranwell.
After honing his fighter skills with Hawker Hunter and English Electric Lightning jet squadrons in the Middle East between 1957 and 1964, Hayr transferred to the Central Fighter Establishment/Fighter Command Trials Unit. He served there from 1964 to 1967, before becoming Phantom OCU Squadron Commander at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, the following year. Thereafter he concentrated on piloting the Hawker-Siddeley Harrier.
Hayr, who made a priority of keeping flying whatever posting he received, had been dismayed in 1969 when he was told that he was to be sent to the RAF staff college at Bracknell, Berks.
In the event, however, at the last moment he received a transfer from his post at the Phantom fighter operational conversion unit to take command of No 1 (Fighter) Squadron at Wittering, Cambridgeshire.
In No 1 in War and Peace, a history of the squadron, Hayr recalled this period warmly: "Every dog has its day and this was the time of my life because it was the most exhilarating, interesting and fantastic period in the peacetime life of a squadron commander.
Hayr finally attended staff college [that] year, and after leaving Bracknell became station commander at Binbrook in 1973. The Lincolnshire base, home of the RAF's Lightning fighters, presented him with as many flying opportunities as he could accommodate.
His next posting, as the RAF's inspector of flight safety from 1976 to 1979, could not have suited him better; the nature of his role provided him with opportunities to fly as frequently as desk duties permitted.
In 1980 Hayr attended the Royal College of Defence Studies before his appointment as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations), a post he held for the next two years. During this period he was instrumental in planning the RAF's role in the Falklands War.
Hayr then took command, in 1982, as AOC No 11 Group before being appointed, in 1985, commander of British Forces in Cyprus and administrator of the sovereign base areas on the Mediterranean island. He returned after two years as Chief of Staff UK air forces and deputy C-in-C, Strike Command, until 1988.
Finally, in 1989, Hayr was appointed Deputy Chief of Defence staff (commitments) which involved preparing and implementing Operation Granby - the MoD's code-name for the RAF's role in the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Arabian Gulf operations. He retired in 1993.
Hayr was appointed chairman of the New Zealand Aviation Heritage Trust in 1993. He was awarded the AFC in 1963 and Bar in 1972. He was appointed CBE in 1976, CB in 1982, KCB in 1988 and KBE in 1991. He was awarded the Kuwait Liberation Order (1st Grade) in 1991.
Hayr was, a courteous and popular man, with a slightly old-fashioned air, was respected as one of the best pilots in the RAF. He was always eager to get his hands on any airborne craft, and counted paragliding and parachuting, as well as display aerobatics, amongst his hobbies. He was flying a De Havilland Vampire on Saturday, when, after executing four passes, it spiralled out of control and crashed.
He married, in 1971, Joyce Gardiner, who predeceased him in 1987. They had three sons."
He was one of the best; and although not a WW2 pilot he was typical of many NZ pilots (and Polish, free French, Czechoslovakian, Canadian and American WW2 pilots) who I did meet. Some of whom never fought an air battle over their own airspace but most of whom were true air combat pilots.
I was privileged to know them.
Rgds SOS
p.s. The Mosquito is a truly beautiful aircraft.
The NZ boys flew pretty much every type in RAF service and in pretty much every type of air combat and ground attack during WW2.
One of the New Zealand pilots I knew well was Ken Hayr - I was lucky enough to serve under him in Cyprus in 1985/86. He was a gentleman and an inspiring leader (and Mrs SOSL quite liked him as well!).
Some extracts from his obit:
"AIR MARSHAL SIR KENNETH HAYR, who has died in a flying accident at the Biggin Hill air show aged 66, held senior positions in the RAF during both the Falklands campaign and the Gulf War; his abiding passion, however, was piloting fighter aircraft.
Kenneth William Hayr was born on April 13 1935 at St Helier, New Zealand and educated at Auckland Grammar School before attending RAF College, Cranwell.
After honing his fighter skills with Hawker Hunter and English Electric Lightning jet squadrons in the Middle East between 1957 and 1964, Hayr transferred to the Central Fighter Establishment/Fighter Command Trials Unit. He served there from 1964 to 1967, before becoming Phantom OCU Squadron Commander at Coningsby, Lincolnshire, the following year. Thereafter he concentrated on piloting the Hawker-Siddeley Harrier.
Hayr, who made a priority of keeping flying whatever posting he received, had been dismayed in 1969 when he was told that he was to be sent to the RAF staff college at Bracknell, Berks.
In the event, however, at the last moment he received a transfer from his post at the Phantom fighter operational conversion unit to take command of No 1 (Fighter) Squadron at Wittering, Cambridgeshire.
In No 1 in War and Peace, a history of the squadron, Hayr recalled this period warmly: "Every dog has its day and this was the time of my life because it was the most exhilarating, interesting and fantastic period in the peacetime life of a squadron commander.
Hayr finally attended staff college [that] year, and after leaving Bracknell became station commander at Binbrook in 1973. The Lincolnshire base, home of the RAF's Lightning fighters, presented him with as many flying opportunities as he could accommodate.
His next posting, as the RAF's inspector of flight safety from 1976 to 1979, could not have suited him better; the nature of his role provided him with opportunities to fly as frequently as desk duties permitted.
In 1980 Hayr attended the Royal College of Defence Studies before his appointment as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations), a post he held for the next two years. During this period he was instrumental in planning the RAF's role in the Falklands War.
Hayr then took command, in 1982, as AOC No 11 Group before being appointed, in 1985, commander of British Forces in Cyprus and administrator of the sovereign base areas on the Mediterranean island. He returned after two years as Chief of Staff UK air forces and deputy C-in-C, Strike Command, until 1988.
Finally, in 1989, Hayr was appointed Deputy Chief of Defence staff (commitments) which involved preparing and implementing Operation Granby - the MoD's code-name for the RAF's role in the Desert Shield and Desert Storm Arabian Gulf operations. He retired in 1993.
Hayr was appointed chairman of the New Zealand Aviation Heritage Trust in 1993. He was awarded the AFC in 1963 and Bar in 1972. He was appointed CBE in 1976, CB in 1982, KCB in 1988 and KBE in 1991. He was awarded the Kuwait Liberation Order (1st Grade) in 1991.
Hayr was, a courteous and popular man, with a slightly old-fashioned air, was respected as one of the best pilots in the RAF. He was always eager to get his hands on any airborne craft, and counted paragliding and parachuting, as well as display aerobatics, amongst his hobbies. He was flying a De Havilland Vampire on Saturday, when, after executing four passes, it spiralled out of control and crashed.
He married, in 1971, Joyce Gardiner, who predeceased him in 1987. They had three sons."
He was one of the best; and although not a WW2 pilot he was typical of many NZ pilots (and Polish, free French, Czechoslovakian, Canadian and American WW2 pilots) who I did meet. Some of whom never fought an air battle over their own airspace but most of whom were true air combat pilots.
I was privileged to know them.
Rgds SOS
p.s. The Mosquito is a truly beautiful aircraft.
Last edited by SOSL; 2nd Oct 2012 at 21:18.
I see that the Mossie is marked up as belonging to 487 Sqn, RNZAF, which had a long history of operating in Europe under 2 TAF, notably being the lead sqn for the Amiens prison attack in Feb 44.
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It was planned to transit through the UK enroute to the USA and do flying legends, but because of the delays, they are working on other options, though they say it is planned to bring it to the UK at some point I believe. There is more than one Mossie that will hopefully make it to the air..
And the Anson looks superb too,
And the Anson looks superb too,
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Fast and Low
The Mosquito flew in New Zealand On Saturday 29th September, including this fast and low run, one of many, accompanied by the most beautiful sound.
Last edited by Samuel; 30th Sep 2012 at 19:42.
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True, FED there never has been an air battle in NZ skies, possibly because most of it's young men were in your part of the world dying and fighting in in yours, but I don't suppose for a moment that your comment was intended to sound as it does!
However, the results of some brilliant, superb, Kiwi, "can do" flew last Thursday, but officially for the first time on Saturday, and believe it or not there were a good number of verterans who flew the Mosquito present. One 91-year-old gentleman even offered to "give her a go".
This is fast and low,
However, the results of some brilliant, superb, Kiwi, "can do" flew last Thursday, but officially for the first time on Saturday, and believe it or not there were a good number of verterans who flew the Mosquito present. One 91-year-old gentleman even offered to "give her a go".
This is fast and low,
Last edited by Samuel; 30th Sep 2012 at 18:44.
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CM - it looks like a war machine - try close-up at the DH Museum and you'll see what I mean.
It was a game-changer - fast for a start, and one of the first true MRCA (the Beaufighter being the first in the RAF I guess).
It was a game-changer - fast for a start, and one of the first true MRCA (the Beaufighter being the first in the RAF I guess).
MRCA?
Surely the Hurricane...
Single-seat fighter Mk I and Mk IIa
Single-seat night fighter Mk I, Mk IIa and Mk IIc
Single-seat bomber Mk IIb
Single-seat CAS Mk IIc, MkIId and MkIV
Single-Seat Photo Recce PR Mk II
Single-seat fleet fighter Sea Hurricane
First flight 1937
...I rest my case M'Lud
Surely the Hurricane...
Single-seat fighter Mk I and Mk IIa
Single-seat night fighter Mk I, Mk IIa and Mk IIc
Single-seat bomber Mk IIb
Single-seat CAS Mk IIc, MkIId and MkIV
Single-Seat Photo Recce PR Mk II
Single-seat fleet fighter Sea Hurricane
First flight 1937
...I rest my case M'Lud
Am I allowed to say this? I think it's one of the most beautiful looking aircraft ever built.
You certainly are, perhaps substituting "know" for "think". Many congratulations to all concerned in the "Land of the Wrong White Crowd" - what a marvellous achievement, and I do hope that we may be fortunate enough to see - and hear! - this great aircraft in the UK.
Jack
PS The Mosquito flew in New Zealand On Saturday 29th October
I know that you lot are always almost a day ahead of us - but a month?
You certainly are, perhaps substituting "know" for "think". Many congratulations to all concerned in the "Land of the Wrong White Crowd" - what a marvellous achievement, and I do hope that we may be fortunate enough to see - and hear! - this great aircraft in the UK.
Jack
PS The Mosquito flew in New Zealand On Saturday 29th October
I know that you lot are always almost a day ahead of us - but a month?
Got to explore the last flying UK Mossie at the Brawdy air show in 1987. My grandfather was in charge of engine electrics at the factory in Salisbury Hall during WWII. We used to chat a lot about it when I helped him as a kid in his electrical shop in Hatfield.
I then went on to do an Engineering degree specialising in engines and electrics, before becoming an RAF pilot. Come to think of it my entire life has been heavily influenced by this aircraft!
Marvellous aeroplane, and hats off the the restoration team. I shall have to visit NZ now!
I then went on to do an Engineering degree specialising in engines and electrics, before becoming an RAF pilot. Come to think of it my entire life has been heavily influenced by this aircraft!
Marvellous aeroplane, and hats off the the restoration team.
I shall have to visit NZ now!
Last edited by Fox3WheresMyBanana; 30th Sep 2012 at 19:29.
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PS The Mosquito flew in New Zealand On Saturday 29th October
I know that you lot are always almost a day ahead of us - but a month?
I know that you lot are always almost a day ahead of us - but a month?
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I would venture to suggest that KA114 is the best constructed DH Mosquito ever made.