Avenger Plonky

More on Plonky

I was very interested to see so many images of Plonky, mainly because I am lucky enough to own the medals of F/Lt Charles G.G. Prior, RNZAF. F/Lt Prior was flying Plonky on its final mission to Vunapope on 5 June ’44. The aircraft was hit by flack and spun into the ground kiling all three crew. Interestingly the crash site was still being reported up to 1983. I can recommend Fred Ladd’s biography ‘A Shower of spray and we’re away’ both as a good read as as a good source of stories about his time flying Plonky.

Hi Guys,

Thanks for all the nice comments, I’m glad that you enjoyed the photos. It makes me sad to think that Plonky has not only gone to Australia, but also that Randal McFarlane decided to change it to that dull, boring colour scheme. It’s not a patch on the colourful RNZAF scheme, but then I may be biased.

Nice to see Plonky in the early days Le Harve, cheers

Dave

7th June 1992?

Just a couple of shots while at Duxford, 15th August 1988

Dave thanks for the pics, really appreciated, sort of thread we ought to have more often here.

Chris

TN,

Plonky is now flying in Australia. You can find more details here:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/7553/mcfarlane.htm

Makes me home sick seeing these pictures, but keep up the good work. Quick question, where is the Avenger at present? Is she still airworthy?

Didn’t the Corsair go to Argentina or Brazil?

well yeah, you know what I mean..:)

Originally posted by turbo_NZ
I see those 4 will be doing a display at WOW.

Can’t wait !!!

To be pedantic, sorry, well, at least four ‘like’ them. That’s the long-gone Corsair and P40K, both now in the USA I understand. Only the Spitfire left at Wanaka, but the F4U-1 and P40 have some nice replacements. ZK-TAF seen here will probably also be down there I guess, but I’d say Miss Torque will do the Brietling display.

I see those 4 will be doing a display at WOW.

Can’t wait !!!

Dave,

more excellent pics ! Nice to see the one of Tom Middleton flying the P40. When I was Instructing in Palmerston North Tom would sometimes pop into the club for a coffee whilst his Saab was being turned around. He was always good for a chat, and had a stack of stories to tell.

One of aviation’s genuine nice guys !

Originally posted by turbo_NZ
you lucky beggar !!!!

Tell me, did the ball turret power rotate or was it there just for show ?

Hmm, if I recall correctly it did rotate and we had a play with it while painting Plonky, but I remember whilst flying it had to be locked, which was disappointing. I’d loved to have had free use of the turret whilst Tom made several dummy attacks on our stern, so I could ‘return fire’.

Here’s another one from that day’s display – no it’s not the Brietling fighters, but similar.

nice !!!:)

Happy memories…

When we arrived at Wanaka, things just kept on getting better. It was Easter 1993, and on the Saturday I was invited to a private do to meet some of NZ’s most eminent fighter pilots. The party was a prequel to the opening of the New Zealand Fighter Pilots Museum. I met a load of big names, like Colin Grey, Des Scott, Bob Spurdle, and others. That was fantastic. I was the youngest there so they all made a fuss of me. Brilliant. On the Sunday there was a public event for the opening, and an air display. Here are a couple of photos…

you lucky beggar !!!!

Tell me, did the ball turret power rotate or was it there just for show ?

I have many more photos of the paint job by the way – these above are just some of them but I sense you’d grow bored with them. They are unique because no-one else took photos from start to finish. I presented a set to the Alpine Fighter Collection afterwards. They seemed very interested in them.

Following the painting of this Avenger, I was priviledged to be invited to fly in it from Christchurch to Wanaka in the back. Actually in the ball turret. All the way we were followed by the late Tom Middleton in the P40K. A magic trip. Sadly I’d never done air to air photography befre and few of them came out well. It was very, very bumpy and noisy back there! Here’s one that’s not too bad.

oh yes thats the one, Dave !!

I love the way they used to do the Pacific Theatre flypast’s with the F4U and Avenger with the “Zero” making attacks.

The Avenger seemed surprisingly agile for an aircraft of it’s size and weight.

BTW Thanks for those superb TBM Paintshop pics.
Brings back memories of visitign Wigram.

They were great !!:) 🙂 🙂

Chris

PS I once did 230 km/h on my motorcycle down the runway at Wigram. Quite an experience !!

Originally posted by turbo_NZ
Pity no Avenger at Wanaka. Always looked good in a formation with the F4U.:D

I totally agree. Not a good photo I’m afraid, but this is what you’re talking about Chris…

Pity no Avenger at Wanaka. Always looked good in a formation with the F4U.

Week and a half to go til WOW 2004.
Camera is ready and primed:D