Halifax "Waltzing Matilda"

Sorry to resurrect a dead thread, but I just came across this . . .

“As ye sow, so shall ye reap” answers all those Dresden meanderings doesn’t it.

I can’t help but wonder, looking at that photo of the real Friday the 13th – how on earth did they get it in there? Take the wings off and use Queen Marys I suppose.

Some pics from Elvington last year, and one of the real Friday the 13th in
London.
Phil. 🙂

Could be – what’s that custom tag of yours … 😉

Oh dear – can’t we rely on HP to get their facts straight … :rolleyes:

Or maybe I’m just trying to mess with your heads…. Dance puppets… :diablo:

T J

Very interesting article, but I’m not sure it is 100% accurate. The two Halifaxes mentioned as surviving in Norway as LN-OAS and OAT never made it here. According to “Norwegian Civil A/C since 1919” they were reserved for Vingtor Luftveier AS of Oslo, but this company ceased operations around July 1948. The planes, still at Hendon became G-AJCG and G-ALEF.

T J

Oh dear – can’t we rely on HP to get their facts straight … :rolleyes:

And thanks for looking Robbo – appreciated.

HP57, I’m probably not telling you anything you didn’t know, but I did a google search and found the following …

The first civilian conversion [of a Halifax] was of the Halifax BIII, NR169 Waltzing Matilda, ex 466 (RAAF) Squadron. This aircraft was bought by G. N. Wickner, a wartime ferry pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary, and converted by Handley Page to carry 15 passengers. Carrying the civil registration G-AGXA, the Halifax was flown to Australia in June 1946, piloted by Wickner and carrying 15 other Australians who were returning home. For a short period this machine flew in Australia as VH-BDT.
http://www.handleypage.com/Aircraft_hp70.html

Very interesting article, but I’m not sure it is 100% accurate. The two Halifaxes mentioned as surviving in Norway as LN-OAS and OAT never made it here. According to “Norwegian Civil A/C since 1919” they were reserved for Vingtor Luftveier AS of Oslo, but this company ceased operations around July 1948. The planes, still at Hendon became G-AJCG and G-ALEF.

T J

Thanks Robbo – by any chance have you (or others) got a photo of that nose art?

And Flood – I am aware of the YAM replica and sure as hell would like to see it, but better than that I want to go see the Canadian restoration when it’s complete – there’s a thread about it somewhere around here.

cheers, D

url of the “Canadian” thread
http://forum.keypublishing.co.uk/showthread.php?t=37762&highlight=halifax+wings

It was displayed in London, Horse Guards Parade I think.
Or do you mean the replica at the Yorkshire Air Museum, Elvington (near York)?

Flood

Huh – what a damn shame it is that the Halifax was overlooked in the post-war scrap scramble. Off on a related tangent – can someone please post a quick precis about Friday the 13th? I’ve seen the photo of it on display in some city centre, but that’s fundamentally all I know about it.

And thank God for those lads in Canada !!!

Here are some pictures

Finally having access to a scanner again. Two pics before the trip to Oz and shortly after conversion, the last one was taken as a derelict airframe as published in Classic Wings in issue nr 46 as pointed out by tbyguy.

Cheers

Cees

Wikner’s son published a book about his father’s exploits a few years ago. I corresponded with G.N.W. himself before his death and he kindly sent me a pile of pre-war photos, Miles Pusher, Wickos etc and post war Wikner helicopter – I never asked him about the Halifax but I’m sure his son will have photos in his archive.

G-ORDY,

Any contact information I can reach him? You could PM me about that.

Cheers

Cees

Wikner’s son published a book about his father’s exploits a few years ago. I corresponded with G.N.W. himself before his death and he kindly sent me a pile of pre-war photos, Miles Pusher, Wickos etc and post war Wikner helicopter – I never asked him about the Halifax but I’m sure his son will have photos in his archive.

Cees in the little brown covere book on the halifax there is a fantastic pic of her showing the civilian markings on her wings and fuselage and it was taken at an airport in australia upon her arrival

Thanks for the replies lads,

I am after photo’s of the airframe after arriving in Oz, I know about the photo that appeared in Classic Wings but that one is small sized although it shows the derelict fuselage. I was looking for the book about Capt Wikners trip but those I found were terribly expensive (remember I’m Dutch).

I didn’t realize that “Ned Kelly’s gang rides again” was the same aircraft as “Waltzing Mathilda”, thanks for clearing that up.

I had actually hoped that some parts of her had survived after scrapping, any further information on that?

Cheers

Cees

HP57, I’m probably not telling you anything you didn’t know, but I did a google search and found the following …

The first civilian conversion [of a Halifax] was of the Halifax BIII, NR169 Waltzing Matilda, ex 466 (RAAF) Squadron. This aircraft was bought by G. N. Wickner, a wartime ferry pilot with the Air Transport Auxiliary, and converted by Handley Page to carry 15 passengers. Carrying the civil registration G-AGXA, the Halifax was flown to Australia in June 1946, piloted by Wickner and carrying 15 other Australians who were returning home. For a short period this machine flew in Australia as VH-BDT.
http://www.handleypage.com/Aircraft_hp70.html

Served with RAAF 466 Sqn under RAF control 10/45. 51 ops “Kelly Gang” & latter “Waltzing Matilda” G-AGXA to Oz by Capt G.N.Wickner.
http://www.adf-serials.com/

Classic Wings, Issue 46 carries a short article and small photo of the Wikner Halifax. The caption hints at the photo having been taken in Australia. Interesting in that the aircraft still has dorsal and rear turrets in place.

Thanks for posting those pics

Thanks Cees,
the pics you posted here of your Halifax seat were most helpful in making a 1/48 scale version. Be posting some pics soon.

Cheers
Phil

Matilda

Cees.
Nothing on the internet or in the hali books? Are you after pics of her being scrapped or right after she was flown to oz?

Cees – I think there was an article in the “other” historical aviation monthly a few years back IIRC – didn’t parts end up a a horse chestnut stand? – could be wrong – might be FP or AE but certainly one of those three