Some RNZAF (and RAAF) ones initially operated without turrets, and some later had them removed (with provision for ballast), and some were converted to transports with changes made to avoid the need for ballast.
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/post/88216/thread
http://rnzaf.proboards.com/post/227553/thread
In NZ’s case, a turretless Hudson is much better than a Vincent!
I did cringe a bit when I saw this tweet. I don’t think that MOTAT was deliberately trolling with their response.
https://twitter.com/Swatchway/status/1021409495698804737
The main concern is engine failure on take-off, and the time taken to reach a safe speed for control, isn’t it? Lighter weight helps, but still an issue I believe. I seem to remember one the the Kiwi test pilots describing using a take-off procedure that differed from in-service practice that they felt was a safer option.
I think it is clear that they haven’t – they would be saying so explicitly if they had. Presumably there are agreements relating to the aircraft that include conditions relating to future payments.
Most mainstream venues covered this, there are a couple of video clips below.
https://www.tvnz.co.nz/one-news/new-zealand/nzs-oldest-active-pilot-takes-off-in-restored-wwii-tiger-moth
https://www.stuff.co.nz/timaru-herald/105151594/93yearold-former-fighter-pilot-takes-to-the-skies-again-in-south-canterbury
The article in TAH17 is mainly about the trials unit rather than operational use. The examples of WG.21 use given are about attacks on daylight formations, to break them up. However it isn’t designed to be a comprehensive review of the weapon in action.
There were some articles about German special air-to-air weapons in The Aviation Historian, I’ll have a look tonight.
There are serious lens distortions. Compare the apparent spacing between the engines vs inner to fuselage (on MOTAT’s MR.5).
Sunderland complete by Errol Cavit, on Flickr
There is a photo on WONZ of Just-Jane-to-be at RAAF Butterworth (Malaysia) on its flight to the UK.
An update on display flying by TVAL.
They did no public displays in the 2017/18 season, but held non-public days to maintain currency. They have just announced that they will be a major part of the Saturday’s flying for the February 2019 Wings Over Wairarapa (held at Masterton, were their aircraft are mainly based).
We intend to make a major contribution to the Wings Over Wairarapa airshow next year. It will be on from 22-24 February at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton. This may be our only public flying display next season so we hope to see you there.
For more information regarding tickets and other show participants have a look here:
http://www.wings.org.nz/At the present time our display hangar at Hood Aerodrome is so filled with aircraft we can’t safely offer public tours. There just isn’t room to move around and the situation will only be eased with increased hangar space (some way off in the future unfortunately).
It doesn’t seem to be that straightforward. The T.43 will be Glyn’s partially-complete Aussie-built example.
http://www.thewoodenwonder.org.uk/april-2018-news-letter
We are presently considering two different Mosquito airframes, and we are in advanced discussions on a fighter-bomber T43 variant. Whilst the MK.IV which is referenced on our website, remains very much in our sights too, the latest consideration has its different benefits. Principally, the fighter-bomber could be completed and delivered to the UK within 20 months, which in itself is very exciting, but even more so is that it is a dual-seat, dual-control aircraft, which would be a fantastic resource adding to the Flight Safety aspects of our mission, in helping maintain excellent currency for pilots already flying the Mosquito, but offering a hugely important capability for new pilots converting to type.
The MK.IV aircraft is still going to be a 33-36 month project. This airframe is also still within our reach, but we require some additional funding to secure it
The RAAF Museum at Pt Cook had an incident during one of their Interactive Flying Displays a few years ago – there was an engine fire on start-up, from memory. Response from elsewhere on the base was not great, and now the Museum staff/volunteers are trained in the provided fire-fighting equipment. You can even see the gear in the photo at
https://www.airforce.gov.au/sites/g/files/net3736/f/minisite/static/1469/RAAFmuseum/exhibitions/inter_display.htm
Loving the grass clippings!
And everyone’s photos in general, thanks.
ZK-COR is almost certainly 1945 – BOC Los Negros RNZAF August 1945
Tony to AvSpecs NZ
https://forum.keypublishing.com/showthread.php?142568-quot-Tony-quot-in-NZ-Jerry-Yagen-s-Ki-61-arrives
Kingfishers to PioneerAero NZ
Kingfisher project at Pioneer Aero by Errol Cavit, on Flickr