pouakaiClassic Fighters Airshow
Some pics of PV270 at Classic Fighters, Omaka Airfield, Blenheim, NZ. I was there on Good Friday, 10 April 2009. The pilot was John Lanham. In the last shot you can see the Deere family and ground-crew (in foreground) who never let the aircraft out of their sight all day. I wouldn’t either.
Gerard
pouakaiBlack’s Combat Report
I have dug out my copies of the ORB and combat report.
Do you have all three pages of report?
Will send you copies of both ORB and Combat Report if you’re interested at no charge. Just let me know your mailing address, perhaps by private message.
You’ll note on combat report that F/O Lindsay Black, “… following bandit down, F/O Black saw it burning on the ground, and expose[d] some film on the wreckage.”
It is likely that this film footage has survived and is possibly with the Imperial War Museum. Let me know how you get on.
Gerard
pouakaiLindsay Stuart Black
I can add more to the story.
“Monday 5 March 1945
[L.S. Black] took off as as one of three, taking over the lead when the section leader aborted the practice because of an unserviceable radio. Began the section’s first dive to 8000 feet at an angle of 59 degrees, but failed to recover and crashed on the beach at Mill Farm, West Beach, Selsey, bursting into flames on impact at 1135. The pilot is buried at Brookwood, Woking, Surrey. The Court of Inquiry was of the opinion that he pulled out too low and too quickly, and probably blacked out. Recovery should have been initiated at 4,000 feet but witnesses put the height at 1800-3000 feet.
NZ40961 Flt Lt Lindsay Stuart Black DFC, RNZAF – Age 30. A little over 1500 hrs solo (over 700 on Spitfires) at least 225 ops.”
The above is quoted from: FOR YOUR TOMORROW by Errol Martyn, Vol. 2, p.327
Nice to see my Spitfire book being quoted. I have 485’s ORBs and all the Squadron’s combat reports so will check other details tomorrow. Have to get them out of storage.
RIP Ray Sturtivant.
Gerard
pouakaiSpitfire replica TE288
Although not a museum fire the loss of the fibreglass replica Spitfire TE288 on 6 October 1984 is worth mentioning. It was mounted on a plinth at the entrance to Christchurch International Airport, New Zealand. Some F#%@wit set it alight. The late W/Cdr Johnny Checketts added his voice of disappointment at the time and lead a campaign to raise funds for a replacement which was mounted 1May 1985. It still does gate duty today.
pouakaiML407 and the D-Day myth
Wow! The silence is deafening. I think I’ve just discovered how to kill a thread.
pouakaiML407 and D Day myth
I have recently caught up the Spitfire Ace series in this part of the world. Overall it was a well written and presented programme. I especially enjoyed seeing two men I’ve had contact with over the years. The Kiwi Edward Wells, better known as Bill or Hawkeye Wells and Joe Roddis who went on to 485 (NZ) Sqdn as a Sgt in charge of the Merlins. Both contributed to my book Spitfire – The New Zealand Story. Sir Keith Park’s role was also well received here.
I conducted some 40-50 hours research concerning ML407s service with 485 Sqdn, have seen Johnnie Houlton’s logbook, read his biography and studied 485 Sqdn’s Operations Record Book. I also discussed it with his fellow pilots and read their accounts of D Day.
ML407/OU-V did not fly operationally on D Day. It was damaged prior to take off and Houlton swapped planes. He flew an engine test at the end of the day only. This is also well documented in Hugh Smallwood’s books 2nd TAF Spitifre (both editions). Carolyn Grace should have copies of Hugh’s books, maybe even mine, so why is this myth allowed to continue?
There is no disputing this is a wonderful aircraft and all New Zealanders who know its history are proud to see its life continue in British skies paid for and grandly supported by our friendly Brits. And a special thank you to Carolyn.
But please don’t revise history.
pouakaiML407 and DDay myth
I have recently caught up the Spitfire Ace series in this part of the world. Overall it was a well written and presented programme. I especially enjoyed seeing two men I’ve had contact with over the years. The Kiwi Edward Wells, better known as Bill or Hawkeye Wells and Joe Roddis who went on to 485 (NZ) Sqdn as a Sgt in charge of the Merlins. Both contributed to my book Spitfire – The New Zealand Story. Sir Keith Park’s role was also well received here.
I conducted some 40-50 hours research concerning ML407s service with 485 Sqdn, have seen Johnnie Houlton’s logbook, read his biography and studied 485 Sqdn’s Operations Record Book. I also discussed it with his fellow pilots and read their accounts of D Day.
ML407/OU-V did not fly operationally on D Day. It was damaged prior to take off and Houlton swapped planes. He flew an engine test at the end of the day only. This is also well documented in Hugh Smallwood’s books 2nd TAF Spitifre (both editions). Carolyn Grace should have copies of Hugh’s books, maybe even mine, so why is this myth allowed to continue?
There is no disputing this is a wonderful aircraft and all New Zealanders who know its history are proud to see its life continue in British skies paid for and grandly supported by our friendly Brits. And a special thank you to Carolyn.
But please don’t revise history.
pouakaiNew Zealand airline collectables
Hello,
I realise this thread is a few years old, but if anyone is still reading…
I collect NZ airline items and have decided to put together two books on the subject. One on postcards, the other on baggage labels, tags, stickers, chinaware etc. If you collect, I am keen to trade. I can find BOAC, BCPA and other airline items if you’re interested.
pouakaibook idea – The Hanna Men
Greetings.
I wrote to Sarah Hanna last year with the idea of producing a DVD about the film/TV work of both Ray and Mark. It was probably too soon after her father’s death, but I also think a book – with a DVD – could be produced.
As a New Zealander I am especially proud of their aviation achievements and spoke to them on regular visits to Wanaka and the odd trip to Duxford.
Mark contributed to my first book Warbirds Over Wanaka (Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd, 1994. I have since co-authored Wanaka Warbirds (with Warren Russell) (Reed 1998), and Spitfire – The New Zealand Story (Reed 2000).
I have already written a one hour script for a DVD. This has clips from most of their film and TV work. I await Sarah’s comment on this project. Then copyright issues can be worked through with the film distributors.
A book should be written. I’m up to it. I think it would be great to have access to both Ray’s and Mark’s logbooks to make both projects definitive/comprehensive works. They deserve it.
Comments please.
Gerard
(Hello Mark 12)
pouakaiUpdated list of credits
Greetings,
Thanks for all your input.
I’ve done a lot of surfing on the net (in particular the OFMC site) and have now a THIRD draft listing Ray and Mark Hanna’s film and TV credits.
RAY HANNA
The Flaxton Boys (4th series, circa 1973) as Spitfire pilot in opening credits
The Blockhouse (1973) as Spitfire pilot strafing ground positions
Hope and Glory (1987) as Spitfire pilot
Empire of the Sun (1987) as Aerial unit chief and Mustang pilot
Piece of Cake (1988) as Chief pilot, Spitfire pilot
Poirot – The Incredible Theft (1989) as Spitfire pilot
Memphis Belle (1990) Chief Pilot, Messerschmitt pilot
Perfect Hero (1990) a Spitfire pilot
Species (1995) as Aerial unit coordinator
Saving Private Ryan (1998) as Mustang pilot
Dark Blue World (2001) as Spitfire pilot
Flyboys (2006) as Aerial coordinator
River Wild is doubtful as Ray’s full name was Raynham not Raymond.
MARK HANNA
Empire of the Sun (1987) as Mustang pilot
Piece of Cake (1988) as deputy chief pilot, Spitfire pilot
Memphis Belle (1990) as Aerial coordinator, Messerschmitt pilot
Air America (1990) as Aerial Coordinator, pilot of Fairchild C-123 (?), pilot of Pilatus Turbo Porter and pilot Cessna Bird Dog
Perfect Hero (1990) as Spitfire pilot
Over Here (1995) as Spitfire Pilot
Tomorrow Never Dies (1997) as L39 Albatross pilot **
Saving Private Ryan (1998) As Mustang pilot
The Land Girls (1998) as Spitfire pilot
** the serial on the L39 was 28 08, which was Ray’s date of birth 28 August. A coincidence?
Other work
OFMC: Mrs. Dalloway (1997)
Hart’s War (2002)
Can you help fill in the missing gaps of information?
Showscan Theme Ride “Dogfight” (199?)
Fall from Grace (1993/4) A two-part TV mini series about SOE operations before D-Day. The OFMC’s Hawker Fury G-BTTA was painted in Luftwaffe colours.
Diamond Swords (1993?)
Lovejoy (199?) Mustangs used, pilots currently unknown
No Bananas (1996) It was a ten-part BBC mini series set in the early years of WWII as episodes have titles such as: Dunkirk (6) and Blitz (10). It premiered on 5/5/96, so OFMC flying was probably in 1995.
Hanging Around (199?) no details yet
Squadron (1982) The adventures of a fictional Rapid Deployment Unit of the RAF set in the early 1980s. Episode One “Memorial Flight” possibly had OFMC involvement. It was about an experimental plane, flown by an automated computer system, which goes out of control during a Battle Of Britain aerial display.
Spywatch (1996) Was a children’s action/adventure set in 1942 Britain. It is about two boys and a girl who have been evacuated to the countryside where spies are on the loose. Premiered 15/1/96, therefore OFMC would likely to have been working on it in 1995.
Goodnight Mister Tom (1998) Was a made for TV film set in an English village shortly before Dunkirk and starred John Thaw.
Monsignor Renard (1999) Was a four-part mini series set in German occupied
France in 1940 as seen through the eyes of a humble and extraordinary priest played by John Thaw.
Sam’s Circus (2001) Was a war drama set in post 1944 D-Day and follows the lives of an American Unit on the Continent. A 60-minute TV movie.
Foyle’s War (2002) Follows the life of a detective and his team in Hastings (Southern England) in WWII.
2002: 4 episodes, 2003: 4 episodes, 2004: 4 episodes and 2006: 2 episdoes.
Season One, Episode Four is titled “Eagle Day” and features Spitfires.
Great Britons (2002) Was BBC mini series. The OFMC were involved in the Churchill episode.
HP Sauce commercial (199?) no details yet
See OFMC website for larger listing of advertising work
The Air Show (BBC series) (199?) no details yet
Farnborough (1996) no pilot details yet
Music Videos/DVDs:
Ultravox (199?) Spitfire MH434 used (no pilot details yet)
Travis (1999) The OFMC Buchon used (was this Mark?)
Song: Writing To Reach You
The aircraft is in an earlier black/grey colour scheme and strafes the singer/writer Francis Healey as he walks and sings through the countryside. There are good pyrotechnics of “exploding” cannon shells as he runs for cover. It can be viewed on their SINGLES dvd.
Fat Boy Slim (2000) The OFMC Hunter used (was this Mark?)
Song: Bird of Prey
A pilot climbs into the cockpit of the Hunter, which takes off and soars through the clouds.
This can be found through Google with the key words.
Thats my 90c worth.
Feedback/corrections as ever are welcome.
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