Dave HomewoodThanks for clearing my questions up chaps
Dave HomewoodDave Homewood’s suggestion of the import of broadcast radio to the civil populace is a fascinating field, and can be contrasted with the pamphleteering in the Napolionic era and the use of rumour in the Spanish Armada period. Likewise in 1940, both sides used radio ‘white’ propaganda (putting their view forward – exaggerated but based on the truth) and ‘black propaganda’ where they broadcast what was apparently coming from their enemy, but undermining them. For instance the Germans had a fake BBC style radio broadcast to seem to be coming from the UK and telling how badly Britain was doing. How much effect it had, if any, is unknown. As these factor are unquantifiable, they may be best left out.
I missed your post the other day James, so am catching up. Was this BBC-style propaganda station you mention the one with Lord Haw Haw (Joyce) on it? Or was it separate again?
I think wireless radio, and the newspapers too I guess, were hugely successful in pulling the British people together, focussing their direction and encouraging them to stand and fight an invasion, rather than run away like the French and other civilian populations had. Sure, the Brits had nowhere to run to, but that’s beside the point. No-one wanted to throw in the towel like the Europeans had. Wireless broadcasts and other media forms generated that communal spirit that they’d all, civilians and military alike, band together and repel an invasion force. Yes, the Home Guard had been done before in the form of Yeomanry, etc, but never on a national scale with every man, woman and child doing their bit. It was the inspiration of hearing through wireless the speeches of Churchill and other inspiring leaders I think which helped to galvanise the determination to stand and fight, rather than run for Scotland or a ship.
Dave HomewoodNice photos as usual Glenn. Do you have a shot of all four CAC aircraft together?
How many Ceres exist now? I know of only one left in NZ, at Motat.
Also, is the rescue chopper with RAAF on actually Air Force? I note it has a civil registration. Odd.
Dave HomewoodThanks James
It looks rather striking though and I like it
Dave HomewoodYes I was aware it wasa conversion for Tora, Tora, Tora as that’s the only sort of Zero that flew back then. The full history has now been kindly supplied on WIX for me, but I still wonder whether the scheme has authenticity or if it’s made up
http://warbirdinformationexchange.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=54599#54599
Dave HomewoodI am not aware of what became of the other two Argosy aircraft operated by SAFE Air, but I assume they were both scrapped. One exited service earlier than the other, and a replacement took over near the end of their service. There was talk of one being preserved at Omaka but I assume this is the one at Woodbourne now. If you’re looking for the plane, don’t expect it to stand out on the roadside because it’s not. It is behind the old service station at Woodbourne, which is now the Argosy Cafe’. Driving past you may not even see it. So if you’re heading west from Blenheim, it’s just past the RNZAF base, look for the huge gym on the right for a guide ofm when to slow down.
As for Freighters, as mentioned there are preserved freighters at:
– Ardmore, outdoors in a sad state
– RNZAF Museum Wigram, Chch, a war vet looking nice
– Ferrymead, Chch, had one and a bit (and yes the only Viscount left in NZ)
– Waitomo, now a hotel room (formerly a cafe at Waihi)
– Omaka, outdoors, a bit shabby
– Nelson Founders Museum, outdoors but beautifully kept when I saw it in 2004
I think that’s all of them
Dave HomewoodAnother piece of technology that successfully helped the British side during the months of the Battle of Britain, though much less directly than those mentioned above, was the wireless radio.
From propaganda to mobilisation of bodies such as the Local Defence Volunteers, to news updates and hearing the leaders speak directly to them, this must have been a vital cog in the battle to keep morale high among the population during very desperate days.
The medium was also manipulated to achieve the best possible results with propaganda figures being altered to favour Britian more, and of course Norman Shelley broadcasting as Winston Churchill are two ways the radio was used to dupe the nation and boost morale. That’s right, “We’ll fight on the beaches…’ wasn’t Winnie C. at all, it was Winnie the Pooh!
It worked, the spirt of the people was never higher. Can you imagine that fighting spirit of the civilian population being quite so high if only newspapers were available and no radio when imminent threat of defeat loomed? I can’t. Hearing radio was a morale booster to most. It was played in the factories and in the shelters, as wel as the homes. And the calm continuity of music, poetry, talks, comedies like ITMA and Band Waggon, and other BBC programmes must have also soothed many from panic I guess, taking their minds off the bombings and hardships to a certain degree.
Media is very powerful in swaying populations and their moods and opinions. Radio, speaking directly to you in soothing or perhaps rousing tones, is much more powerful than the written word that the population had in the First World War. Perhaps without it, the will of Britain as a whole may not have been so strong, and perhaps they may have capitulated more easily as Europe had.
On the other hand I guess the Germans also used radio (and TV!) to their own advantage at that time too, in the same ways. But then, they didn’t win, did they?
I think the wireless radio is worth mentioning anyway.
Dave HomewoodZK-CAC is a Druine Turbulent Ultra Light, not a P-40. The P-40N is ZK-CAG.
Maybe the Masterton-based Old Stick and Rudder Company does have shares in the P-40N ‘Currawong’, I don’t know. I did read somewhere they’d bought a P-40N but could not find where I saw it.
I understand the company has purchased at least part-shares in the ex-OFMC aircraft but I don’t know if the OFMC still has any part-ownership or what. It is still on the ZK-register as listed to OFMC.
No publications seem to have explained this, and I guess it’s not really our business anyway. I’m just very glad the two RNZAF fighters were brought back to NZ by Ray before his death. If he hadn’t done so, we may never have seen them here again I guess.
As an aside the ex-OFMC Yak 3 was sold before Ray’s untimely death and will stay in Wanaka, according to the latest Classic Wings. More good news for NZ.
Dave HomewoodNone of the Masterton aircraft are yet listed on the official website but it has been widely reported that three P-40’s will be in attendance including the Masterton example. The example based at Masterton is the ex-OFMC P-40E. I don’t think Garth Hogan’s P-40N has moved down there (he told me he still owns his share, only Charles Darby sold his). But the P-40E, P-40N and the newly restored NZ3125 should all be at Wanaka. I’d imagine the Corsair will also be there.
Yes, the Argosy is at Woodbourne, approx 6km west of Blenheim on the road to Nelson. There’s a lovely Freighter at Nelson too in their Founder’s Museum.
If going to Blenheim then Omaka is a must-stop, but as Dave advises, try to arrange ahead to get into any of the hangars.
Of course in Christchurch there’s the Ferrymead Museum (it has a Hudson, Mosquitoes, C-47 variant from Antarctica, Freighter, Viscount, etc).
And south of Chch is Ashburton which has a very good aviation museum by all accounts.
You may get some more helpful suggestions thatwe’ve forgotten if you also post on Wings Over New Zealand
http://rnzaf.proboards43.com/
Cheers
Dave
Dave HomewoodThanks Dave, that’s jogged my memory. It was a long time ago. You’re right I think, one of them did feel guilty and back out from memory.
Dave HomewoodInteresting news. I hope they are successful with this venture.
Dave HomewoodAnd anybody recall that episode of ‘Perfect Scoundrels’ TV series with Peter Bowles & Bryan Murray where they pretend to dig for a Spitfire, hire some suitable wreck stuff, but actually find an Me109 ?
According to IMDB it was episode 3/season 3 called “Last of the few” and aired on 9 May 1992.
Always wondered on the background to that episode as well, such as whose wreck stuff (Merlin and Me109 tail) was used ?
Anybody…….?
Yes, I remember that. It was a great series, and this was the one episode that sticks in my mind (except for another where they created an unknown Elvis song to con someone with!). In this episode they were on some island with a causeway and were going to pretend they’d found a Spitfire buried in the mud flats I think, so they could sell it to a collector and make a few quid. Id like to see it again someday.
Sadly I never saw either the Bergerac episode or the Monarch show either. That 110 replica is great. I’m glad you posted a photo Rob. I’m surprised the rail station doesn’t have a sign explaining it!
Dave HomewoodAha, thanks Deano. You learn something every day. I guess I’d never noticed this because all the other boards are so well usedcompared to this one.
Cheers
Dave
Dave HomewoodIs this Sindlinger replica on the NZ register the same one that was built in the late 1980’s by Dave Comrie here in NZ? I started a thread on my Wings Over New Zealand forum about this earlier in the week here
http://rnzaf.proboards43.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Airshows&thread=1140258419&page=1
Dave HomewoodI read the thread you started John initially with interest and then with growing unease caused by many of the comments made. I chose not to make any comment myself on the thread because I sensed the thread may upset those involved with TFC and Mr Grey too should they read it.
But throughout I noticed it was not you who made any bold or ludicrous statements of disaster and gloom. You were one of the few trying to contain the furore of unwarranted speculation and backlash that had erupted from those who should know better. Whether or not it was potentially harming the sale/swap process, most of it was well out of proportion and beyond speculation – taking a glimmer of a rumour and seeing how far they could run with it is how it read to me.
All I want to say is you have nothing to be ashamed of, and do not need to feel you have to resign from the forum. The way I see it, if you were hearing these rumours circulating, and TFC did not like them getting out, they need to look closer to home than someone in Australia to blame for public leaks of potentially sensative information.
Please stay, the forum will be a lesser place without you.
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