The Wings Over New Zealand Show

Guests: Reg Mitchell – No. 488 (NZ) SquadronKeith Boles DFC – No. 109 Squadron PFFHarold “Bunny” Burrows – No. 487 (NZ) Squadron, and No. 75 Squadron RNZAF, and Martial “Sonny” Gaspard – No. 75 Squadron RNZAF Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2013 Released: 25th of November 2025 Duration:  1 hour  19 minutes 23 seconds To mark the 85th Anniversary of the first flight of the de Havilland Mosquito, which took place on the 25th of November 1940, Dave Homewood has pulled an old but never before heard interview from his archive he recorded in 2013 with four Kiwi Mossie veterans. They are pilots Reg Mitchell and Keith Boles DFC, and navigator-wireless operators Harold “Bunny” Burrows and Martial “Sonny” Gaspard. The recording was made at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland, and the guys share memories and tell stories from their days flying one of the greatest aeroplanes of all time. As well as war stories, Keith and Bunny also talk about ferrying Mosquitoes to New Zealand after the war. You will also hear Peter Wheeler ask a question too, as he sat in on the interview. Sadly these four wonderful gentlemen have all since passed away. Quick Links: •  The de Havilland Mosquito on Wikipedia •  The Museum of Transport and Technology Above, from left to right: Keith Boles, ‘Bunny’ Burrows, Reg Mitchell and Sonny Gaspard in front of the MOTAT Mosquito. Dave Homewood photo. Above Left: Sonny, Reg and Bunny. Above Right: Sonny and Bunny. In the background is the late Peter Wheeler of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association, who sat in on the interview. Dave Homewood photos. Above: Bunny Burrows receiving his brevet in 1942. NZBCA Collection. Above: No. 487 (NZ) Squadron crews. Bunny Burrows on the right and his pilot F/O Kassler on the left.NZBCA Collection. Above: No. 109 Squadron Kiwis at Little Staughton , Keith Boles is front left. NZBCA Collection. Above: Keith Boles’ special 100th birthday gift , a Mosquito made from recycled Mosquito timber. Peter Wheeler Photo. Above: No. 488 (NZ) Squadron night fighter aircrews at readiness. Reg Mitchell photo. Reg Mitchell collection. Above: Above: Reg Mitchell at RNZAF Station Woodbourne, 1941. Reg Mitchell collection. Above: Reg Mitchell, left, with his navigator. Reg Mitchell collection. Above: No. 1 Navigators course. RNZAF Station Wigram. L-R: Back; Leans, Martial “Sonny” Gaspard, Stevens, Lafferty. Front; Collins, Campbell, Williams, Miller. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Above: Left to Right – No. 75 Squadron aircrew Bob Scott, Bill Annand, Nelson Bright, Colin Hanson, Dave Cohu and Sonny Gaspard, preparing to sink the stricken vessel Lutterworth (not the Shuttleworth, as Sonny remembered). Dave Cohu collection. Above: No. 75 Squadron RNZAF Mossie crews, left to right: Colin Hanson, ‘Joe’ Mace, Ernest Gartrell (75 CO), Cyril Waters, Owen Staple, Ted Arundel, ‘Mac’ McBean, Noel Fraser, Sonny Gaspard, Tony Williams, Rod Dahlberg, Mitch Mitchell, Gordon Shearer. RNZAF Official Photo. Music: The tune is the 633 Squadron theme by Ron Goodwin.Thanks to: The late Peter Wheeler of the NZBCA, and MOTAT.

Guest: Squadron Leader Geoffrey Maurice Rothwell, DFC+Bar, BC Clasp, CDeG1940 + Palme(Bel), COdLeoll + Palme(Bel), LdH (Fra). RAF 42726, RNZAF. WWII. POW#58653 April 1920 to 5 November 2017 Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 4th of March 2015 Released: 9th of November 2025 Duration:  1 hour  22 minutes 56 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show episode Dave Homewood interviews the remarkable WWII veteran Geoff Rothwell, in this recording from the archive, recorded a decade ago. Geoff was an RAF bomber pilot. He joined in July 1939 after working for the construction company that was building RAF Station Benson and watching the Fairey Battles there. He trained on de Havilland Tiger Moths and Avro Ansons, before converting onto the Vickers Wellington. Once training was complete he joined No. 99 Squadron at RAF Newmarket Heath, and flew Wellingtons during the Battle of France and the Battle of Britain. Following his first tour, Geoff became an instructor on Wellingtons for a period. He was then sent to the USA to do instructing work there in Alabama for RAF trainees who were being trained by American instructors and needed teaching the British methods they’d need when they reached operations. He was also expected to act as an ambassador for the RAF, giving educational talks based on his operational experiences to all sorts of groups in the USA about how the war really was. When posted back to Britain Geoff was posted to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron as a Flight Commander, again at Newmarket. He was not there for long however before he was removed from the squadron dure to a policy that Flight Commanders and Squadron Commanders on New Zealand squadrons had to actually be Kiwis. He took his New Zealand crew, and moved to No. 218 Squadron. They completed their second tour with that squadron. Geoff’s next posting was to No. 138 (Special Duties) Squadron, tasked with air dropping SOE Agents and supplies for the Resistance people in Europe. He completed 70 operational sorties, but on the 71st he was brought down in his Stirling over enemy territory and became a prisoner of war. Geoff was also previously featured telling his story in the television documentary series Kiwis At War. He passed away on the 5th of November 2017. Huge thanks to Stuart Russell for his assistance in rescuing the original recording, which had audio issues that he magically removed. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page • The 75 (NZ) Squadron Blog Page on Geoff Rothwell • Buy the book “Last Man Standing – : Geoffrey Rothwell, Survivor of 71 Missions, POW and Last of the SOE Pilots” by his widow Gabrielle McDonald-Rothwell on Amazon “Rothwell’s Ruffians”, just after the crew had left No. 75 (NZ) Squadron and moved onto No. 218 Squadron RAF. Left to right: ‘Ginger’ Negus (Mid Upper Gunner), Mac McGrevy (Flight Engineer), Jock Howat (Rear Gunner), Jacky Drawbridge (Navigator), Geoff Rothwell (Pilot), ‘Whistle’ Entwhistle (Wireless Operator) and Wal Fielding (Air Bomber). Photos from The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Archive via the late Peter Wheeler. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud

Guests: Air Commodore Nick Osborne Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 8th of October 2025 Released: 8th of October 2025 Duration:  1 hour  41 minutes 29 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood interviews Air Commodore Nick Osborne RAAF, known to all as Oz. Oz is a former fast jet pilot in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, who then transferred to the Royal Australian Air Force in 2002. He talks about training in the NZAI CT/4B Airtrainer and the BAC 187 Strikemaster Mk. 88 jet, before being posted to fly Skyhawks with No. 75 Squadron during a particularly busy period with exercises and other work. He had a varied career thereafter, including an exchange posting to the RAAF flying Aermacchi 326’s and Pilatus PC-9s, becoming staff at the Central Flying School and a member of the famous Red Checkers aerobatic team, and also instructing on RNZAF Aermacchi MB339CB’s with No. 14 Squadron. He was made Commanding Officer of No. 2 Squadron at Nowra, NSW, in Australia, on one of the best postings in the RNZAF. He then went to Kosovo in a UN role as a peacekeeper. And at the end of his stint there he was promoted and appointed to become Commanding Officer of No. 75 Squadron which he took up on his return to New Zealand. He would be the final commander of that famous squadron, and he talks about that period of the RNZAF losing its Strike Wing. In 2002 Oz transferred to the RAAF, and joined No. 76 Squadron at Williamtown, instructing on Hawks. Over a period of a decade h worked his way up to become C.O. of that unit before heading to Afghanistan in charge of a drone reconnaissance unit. He finally ended up in non-flying staff roles, and he continues to work for the RAAF now as a Reservist with the rank of Air Commodore. Quick Links: •  The No. 75 Squadron Association Facebook Page •  A previous episode that Nick appeared in briefly, WONZ 120 The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud Air Commodore Nick Osborne (from Nick’s Facebook page) Above: Air Commodore Nick Osborne during the Zoom interview. Passing out parade of No. 8/81 Air Crew course on the parade ground at RNZAF Base Wigram. Group Captain Max Hope presenting Pilot Officer Nick Osborne his Pilot’s badge. WgG1237-82 Nick’s Pilots course 8/81, Strikemaster phase, in front of No. 14 Squadron Strikemaster NZ6366. RNZAF Base Ohakea. L-R: Back; D Post, Nick Osborne, AR McGuire, DL Houghton, TDW Lang. Front; DB Saggs, HJ Kim, MG Woodhouse, Rod Fortune, PFA Muysert. OhG2750-82 Nick as a Skyhawk pilot (from his Facebook page) Below: The North And South article from February 1987 Below: Don Simms has kindly provided the following photos of Nick’s RNZAF service from his archive: Above: 75 Sqn Exercise Vanguard: – Wing Cmdr CO 75 being interviewed by TV3. Major Davis being farewelled by Nick Osborne – the last USAF exchange pilot 1986 RNZAF Official 75 Sqn Exercise Vanguard: – Wing Cmdr CO 75 being interviewed by TV3. 2 Sqn Last Exercise, All the pilots in front of A/C NZ6213. Closure of the Air Combat Forces (ACF) 02, 14 & 75 Sqn’s – Parade. 2 Sqn Officers and Oz Elevated view of the base with F-16A Fighting Falcon aircraft of the 8th Tactical Fighter Wing parked in the foreground and A-4 Skyhawk aircraft of Squadron 75, Royal New Zealand Air Force, in the background. The aircraft are being used during the joint Australian, New Zealand and US (ANZUS) Exercise TRIAD ’84. 2 Sqn last exercise, Base Commander(RAAF Pearce) Group Captain Johnston meet 2 Sqn CO Sqn Ldr Jason Easthope and Wg Cdr Nick Osborne. 2 Sqn last exercise, Base Commander(RAAF Pearce) Group Captain Johnston meet 2 Sqn Air Crew for a briefing 2 Snq last Exercise, CO 75 Wg Cdr Nick Osborne signing out A/C 2 Sqn Last Exercise, Skyhawk NZ6213 7000hrs birthday. Wg Cdr Nick Osborne and AC Ben Braggins cutting NZ6213’s birthday cake Mirage III aircraft of the Royal Australian Air Force are parked on the flight line during the joint Australian, New Zealand and US (ANZUS) Exercise TRIAD ’84. Oz unpacking Pannier on arrival Cope Thunder 84 USAF Photo 2 Sqn pilots Christmas Card 1997 Jason Easthope leads 2 Sqn out of HMAS Albatross 7 Dec 2001 RNZAF Official An in-flight view of a Royal New Zealand Air Force pilot in the cockpit of a Mark 88 Strikemaster aircraft during the joint Australian, New Zealand and US (ANZUS) Exercise TRIAD ’84. Nick Osborne’s final entry in unit history as CO 75SQN Dec 01

Guest: Malcolm Laird Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 29th of September 2025 Published: 30th of September 2025 Duration: 1 hour 52 minutes, 48 seconds Joining Dave Homewood on the Wings Over New Zealand Show this episode is Malcolm Laird of Ventura Publications. Malcolm has spent decades working in aviation publishing and the model aircraft industry, and is one of New Zealand’s most well known model products manufacturers. His company Ventura Publications produces decal sets as aftermarket add-ons to scale model kitsets. He also researches, writes and and publishes books on aviation topics and Air Force history, often in collaboration with other historians. He has also been a small-run kitset manufacturer, both vacuum formed and injection moulded, through his original company Falcon Models, which is now owned by Tory Martin. Malcolm discusses all this, and he details his newly released book, Pacific Kittyhawk, which he has co-authored with the eminent RNZAF historian, David Duxbury. Quick Links: • Ventura Publications website • Ventura Publications on Facebook • NZDF Serials (Part of ADF Serials) • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Photo Archive Page Malcolm Laird. Below is a video version of the episode so you can see the books and models Malcolm is discussing: Below are some examples of the decal instructions, etc., from the Ventura Publications Facebook page: Pacific Kittyhawk, the latest book released by Ventura Publications. Check out this video Malcolm made for Brett Green’s Hyperscale site giving a great overview of Pacific Kittyhawk. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: John Gaertner Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 14th of September 2025 Published: 14th of September 2025 Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes, 58 seconds John Gaertner has had a long career and life in aviation, working as a research assistant for the Smithsonian Institute’s National Air and Space Museum, as an airline clerk for TWA, and as the curator of the EAA Museum at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. He then went out on his own, rebuilding vintage aeroplanes. His company, Blue Swallow Aviation, based at Free Union, Virginia, in the United States, has restored five Curtiss Jenny WWI biplanes to flying condition, and parts for many other aircraft, and parts for exhibitions. Currently he is working on building several Avro 504Ks, one of which is using the remains of the original ex-New Zealand Permanent Air Force Avro 504K known as A201. This aircraft was the first of six Avros commissioned new for the NZPAF that entered service in 1925. It served with the Air Force till 1931, then was sold into private hands and entered the NZ Civil Register as ZK-ACN. It gained the nickname “Joybird”. It flew till the 1st of January 1940, when WWII forced most civil aircraft to stop flying. The remains of A201 ended up eventually with Stuart Tantrum of Blenheim, who was rebuilding A202. The latter was finished and returned to the air by Stuart, by which time it was now owned by The Vintage Aviator Collection. It still flies today at Masterton. John has been working on A201 for a number of years and he intend to have it flying within the next 15 months. He talks about A201 and the legacy of the Avro 504 as a type, and about his interesting career in this interview. John says, “It sounds corny but most people would not believe me regarding all the projects I have worked on. Museums, Exhibits, making plane parts, instruments, flying cloths … But its all true. Lots of interests and a desire to learn. Not to mention teach. We never touched on my creating an entire 2 year program of technical high school for Aviation Maintenance Technology. I enjoy projects. Start and a finish. I enjoy a challenge that other people don’t or can’t do.” Quick Links: • Blue Swallow Aviation LLC • Blue Swallow Aviation LLC on Facebook • John’s Avro 504 Site • The Smithsonian Institute’s National Air and Space Museum • The EAA Museum, Oshkosh • Classic Aero Machining Services (CAMS) at Omaka, New Zealand • Classic Aero Machining Services (CAMS) on Facebook The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Above: John Gaertner in front of a photo of an Avro 504K. Above: John Gaertner at the USAF Museum in Dayton, Ohio, with their Avro 504K and Curtiss Jenny. He says, “Pretty much say it all. I helped the Museum with restoration details and how to cover the Avro using authentic Irish Linen. Been up there several time to see it before it was hung up.”Below is a selection of photos sent by John of his work on Jenny and Avro biplanes over the years. New Zealand Permanent Air Force aircraft lined up on the airfield at Wigram Aerodrome. Serial numbers are: DH9 D3139; Avro 504K A201 (John’s aircraft); Bristol Fighter 6857; Bristol Fighter 6856.Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photo MUS120012.

Guest: Mike Murray Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of September 2025 Published: 7th of September 2025 Duration: 2 hour 11 minutes, 57 seconds Mike Murray is one of the founders of the King’s Cliffe Airfield Museum. RAF King’s Cliffe was a wartime Air Force station in Northamptonshire. It is located 19 kms west of Peterborough, and lies between the villages of King’s Cliffe and Wansford. Initially used as a night landing ground during WWI, and returned to agriculture between the wars, work commenced to develop King’s Cliffe into a proper airfield in October 1940 as a new satellite to RAF Wittering, which is a permanent station. Kings Cliffe became a fighter station within No. 12 Group, with its first unit being No. 266 (Rhodesia) Squadron, moving in during 1941. They were replaced by No. 616 Squadron at the beginning of 1942, in which were several New Zealanders. In July 1942, No. 485 (NZ) Squadron moved in to RAF King’s Cliffe, taking over from No. 616 Squadron. This New Zealand squadron was flying Spitfire Vb’s at the time, under the leadership of Squadron Leader Reg Grant. They were part of the Wittering Wing that was commanded by another Kiwi ace, Wing Commander Patrick “Jamie” Jameson. No. 485 (NZ) Squadron flew convoy patrols, and Rhubarb low level sweeps over France and the Lowland countries from Kings Cliffe. They temporarily moved to Ballyhalbert, in Northern Ireland, in October 1942 to cover the departing convoy that was heading to North Africa for Operation Torch. They then returned to Kings Cliffe and continued operations. In early 1943 the squadron moved down to RAF Westhampnett, at Goodwood. Numerous other RAF squadrons and units spent time at Kings Cliffe, and the USAAF also moved various fighter squadrons in too. These included the 347th Fighter Squadron with Bell P-400 Airacobras, the 56th Fighter Group with Republic P-47 Thunderbolts, the 20th Fighter Group with North American P-51D Mustangs of the 77th Fighter Squadron and Lockheed Lightnings of the 79th Fighter Squadron. You can visit the King’s Cliffe Airfield Museum at Wansford Road, King’s Cliffe, Peterborough PE8 6PB, United Kingdom. The museum is open on the second Sunday of every month. See the Facebook link below to see more and to get in touch. Quick Links: • The Kings Cliffe Airfield Museum • The King’s Cliff Airfield Museum’s Fundraiser A montage of Mike Murray and the Kings Cliffe Airfield Museum, which opened in 2024. Kings Cliffe Airfield – 16 January 1947, British Government – Royal Ordinance Survey. Annotations on photo from Airfields Of The Eighth Then And Now, by Roger A. Freeman (1978). Via Wikipedia, Image from the CJ Sheddan log book. Personnel pushing No. 485 Squadron Spitfire OU-S backwards. Believed to be at RAF Station Kings Cliffe. Group of No. 485 Squadron pilots in front of a Spitfire at RAF Station King’s Cliffe, England. L-R: Flying Officer Doug Brown, Pilot Officer Ian Grant, Flying Officer Bruce Gibbs, Flight Lieutenant Lindsay Black, Squadron Leader Reg Grant, Flight Lieutenant John Pattison, Flying Officer Marty Hume, Pilot Officer Murray Metcalfe, Flying Officer AR “Tony” Robson, Sergeant Brown, Sergeant GM Buchanan, Sergeant Revell Steed, Flight Lieutenant MG Barret. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Image from the Reginald William Baker personal collection. Group of people looking at the smoking wreckage of a Dornier 217, shot down by No. 485 Squadron pilot Lindsay Black. Wansford. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Image from the Reginald William Baker personal collection. Group of people gathered around the rear of a NAAFI Refreshment Van, RAF King’s Cliffe, England. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Image from the Reginald William Baker personal collection. Hay bailer at work on the airfield at RAF Station King’s Cliffe, Wansford, with No. 485 Squadron Spitfire OU-K behind. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Group of No. 485 Squadron pilots with a Spitfire. Believed to be at RAF Station King’s Cliffe. L-R: Flight Lieutenant Gary Barnett, Flight Lieutenant John Pattison, Squadron Leader Reg Grant, Flight Lieutenant Reg Baker and Flight Lieutenant Lindsay Black. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo. Mike Murray, left, with 20th Fighter Group veteran Joe Peterburs, when they got him up in the P-51D Mustang “Marinell”. Mike Murray with Colin and Bernard Wing to the museum. The two brothers, who lived in Apethorpe, remember their Dad taking them to look at Mac Cole’s Lancaster DV197 of 50 Squadron that had crash landed at the airfield on 31st July 1943. The plane ended up in a field just to the north of Apethorpe having gone off the end of the runway and across the railway line. Below are more photos from around the museum. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Matt Wilcock Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 17th of August 2025 Published: 19th of August 2025 Duration: 1 hour 16 minutes, 43 seconds Matt Wilcock was born and bred in Hamilton, New Zealand, but he moved as a child to Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada. Having a lifelong interest in aviation, he joined the Royal Canadian Air Cadets, where he learned to fly gliders, and then powered aircraft. He moved back to New Zealand in his 20s and completed his private pilot’s licence at Ardmore Flying School, and a few years later gained his commercial pilot’s licence. His aviation career began as a pilot dropping skydivers at Mercer, before getting a role with Mountain Air, followed by a fill in job with Barrier Air. He then moved to Air Nelson. After a few years flying the SAAB 340 with Air Nelson, Matt moved to Hong Kong to join CR Airways, which then led to him joining Cathay Pacific. He had a short stint with Fiji Airways, but these days Matt is back based in Hong Kong with the Cathay Pacific. He visits New Zealand often however, on his time off. Matt got involved with NZ Warbirds around 15 years ago and has had involvement with a number of warbird syndicates, but in 2018 he bought Folland Gnat T.1 XR987, from the USA. This Gnat is a former aircraft of the RAF Yellowjacks team, and then the RAF Red Arrows team for many years. Among many pilots who flew and displayed this aircraft over the years with the RAF was the extraordinary pilot Ray Hanna. Matt talks all about getting his Gnat to New Zealand, its restoration back to flight by Aero Restorations at Ararimu, his plans for the jet once it is flying, and his own Conversion training to the Gnat in an example at the Heritage Aircraft Trust at St Athan in the UK. Quick Links: • The “Gnat In New Zealand” Facebook Group • NZ Warbirds Association • Classic Flyers (NZ) Museum • Heritage Aircraft Trust’s Gnat Display Team, UK • The Gimli Glider The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Matt Wilcock, taken at Aero Restorations during the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet to visit his Gnat. (Photo kindly supplied by Phil Treweek) Folland Gnat T.1 XR987 at Aero Restorations. Matt Wilcock Photo. Matt and the Gnat he flew from St Athens in Wales, Matt Wilcock Photo. Matt Wilcock and Paul Levitt (or Aero Restorations) during the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet to visit his Gnat. (Photo kindly supplied by Phil Treweek) Below are photos by Dave Homewood taken on the WONZ Forum visit in July 2025. A few more from the WONZ Forum visit, taken by Phil Treweek

Guest: Squadron Leader John Barry (Retired) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 11th of August2025 Published: 13th of August 2025 Duration: 1 hour 1 minutes, 39 seconds John Barry was born and bred in Wanganui. Upon leaving school he went to the Teacher Training School, and planned on a career as a school teacher. But while he was training as a teacher, he heard that the Royal New Zealand Air Force had Education Officers. He applied and in 1957 he was taken into the RNZAF in that role of the Education Officer, and also spent a lot time as Sporting Officer on various bases he was posted to. He served at Woodbourne, Lauthala Bay and Ohakea, before being posted to RNZAF Station Wigram, at Christchurch. It was while serving at Wigram in the late 1970s that John found himself given a new role, as the officer in charge of the historical collection that had been started in No. 7 Hangar at Wigram. As time went on, this role developed into the position of Director of the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum. John oversaw the gathering of aircraft for the burgeoning collection through the late 1970s and early 1980s. Some were straight from RNZAF service and others were recovered from farms as wrecks that would be restored, while others still were swapped from other museums and Air Forces. The museum also gathered a major collection of documents, parts, ephemera and memorabilia from the Air Force’s past years. An amazing number of volunteer groups sprung up to assist in the mammoth task of creating a world class national museum from scratch. These included the Black Hand Gang, the Geriatric Air Force, the Moth Doctors and the Friends of the RNZAF Museum. John, now 94 and in retirement, looks back on those days fondly. Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Geriatric Air Force on National Radio’s Roundabout programme from 1987 The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. John Barry’s Facebook profile. Photos from the Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s collection, with thanks to Matthew O’Sullivan: Portrait of Squadron Leader JK Barry MBE, Director of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. RNZAF Base Wigram. Informal portrait of Squadron Leader JK Barry MBE, Director of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. RNZAF Base Wigram. RNZAF Museum Headquarters staff at RNZAF Base Wigram. In the background is the unfinished Museum building, 06/08/1986. L-R: Back; Sergeant Kevin Bennett (NCO in charge of Accession and Storage), Aircraftwoman T Melvin (Clerk Typist). Front; R Simpson (volunteer), Flight Lieutenant Bob Angelo (Administration Officer), Squadron Leader John Barry (Commanding Officer), M Watson (Archives volunteer). WgG733-86 Air Force Museum staff being interviewed in the glasshouse of No. 1 Hangar on the After the occasion of the 50th Anniversary of the RNZAF, at RNZAF Base Wigram, 01/04/1987. L-R: Squadron Leader William “Sandy” Currie BEM (Museum Technical Officer), Squadron Leader John Barry MBE (Museum Director), Rodney Bryant (?). Unknown sound technician in the foreground. PF124-R3-3-87 Air Force Museum Defence staff in the Museum Atrium, 11/12/1987. L-R: Back; Leading Aircraftwoman DM Jamieson, Sergeant Les Bell, Corporal Dave Nicholson, Sergeant Lyn Buttle, Corporal John Harris, Flight Sergeant George Jaunzemis. Front; Flight Sergeant AJ “Jerry” Marshall, Flight Sergeant Alan Woodley, Squadron Leader William ‘Sandy’ Currie BEM, Squadron Leader John Barry MBE (Director), Flight Lieutenant Bob Angelo, Therese Dowman, Sergeant Kevin Bennett. WgG1034-6-87 Air Force Museum Staff in the Museum Atrium, 11/12/1987. L-R: Back; M Watson, Leading Aircraftwoman DM Jamieson, Sergeant L Bell, Corporal DR Nicholson, Sergeant Lyn Buttle, Corporal John Harris, Flight Sergeant George Jaunzemis. Front; D Shaw, Flight Sergeant AJ ‘Jerry’ Marshall, Flight Sergeant Alan Woodley, Squadron Leader William ‘Sandy’ Currie BEM, Squadron Leader John Barry MBE (Director), Flight Lieutenant Bob Angelo, Therese Dowman, Sergeant Kevin Bennett, J Barry. Air Force Museum Sunday Guides in the Museum Atrium, 11/12/1987. L-R: Back; Betty Barry, Jim Kirk, Rose-Marie Barry. Front; Ian Latter, Les Farnley, Pat Barry, Geoff Harrison. WgG1034-12-87 Air Force Museum No. 7 Hangar Technical Section personnel in the Museum Atrium, 11/12/1987. “The Black Hand Gang”. L-R: Back; Flight Sergeant George Jaunzemis, A Weir, B Roberts, B Vallender, Flight Sergeant Alan Woodley, L Heath, Sergeant L Bell, P Whittington, B Streeter, A Henry. Front; Brian Smith, D Gillian, Flight Sergeant Jerry Marshall, J Wright, Squadron Leader William “Sandy” Currie BEM, J Simpson, Corporal John Harris, R Townshend, T Ramsay. WgG1034-2-87 John Barry in 2025 during our Zoom interview.

Guest: Simon “Kermit” Rea Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of August2025 Published: 7th of August 2025 Duration: 1 hour 24 minutes, 57 seconds Simon Rea grew up in Hawera, New Zealand, as an aviation enthusiast. When he left school, he did a little bit of flying with the Hawera Aero Club, before he joined the RNZAF as a pilot. He trained at Ohakea on the NZAI CT/4B Airtrainer, and then the Aermacchi MB339CB ‘Macchi’. He found himself streamed for strike role, and was posted to NAS Nowra, Australia, to join No. 2 Squadron RNZAF to do advanced training on the McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawks. After a couple of years flying Skyhawks there, the Strike Wing was disbanded in December 2001, and Simon took the opportunity to transfer to the Royal Air Force, along with a number of other ex-RNZAF Skyhawk pilots. Simon trained up to fly the BAe Harrier GR.7, and eventually ended up on No. 3 Squadron RAF. He deployed to Afghanistan with the squadron as part of Operation Herrick. The next posting came when Simon was selected to join the RAF Red Arrows aerobatic display team, He flew with this world famous team for three seasons through 2008 to 2010, and got to show his skills all around Britain, Europe and the world. When he left the team, Simon was posted to the Saudi Hawks aerobatic team in Saudi Arabia, and he spent several years with that team, advising and flying the spare aircraft, and also commentating. He eventually returned to the UK and ended his RAF career in London as a liaison between the UK and Saudi air forces. It was after 22 years in the RAF that the desire to return to New Zealand was fulfilled, and Simon was able to reenlist with the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He now flies as an instructor on the Beechcraft Texan II’s with No. 14 Squadron RNZAF, at Ohakea. Simon ‘Kermit’ Rea with a Saudi Hawk. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. Simon Rea and Paul Barlow, during the last Exercise Vanguard in Singapore, September 2001. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms. Simon and a Skyhawk. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms. L to R: Andy Duncan, Phil Barnes, Steve Alderton, unknown female, Simon Rea and Muz Neilson. Nowra, 2000. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms. L to R: Simon Rea, Andy Keith, Daz Smith, Nick Osborne, Kelly Logue, Blair Keen, Jason ‘Easty’ Easthope. Perth 2001. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms. No. 2 Squadron officers, 2000. Photo kindly supplied by Don Simms Upside-down in a Red Arrows Hawk. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. Red Arrows, tucked in close. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. The four No. 2’s, from the RCAF Snowbirds, the US Navy Blue Angels, the RAF Red Arrows and the USAF Thunderbirds, all together in 2008. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. The Saudi Hawks in formation over a desert canyon. Kindly supplied by Simon Rea. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guests: Sjeord “Chewy” Bakker, Tony “Chipps” Chippendale, Keith “Buck” Harrison, John Lanham, Paul McSweeny, Rene “Red” Redmond. Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 20th of July 2025 Published: 23rd of July 2025 Duration: 1 hour 39 minutes, 21 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood chats with six ex-RNZAF members who were involved in the restoration and operation of the world’s only remaining complete Avro 626, back in the 1980s. It is now 40 years since the Avro returned to the skies. The Avro 626 was a 1930-designed advanced trainer from Britain. Four examples were purchased in 1934 by the New Zealand government, to replace the obsolete Bristol Fighters and to work alongside the Hawker Tomtits in training aircrew at Wigram. Purchased at the same time as the first twelve Vickers Vildebeests, the two new fleets became the the first new aircraft since the NZPAF had become the RNZAF in 1934. Described by the press reports in 1935 upon arrival as the “Last Word in Training Machines”. It had multiple roles:– Dual-control flying instruction.– Blind and night flying.– Offensive gunnery, with Vickers gun, or camera gun.– Defensive gunnery with Vickers, or camera gun.– Bombing by observer, prone position.– Bombing by pilot.– Wireless telegraphy and telephony using two-way radio equipment operating either on short or medium wave-lengths– Aerial photography and survey work– Navigation using elaborate navigating gear for the time which includes equipment for night flying.– Message picking-up.– Casualty evacuation The Avro 626s arrived on the 25th of September 1935 aboard the SS Middlesex. They were allocated to ‘A’ Flight of the Flying Training School, RNZAF Station Wigram. NZ201 was the first to fly in New Zealand, on the 4th of October 1935. NZ202, NZ203, and NZ204 were not assembled until early 1936. The Avros were used to train aircrew of both the regular RNZAF and of the Territorial Air Force. They also appeared at lots of air pageants around the country through the late 1930s. And when the first Wireless Operator-Air Gunner course was held at Wigram in 1939 for TAF aircrew members the Avros were used with the Scarff rings fitted. As the war progressed the Avros were replaced by the likes of the Harvards and Oxfords, and they took on secondary roles. All four had been retired by mid-1943, with three of them reduced to spares, but NZ203, which had spent part of the war as the Wigram station runabout, was converted in June 1943 to become instructional airframe INST90 with the Hastings Air Training Corps squadron. Popular belief has always had it that the aircraft was then sold to Jim Frogley of Havelock North in May 1947, but in this interview Red Redmond reveals what really happened there. Jim Frogley flew it occasionally till he sold it as a derelict airframe to the RNZAF Museum in October 1980. It was trucked in poor condition to RNZAF Base Ohakea, and between November 1981 and July 1985 the Avro 626 was painstakingly restored back to its former glory by a team of skilled staff. Wing Commander John Lanham flew it again for the first time after restoration on the 8th of July 1985. Some of the key members of the restoration team, the pilot and its last minder at the RNZAF Historic Flight all talk about those days when great things were achieved by highly skilled people. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Eventful Years – The Avro 626 NZ203 (ZK-ACP) appears in this 1958 documentary • The 1937 Shipment Mystery as mention is Solved Here on the Wings Over New Zealand Forum Below is a video version of this episode with lots of photos from the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand to illustrate the stories. Air to air view of Avro 626 NZ203 in flight over hills after being fully restored. Above: Avro 626 NZ203 under restoration at RNZAF Base Ohakea. Avro 626 NZ203 on the tarmac at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, Christchurch. Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram MUS21137. Group of staff involved with restoring Avro 626 NZ203. RNZAF Base Ohakea. 08 July 1985.L-R: Back; Sergeant Keith Braddock, Sergeant Paul McSweeny, Sergeant Tony “Chipps” Chippendale, Warrant Officer Mike Singleton. Front; Sergeant George, Corporal Rene ‘Red’ Redmond, Sergeant Sjoerd “Chewy” Bakker. OhC306-85Paul, Chipps, Red and Chewy are all in this episode. The Central Flying School’s RNZAF Historic Flight aeroplanes parked on the grass outside No. 7 Hangar at Wigram just prior to their flypast together for the 50th Anniversary of the RNZAF airshow, on 1st of April 1987. the Avro 626 was flown by W/C John Lanham, the Harvard by S/L Mike Panther and the Tiger Moth by F/Lt Glen Edwards. Maintenance staff were F/Sgt Johnny Miller and F/Sgt Buck Harrison. Photo taken by Buck Harrison. The article mentioned on the second 626 being dug up. From The Press, 3 January 1989.

Guest: Ian Quinn Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 13th of July 2025 Published: 14th of July 2025 Duration: 1 hour 19 minutes, 55 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood chats with Ian Quinn, aka ‘chinapilot’ on the Wings Over New Zealand Forum – https://rnzaf.proboards.com Ian started his aviation career volunteering as a schoolboy at the Wellington Aero Club in the 1960s. He then went on to a long career in commercial aviation, including flying skiplane Cessnas with Mount Cook Airlines, flying in Australia, New Britain, Bougainville, Fiji, NAC, Air New Zealand and Cathay Pacific. He lives in Hong Kong, where this interview was conducted from via Zoom, and since retiring from Cathay he has worked for the Hong Kong air accidents authority. Ian talks all about the interesting roles he has had in aviation, the places he has lived and the people he has met along the way. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Photos from Ian Quinn’s collection. All are copyright Ian Quinn. Above: Ian in the captain’s seat of a Cathay Pacific Lockheed Tristar in 1994. Above: 17-year-old Ian Quinn with a Tiger Moth at Omaka Aerodrome, Blenheim, while he was working as a refueller for SAFE Air Above: ZK-COH, one of the ski-equipped Cessna 185E tourist flight planes that Ian flew while working for Mount Cook Airlines. Above: Ian and Cessna 185A ZK-CBS on Tasman Glacier, New Zealand, in 1968. Above: Ian at the Inus Plantation, Bougainville, PNG, in 1971. Above: Ian flying over Tarawa, in the Gilbert & Ellice Islands, 1975. Above: Ian with a Britten Norman Islander, at, Mitiaro [approximately 150NM NNE of Rarotonga], Cook Islands, 1979. Above: An Air New Zealand Fokker F-27 Friendship, as flown by Ian in the late 1970s and into the early 1980s. The photo was taken in 1981. Above: The Cathay Pacific Lockheed Tristar as flown by Ian in the 1980s. Above: The Cathay Pacific Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet. Above: Ian with his son, also a pilot. Above: Ian with his daughter who is also a pilot. Above: Ian in the cockpit of a Cathay Pacific Boeing 747.

Guest: Martin Hedley Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2025 Published: 27th of June 2025 Duration:  32 minutes, 38 seconds In this episode we hear the final presentation given at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet at Ardmore. The presenter is Martin Hedley, foreman at Pioneer Aero Ltd., the warbird restoration company at Ardmore. And he is talking about the company’s current main project, the Douglas SBD-5 Dauntless dive bomber from WWII. The Dauntless is being restored from a wreck recovered from Lake Michigan by Taras Lyssenko, General Manager of A and T Recovery, and combining it with parts from a second aircraft that had been a wind machine in the film industry. The project started at Pioneer under the ownership of Jerry Yagen, but he has since handed all his collection over to the care of his museum, the Military Aviation Museum, at Virginia Beach. Quick Links: • The Wings Over New Zealand Forum • Pioneer Aeros Ltd. • Pioneer Aero Ltd. on Facebook • New Zealand Warbirds Association Ltd • NZ Warbirds Association of Facebook Thanks to Stu Russell for the recording. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Above: Photos from Martin’s presentation, taken by Phil Treweek. The Dauntless when it was pulled from Lake Michigan. (From the Pioneer Aero Ltd. Facebook page). Martin unwrapping the Dauntless when it first arrived in New Zealand. (From the Pioneer Aero Ltd. Facebook page). The Pioneer Aero Ltd. team with the Dauntless fuselage in 2023, with Martin standing in the cockpit. (From the Pioneer Aero Ltd. Facebook page). There is also a video version of this podcast below, thanks to Stu Russell.

Guest: Phillip Harrall AFC, MPhil, FRAeS Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 15th of June 2025 Duration:  41 minute, 36 seconds In this episode we hear an edited down presentation given at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet at Wigram by Phillip Harrall, a former Royal Navy Observer. Phillip was born in New Zealand but his career took him into the Royal Navy, where his father was a pilot. After his training, Phillip flew as observer in the Hawker Hunter as lead in to the Blackburn Buccaneer, which he enjoyed immensely till a medical issue saw him move to the Rotary Wing of the FAA. He ended up flying in the Sea King and the Westland Lynx helicopters for a lot of his career, on and off ships. He was involved in weapon development work, and when the Argentinians invaded the Falkland Islands he and a team working on the Sea Skua missile and other developments rushed them into service. Phillip was deployed to the Falklands in command of a Lynx, and he ended up involved in several combat actions, which he describes. He is Secretary of the Canterbury Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society New Zealand Division, and Vice President of the RAeS New Zealand Division. And he is a volunteer at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. There is also a YouTube version of this recording so you can see the PowerPoint slides that Phillip used. Quick Links: • The Wings Over New Zealand Forum • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook • The Royal Aeronautical Society New Zealand Division – Canterbury Branch The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Thanks to Allan Udy for his help with the audio recording. Thanks also to Phil Treweek.

Guest: Bob McGarry Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 8th of June 2025 Duration:  58 minutes, 19 seconds In this episode we hear a presentation given at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet at Wigram by licensed aeronautical engineer Bob McGarry. He talks about his career in aviation, which included the RNZAF, and working with Arch Finch at Rotorua where he learned his trade. He then worked for Fieldair in their engine shop at Palmerston North. He then went to Christchurch to run the engine shop for Airwork (N.Z.) Ltd. Next he set up his own aero maintenance business with Alan Mincher at West Melton airfield. It was while he was there that he decided he needed a project, and he acquired the remains of Simmonds Spartan ZK-ABK back to airworthy condition. The Spartan was New Zealand’s first airliner, having operated originally with New Zealand Airways Ltd of Dunedin in 1929. Bob tells the story of the restoration in some detail. There is also a YouTube version so you can see the photos, which have been extracted from Bob’s PowerPoint presentation. Quick Links: • The Wings Over New Zealand Forum • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook • The Ashburton Aviation Museum (now home of the Spartan) • The Ashburton Aviation Museum on Facebook The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Thanks to Allan Udy for his help with the audio recording. Thanks also to Phil Treweek.

Guest: Anthony Galbraith and Stephen Carruthers Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 23rd of May 2025 Duration: 48 minutes, 34 seconds In this episode recorded at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, during the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet held there on the 23rd of February 2025, we hear from Anthony Galbraith and Stephen Carruthers on their project to bring the 1928 Gloster Grebe biplane fighter back from extinction. They have formed the SHW Aviation Trust, named after Sir Henry Wigram who had donated the money that purchased the New Zealand Permanent Air Force’s first Grebe. The trust is working to gather parts, remnants, drawings, photos, and history of the Grebes and the people who flew and maintained them. Quick Links: • The Wings Over New Zealand Forum • NZ501 Gloster Grebe on Facebook • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Side view of Grebe NZ501 at Wigram Aerodrome. Air Force Museum of New Zealand WgF139. Here is a video version so you can see the slides.

Guest: Chris Newey Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2025 Published: 19th of May 2025 Duration:  47 minutes, 23 seconds In this episode we hear a presentation given by Chris Newey, who talks about his latest book The First Flight – The Origins of the New Zealand Bomber Squadron. The book covers the New Zealand Government’s purchase of 30 new Vickers Wellington bombers in the late 1930’s, and the creation of a special unit, The New Zealand Squadron, who formed in the UK to fly them. Made up from RNZAF members and New Zealanders who had been serving in the Royal Air Force, they were to train up on the new type and then ferry them across the world to New Zealand in five flights of six. However the gathering clouds of war put paid to that original plan, and the aircraft and men were offered to the British Government in August 1939 to form part of Britain defence should war come. In April 1940 the New Zealand Squadron was renumbered as No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF, and the beginning of a legendary fighting unit began. Chris has done extensive research into the New Zealand Squadron and its originals, and along the way he has discovered a lot of previously unknown history, and dispelled a number of myths. The book is highly recommended. The First Flight: The Origins of the New Zealand Bomber SquadronBy Chris Newey Publisher ‏ : ‎ Aviation Books Ltd. (2 December 2024)Hardback/Paperback: ‎ 177 pagesISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1915335493ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1915335494Dimensions – 27.9 x 21.6 x 1.3 cm Available online from: The Great British Book Shop (hardback only): www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/the-first-flight Amazon (soft cover only): www.amazon.com/gp/product/1915335493/ Local (NZ) stock of the hardback version now available – you can contact Chris Newey at chris@foodworks.co.nz The per copy NZ price is NZ$56.35 (incl. GST)– add $12.50 for packaging & postage – economy tracked courier, anywhere within NZ– add $5.70 for Rural Delivery Quick Links: • New Zealand Warbirds Association Ltd • NZ Warbirds Association of Facebook Line-up of New Zealand Squadron Wellingtons at RAF Station Feltwell, 1939. NZ302 second from the right. Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Chris Newey during the presentation. (Phil Treweek photo) Thanks to Stuart Russell for the video and sound recording.The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Rob Booth Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2025 Published: 13th of May 2025 Duration: 30 minutes, 18 seconds In this episode we hear a presentation given at the Wings Over New Zealand 20th Anniversary Forum Meet at NZ Warbirds Inc., Ardmore, by Rob Booth, a former Warbirds pilot and owner. He is talking about the Hawker Sea Fury FB.11 ZK-SFR, which he and fellow NZ Warbirds pilots Steve Taylor and John Greenstreet brought into New Zealand in 1986, and had restored to fly. Later Grant Biel bought into the syndicate when Steve and John dropped out. The restoration was carried out at Ardmore by Bruce Coulter, who was assisted by Warren Denholm (then of Gulf Aeronautics, now much better known as owner of Avspecs Ltd.). The aircraft was very popular on the New Zealand airshow scene through the 1990s, during which Rob was the main display pilot of the Sea Fury. Hawker Sea Fury ZK-SFR over the Southern Alps. (Rob Booth collection) Rob Booth during the talk at the WONZ 20th Anniversary Forum Meet, Ardmore. (Phil Treweek photo) The Sea Fury while it as a Hawker Fury in service with the Iraqi Air Force. (Rob Booth collection) Here is a video version of this presentation, filmed by Stuart Russell for the WONZ Show. Quick Links: • New Zealand Warbirds Association Ltd • NZ Warbirds Association of Facebook Here is a previous WONZ Forum Meet presentation by fellow Sea Fury owner-pilot Steve Taylor talking about the aircraft. https://youtu.be/chasI7W-tMU?si=SfDvyXVBaQ5R3bsm Thanks to Stu Russell for the recordings. Photos below are from Rob Booth’s collection, and show the aircraft when they purchased it, and the restoration and then when it was flying around New Zealand.

Guest: Andrew Brian of the Helicopter Heritage Museum Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 23rd of February 2025 Published: 4th of May 2025 Duration: 32 minutes, 24 seconds In this episode we hear from Andrew Brian of the Helicopter Heritage Museum. This is a talk given by Andrew during the Wings Over New Zealand 20th Anniversary Forum Meet held at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand in Christchurch. Andrew talks about how he literally stumbled into the saving, restoration and preservation of helicopters that have flown in New Zealand, and the various types he has rescued. His hobby has developed into a proper scale collection with the backing of businessman Daniel Smith. As the talk had a very visual component, the photos shown on Andrew’s PowerPoint have been added to a YouTube version of the talk, and also are displayed below. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Helicopter Heritage Museum website • The New Zealand Helicopter Heritage Museum on Facebook • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand on Facebook Thanks to Allan Udy for his assistance with recording this episode. The music is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

Guest: Mark O’Sullivan Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 17th of April 2025 Published: 26th of April 2025 Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes, 42 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood sits down with warbirds pilot Mark O’Sullivan at Omaka to talk about his aviation passion. Mark was born and bred in Blenheim, and he learned to fly with the Marlborough Aero Club at Omaka Aerodrome. His desire to fly warbirds had been sparked when he was a kid and saw Robbie Booth flying his Sea Fury at an airshow at Woodbourne. Mark talks about getting into flying the Tiger Moth and Nanchang in the local syndicate, and then he progressed onto flying Harvards, with Frank Parker in Harvard NZ1065 (ZK-ENF) from Ardmore, and the local Omaka-based ex-SAAF Harvard II, 7660, ZK-XSA. He then had the opportunity to purchase 7660, and this Harvard became the basis of what would later become the basis of his collection. He also owns a Cessna C185F which he calls the family wagon, which he uses to go places with his wife Kate and children George and Mila. Mark also purchased the ex-Wanaka “Red Bull” Pitts S-2B Special, which he rebuilt himself and got it flying again as ZK-STX. He now flies it for fun, and he has been working up New Zealand’s first Pitts Special formation display team with Andy Love, Lincoln Jones and Ross Brodie. This is a great up-and-coming team to watch out for at airshows in the future. And perhaps Mark’s best known an most loved aeroplane is the Yakovlev Yak-3U “Steadfast”, ZK-YOV, the small fighter with the big radial engine, and the awesome smoke trails that form rings and shapes in the sky. Mark initially owned Steadfast in partnership with fellow Omaka resident Ronan Harvey, but recently Ronan sold his share to another partner. Mark displays Steadfast at warbirds airshows around the country and has wowed audiences at airshows such as Classic Fighters, Warbirds Over Wanaka, Wings Over Wairarapa, and recently also Ardmore’s Warbirds On Parade open day. Quick Links: • St Clair Estate Wines Mark O’Sullivan taking off in Yak-3U Steadfast during Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024. Mark O’Sullivan and his Pitts Special ZK-STX, with his Cessna 185 and the syndicate Tiger Moth that he learned taildragger flying in behind. Mark’s Harvard ZK-XSA. Mark and his Cessna C185F. The Yak 3U ‘Steadfast’, in Ronan Harvey’s hangar. The cockpits in Mark’s Pitts S-2B Special, ZK-STX. Another shot of the Harvard in Mark’s hangar. A selection of photos of Mark in Steadfast taken at Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024 by Dave Homewood

Guest: Steve Subritzky Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of March 2025 Published: 11th of April 2025 Duration: 44 minutes, 35 seconds In this episode we hear a presentation given by Steve Subritzky and Dave Homewood about the world’s last existing Vickers Vincent biplane bomber. Steve, who is the Aviation Manager at the Museum of Transport And Technology (MOTAT), has been piecing together the puzzle that is the world’s only Vickers Vincent for many years in his spare time after work, without the aid of any drawings as they no longer seem to exist. The Vincent, minus its wings (which are still yet to be restored), had been transported from North Shore Airfield down to Ardmore to go on a special temporary display in the New Zealand Warbirds Hangar from March to May 2025, so it was on display during this event. Dave gives a background to the Vincent as a type, and details the specific aircraft, NZ311 (previously K6357 with the Royal Air Force). And then Steve details how it was rediscovered and dug out of the ground on a riverbank in Marton after being buried for over two decades. Steve talks about the restoration of this rare aircraft, and the challenges along the way. Quick Links: • New Zealand Warbirds Association Ltd • NZ Warbirds Association of Facebook Thanks to Stu Russell for the recording. Above: Steve Subritzky’s magnificent Vickers Vincent. (Nick Sheehan photo) Below: Photos from the event, taken by Phil Treweek. Steve Subritzky, left, and Dave Homewood, right, during the presentation. And below is a video version of the presentation, filmed by Stu Russell.