The Wings Over New Zealand Show – Details, episodes & analysis

Guest: Group Captain Roger Selwyn Holdaway

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 2nd of May 2024

Published: 8th of September 2024

Duration:  2 hours, 4 minutes, 13 seconds

In this episode Dave Homewood chats with Roger Holdaway, a former RNZAF pilot who flew numerous types from the North American Harvard and de Havilland Devon to the Short Sunderland and the Douglas C-47 Dakota. Bell Iroquois helicopters between 1958 and 1984.

Roger details his training and learning to operate the Sunderland, and flying the big flying boats with No. 5 Squadron in Fiji. He recalls various search and rescue missions he was involved with, and also the sighting of a Soviet submarine during the last patrol of 1961.

He went onto No. 42 Squadron flying the Harvard, Devon and Dakota as a pilot on this VIP Transport squadron. He also did target drogue towing.

He then became an instructor and served at Pilot Training Squadron in that role.

His next posting was to Whenuapai to become an instructor on Bristol Freighters on No. 3 (Tactical Transport) Squadron. He trained new Freighter crews in this role, and also did all sorts of transport duties around New Zealand.

In 1974 Roger was posted to Singapore and joined No. 41 Squadron, flying Bristol Freighters operationally. He was involved in the very last chapter of the Vietnam War when the Allies were pulling out of the country.

When he returned to New Zealand he did a Staff Course, and was then made Commanding Officer of No. 1 Squadron, based at Whenuapai, and flying Hawker Siddeley Andovers.

And then Roger was sent to Wigram to learn to fly the Sioux helicopter, as he was being promoted Wing Commander, to take over No. 3 Squadron’s command, where he would be flying Iroquois helicopters. He converted to the Iroquois at Hobsonville.

And then Roger was posted to Woodbourne in 1982, to become the C.O. Base Wing of RNZAF Base Woodbourne. And then in 1984 he was posted to Defence Headquarters in Wellington for six months.

He then left the RNZAF for a job in Civil Aviation.

https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WhG553-6-81.jpgParade for the presentation of the No. 3 Squadron Standard by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, at Whenuapai, RNZAF Base Auckland. Prince Charles inspecting the parade of No. 1 Flight, accompanied by Wing Commander Roger Holdaway, Squadron Commander and Parade Commander. Warrant Officer MD Burke (nearest camera) is the Parade Warrant Officer. (Air Force Museum of New Zealand) https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/WhG553-9-81-scaled.jpgParade for the presentation of the No. 3 Squadron Standard by His Royal Highness Prince Charles, at Whenuapai, RNZAF Base Auckland. Prince Charles inspecting No. 1 Flight, accompanied by Wing Commander Roger Holdaway, Squadron Commander and Parade Commander. (Air Force Museum of New Zealand)

Guest: Wing Commander Barry ‘Patch’ Nelson RNZAF
Host: Dave Homewood
Recorded: 28th of April 2024
Released:  14th of August 2024
Duration:  1 hour 8 mins 19 secs

This episode is the fifth and last of the recordings from the Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet, hosted by Bevan Dewes and Lucy Newell of Legend Aviation at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, on Sunday 28th of April 2024.

Wing Commander Barry ‘Patch’ Nelson joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1982 and is still serving today as a pilot. After completely a BSc at Canterbury University in the University Cadet Scheme that the RNZAF ran, he completed his Wings course and Fighter Lead In course in 1986. In 1987 he joined No. 2 Squadron RNZAF for conversion to McDonnell Douglas A-4K Skyhawk strike aircraft, and he was posted to No. 75 Squadron in 1988.

In 1990 Patch flew as Red 2 in the famous No. 75 Squadron Skyhawk display team, Kiwi Red. He talks about those exciting times, with highlights such as opening and closing the Commonwealth Games, and meeting HM Queen Elizabeth II, and the lowest point when the team lost Graham Carter in a tragic accident during a practice session.

Patch enthuses about his favourite deployment, back to No. 2 Squadron RNZAF, now in Nowra, NSW, Australia. He was training new pilots and flying strikes against Royal Australian Navy ships to train the crews how to react to air attack. He also flew dissimilar air training against the RAAF’s F/A-18 Hornets.

He talks about all sorts of aspects of operating the Skyhawk, from the weapons systems that had, to air-to-air refuelling using the buddy-packs, to the differences between the original Skyhawks they called dinosaurs and the upgraded Kahu Skyhawks. He remembers exercises in Asia as part of the Vanguard deployments too, and so much more in this brilliant talk.

Note: When Patch refers to the previous talk by Steve, he means this one recorded earlier that day, given by Steve Davies Howard

https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/OhC260-88-scaled.jpgAir to air view of No. 75 Squadron Skyhawk NZ6203, flown by Flying Officer Chis Hutchison, firing CRV 7 rockets over White Island at Volkner Rock. Photographed from a TA-4K flown by W/C Frank Sharp with Patch Nelson in the back seat. Air Force Museum of New Zealand, cropped from OhC260-88. https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_4655-scaled.jpgBarry “Patch” Nelson during his presentation (Phil Treweek photo) https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/IMG_4707-scaled.jpgBarry “Patch” Nelson during his presentation (Phil Treweek photo)

Guest: Brendon Deere

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 20th of February 2024

Published: 2nd of March 2024

Duration: 1 hour 11 minutes, 28 seconds

In this 300th episode in the Wings Over New Zealand Show series, Dave Homewood talks with Brendon Deere of the Biggin Hill Trust about the beautiful restoration on his ex-RNZAF North American P-51D Mustang NZ2423 (ZK-BHT).

The Mustang served with the Royal New Zealand Air Force from 1945 till 1957. NZ2423 arrived in New Zealand aboard the ship Dominion Park on the 27th of August 1945, and as the Japanese had surrendered while it was on the water the Air Force put it and the other 28 Mustangs into storage at Hobsonville. In February 1947 the cocooned Mustang fleet were barged from Hobsonville down to Clevedon and towed from there to RNZAF Station Ardmore, which had been a fighter base but was now under Care & Maintenance. The P-51D’s were put into storage in one of the hangars there.

Following a period of storage at Ardmore, most of the Mustangs were placed into service with the Territorial Air Force squadrons in 1952. But NZ2423 was readied for flight and then flown to Rukuhia for another period of storage, as a reserve aircraft.

NZ2423 finally entered operational service in with No. 2 (Wellington) Squadron of the Territorial Air Force, based at Ohakea, as a replacement on the 12th of July 1954. On the 25th of October 1955 it was then transferred to No. 42 Squadron and converted to tow target drogues for the Vampire pilots.

It was the last RNZAF Mustang to fly, when on the 30th of May 1957 it flew from Ohakea to Woodbourne and went back into storage. The Mustangs were put up for sale by tender and in May 1958 NZ2423 was sold to Bill Ruffell of Blenheim, who along with his friend Harry Rutledge had planned to use it to build a new powerboat using the engine and the cockpit and tail. The pair already had the famous hydroplane racing boat Tru-Jen. But their plans fizzled out and they sold the Mustang to John Smith of Mapua in 1964, who stored it in his famous shed till his death in 2019.

Brendon purchased the Mustang in 2020, and set about restoring it. It made its return to flight in November 2023. In this episode he tells the story of the Mustang’s history and talks about the restoration. He also details the current status of other aircraft in his collection, the Spitfire IX, the Avenger “Plonky” and his Harvard NZ1037.

The Mustang will make its airshow debut at the end of this month at Warbirds Over Wanaka, flown by S/Ldr Sean Perrett, alongside the Biggin Hill Trust’s Spitfire and Avenger.

Quick Links:
• Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre, RNZAF Ohakea
• The long running Wings Over New Zealand Forum Mustang NZ2423 Thread

https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/410384708_6821834734532325_3522780754760977799_n.jpgAbove: Mustang NZ2423 over Ohakea. (Gavin Conroy photo) https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/14324563_1098702543512268_98826632046257488_o.jpgAbove: Brendon Deere with his Spitfire. (Brendon Deere photo) https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/404902462_6746302412085558_8692859115327927671_n.jpgAbove: Mustang NZ2423 on the flightline at RNZAF Base Ohakea. (Brendon Deere photo) https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/429673460_7104658332916629_7551542736843324003_n.jpgAbove: The Grumman TBM Avenger “Plonky” nearing a return to flight. Since the recording the new engine has been run.

The music heard in this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud

Main Speaker: Alexander Liggett

Other Speaker: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 1st of September 2019

Released: 5th of December 2019

Duration: 38 minutes 3 seconds

In this talk given by Alex Liggett, President of Ferrymead Aeronautical Society, at the recent Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, Christchurch, we hear about the de Havilland Mosquito FB.VI HR339.

Alex gives an overview of the history of the aircraft in wartime and postwar service, it’s period languishing on a Canterbury farm and the project’s recovery and ongoing restoration to static condition.

Quick Links:

•  Ferrymead Aeronautical Society’s Website

•  Ferrymead Aeronautical Society of Facebook

•  Ferrymead News on the WONZ Forum

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Website

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Facebook Page

Above: Alex giving his presentation (Photo Phil Treweek)

Alex used a Powerpoint Presentation with his talk and he has kindly provided the slides for listeners to see here to help understand what he’s talking about.

NB: The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud

Main Speaker: Warrant Officer Keith “Buck” Harrison, RNZAF Retired

Other Speaker: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 1st of September 2019

Released: 31st of October 2019

Duration: 51 minutes 51 seconds

This is the third episode from the recent Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, Christchurch. We hear a talk given by Buck Harrison who joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1973 as an aircraft technician, and he worked on Dakotas, Strikemasters, Skyhawks, Iroquois and Airtrainers. He then decided to retrain as a Helicopter Crewman, which was an elite aircrew role.

Buck talks about the intensive selection and training process that he went through to become a ‘Crewman’. He then details some of the more interesting missions he was involved with, from search and rescue to firefighting to Navy and Army liaison, and from police work to VIP flying in Antarctica to working with the Department of Conservation (D.O.C.).

Quick Links:

•  The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Website

•  The RNZAF’s Facebook Page

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Website

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Facebook Page

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Twitter Feed

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Thread on the WONZ Forum

Buck used a Powerpoint Presentation with his talk and he has kindly provided the photos for listeners to see here to help understand what he’s talking about.

Warrant Officer Buck Harrison, Helicopter Crewman

Buck working on a Strikemaster.

Buck, left, working on a Skyhawk.

Winching practice on the back of an Interisland ferry.

The Iroquois winch.

Low, hard and fast!

Stretchers rigged three high in the helicopter, and troops unload or load equipment during manoeuvres with the New Zealand Army.

A remote landing area during a search and rescue effort.

Working with the Department of Conservation (D.O.C.).

Carrying timber for a D.O.C. hut.

Transporting a section of a prefabricated D.O.C. hut

Working with the monsoon bucket and firefighters.

A calf is winched out of the snow where it was trapped in the Big Snow of 1992

Hay bails stacked into an Iroquois during the effort to feed and relieve stranded livestock after the Big Snow in 1992.

Relief effort after a cyclone in Fiji

Helping locals with building materials to rebuild in Fiji after a cyclone, Buck helps to load the timber while pilot Brett King is second from left

The cannabis wreath made by one of the policemen during the lunch break on a cannabis recovery mission

“Mine!!”

Buck Harrison

Sir Ed Hillary and crew in Antarctica

Antarctica

In 1992 the RNZAF operated two Iroquois in Antarctica

B..B…B…B… Bluebird’s the word

Buck of the Antarctic

The official party in Antarctica with Sir Edmund Hillary in the back row, centre, Prime Minister Jim Bolger, and Buck is on the right hand end in the black headband

The twelve-ship No. 3 Squadron RNZAF Iroquois Formation to mark 25 Years of service for the Bell UH-1 Iroquois with the RNZAF

NB: The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud

Guests: Loretta McGarry, Bob McGarry, Amanda Rutland, Jim Lawson and Keith Skilling

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 19th of October 2019

Released: 25th of October 2019

Duration: 56 minutes 43 seconds

On the weekend of the 18th to the 20th of October 2019 the Tiger Moth Club of New Zealand held a special commemorative Fly-In at Taumarunui Aerodrome, in the heart of the King Country. This event marked 50 Years since the club formed with its first Fly-In at the same airfield back in 1969.

Dave Homewood was there and he took the opportunity to interview members of the club, to talk about the past, and the present and future of the club, plus some other aviation topics.

We hear from Loretta McGarry who was one of the founders of the club, who talks about those early days, and also her background in aviation from catering at Whenuapai Airport to fabric work and engineering on topdressers and classics like Piper Cubs and Tiger Moths.

Next up we hear from Bob McGarry who is another of the Tiger Moth Club of New Zealand’s founders. Bob talks about his memories of those early days too, and also discusses his life in aviation and the Simmonds Spartan that he rebuilt.

Tiger Moth pilot Amanda Rutland talks about the upcoming Tiger Moth Safari that is being planned for February 29th till the 13th of March in 2020, all around New Zealand.

And past president and well known engineer Jim Lawson talks about his experiences with the Tiger Moth Club if New Zealand and his background and lifetime in aviation.

Finally, the President Keith Skilling talks about the club, and his experiences, plus a little about what he’s up to these days since he retired from Warbird display flying.

Quick Links:

•  The Tiger Moth Club of New Zealand Website

•  The Tiger Moth Club of New Zealand Facebook Page

•  The Taumarunui Aero Club

NB: The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud

Main Speaker: Andrew Love

Other Speaker: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 1st of September 2019

Released: 11th of October 2019

Duration: 35 minutes 19 seconds

This is the second episode from the recent Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, Christchurch. We hear a talk given by Andy Love about aerobatics. Andy is a pilot and instructor with a passion for aerobatics, both flying them and the history of this medium of flying. He’s also an airshow display pilot, a warbird and classics pilot, a volunteer with The Vintage Aviator Collection, and a member of the team behind Warbirds Over Wanaka.

Andy talks about the New Zealand Aerobatic Club and the various competitions that he is involved with organising and competing in. He also talks about the aerobatic competition scene around he world, and he gives a fascinating insight into the history of aerobatics and how various manoeuvres used in combat, competitions and airshow displays came about.

Above: Andy during the presentation

Quick Links:

•  The New Zealand Aerobatic Club

•  The South Island Akro Fest Facebook Page

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Website

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Facebook Page

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Twitter Feed

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Thread on the WONZ Forum

During the talk Andy also screened a short promo film for the New Zealand Aerobatic Club. You can view a version of that below:

NB: The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud

Main Speaker: Louisa Hormann, Archives Technician at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Other Speakers: Dave Homewood and W/C Brett Marshall

Recorded: 1st of September 2019

Released: 25th of September 2019

Duration: 39 minutes 50 seconds

This is the first episode from the recent Wings Over New Zealand Forum Meet at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, Wigram, Christchurch. We hear an introduction from Dave Homewood, and a welcome to the crowd from Wing Commander Brett Marshall. And then the first speaker of the day was Louisa Hormann who works as an Archives Technician at the Museum.

Louisa makes a fascinating presentation based on her research into The Guinea Pig Club, whose members were burn victims that were being treated using pioneering plastic surgery techniques at the RAF Hospital at East Grinstead. Louisa details the background of the surgical techniques and the club, and she talks about the New Zealand connections with all four of the main surgeons. She also gives some personal stories of New Zealanders who were members of the club. Also discussed is how the work of the surgeons and the members of the Club are remembered today in the museum context.

Above: Louisa Hormann during her talk (Photo Phil Treweek)

Above: Louisa Hormann during her talk (Photo Phil Treweek)

Above: Among the club’s many social exploits was the monthly publication of The Guinea Pig magazine. The illustration in the Guinea Pigs’ thought bubble would change every issue. From the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

Air Ministry Pamphlet for the First Aid and Early Treatment of Burns in the Royal Air Force (1944 above; 1956 below, first and second editions). From the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

Above: Diagram from May 1944 first edition of First Aid and Early Treatment of Burns in the Royal Air Force. From the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

Above: The McIndoe Memorial Statue at East Grinstead was designed by renowned British sculptor Martin Jennings and unveiled in June 2014. © Copyright Peter Trimming and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

Above and below: Vernon Mitchell in the early stages of burns surgery and during reconstructive surgery, after an aircraft accident. From the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

Above: Jack Williamson’s scrapbook contains photographs and notes about his treatment at Ely Hospital. From the collection of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand.

Quick Links:

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Website

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Facebook Page

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Twitter Feed

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Thread on the WONZ Forum

•  The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Website

•  The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Facebook Page

•   Sir Archibald McIndoe on Wikipedia

•   Sir Archibald McIndoe on New Zealand History

•  The Guinea Pig Club on Wikipedia

•  Henry Pickerill on Teara

•  Arthur Mowlem on Wikipedia

•  Harold Gillies on Teara

•  Paddy Hartley’s page on the Faces of Battle WWI exhibition, as referenced in the presentation

Note: The music is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud

Main Speaker: Des Underwood

Other Speakers: Jack Best (Introducing the event), Greg Brownless (Mayor of Tauranga)

Recorded: 6th of September 2019

Released: 15th of September 2019

Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes 52 seconds

In this episode we hear a recording from the Fourth Annual Jean Batten Lecture, presented by Des Underwood to the Bay of Plenty Branch of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Aeronautical Society. The venue was the Boeing Room of Classic Flyers NZ Museum.

The topic of this year’s lecture was ‘The World of Jimmy Ward VC’. Des gives a background to the man, New Zealand’s first Victoria Cross recipient in WWII, awarded for his daring act in climbing onto the wing of a Wellington bomber while in flight to douse the flames of an engine fire. He covers Jimmy’s background and life before and in the RNZAF, the wing fire, and his sad death. Also Des covers the RAF at the time,the bombing war, and much more.

Quick Links:

•   Royal Aeronautical Society – Bay of Plenty Branch

•   James Ward VC on Wikipedia

•  Classic Flyers NZ Museum Website

•  Classic Flyers NZ Museum on Facebook

Jimmy Ward VC with his Victoria Cross medal ribbon

Jimmy Ward in the cockpit of a Wellington bomber of No. 75 (NZ) Squadron RAF

The foot holes made in the wing and fuselage by Jimmy when he ventured out to couragiously fight the fire in the starboard engine, whilst also fighting the freezing cold airflow over the wing

Above: Des Underwood delivering his lecture on The World of Jimmy Ward VC

Video Version
Part One

Part Two

Part Three

Here are the videos that Des tried to screen and sadly had technical difficulties with:

NB: The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud

Guest: Wing Commander Brett Marshall RNZAF, Director of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 2nd of September 2019

Released: 5th of September 2019

Duration: 41 minutes 20 seconds

In this episode Dave Homewood sits down with Wing Commander Brett Marshall, RNZAF, who was recently appointed to the role of Director of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand. Brett was previously the Executive Officer at the museum. In this interview he discusses a variety of topics ranging from his background as a transport and maritime pilot and a flying instructor in the Air Force, to current museum policy, and exciting ongoing projects on large and small scales. Also discussed is the role of the museum as an RNZAF unit, and its importance to the various communities it serves.

Above: Wing Commander Brett Marshall at the 2019 ANZAC Day service held in the Air Force Museum of New Zealand (Photo: Air Force Museum of New Zealand)

Above: Wing Commander Brett Marshall stands in front of the Roll of Honour in the Atrium of the Air Force Museum of New Zealand (Photo: Air Force Museum of New Zealand)

Quick Links:

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Website

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Facebook Page

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Twitter Feed

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand’s Thread on the WONZ Forum

•  The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Website

•  The Royal New Zealand Air Force’s Facebook Page

Note: The music is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud