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The Avro 504 played a vital part in New Zealand's aviation development and was our first 'proper' primary pilot-trainer. Here I take a look at the type itself, then outline aspects of its operations out here in the 'Colony'. It is in eml format so is an attachment. Just click on the item and its Attachment.
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This is number one of a series about the aircraft New Zealanders were flying within our country up to about 1960.
It is in the form of an eml attachment which you will have to click on to open the file. When open, i suggest you click on Maximise to bring it up to full screen for ease of reading and viewing. In this item I discuss the formation of our tiny air arm in the 1920s and the Gloster Grebe.
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This piece is in Email format as I spend quite a lot of time writing my items and use the eml format in order to send to many on my personal contact list world-wide. This is actually another test to see if I can upload it using the Media tab. So here goes again.5611.GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN_ NZ Aviators from our past_ #01_ (version for Flightglobal blog site).eml
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A test to upload a file from my computer. I am still discovering just how the new system (hopefully) functions and can my few remaining brain cells get to grips with it. For this trial I am using the Media tab to upload a rather nice photograph of a Mk.IX Spitfire which I believe was used by 485 (NZ) Squadron and may have been flown by a couple of my late chums. Here goes....chocks away etc.
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During the summer of 1940, very young men were fighting, in MK.II Spitfires, against enemy aircraft intent on destroying Britain's seaports and RAF bases. Now, nearly 70 years later, similar young pilots are training on the BA Hawk. A while back I used a fine photograph of these two great aircraft in formation as the basis of a rather simple comparison between the front-line interceptor of 1940 and the advanced trainer of today. I have been told that the Hawk is the easier aircraft to handle, albeit packed with many more "bells and whistles". The attached item was cobbled together pretty well off 'the-top-of-my-head', so do please forgive any areas where I may have strayed from exact numbers.
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I wrote this little piece a few months ago after watching Dame Vera being interviewed on TV. Strangely enough, per the internet and a couple of British chaps who know her, it ended up with her. Have been advised that Dame Vera has written a note on it to me which is being mailed out to me here in New Zealand. We Kiwis are also rather pleases that our Hayley Westenra has joined with Vera in some charity work and will be singing some of the old WWII favourites.
Anyway, just an item about this jolly nice lady.