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ARC-Photographic β Flying Past
Published: 2014-04-25 11:36:32 +0000 UTC; Views: 353; Favourites: 24; Downloads: 0
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Description
Curtiss P-40E Kittyhawk; Goodyear FG-1D Corsair; Grumman Avenger TBM-3EWarbirds over Wanaka 2014
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Comments: 13
While the Avenger is a Grumman design, the TBM is the General Motors version of it (similar to how the FG-1D is the Goodyear version of the Vought F4U Corsair)
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Interesting! Thanks very much for sharing the details. Β
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(Also, lovely shot of three lovely planes. Β Well, two lovely planes and the Avenger, which has a great personality...)
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Aw, the Avenger is pretty too... Β
Thank you; I was finally in the right place for it, and didn't screw up! Β
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Nice to see the Avenger done up as "Plonky". 
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If you have a moment to spare, that would be great! Personal info about the history and people who flew these aircraft helps bring them to life! Β
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Dug through Dad's library. "Plonky" is pretty unforgettable for the name alone, let alone the RNZAF livery. The actual one was a TBF-1C Avenger, which were flown by 30 and 31 squadrons from March to July 1944.
"NZ2518 was flown by Flight Lieutenant Fred Ladd of 30 Squadron RNZAF at Piva, Bougainville, in 1944.Β Ladd, a well-known civilian aviator and Grumman amphibian pilot, was a non-drinker and could think of nothing more insulting than having beer poured over oneself; this gave rise to the design known as 'Plonky', the flying beer barrel with the open tap. The aircraft was taken over by 31 squadron on 25 May, having been hit by AA fire.
Ladd was evidently one fascinating individual:
www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographiβ¦
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Thank you for that! Very interesting man, who evidently dodged many a bullet, so to speak. I appreciate your efforts! Β
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Wonderful photograph! Both the P-40 and Corsair were both UK based once owned by the Old Flying Machine Company and flew as part of a display team known as the breitling Fighters. I remember them well. They were lead by a a truly brilliant pilot known as Ray Hanna, I believe also a regular pilot at Warbirds over Wanaka which is how they came to end up in New Zealand.
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Thank you for the information! They are impressive aircraft, and helped to make the show. Whether here or there, I'm glad they're flying.
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Thank you! They came into view quickly, and with the cloud bank as a background I was worried that I'd mess up the shot; work out well though. Β
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