Line up of Vildebeests at RNZAF Station Hobsonville.
Handwritten on the matt "Hobsonville 1935"
Handwritten on the reverse "Vickers Vildebeests of No. 1 G.R. Flight. These aircraft were brand new and had just been assembled at Hobsonville. They were the first machines turned out by the newly formed assembly unit [at] Hobsonville. This unit reached its peak during World War Two when it turned out hundreds of aircraft for the RNZAF at home and in the Pacific.
No. 1 G.R. Flight was the first RNZAF unit to be manned by 100% regular staff. The pilots were commissioned officers and the crew were fitters and riggers detailed to each machine and who doubled up as Observers and W/A/Gs [Wireless Operator Air Gunners].
The crews were -
Flight Lieutenant Buckley, Leading Aircraftman Lawn, Leading Aircraftman Graham.
Flying Officer Kay, Leading Aircraftman McDonald, Leading Aircraftman Palmer.
Flying Officer Cohen, Aircraftman 1 Stevens, Leading Aircraftman Johnstone.
Flying Officer Lester, Aircraftman 1 Pankhurst, Aircraftman 1 Hughes."
Image from the LG Rose personal album collection.
"Omaka crash." Burnt and wrecked fuselage of a Vildebeest or Vincent at RNZAF Station Omaka.
Unable to establish which aircraft this is at this time.
Image from the LG Rose personal album collection.
"Omaka crash." Burnt and wrecked fuselage of a Vildebeest or Vincent at RNZAF Station Omaka.
Unable to establish which aircraft this is at this time.
Image from the LG Rose personal album collection.
"Omaka crash." Burnt and wrecked fuselage of a Vildebeest or Vincent at RNZAF Station Omaka.
Unable to establish which aircraft this is at this time.
Image from the LG Rose personal album collection.
"Omaka crash." Burnt and wrecked fuselage of a Vildebeest or Vincent at RNZAF Station Omaka.
Unable to establish which aircraft this is at this time.
Image from the MH Lane personal collection.
Front view of the starboard wings of Vickers Vildebeest NZ109. Believed to be at Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Wigram. Fits with MUS03038 and MUS03039 to complete aircraft.
Image from the MH Lane personal collection.
Front view of the port wings of Vickers Vildebeest NZ109. Believed to be at Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Wigram. Fits with MUS03039 and MUS03040 to complete aircraft.
Image from the MH Lane personal collection.
Front view of the fuselage of Vickers Vildebeest NZ109. Believed to be at Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Wigram. Fits with MUS03038 and MUS03040 to complete aircraft.
Image from the MH Lane personal collection.
Side view of the middle fuselage of Vickers Vildebeest NZ105. Believed to be at Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Wigram. Fits with MUS03041 and MUS03043 to complete aircraft.
Image from the MH Lane personal collection.
Side view of the middle fuselage of Vickers Vildebeest NZ105. Believed to be at Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Wigram. Fits with MUS03042 and MUS03043 to complete aircraft.
Image from the MH Lane personal collection.
Side view of the forward fuselage of Vickers Vildebeest NZ105. Believed to be at Royal New Zealand Air Force Station Wigram. Fits with MUS03041 and MUS03042 to complete aircraft.
Front view of the stripped fuselage of a Vickers Vildebeest, believed to be NZ102, with the upper centre section fitted, at the Museum of Transport and Technology (MoTaT), Auckland.
Front section of the stripped fuselage of a Vickers Vildebeest, believed to be NZ102, with the upper centre section fitted, at the Museum of Transport and Technology (MoTaT), Auckland.
