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The Wings Over New Zealand Show

Dave Homewood

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  • 21 episodes
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  • Today · 1 hr 56 min

    WONZ 356 – Wings Over Britain: Newark Air Museum

    Guest: Howard Heeley Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎15th of July 2026 Released: 9th of August 2026 Duration: 1 hour 56 minutes 54 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood visits the Newark Air Museum, at former RAF Winthorpe, situated at Coddington, just outside of Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire. Dave was hosted by Howard Heeley, Secretary & Museum Trustee, who has had a long affiliation with the museum, and was the perfect person to talk about the history of the site and the collection, and the current and future happenings there. The Newark Air Museum has an amazing collection of military and civilian aeroplanes and helicopters, and tells the story of aviation in Nottinghamshire, Britain and beyond. It also honours the wartime and postwar crews who trained on the site, former RAF Winthorpe, and the sacrifices they made. The following photos taken on the day by Dave Homewood are laid out below in the order of how the exhibits are discussed in the podcast so you can follow along with visuals as you listen. The RAF Winthorpe Memorial Garden Blue Steel in the workshop. This was a British air-launched, rocket-propelled nuclear armed standoff missile, built to arm the V bomber force. Hangar One Starting with the Lee-Richards Annular Biplane replica that was constructed for the film Those Magnificent Men in their Flying Machines. A rare General Aircraft Monospar VH-UTH The unique Reid & Sigrist RS.4 Bobsleigh (Desford) The Avro Anson, behind the Taylor Monoplane. Saab Viggen Above: The Upkeep mine that was recovered from Reculver, in Kent, where the weapon was tested before sed on the Dams Raid in 1943. WW1 heritage items The ‘Half and Half’ Tiger Moth with half the skin off to show the construction of the aeroplane. The Gnome with a watering can, inside the SAAB Viggen The famous prototype Taylor Monoplane, built by John Taylor in his living room. The Clutton Fred, G-BJAD de Havilland Sea Venom FAW.21 The Zurowski ZP.1 helicopter Hawker Seahawk FB.3 The SAAB Safir Parts recovered from the crash site of Avro Lancaster ME846. A wall dedicated to the memory of the crew of Lancaster ME486. The plaque create by the Dutch resistance members. The propeller from No. 617 Squadron pilot P/O Lewis Burpee’s Lancaster, ED865 (AJ-S), shot down on its way to Germany during the Dams Raid. All aboard were killed. A section of original Avro Lancaster, W4964. The Saunders-Roe (SARO) Skeeter AOP.12 military helicopter XL764, which Howard admits he owned himself as a 21-year-old. Below Left and Centre: Two-seat de Havilland NF.3 Venom. Below Left: de Havilland Vampire T.11. MBA Tiger Cub 440 The Avro Vulcan The e Havilland Heron airliner, ‘Sir James Young Simpson’. Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23ML “Flogger” and Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-27K “Flogger” Hangar Two Gloster “Prone Pilot” Meteor F8 Gloster Meteor FR.9 (Mod) The Hawker Siddeley Dominie T1 The Folland Gnat and the BAC Jet Provost SAAB Viggen AJSH 37 BAe Sea Harrier FRS.1 / FA.2, ZA176 Avro Shackleton MR.3/3 Lockeed TriStar SIM (cockpit) Sud Puma HC.1 XW208 Handley Page Hastings T.5, TG517 English Electric Canberra T.19 Radar Trainer, WH904 Blackburn Buccaneer S.1 Cessna 310, right, and MS.880 Rallye de Havilland Dove North American Harvard The Avro Ashton fuselage Westland Wessex More Photos at the Newark Air Museum Quick Links: • Newark Air Museum’s Website • Newark Air Museum Facebook Group The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • July 9 · 2 hr 33 min

    WONZ 355 – Clive Estcourt

    Guest: Clive Woodward Estcourt NZ391045, Pilot, Bomb Aimer (14th of October 1917 – 17th of Aug 2017 ) Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎13th of August 2013 Released: 9th of August 2026 Duration: 2 hour 33 minutes 11 seconds Clive Estcourt had been a commercial artist and signwriter in Hamilton in 1939 when the war broke out, and he immediately volunteered to join the Royal New Zealand Air Force. He was sent to the newly-opened RNZAF Station Ohakea in the Manawatu region, and became one of the very first airmen posted into that base after it opened on the 18th of September 1939. He thought when he first joined that he was going to fly aeroplanes…. they made him the station postman! He soon was sidelined to become Ohakea’s station signwriter. He was able to set up his own workshop to make all the signs on the ever-expanding station. But he was still wanting to become a pilot however, and eventually in 1942 he managed to convince the RNZAF to post him to an aircrew course, starting at RNZAF Station Rotorua for his Initial Training Wing course. He then underwent flying training on Tiger Moths at No. 3 Elementary Flying Training School, at RNZAF Station Harewood. He was then sent to Canada to continue his training in October 1942, where he continued training at RCAF Dunnville flying Harvards. But this training did not go well, and he ended up getting getting the chop from the course. Clive was remustered to Observer trade, and completed his training in Canada, before being sent to Britain where he crewed up at No. 11 Operational Training Unit, Westcott. Clive suffered a severe mishap at the OTU and was forced to bail out, which he details, and was forced to do the course again. He was then posted to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron with his almost all-New Zealand crew, consisting of: Captain – Pilot Officer John Rees “Aussie” Layton DFC, RNZAF (NZ425914) Navigator – Flight Sergeant John Christie, RNZAF (NZ4212829), aka Jack, aka Ben Air Bomber – Warrant Officer Clive Woodward Estcourt, RNZAF (NZ391045) Wireless Operator/Air Gunner – Flight Sergeant Ta Tio Tuaine “Tai” Nicholas, RNZAF (NZ425658) Mid-Upper Gunner – Flight Sergeant David Onslow Light, RNZAF (NZ4212848) Rear Gunner – Flight Sergeant Leslie Dixon Moore, RNZAF (NZ421327) Flight Engineer – Sergeant F. Samuel, RAFVR After one and a half months at RAF Mepal with the New Zealand squadron, Clive and his crew were selected to be posted from No. 75 (NZ) Squadron to No. 7 Squadron Pathfinder Force at RAF Oakington. They were on Pathfinder operations from October 1944 through till February 1945. During the tour with No. 7 Squadron PFF, the Navigator John Christie was badly injured in a motorcycle accident and he was replaced by: Navigator – Sergeant. Lloyd Edward Anger, RCAF (R200903) However, due to a non-operational error by the captain when he failed to turn up for a briefing, the strict command chain in PFF saw the crew sent back to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron without completing the PFF tour. This included Lloyd Anger who stayed with the crew. They carried on with the New Zealand squadron through February and March 1945 till the original members of the crew were tour expired. Clive completed 36 operational sorties over enemy territory in total, plus several other OTU flights close to enemy territory as well where they were creating a diversion to confuse German defences. Once he completed operational flying he became an instructor at No. 17 Operational Training Unit at Silverstone and Turweston. Postwar, Clive returned to New Zealand and was a member of a Light Anti-Aircraft unit in the Territorial Air Force in Auckland, before becoming the Adjutant of No. 7 Squadron Air Training Corps in Hamilton for 17 years. He was very active in the RNZAF Association, and as a special associate member of the Mess at RNZAF Te Rapa, Hamilton, till its closure. Clive was one of the New Zealand Bomber Command veterans who was selected to be flown to London for the unveiling of the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, on the 28th of June 2012. He was the oldest veteran in the New Zealand party, aged 95. Clive passed away on the 17th of Aug 2017, two months before his 100th birthday. Clive Estcourt with his “Memory Lane” as he called it, with his favourite photos and model Lancaster. Above: Clive Estcourt during WWII. Below: Photo from RNZAF Station Ohakea in 1939. Below: Ohakea, 1940. Clive is second from left. Below: Sports at Ohakea (1939-1942). Clive seated left. Airspeed Oxfords behind. Below: Aircrew training at RNZAF Station Harewood, Christchurch. Below: Training in Canada. Below: At Westcott, England. Below: Photos of Clive and his crew taken at No. 1657 Heavy Conversion Unit, RAF Shepherd’s Grove, before they were posted to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron. Below: Target photos from operations Clive and his crew undertook, Below: Postwar photos, including with the LAA Flight Note: This episode ends abruptly simply because that is how the original recording was. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • June 6 · 55 min

    WONZ 354 – Maximum Effort

    Guests: Don Simms and Chris Newey Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎1st of June ‎2026 Released: 6th of June 2026 Duration: 55 minutes 27 seconds “Maximum Effort” was a docu-drama made by the Ministry of Information during WWII about a crew of a No. 75 (NZ) Squadron Avro Lancaster bomber based at RAF Mepal in mid-1944. In this episode Dave Homewood, Don Simms and Chris Newey discuss the making of this film, the real life characters who appear as themselves, and the Lancaster that is featured, ND752. Portions of the original film footage, along with original black and white and recently colourised photographs are used to illustrate the discussion. This all-but-forgotten film is an amazing time capsule showing life at RAF Mepal, near Ely, Cambridgeshire, which became a little bit of New Zealand back in 1944-45. NOTE: It is recommended that you watch the original 18 minute “Maximum Effort” first, and the watch the WONZ 354 Maximum Effort video. There is an audio podcast version of the latter but the video is much more satisfying. Above: Avro Lancaster ND752 of No. 75 (NZ) Squadron as features in Maximum Effort, as the Whitting Crew’s regular aircraft. This is a colourisation from an original black and white from the collection of the late Bomb Aimer and New Zealand Bomber Command Association President Ron Mayhill DFC. Quick Links: • The Air Force Museum of New Zealand • The Museum of Transport and Technology – Home of the New Zealand Lancaster • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page Footage and original soundtrack used from Maximum Effort in this podcast are Crown Copyright but are in the Public Domain. These clips are used here only to illustrate the narrative of the podcast. Below are other publicity stills from the film, which have been colourised by Dave Homewood using a mix of ChatGPT and Photoshop, as seen in the WONZ Show video episode. The original monochrome images came from the Air Force Museum of New Zealand collection, but will have been Crown Copyright images, and are therefore in the public domain.

  • May 28 · 1 hr 6 min

    WONZ 353 – John de Hoop

    Guest: Flying Officer John de Hoop (RAF 1810752, 191161) Wireless Operator-Air Gunner Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎19th of November 2013 Released: 29th of May 2026 Duration: 1 hour 6 minutes 13 seconds John de Hoop was a Londoner who joined the Royal Air Force in 1943, and trained as a Wireless Operator-Air Gunner. The following year he was posted to No. 75 (NZ) Squadron at RAF Mepal, as a Wireless Operator on Avro Lancasters, in the crew captained by New Zealand pilot F/Lt Wylie Wakelin DFC. His final few ops were flown with S/Ldr Bob Rodgers as his captain. This recording was made at the time using Skype, as John lived in the UK. It was recorded as part of a wider WONZ Show project I was working on at the time that ended up not proceeding to completion. So it seems like it’s about time to share it with listeners. John passed away on the 7th of August 2016. John de Hoop (Photo via Dee Boneham) Two more photos of John, from Dee Boneham. Quick Links: • John de Hoop obituary on the 75 (NZ) Squadron Blog • The Wylie Wakelin Crew on the 75 (NZ) Squadron Blog • The Bob Rodgers Crew on the 75 (NZ) Squadron Blog The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • May 24 · 1 hr 55 min

    WONZ 352 – Les Olsen: RNZAF Armourer

    Guest: Warrant Officer Leslie James Olsen N74992 Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎18th of March ‎2026 Released: 24th of May 2026 Duration: 1 hour 55 minutes 48 seconds Les Olsen joined the RNZAF as a Boy Entrant in January 1952. He trained as an Armourer in 1953, and ended up working on numerous units and squadrons over the next two and a half decades, working on guns, cannons, ejection seats, helicopter winches, torpedoes, turrets and more. Les serviced armament equipment on Vampires at Ohakea, Canberras and Iroquois at RAF Tengah in Singapore, and he was one of the first Armourers to work on the new Lockheed Orions when they arrived at Whenuapai in 1966. He talks about being on the duty crew when No. 75 Squadron RNZAF Canberra WF915 went missing in a storm off Malaya and F/O David Finn was killed. (Les misremembered the Canberra’s serial number.) And he talks about being the first RNZAF member to drop a torpedo since WWII. And he tells lots of other great stories. Les is also the Armourer trade’s historian, keeping records of all the RNZAF Armourers through the decades right back to the beginning of the trade. He talks about how this came about and what records he keeps, including theories about service numbers for Armourers early in WWII. Anyone who can add information, photos, memories, documents or anything else that might help Les’ research, he can be emailed at laurelesnz@gmail.com Les Olsen’s Boy Entrants Course. Members of No. 5 Draft, Boy Entrants School, practicing drill. Boy Entrants School, RNZAF Station Woodbourne. L-R: Front rank; Joe Wipani, Murray McIvor, Kerry McKee, Gerard Brown. 2nd rank; Les Olsen, Gordon Browne, Bert Sergent. 3rd rank; Murray McIvor, Bruce Moonie, Dave Jowett. 4th at back: John Barrow (part obscured), Keith Libline. (It’s his hat on ground at right). Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo DM233-52, 08/06/1952 Les Olsen’s Boy Entrants Course. Members of No. 5 Draft, Boy Entrants School, watching General Service Instructor, Corporal Lionel Piggott, demonstrating the correct stance for firing a rifle during Weapons Training at the Boy Entrants School, RNZAF Station Woodbourne. L-R: Brian Churcher, Kerry McKee, Murray McIvor (part obscured), Keith Libline, John Barrow, Bill Moore (at back), Murray Hutchins, Colin Carr, unknown, Milton Mathieson, Bert Sergent, Les Olsen, Keith Turnbull, Alan Powell, Gordon Browne (at back), Bruce Moonie, Joe Wipani, Phil Jones. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo DM234-52, 09/06/1952. Trainee Armourers watching the instructor, Mr. Frank Field, describing the parts of a weapon. No. 1 Technical Training School, RNZAF Station Hobsonville. This would have been the course before Les’ one, as he was still at Woodbourne on this date, but it nicely represents his Armourer trade training. Air Force Museum of New Zealand photo DM278-52, 17/07/1952 Quick Links: • The Royal New Zealand Air Force The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • May 15 · 1 hr 2 min

    WONZ 351 – Stuart McIntyre

    Guest: Air Commodore Stuart McIntyre CBE, DFC Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎25th of ‎August ‎2025 Released: 15th of May 2026 Duration: 1 hour 2 minutes 21 seconds Air Commodore Stuart McIntyre CBE, DFC joined the Royal New Zealand Air Force on the 31st of August 1949. Following an elongated flying training phase, he converted onto the then-new de Havilland Vampires. He ended up deployed to Cyprus with No. 14 Squadron in 1952, and then returned to Ohakea, New Zealand and No. 75 Squadron in 1953, where among his duties he led an aerobatic display team. He then returned to Cyprus in April 1955 for a second tour, now as Flight Commander of No. 14 Squadron. Stuart and adjutant Flying Officer Laurence Turner sent as one of the advance party to Tengah, Singapore, to prepare for the move of the squadron from Cyprus. The squadron eventually reequipped with Venoms, and went into action against the Communist Terrorists (C.T.s). In his subsequent career, Stuart become the officer commanding No. 14 Squadron when they were equipped with English Electric Canberra bombers. He then led the team involved in the selection of the Canberra replacement, which ended up as the McDonnell Douglas Skyhawk. Stuart filled several other roles including Base Commander of RNZAF Base Ohakea, Aide-de-Camp to both the Governor General to New Zealand, and HM Queen Elizabeth II. He also oversaw the creation of the Ohakea Museum. On leaving the Air Force he became Director of Civil Aviation. Pilot Officer Stuart McIntyre in the cockpit of his No. 14 Squadron Vampire at RAF Station Nicosia, Cyprus, 1953. Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photo NICD156a Portrait of Flight Lieutenant Stuart McIntyre, pilot with No. 14 Squadron, wearing flying helmet and oxygen mask. RAF Station Tengah, Singapore. Air Force Museum of New Zealand Photo MUS090171 Note: Unfortunately although I photographed Stuart’s logbooks, and you can hear a few extracts from our chatter while I did that at the end of this interview, I completely forgot to get a photo of him on the day. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • May 9 · 3 hr 14 min

    WONZ 350 – Biggin Hill Hangar WONZ Forum Meet

    Guest Speakers: Brendon Deere, Tim Costley MP, SQN LDR Craig Clark, FLT LT Stu Glendinning, Roger Dalziell, and SQN LDR Michael Williams Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎28th of February 2026 Released: 9th of May 2026 Duration: 3 hours 14 minutes 55 seconds In this bumper-sized 350th episode in the Wings Over New Zealand Show podcast series, we hear the various presentations given at the Biggin Hill Hangar WONZ Forum Meet at RNZAF Base Ohakea. We were very fortunate to be hosted by Brendon Deere, who is a great supporter of Wings Over New Zealand. In order we hear from: Tim Costley MP – Tim is a former RNZAF pilot, and he talks about his experiences in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, particularly flying the Bell Iroquois but also in other types. He served operationally on several occasions. And he talks a little about his current position as a Member of Parliament for Otaki in the National-led coalition government. Tim Costley (Dave Homewood photo) Squadron Leader Craig Clark – Craig is the Officer Commanding No. 42 Squadron RNZAF, based at Ohakea, which operates Beechcraft King Air 350s in two roles, two C-12K examples as transports which can carry up to nine passengers , known as Slicks, and two MC-12K used for Air Warfare training and sensor suite training. In this fascinating talk Craig explains how the squadron has been evolving with its previous role of multi-engine training having been phased out, and interestingly the MC-12Ks are being used for actual front line operational missions more and more now, at home and overseas in the Pacific. He also talks about the future of the squadron, and his personal hopes that it will soon be expanded and larger aircraft platforms will be brought into the squadron’s capabilities. Above: SQN LDR Craig Clark (Dave Homewood photo) Below: Various photos of the MC-12K King Airs, including the Fiji deployment. (All NZDF) No.42 SQN’s new Beechcraft King Air 350 aircraft takes it’s first flight at RNZAF Base Ohakea, 14/05/18. Flight Lieutenant Stu Glendinning – Stu is a pilot and a QFI on No. 5 Squadron RNZAF, also based at Ohakea, flying the new Boeing P-8 Poseidon. He talks about his RNZAF career, including flying training with the RAAF on NZAI CT/4B Airtrainers and Pilatus PC9s, in a rare case where RNZAF pilots joined an RAAF aircrew course. He talks about his progression to No. 42 Squadron and then No. 5 Squadron, and flying the Lockheed P-3K2 Orions. He then transitioned onto the new Boeing P-8A Poseidon fleet and he shares insights into this amazing aircraft. He also tells the very emotive story of his experience as the Search and Rescue Captain on a P-8A when he was scrambled following the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui. Above: FLT LT Stu Glendinning (Dave Homewood photo) Below: The No. 5 Squadron RNZAF Boeing P-8 Poseidons (All NZDF photos) Arrival of the first P-8A Poseidon 4801 to RNZAF Base Ohakea, New Zealand Arrival of the first P-8A Poseidon 4801 to RNZAF Base Ohakea, New Zealand Warbirds Over Wanaka 2024. Brendon Deere – Our host for the event at the Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre, Brendon spoke about his Biggin Hill Trust collection of warbirds that are based at Ohakea. They include his Supermarine Spitfire IX PV270, North American P-51D Mustang NZ2423, Grumman TBM Avenger “Plonky”, and North American Harvard IIa NZ1037. Brendon Deere Roger Dalziel and Mike Williams – In a very rare opportunity, the audience were able to hear from two Grumman Avenger pilots, Roger Dalziell who flew the Avengers in the RNZAF from Ohakea in the early 1950s; and Squadron Leader Mike Williams who is a current instructor pilot based at Ohakea, and is the current pilot of Plonky, the Biggin Hill Avenger, with the Air Force Heritage Flight. He explains the work of the Heritage Flight, which Mike himself was behind the creation of. Roger is the last known pilot who flew original RNZAF Avengers still living today. Mike had just arrived back at Ohakea following flying a display at New Plymouth in the Avenger, and the two pilots compared notes on flying Avengers 75 years ago and now. Roger Dalziell, left, and Mike Williams, right. Above and below: Mike arriving back at Biggin Hill Hangar from his display at New Plymouth, just before speaking alongside Roger. Quick Links: • The Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre • The Biggin Hill Historic Aircraft Centre on Facebook • The Royal New Zealand Air Force • The Beechcraft King Air 350 in RNZAF Service • The Boeing P-8A Poseidon in RNZAF Service The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • April 14 · 57 min

    WONZ 349 – The Ventura Hunters

    Guests: Bil Thuma, Don O’Rorke, Arthur Palmer and Dave O’Malley Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎24th of ‎March ‎2026 Released: 14th of April 2026 Duration: 57 minutes 40 seconds A search is currently underway with the aim of locating the remains of a missing Lockheed Ventura, AE665, which vanished in WWII off the eastern coast of Canada. The crew onboard were an ANZAC crew who included the pilot and captain, P/O Donald Shaw Cormack RAAF, the navigator P/O Stanley Joseph James RAAF, and the wireless operator-air gunner Sgt Thomas Matthew Hunter RNZAF. They were training at No. 34 Operational Training Unit, RAF Pennfield Ridge, in New Brunswick, Canada, as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, with the intention of gaining the necessary skills of a crew destined for RAF medium bomber squadrons. The aircraft crashed into the sea off the Canadian coast on the 26th of January 1943, and vanished. All these years later the pilot’s nephew, real estate businessman Don O’Rorke of Queensland, Australia, and his old school mate, anthropologist and pilot Arthur Palmer, have embarked on a mission to locate the aeroplane and find some closure for the families of the lost men. They brought Canadian-based geophysicist Bil Thuma into the team, who is renowned for finding missing aeroplanes – perhaps the best known examples being The Lost Squadron of Lockheed P-38 Lightnings and Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses under the ice in Greenland. That expedition resulted in the recovery of the famous P-38 that was restored and now flies in Rod Lewis’s collection as Glacier Girl. Also joining the chat in this episode is well known Canadian aviation historian and writer Dave O’Malley who gives some background to the flight and the work the men were doing. They also talk about another crash site of a separate No. 34 Operational Training Unit Ventura, AJ211, that crashed just a few weeks later on the 8th of February 1943 on a similar training flight from Pennfield Ridge. That accident also claimed the lives of two Australians and a Kiwi onboard. They were pilot Sergeant Hubert Burnham RAAF, navigator Sgt Phillip Edmond RAAF and wireless operator-air gunner Sgt John Hogan RNZAF. And an overwhelming theme of this episode is the ongoing impact on families of the loss of their airmen 80+ years ago in WWII, and making sure they are not forgotten. Quick Links: • Aircrew Remembered on the loss of Ventura AE665 • The loss of Lockheed Ventura II AJ211 • The Last Flight of an Australian Bomber Above: A Lockheed Ventura II, AE658, just a few serials away from the identical aircraft tat the team is seeking under the ocean, AE665. Here is a video version of the episode The article that Don mentioned that appeared in The Australian newspaper. Pennfield Ridge Air Station Pennfield Ridge Air Station Above: The Ventura Hunters The plaque commemorating the crash site of Venture AJ211 The impact crater made by AJ211 The plaque commemorating the crash site of Venture AJ211 Above: The brother of the airmen Sgt Hubert Burnham RAAF visits his grave. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • February 28 · 1 hr 15 min

    WONZ 348 – RNZAF Helicopter Procurement

    Guest: Wing Commander Barry “Patch” Nelson Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: ‎29th of ‎December ‎2025 Released: 1st of March 2026 Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes 26 seconds Have you ever wondered what is involved when a new aircraft type is selected for service in the Royal New Zealand Air Force? In this episode of the Wings Over New Zealand Show, Dave Homewood speaks with Wing Commander Barry “Patch” Nelson on this very topic. Patch was in charge if the Royal New Zealand Air Force team who were responsible for the their part in the selection of the NHIndustries NH90 twin-engined medium utility helicopters, to replace the Bell UH-1H Iroquois fleet; and also the selection of the AgustaWestland A109 Light Utility Helicopters that replaced the Bell 47G Sioux fleet. There is an inordinate amount of work involved in selecting a new type, and a massive number of people from all sorts of government departments and community groups all have an input, as Patch explains. This is a fascinating look into the inner workings of a selection team, deep in the heart of Defence Headquarters in Wellington. The NH90 was selected to replace the Iroquois, and the contract to buy nine NH90-TTH variant helicopters was finalised in July-August 2006. The first and second examples of the fleet, NZ3301 and NZ3302, were delivered on the 6th of December 2011, and deliveries followed as they were built, through till 2014. The fleet became fully operational in 2015, and eight examples now form the backbone of No. 3 Squadron. And additional ninth NH90 is held as an Attrition Airframe. The A109LUH is a lightweight, twin-engined helicopter with a modern glass cockpit and a retractable wheeled undercarriage. The A109s were acquired under a NZ$139 million contract signed in May 2008 for the acquisition of the five A109s, plus an additional A109 airframe to be used as a source of spares, as well as a simulator and a spares and support package. The A109s began arriving at Ohakea in May 2011, and five of them are now are operated by the Helicopter Transitional Unit, No. 3 Squadron RNZAF, at Ohakea. Quick Links: • The Royal New Zealand Air Force • The NHIndustries NH90 helicopter • The AugustaWestland A109 helicopter • NHIndustries Site • Leonardo Helicopters (successor to AugustaWestland) site NH90 Helicopter’s depart from Westport during EXERCISE SOUTHERN KATIPO 2017, which is a combined joint and interagency Field Training Exercise focused on developing, exercising and evaluating the New Zealand Defence Force’s ability to project forces anywhere in the South West Pacific and either operate independently or with coalition partners. (NZDF Official Photo) An NH90 and an A109 of the RNZAF together at Wings Over Wairarapa Airshow in 2023. (NZDF Official Photo) One of the RNZAF’s new AgustaWestland A109s, NZ3403, over northern Italy, circa 2010. Agusta-Westland Photo. One of the RNZAF’s new AgustaWestland A109s, NZ3403 over northern Italy, circa 2010. Agusta-Westland Photo. One of the RNZAF’s new AgustaWestland A109s, NZ3403 over northern Italy, circa 2010. Agusta-Westland Photo. The official handover of the first A109’s at the production and flight test facility in Vergiate, north of Milan, Ialy. The group from left to right: SQNLDR Chris Moody, FLTLT Wayne Thomas, WGCDR Patch Nelson, SQNLDR Adam Death, AugustWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini, F/S Dale Cox and W/O ‘Mario’ Marteletti. Below: NZDF Photos of NH90s in service. Copyright to NZDF Official. NH90 Images Supplied Ex Blackbird was held at Dip Flat Feb 2022. The ex is designed to expose the pilots and crew to flying in mountainous terrain. Exercise Winchester is 3 Squadron exercise which was held in Waiouru. The purpose of this EX was to qualify and re-qualify Air Force personnel in gunnery in helicopters, and uses the 109 and the NH90. The exercise also involved stationary targets for self-defense. Training in the NH90 flight simulator. Exercise Steel Talon is a helicopter crew training activity conducted by 3 Squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. The aim of the exercise is to train NH90 helicopter crews in day and night tactical battlefield operations for conventional forces. Navy personnel assist with the clean up of debri on the streets of Auckland after the major flooding event as part of Operation Awhina. Mayor Wayne Brown took the opportunity to assist. 3SQN and 5 Aviation Regiment crews conduct 131 bty admin move taskings from RAAF Townsville to the Townsville training area. NZDF personnel from the Royal New Zealand Navy, NZ Army and Royal New Zealand Air Force take part in Exercise Talisman Sabre (TS23) across Australia. TS23 is a bilateral, biennial Australian hosted and USA supported combined exercise focused on the planning and conduct of a high end, mid-intensity warfighting scenario. The exercise is designed to improve combat readiness, exercise war-fighting skills and systems, whilst advancing combined staff and force interoperability. The New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and its international partners conduct a military assault against a ‘Becaran’ ‘highland militia’ stronghold on the Rainbow Ski-field near St Arnaud in the Tasman district during SK15. The assault was spear-headed by NZ infantry ‘fast-roped’ by Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) NH-90 helicopters to take the high ground sorrounding the ski-field, and by a combined Australian-New Zealand ANZAC Ready Reaction Force (RRF), utilising Australian Bushmaster Protected Mobility Vehicles, which cleared and secured the rebel base at the ski-field Ex Southern Katipo 2015 (SK15) is a combined, joint, international training field exercise focussed on developing, exercising and evaluating the NZDF’s independent amphibious capabilities and ability to project forces anywhere in the South West Pacific. SK15 provides the opportunity to ensure continual preparedness to operate independently or with our coalition partners. The scenario involves a fictional South West Pacific country that has requested international intervention to restore law and order. The scenario allows for an emphasis on amphibious operations within the context of a larger stability and security operation. The following two photos are from Australian Government Defence An NH90 assisting with relief in Australian bushfires, 2019-2020. (ADF Official) RNZAF NH90s operating from a helicopter carrier in Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. (ADF Official) The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • February 19 · 45 min

    WONZ 347 – Flying Boat Month: Grant Harnish

    Guest: Grant Harnish Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 19th of February 2026 Released: 20th of February 2026 Duration: 45 minutes 34 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show “Flying Boat Month” episode Dave Homewood speaks with Grant Harnish of Salt Air in the Bay of Islands. Grant owns and flies ZK-CFA, which is the only airworthy Grumman Widgeon flying boat in the Southern Hemisphere. Grant talks about operating the Widgeon, and also sistership Widgeon ZK-AVM, commercially with Salt Air at Paihia from 1992 through till 2000. And he discusses buying ZK-CFA back many years later and embarking on a big restoration that brought it back to pristine airworthy condition. He also talks about the rest of the Salt Air fleet, a mix of helicopters and fixed wing types, and their various roles. The helicopters are based on the Paihia waterfront, and the Gippsland GA-8 Airvan is based at Kerikeri Airport. Quick Links: • Salt Air • The 3rd Level New Zealand Blog page on ZK-CFA’s history The following photos are used with permission from Grant Harnish and from the Salt Air Facebook page, here Grant’s Grumman G44A Widgeon ZK-CFA Living the Dream with ZK-CFA History on display. Rafael Sanchez on the left in Cuba, circa 1950s with CU-N346, which is now ZK-CFA Grant in the pilot’s seat at Kingfish Lodge, back in 1992 or 1993. This was at a fire in Ahipara. A barracuda hunt fishing competition, mid ’90’s. Grant says, “We won heaviest fish…. bit of a story with that one.” Bringing CFA north before the rebuild. Above: In the right hand seat this is Katja Sanchez, whose grandfather owned ZK-CFA, which was back then CU-N346, in Cuba from 1949 through till 1962. So her family flew in the same plane 70 years ago! The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • February 14 · 1 hr

    WONZ 346 – Flying Boat Month – David Berger

    Guest: David Berger Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 11th of February 2026 Released: 14th of February 2026 Duration: 1 hour 53 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show “Flying Boat Month” episode Dave Homewood speaks with David Berger, who is an ex-pat British doctor who lives in Fernmount, NSW, in Australia, and works in Broome, in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. But he has a hangar at Omarama, Central Otago, and he spends a fair bit of time in this country flying his aeroplanes. He owns a Piper Super Cub, a Cessna 185 and his beloved Republic Seabee which he based here in Omarama. David talks about the history of the Seabee, and what it is like to fly. He also tells some fascinating stories of flying long distance trips around the world in the Cessna, etc. Quick Links: • Republic Seabee • Spencer Air Car • The Franklin Engine Company • SeaBear Aircraft • Honoria Glossop The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. David Berger and his Republic Seabee, which carried the name “Honoria Glossop” The Omarama hangar, with the Super Cub and the Seabee tucked up inside. David’s Super Cub VH-YUP on a gravel bar in the South Island of New Zealand David’s Cessna A185F N185MW, ‘Honey Bun 7’, seen here at Cameron Corner, Queensland in the Strzelecki Desert. David’s sons Tom and Ed and some locals refuel the Cessna at Henderson Field, Guadalcanal, in the Solomon Islands. This was a major base for RNZAF Hudsons and Venturas in WWII. Below are some of David’s videos of the Seabee operating from Lake Ohau And here is the Blue Horizons movie that David spoke about in the episode

  • February 8 · 58 min

    WONZ 345 – Flying Boat Month – David Wilkinson

    Guest: David Wilkinson, SAANZ President Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 22nd of January 2026 Released: 8th of February 2026 Duration: 58 minutes 06 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show “Flying Boat Month” episode Dave Homewood speaks with David Wilkinson, who is President of the Sport Aircraft Association of New Zealand. He is also owner and pilot of a small fleet of aeroplanes, with his latest addition being a Taylor Coot flying boat that he has restored after it was close to becoming scrapped. The Taylor Coot is a two-seat homebuilt amphibious aircraft designed by Moulton Taylor, who was famous for his flying car designs. David’s example, ZK-JST, was originally built in the 1980s by SAANZ stalwart and Life Member Alistair McLachlan, who had been an engineer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force and with Air New Zealand. David talks about the history of the airframe and how he ended up acquiring it. He talks about the restoration process and the various upgrades he has made during the rebuild, including the installation of a bigger horsepower engine then before. And he talks about what it has been like to learn to fly the Coot, his first flying boat. As well as the Coot, Dave also has his father Don’s Corby Starlet ZK-TOY, his Van’s RV-8, his Rihn DR-107 One Design, and a half share with Andrew Hope in the Pitts Special ZK-MPM. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud. Quick Links: • Taylor Coot on Wikipedia • Previous WONZ Show episode with David Wilkinson and Alistair McLachlan – WONZ 88 Photos below were taken by David Wilkinson unless specified. Taylor Coot ZK-JST out and about after restoration by David Wilkinson, who took this photo. David Wilkinson water taxiing his Taylor Coot on the Hauraki Gulf, Auckland. Photo from his GoPro. Alistair McLachlan back in the Coot Photo by Dave Homewood Photo by Dave Homewood Photo by Dave Homewood David’s video of his Coot

  • February 2 · 44 min

    WONZ 344 – Andy Love on Warbirds Over Wanaka 2026

    Guest: Andy Love Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 2nd of February 2026 Released: 2nd of February 2026 Duration: 44 minutes 58 seconds In this episode Andy Love, air display coordinator of the upcoming Warbirds Over Wanaka 2026 International Airshow gives a rundown of what the public can expect to see, and he warns that tickets are selling out fast. The three-day show over Easter Weekend – 3rd to 5th of April 2026 – is looking to be a very good one with some spectacular flying acts lined up. Easter Saturday is now fully sold out but there are still General Admission and Silver Pass tickets available for Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Get your tickets here! https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/httpswww-warbirdsoverwanaka-comairshow/tickets Also selling fast are the bookings for the various aircraft rides available, so go to the links on this page to make your bookings: https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/flight-experience Check out the line up here: https://www.warbirdsoverwanaka.com/httpswww-warbirdsoverwanaka-comairshow/aircraft-confirmed The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • January 31 · 3 hr 52 min

    WONZ 343 – Flying Boat Month – Paul Dalley

    Guest: Paul Dalley, aka Seaplane Paul Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 10th of January 2026 Released: 1st of February 2026 Duration: 3 hour 52 minutes 49 seconds In this extra-length Wings Over New Zealand Show “Flying Boat Month” episode Dave Homewood speaks with Paul Dalley, who grew up with aviation around him thanks to his grandfather Ian Henry, a well-known propeller maker. Paul talks about learning to fly, his adventures flying his Piper Cub in Japan while running a language school there, and flying air displays there with fellow Kiwi pilot Robert Fry and others. He talks about flying in Australia where he’d planned to buy a tourism flying business and how things changed. And flying in Papua New Guinea. And then he ended up purchasing a Lake Buccaneer in New Zealand and he took it up to Vanuatu and achieved his lifelong dream of becoming a flying boat pilot in the Pacific, just like Jake Cutter in one of his favourite childhood television shows, Tales of the Gold Monkey, and the 1992 film Porco Rosso. Paul has some wonderful adventure stories and ells of some seriously scary moments in the air, in Japan and in the Pacific. He has real insight into the joys of flight too. So sit back and listen to the stories of Seaplane Paul. Above: The golden sands of a tropical Pacific beach, and Paul Dalley’s Lake Buccaneer flying boat. Paul Dalley Paul with his Piper Super Cub in Japan. Top: Stephen Collins as Jake Cutter with Jack (played by Leo the Dog) in the 1982-82 American television series Tales of the Gold Monkey. Bottom: Jake’s classic Grumman flying boat, Cutter’s Goose. The series was a huge inspiration for Paul that led to his fulfilment of a childhood dream of flying his own flying boat on island adventures in the South Pacific. Tales of the Kiwi Buccaneer Paul’s Lake Buccaneer photographed by Peter Lewis. Paul with Meredith Caisley, left, and Peter Lewis, right, during their Vanuatu vacation flight. Photo Peter Lewis. More recently when Paul returned to New Zealand and flew for Auckland Seaplanes. He now lives in Picton. The trailer for the 1992 film Porco Rosso, which Paul discusses.

  • January 12 · 1 hr 33 min

    WONZ 342 – Mark Hillier

    Guest: Mark Hillier Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 6th of January 2026 Released: 13th of January 2026 Duration: 1 hour 33 minutes 35 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show episode Dave Homewood speaks with Mark Hillier, who is a recreational pilot, a historian, an author and he is Head of Operations at Spitfires.com, the adventure rides company based at Goodwood Aerodrome, Westhampnett, in West Sussex, UK. Mark discusses his background in aviation, and talks about Spitfires.com and their fleet of aircraft. That includes three two-seaters plus the Silver Spitfire that flew around the world. He also talks about his passion for aviation history, the many books hat he has written, and the veterans he has met along the way. And he talks about his close connection to the late RAF groundcrew veteran Joe Roddis, who served on No. 485 (NZ) Squadron through that unit’s whole existence. No. 485 (NZ) Squadron’s time based at Westhampnett is also detailed, and also a little history of other squadrons based there and at the nearby RAF Tangmere, which Westhampnett was a satellite airfield to. Quick Links: • Mark Hiller’s website • Spitfires.com • Mark’s books on Amazon • Mark’s books at Pen and Sword • Goodwood Aerodrome (Formerly RAF Westhampnett) • RAF Westhampnett on Wikipedia Above Left: The late Joe Roddis. Centre: The book by Joe and Mark. Right: Mark with his RAF Tangmere 100 Objects book. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • January 6 · 1 hr 15 min

    WONZ 341 – Ray Tocker

    Guest: Warrant Officer Raymond William Tocker 73469 (18 June 1931 to 24 September 2015) Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 11th of February 2013 Released: 6th of January 2026 Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes 32 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show episode Dave Homewood pulled another previously unpublished older interview out of the archives. The recording is with the late Ray Tocker, who was a good mate of Dave’s. On a visit to Ray’s place, a couple of blocks from Dave’s, Ray began telling stories of his RNZAF service so Dave gained permission to pull his recorder out of his rucksack and hit record. The result was a great conversation with Ray telling some wonderful and often very funny stories about his days in the RNZAF in the 1950s. The conversation was heavily focused on his days at RNZAF Base Ohakea working in the maintenance hangar on Mosquitoes, Devons, a Grumman Avenger, and more. And he also talks about some adventures when he was a Flight Engineer on the Short Sunderland flying boat, including the incident where he was aboard Sunderland NZ4113 when it scraped its belly along the new runway at the opening of Wellington Airport, and how he repaired the hole to save the aircraft. Ray was awarded a medal for his actions in saving the aircraft. From Colin Hanson’s By Such Deeds – Honours and awards in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, 1923 – 1999: TOCKER, Warrant Officer Raymond William, (cvsa). H73469; Born Ohakune, 18 Jun 1931; RNZAF 14 Apr 1949 to 27 Apr 1973; Engine Fitter, then Flight Engineer. Citation Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service in the Air (QB1960): Not available. The following is an extract from a letter to the then Sgt Tocker from the CAS – “This well earned award recognises your personal efforts in enabling the Sunderland damaged at the opening of Wellington Airport [on 25 Oct 1959] to carry out a safe landing on its return to Hobsonville.” Quick Links: • Ray’s autobiography Adventures of a Kiwi Airman on Amazon For any inquiries into this book, contact Ray’s daughter Ali, email: alitocker1@gmail.com Ray Tocker (cvsa) in the centre, representing the Cambridge RSA during an ANZAC Day. Note his Mosquito lapel pin. Ray Tocker in the centre wit his hand on his heart during a special ceremony that marked the 70th Anniversary of the Amiens Prison Raid held at the Cambridge Cenotaph. You can hear more about this and Ray’s speech in the Amiens Raid episode HERE Above: Five photos come via Antonio McDonald of that hangar fire at Ohakea that Ray talks about. Here is an Archives NZ film about that Rongotai Airshow for Wellington Airport’s opening, showing the unfortunate incident for the Sunderland. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPXcByce_hY The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud.

  • Dec 31, 2025 · 53 min

    WONZ 340 – Buck Pound

    Guest: Flight Lieutenant Wilfrid Leopold “Buck” Pound NZ427559 – 21 October 1922 to 27 January 2021 Hosts: Dave Homewood Recorded: 29th of June 2013 Released: 31st of December 2025 Duration: 53 minutes 23 seconds In this Wings Over New Zealand Show episode Dave Homewood interviews WWII RNZAF bomber pilot ‘Buck’ Pound. He spent a short time in the Army in Tauranga after WWII broke out, before getting into the RNZAF. His initial training was at Rotorua, and he began flying training at Ashburton on de Havilland Tiger Moths. Next he progressed onto flying Airspeed Oxfords at Wigram. Upon passing out with his flying badge, Buck was posted to England where he flew more Oxfords, and then onto Vickers Wellingtons at No. 11 Operational Training Unit at Westcott. He and his crew, and his best mate Robbie who was another pilot with his own crew, volunteered to got to Italy. They joined No. 104 Squadron at Foggia, flying Wellingtons in the night bombing role. He talks about some of the experiences he had including a terrifying night when the Wellington was struck by lightning and they lost all their instruments. Following the tour in Italy, Buck was sent to by converted onto Mosquitoes. And he ended up flying Mosquitoes from Malta in a specialist target marking role. After the war Buck got into banking and finance. Buck was a member of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association. He passed away on the 27th of January 2021. Quick Links: • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page Photos from Wilfred ‘Buck’ Pound’s collection, via The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Archive. The music at the end of this episode is Wild Flower by Joachim Karud

  • Nov 24, 2025 · 1 hr 19 min

    WONZ 339 – Mosquito at 85

    Guests: Reg Mitchell – No. 488 (NZ) Squadron Keith Boles DFC – No. 109 Squadron PFF Harold “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.

  • Nov 9, 2025 · 1 hr 22 min

    WONZ 338 – Geoff Rothwell

    Guest: Squadron Leader Geoffrey Maurice Rothwell, DFC+Bar, BC Clasp, CDeG1940 + Palme(Bel), COdLeoll + Palme(Bel), LdH (Fra). RAF 42726, RNZAF. WWII. POW#5865 3 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

  • Oct 8, 2025 · 1 hr 41 min

    WONZ 337 – Nick ‘Oz’ Osborne

    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