Warbird Information Exchange

Wish I had a more appropriate way to show thanks, but unfortunately I'm not educated enough in specifics regarding our RAAF & RNZAF allies and friends. All I can offer are a few broad photos as remembrance and my own gratitude to ALL in Australia and New Zealand who served with honor. I've visited both countries a few times and always have had fond memories. I also have a very fond memory of one of my dad's last trips to Santa Barbara CA to spend time with me and during his time here he would visit the lounge in the afternoon at the Biltmore Hotel in Montecito. He one day would meet a fellow WWII pilot sitting at the lounge for an afternoon cocktail. This gentleman was a Spitfire pilot with the RAAF during WWII. I didn't have a chance to meet the fellow as he and dad had their own private afternoons to themselves to re-live "the old flying days" so I didn't know or ask my dad any specifics about the fellow. My dad would always remind me of his "friend from OZ" who he greatly admired and respected. I kept it at that for dad. Wish I would have asked dad about his RAAF history though as I'm sure he had a very interesting and honorable career.

"HAPPY ANZAC DAY!!!" .... April 25, 2018, which is today already for our friends.

For those in the States or elsewhere that aren't quite sure what Anzac day commemorates.

"Anzac Day is a national day of remembrance in Australia and New Zealand that broadly commemorates all Australians and New Zealanders "who served and died in all wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations" and "the contribution and suffering of all those who have served". Observed on 25 April each year, Anzac Day was originally devised to honor the members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli against the Ottoman Empire during World War I."

Below are the best "random" RAAF & RNZAF photos I have collected over the years. All treasures that I'm honored to post here on WIX as a memorial to those brave hero's.
I can only hope I have them correctly labeled.

Part 1



Vultee Vengeance from 12 Squadron, RAAF off the north coast of New Guinea during WW2.


RAAF Spitfire Mk. VIII, A58-315 (ex JF934)


Lockheed PV-1 Ventura A59-61 from 13 Squadron, RAAF in WW2


Martin PBM Mariner, A70-12 from 41 Squadron, RAAF in the cruise, circa 1944.


1944, Lake Boga, VIC. Catalina undergoing servicing.


North Queensland, ca 1944. Catalina DX-H taxis at sea


A68-157 and -124 were the last two Mustangs operated by 25 Squadron. Retired on 23rd April 1956 and sent to Tocumwal.


A68-170 was a target tug. Had a wheels up landing at Williamtown in 1954


Mustang A68-199 recently returned to the skies


22 Squadron Citizen Air Force at Richmond.


Point Cook down on the Southern Tarmac. Cement headed rockets.


Engine tests


Charles Robert Moody, RAAF No.26809, Unit No.1 Engineering School.


6AD Oakey 1945

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Part 2


No 3 Squadron Mustang at RAAF Canberra with big jugs, early 1950s


RAAF 452 Squadron Spitfire Mark VIII Fighters on Borneo 1945


RAAF 452 Squadron Spitfire Mark VIII Fighters on Borneo 1945


Vought F4U Corsair #39 RNZAF Bougainville 1945


RNZAF Chance Vought F4U-1D Corsair (NZ5440 'Lil' Audrey') landing at Jacquinot Bay, 1945

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Part 3


Grumman Avenger nose over at RNZAF Station Gisborne.


Great photo of a hero on the wing of his P-40


RNZAF Corsairs at Espirito Santo, 1944.


Three more hero's


P-40E Kittyhawk NZ3008 (HQ-B) from No. 14 (Fighter) Squadron, Royal New Zealand Air Force, based at RNZAF Station Masterton (Hood Aerodrome) in mid-1942


Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawk of the 14 Sqn RNZAF in flight July 1943

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Part 4


20 Squadron RNZAF Curtiss P-40 Kittyhawks in formation over Auckland city during an air crew recruiting campaign, 1944


Three RAAF B-24 Liberators fly past the Darwin Tower


Mk.VIII at Darwin, 548 Squadron, stripped of all paint and polished silver


2 OTU Spitfires, Wirraways and a Mosquito in the distance.


Mustang A68-67 flies over the Fisherman's Bend Airstrip


RAAF B-25 A47-44

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Part 5


RAAF B-24 Liberator


Avro Lancaster B.Mk.III ED930 (RAAF A66-1) 'Queenie' and Curtiss P-40, New Zealand, probably on war bonds tour.


RAAF 30 Sqn Beaufighter


German Messerschmitt Bf 109, which was shot down over England in late 1940, and brought to New Zealand relatively early on in the War, in late 1941


Group of personnel of No. 486 (NZ) Squadron RAF, soon after formation, with one of their Hurricanes.


No. 19 Squadron group.


No. 19 Squadron group at RNZAF Station Ardmore (Dave Howlett collection)


No. 19 Squadron group (Dave Howlett collection)


No. 487 Squadron at RAF Feltwell, February 1943.


Lancaster os R5869 PO-S RAAF


463 & 467 Squadrons RAAF Waddington 1945


No.31 SQDN Officers at Coomalie Creek WWII Base, Northern Territory, Australia


WWII Australian Servicewomen


Cat prowling over Sydney

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Your all honored, respected, held at the highest level of hero's and forever remembered and you will never be forgotten ..... never, ever, ever ...

February 23, 2018. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull honors the only Australian buried at Arlington National Cemetery

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/video/ ... ilot-in-US

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

National War Memorial (New Zealand)
The dedication of the National War Memorial Carillon, on Anzac Day, 25 April 1932.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Australian War Memorial

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Thanks Mark, most appreciated. It is very pleasing to see that numbers attending the services, particularly the Dawn Service, have been increasing year upon year. The younger generations are really stepping up in honouring the memory of the ANZACS - Lest We Forget

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Thank you for enlightening many on Australia's and New Zealand's contribution to wartime and peacetime actions BUT I have one point you need to be picked up on very clearly.

Australians and New Zealanders NEVER celebrate Anzac Day.
We never say "Happy Anzac Day".

We commemorate the loss of our people who died in war and remember the survivors and current service personnel who serve in harm's way.

I don't celebrate the death of my relatives in WW1.... I remember their loss.

Make sure you have others know this because you may find many Aussies and Kiwis highly offended at any "celebrations"

Yep! You are indeed correct. My slip up on that. No offense intended.

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“Knowing what’s right, doesn’t mean much unless you do what’s right.”

Hi Mark, sincere thanks on some amazing pics that commemorate a day we remember sacrifices, you have some fantastic pics in that collection, thank you! Pete

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Give me a Centaurus over a Merlin any day

Great pictures Mark, always look forward to your posts.

Thanks Mark from a grateful Kiwi.

Great pics Mark! I maybe wrong but is that Boyington in the middle and Chris Magee on the left?