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Guests: Arthur Joplin (No. 617 Squadron pilot) and Ron Mayhill (No. 75 (NZ) Squadron bomb aimer), with Peter Wheeler of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association. Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 29th of August 2013 Published: 26th of February 2024 Duration: 40 minutes, 46 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood dips into his archive and pulls out a 2013 recording that he made when he and Peter Wheeler (of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association) visited Arthur Joplin and Ron Mayhill at Arthur’s retirement village home in Remuera. The recording was made during a social visit, when Dave and Peter got Arthur and Ron to tell some of their memories. This is an edited version to pull out the most interesting highlights from the conversation. Arthur was an RNZAF veteran who served as a Lancaster pilot with No. 617 Squadron RAF during WWII. He was one of the pilots that attacked the German battleship Tirpitz twice, sinking it in November 1944. Ron was an RNZAF bomb aimer, who flew with New Zealand’s heavy bomber squadron, No. 75 (NZ) Squadron, during the latter part of 1944. He wrote the absolutely brilliant memoir Bombs On Target, which is a must read. He also served several years till his death as President of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association. Ron passed away in 2020, and Arthur died in 2023, so these memories and stories are precious reminders of these great men and the things they did during WWII. Quick Links:• The New Zealand Bomber Command Association • The New Zealand Bomber Command Association Facebook Page • The Tirpitz The Lancaster artwork from Ron Mayhill’s marvellous book Bombs On Target. Above: Arthur Joplin, in later life, and right during WWII. (NZBCA Archives) Above: Ron Mayhill, in later life, and right during WWII. (NZBCA Archives) The music heard in this episode is Wild Flower by Joakim Karud

Guest: Denis Sharp and Jim Cosgrove Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 27th of July 2023 Published: 18th of February 2024 Duration: 1 hour minutes, seconds In this episode of Wings Over Britain Dave Homewood is given a guided tour of the remains of former RAF Hunsdon by local historians Denis Sharp and Jim Cosgrove on a drizzly day. Hunsdon was a wartime airfield in Hertfordshire that was home to several wartime squadrons and units. These included No. 487 (NZ) Squadron with their Mosquito fighter-bombers alongside No. 464 Squadron RAAF and No. 21 Squadron RAF, which together formed No. 140 Wing. The No. 140 Wing Mosquitoes took off from here to make the famous attack on the Amiens prison in northern France, in an attempt to release hundreds of members of the French Resistance who were being held prisoner by the Gestapo. Another New Zealand squadron that spent a short time at Hunsdon was No. 488 (NZ) Squadron, before they deployed to the Continent with their night fighter Mosquitoes. It was also home at various periods to No. 3 Squadron RAF with their Hurricanes, and the Hunsdon Wing which was made up from No. 611 (West Lancashire) Squadron, No. 154 (Motor Industry) Squadron and No. 442 (Caribou) Squadron, RCAF. These days most of the buildings and structures have disappeared, but the airfield remains active with a small flying club with light aircraft and microlights. A memorial to those who served there can be found next to the flying club. Quick Links:• Hertfortshire Airfields Memorial Group’s page on RAF Hunsdon• RAF Hunsdon on Wikipedia• Hunsdon Village’s page on RAF Hunsdon• WONZ Episode 62 – The Amiens Prison Raid 70th Anniversary Special from 10 years earlier Jim Cosgrove, left, and Denis Sharp, right, with the RAF Hunsdon Memorial. A 1943 aerial of RAF Hunsdon, taken from the HAMG page. A 1946 aerial shot overlayed onto Google Earth image, taken from the HAMG page. Denis Sharp on the perimeter track with the wartime footprints. a href="https://cambridgeairforce.org.

Guest: Jason Webb Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 26th of July 2023 Published: 15th of February 2024 Duration: 16 minutes, 31 seconds In this mini-episode of Wings Over Britain Dave Homewood meets Jason Webb at the Bottisham Airfield Museum, at former RAF Bottisham in Cambridgeshire. The museum presents the history of the wartime station, which has now reverted back to countryside, including its time as a Royal Air Force station with Army Cooperation P-40s and Mustangs, and then as a USAAF fighter base with Mustangs. It also covers the local area’s war efforts with displays depicting the Home Front organisations such as the Home Guard and Air Raid Precautions (ARP) units. The museum is located in genuine wartime buildings from the airfield, and includes recreations of various offices and living quarters to show how life was there during WWII, plus lots of aviation artefacts, genuine uniforms, models, photos and much more depicting the base’s history, and there is a stunningly realistic replica P-51D Mustang “Lou IV” acting as centrepiece and gate guard. Quick Links:• Bottisham Airfield Museum Website• Bottisham Airfield Museum on Facebook Jason Webb with the Mustang replica.

Guest: Rebecca Greenwood Harding Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 25th of July 2023 Published: 6th of February 2024 Duration: 33 minutes, 15 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood visited the Imperial War Museum at Duxford, in Cambridgeshire, and caught up with Rebecca Greenwood Harding, the Head of Technological Objects for the collection there. Following a tour of the museum with Rebecca and mutual friend Mike Shreeve, including some areas that the public does not normally see, Dave sat down with Rebecca to record this interview. Duxford is one of the most famous airfields in the world, and the Imperial War Museum’s collection, and the various collections of the IWM’s partners at Duxford, are incredibly impressive. Rebecca talks about her role and how she got into the job there in 2001. She describes the exhibits in the various hangars, and different events that are held at Duxford each year. And she talks about the restoration projects in Hangar 5 at the time, as well as revealing her favourite aircraft in the collection, and her favourite Spitfire. Quick Links:.• The Imperial War Museum Duxford The music in this episode is I Vow To Thee, My Country by Gustav Holst. Thanks to Mike Shreeve and Ania Shreeve for their assistance with making this episode. Below are photos from two days’ visiting Duxford, copyright Dave Homewood July 2023. Mike Shreeve and Rebecca Greenwood Harding during the tour of the old station on the opposite side of the road. a href="https://cambridgeairforce.org.

Guest: Tony Philpot Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 18th of July 2023 Published: 19th of January 2024 Duration: 50 minutes, 8 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood visits the RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre, on the site of the former RAF Station Hornchurch, and he talks with the museum’s curator Tony Philpot. RAF Hornchurch is synonymous with the Battle of Britain, as one of the most famous and important fighter bases that existed in the defence of London. It was here that some of the Royal Air Force’s best pilots were based, and this included New Zealanders such as Alan Deere and Colin Gray in 1940. Another Kiwi connection is with No. 485 (New Zealand) Squadron, whose Spitfires were based at Hornchurch for two different stints in 1943 and 1944. Hornchurch was also the site of a New Zealand Army hospital and convalescence centre in the First World War. And there are other Kiwi connections with the hallowed area too. Steeped with RAF history, the station no longer exists, but on the 19th of September 2021 the new RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre was officially opened by Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon GCB CBE. The centre is packed with really interesting artefacts, displays and memories of RAF Hornchurch’s amazing history. Close to Romford, Essex, just east of London, the centre is well worth a visit. The volunteer staff on the day that Dave visited, Tony, Paul and Jim, were fantastic fun too with lots of great banter, but also a true dedication to preserving and sharing the history of their now paved over and built on aerodrome. Highly recommended. Quick Links:.• RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre• RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre on Facebook• Hornchurch Aerodrome Historical Trust on Facebook Above: RAF Hornchurch Heritage Centre volunteers Paul (left) and Jim (centre) and Tony Phillpot. Great fun hosts, and very knowledgeable museum guides! a href="https://cambridgeairforce.org.

Guest: Stephen Bridgewater Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 13th of July 2023 Published: 20th of December 2023 Duration: 1 hour 8 minutes, 9 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood talks with well known aviation journalist Steve Bridgewater about his career and his passion for aviation. Steve is a multiple award winning aviation author, journalist and photographer with more than two decades experience in editing aviation and aerospace magazines . His passions include vintage aeroplanes, warbirds and airshows. He spent many years with Air Atlantique, working with the DC-3’s and other old aeroplanes in that now defunct collection. He is also a Liveryman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, and he explains what this means. His current role, and dream job, is as Deputy Editor of AEROSPACE Magazine at the Royal Aeronautical Society. His office is at No. 4 Hamilton Place, London, overlooking Hyde Park, and right near the Bomber Command Memorial in Green Park, and the RAF Club. He and the AEROSPACE team also produce a monthly podcast called AEROSPACE NOTAM. Quick Links:• The Royal Aeronautical Society (UK)• AEROSPACE Magazine• AEROSPACE NOTAM Podcast• Steve on Facebook• Steve on X Twitter• Steve in Linked In Steve Bridgewater. (Steve Bridgewater photo) The AEROSPACE magazine team, left to right, Charlotte Bailey, Tim Robinson, Steve Bridgewater and Bella Richards. (Steve Bridgewater photo) A selfie taken by Steve Bridgewater at the Flying Legends airshow at Church Fenton, Yorkshire. Left to right, Steve Bridgewater, Simon Jacubowski, Johan Brobakken, Dave Homewood and Graham Henderson. Steve’s painting of the Dakota he first flew in as a boy. The music in this episode is I Vow To Thee, My Country by Gustav Holst.

Guest: Fletcher McKenzie Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 27th of October 2023 Published: 14th of December 2023 Duration: 59 minutes, 46 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood chats with Fletcher McKenzie, an entrepreneur and former advertising executive who turned his hand to television and, with Malcolm Clement, produced the very popular FlightPath TV, which was seen in 61 countries around the world through Discovery Channel. Fletch talks about his passion for aviation and his journey into becoming a pilot. And he talks about the TV show, and film work with various aviation museums. He then got into writing books and has been prolific, with his Lessons From The Sky series. More recently Fletch has released his bestselling book From The Pilot’s Seat: Kiwi Adventures In The Sky. This book includes 23 interviews with New Zealanders whose work, service and/or life’s passion is in flying. The Kiwis come from all walks of like, from Air Force pilots to warbird display pilots to glider pilots to commercial helicopter pilots. Quick Links:• Fletcher McKenzie’s Website• From The Pilot’s Seat on Penguin Books• fromthepilotsseat.org To watch FlightPath TV and other videos. Fletch extends a 50% Offer for listeners – click “Add promotion code” on the Stripe checkout page use SKYHIGH50. Above: Fletcher McKenzie.

Guest: Andy Saunders Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 12th of July 2023 Published: 10th of December 2023 Duration: 1 hour 26 minutes, 14 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood caught up with author, journalist and historian Andy Saunders in his ‘War Office’ writing room in Eton, under the flightpath to Heathrow. Andy talks about his childhood discovery of a downed B-25 bomber while on a fishing trip that really sparked his interest in wartime aviation. He talks about finding wrecks of downed aeroplanes, and how he got into the historical research. He has spent years tracking down and interviewing pilots and aircrew, initially for his own interest, but it eventually led to writing magazine articles and then books. These days he is editor of Iron Cross magazine, and regularly writes articles for various newspapers and magazines. Andy was also a co-founder of the Tangmere Aviation Museum. And Dave and Andy discuss New Zealanders in the Battle of Britain, and their visit earlier in the day to the Runnymede Memorial. Quick Links:• Andy Saunders on Grub Street Publishing• Andy Saunders on Frontline Books (Pen & Sword)• Andy Saunders’ Haynes Battle of Britain Manual•  Andy Saunders on Wikipedia•  Iron Cross Magazine Above: Andy Saunders at his desk in his writing retreat, the “War Office”. Andy outside the “War Office”. Andy’s book on the Spitfire P9374, which he talks about. It is available in New Zealand here Runnymede Memorial, the Royal Air Force’s Memorial to missing airmen with no known graves. The music in this episode is I Vow To Thee, My Country by Gustav Holst.

Guest: Darren Priday, Manager of the RAF Museum’s Conservation Centre Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 11th of July 2023 Published: 18th of November 2023 Duration: 46 minutes, 39 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood visited the terrific Royal Air Force Museum Midlands, at RAF Cosford, with friend Nigel Hitchman, and he met the Manager of the RAF Museum’s Conservation Centre, Darren Priday. Darren talks about the museum at Cosford, recent restorations such as the Vickers Wellington now on display at Cosford and the Handley Page Hampden that he is still working on and was about to head soon to display at Hendon. He covers the recovery of the Dornier 17 ten years before, and how they have been conserving it and preparing it for display. And he talks about the techniques they have used and developed to preserve aircraft recovered from the sea. He gives a teaser for another sea recovery project that does not involve the RAF Museum, but he is advising on. He addresses the problem of having several aircraft outside in the weather, and plans for a new building in the future. And gives a good general overview of the museum. Quick Links: •  The RAF Museum Midlands Website •  The RAF Museum Website • The RAF Museum on Facebook Above: Darren Priday, Manager of the RAF Museum’s Conservation Centre, with the Vickers Wellington a href="https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/P1460181-scaled.

Guests: Tracy Dixon, Airside Manager for Wings Over Wairarapa 2023 Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 14th of November 2023 Published: 14th of November 2023 Duration: 21 minutes, 28 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood speaks with Tracy Dixon, the Airside Manager for the Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival, which will take place over the 24th to 26th of November 2023 at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton. Tracy gives a preview of what airshow goers can expect to see. Highlights will include the airshow debut of the RNZAF’s new Boeing P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, the return to the airshow scene after more than six years of Goodyear FG-1D Corsair NZ5648 (ZK-COR) in a new RNZAF paint scheme, the T-28 Trojan pair, and the new Legends Aviation display team. Quick Links: •  Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival website •  Wings Over Wairarapa Air Festival on Facebook •  Wings Over Wairarapa Tickets •  RNZAF Corsair Supporters Facebook Group •  Legend Aviation Corsair NZ5648 will appear in all new markings. They have been removed in this photo to add to the mystery of how she will look. Come along and find out at Wings Over Wairarapa! (Photo Marty Nicoll) Above: Tracy Dixon.

Guests: Ian Thirsk, Mosquito Team Leader Host: Dave Homewood Recorded: 7th of July 2023 Published: 11th of November 2023 Duration: 53 minutes, 09 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood visits the de Havilland Aircraft Museum at London Colney, Hertfordshire, and he interviews Ian Thirsk, the Mosquito Team Leader with the museum. Whilst the museum preserves the history and products of the famous aircraft manufacturer de Havilland and many of its significant products, the episode focuses heavily on the Mosquito. The museum has three Mosquitos on display, including the very first prototype. Also among the collection are many other important aircraft types from biplanes to jets, fighters to airliners. Hopefully this episode highlights the importance of the company and its aeroplanes to both the British aviation industry and to New Zealand, and also entices listeners to visit this museum that is packed full of incredibly rare treasures. Quick Links: •  de Havilland Aircraft Museum website •  de Havilland Aircraft Museum on Facebook Ian Thirsk in front of the de Havilland Mosquito prototype W4050. a href="https://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZShow/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/P1450720-scaled.

Guest: Julian Maslin, BBMF Guide. Host: Dave Homewood, with Barbara Hunter. Recorded: 6th of July 2023 Published: 3rd of November 2023 Duration: 1 hour, 4 minutes, 27 seconds In this episode Dave Homewood visits The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight at RAF Coningsby in Lincolnshire. He was accompanied by Barbara Hunter of the New Zealand Bomber Command Association, and they were given a personal guided tour by BBMF Guide Julian Maslin. Julian describes each of the aircraft in this amazing collection, which remain on the RAF’s Order of Battle, and he talks about the day to day running of the BBMF. Quick Links: • The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight • The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight (Official) on Facebook Above: BBMF Guide Julian Maslin.