No. 75 Squadron RNZAF
Encyclopedia
No. 75 Squadron RNZAF was an air combat squadron of the Royal New Zealand Air Force
. It was formed from the RAF
's World War II
bomber squadron, No. 75 Squadron
, which had been initially equipped by the New Zealand government and was largely manned by New Zealanders. The squadron was created when, in a unique gesture, the squadron number, colours and battle honours were transferred to the RNZAF
in 1946. It had flown more sorties and suffered more casualties than any other in the European theatre
.
The squadron ceased to exist on 13 December 2001, when the RNZAF Air Combat Force, comprising Nos 2, 14, and 75 Squadrons, was officially disbanded.
No. 75 Squadron Royal Flying Corps
(later RAF) was formed as a home defence fighter
unit in World War I
but disbanded at the end of the war. The squadron reformed at Driffield
on 15 March 1937 as part of the RAF expansion in the mid 1930s, with transfer of pilots from No. 215 Squadron RAF
, being equipped with four Vickers Virginia
s and seven Avro Anson
for bomber training. The squadron later operated Handley Page Harrow
s which were replaced by Anson
s in 1939, operating again in a training role alongside No 15 Operational Training Unit. Meanwhile, the New Zealand government had ordered 30 modern Vickers Wellington
bombers to replace its Vickers Vildebeest
s. Aircrew were sent to England to train on these new aircraft before flying them back to New Zealand. They and their aircraft were attached to 15 OTU.
In August 1939, with war seeming increasingly likely, the New Zealand government offered to lend Britain both men and machines. These took over the "75" squadron number, the letters (NZ) being added in brackets afterwards.
75 was the first of the "brackets" squadrons. Ultimately, six other New Zealand units, as well as Australian, Belgian, Canadian, Czech, French, Greek, Hong Kong, Indian, Norwegian, Polish and South African squadrons were formed within the RAF, until the practice ceased in 1942. These squadrons were usually formed around aircrews from the named nation, replacement aircrew where possible coming from that nation as well, although most ground crew were British. Although often referred to, then and since, as an RNZAF unit, 75 squadron was equipped and controlled by the RAF until VJ day.
s, Avro Lancaster
s, Wellington Bombers and then Avro Lincoln
s, which it was preparing to take to the Far East as part of Tiger Force
when Japan surrendered. The squadron won a single VC, awarded to Sergeant James Allen Ward
for climbing along the wing of a Wellington, in flight, to put out an engine fire. 75 Squadron claims to be the only squadron engaged constantly against Germany from 1939 to VE day. The squadron flew more sorties than any other RAF heavy bomber unit, and suffered more casualties than any other squadron. It dropped the second-largest weight of bombs.
An unusual sortie for 75 Squadron was the high altitude run over The Hague
in March 1945 by a lone Lancaster piloted by Flight Lieutenant H W Hooper. He dropped thousands of leaflets containing an apology from the British government for the earlier Allied
bombing of the city which had been an error.
In March 1944, No. 75 began to exchange its Stirlings for Lancasters and was ready in time to participate in preparation and support of the Allied invasion, the bombing of flying-bomb sites and close-support of the armies. Here it may be mentioned that a Lancaster of the squadron (ND917, a Mark III, captained by Squadron Leader NA Williamson, RNZAF) was, on 30 June 1944, the first British heavy bomber to land in Normandy after the invasion began. The Lancaster was returning from an attack on Villers Bocage in support of the Army and the pilot brought it down on one of the new landing strips in the beach-head in order to seek medical aid for his flight engineer, who had been wounded by flak.
The post-World War II squadron reformed at RNZAF Base Ohakea
and re-equipped, initially with twin-engine de Havilland Mosquito
fighter/bombers. In February 1958 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
presented No 75 Squadron with its Squadron Standard, the squadron having earned the Sovereign's appreciation for outstanding service. Fourteen Battle Honours were awarded, eight of which are depicted on the Standard.
The unit operated de Havilland Vampire
s from 1951 to 1970 out of Ohakea.
From 1958 to 1962 the squadron operated nine English Electric Canberra
s, on loan from the RAF, out of RAF Tengah
, Singapore
. They were used on anti-terrorist operations during the Malayan Emergency
.
In 1970 ten A-4 and 4 TA-4 Skyhawk
s were purchased and allocated to the squadron which was the primary attack squadron for the RNZAF. Early in their life all of the aircraft were modified with cranked refuelling probes. The Skyhawk fleet underwent Project KAHU
in the late 1980s, which upgraded the avionics
systems. The squadron's former Royal Australian Navy
A-4G aircraft were then re-designated A-4K/TA-4K. The Skyhawks were taken out of service when the squadron was disbanded in 2001.
For many years squadron aircraft would routinely deploy to Clark Air Base
, in the Philippines
to exercise with the United States Air Force
as part of Exercise Cope Thunder, and additionally there was for many years a routine deployment to Malaysia named Exercise Vanguard. Skyhawks were first deployed for 'Vanguard' in 1971 and deployed until 1999 and probably afterwards.
A political group of concerned civilians and ex-serviceman, called "Save Our Squadrons,(SOS)" was formed to protest the move, and took high court action in an attempt to prevent its loss. The court action was not successful. The New Zealand National Party
at the time had promised to re-establish an air combat force if it was re-elected, however in later years statements from their defence spokesperson suggested the cost to do so might be prohibitive. In November 2008, the Labour Government was defeated by the National Party led by John Key. Reinstatement of the air combat capability is very unlikely, although it has been discussed in the media from time to time.
was published in 1991, titled Forever Strong (a translation of the squadron's Maori motto, Ake Ake Kia Kaha). A pictorial history of the final days of 2, 14 and 75 Squadron has been published, as has a children's book about a Skyhawk serving with the squadron. Aircraft of the Squadron featured in the film Sleeping Dogs and the Disney movie The Rescue
.
The National Archives schools web-site features an interview with Gordon Ford, a British wireless operator who served with 75 Squadron.http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/snapshots/snapshot53/snapshot53.htm
A Vampire FB Mk.9 at the Museum of Transport and Technology
(MoTaT) in Auckland
, which never flew with the RNZAF in NZ but was used as a painting dolly, has 75 Squadron markings presumably painted by trainees at an RNZAF Station, alongside an ex-French Navy Avro Lancaster
that has been restored and is wearing 75 Squadron colours on one side, and the colours of an RAF squadron with New Zealand aircrew on the other side. In a restoration hangar nearby is a de Havilland Mosquito
formerly used by the squadron, which is being restored for display. A TA4 Skyhawk 'replica' assembled from parts in the late 90's at Ohakea and carrying the ficticous tail number of NZ6257 also carries 75 SQN low visibility markings on one side, with 2 SQN markings on the other. This is the scheme applied to all Skyhawks in the late 90's to 2001, to simplify the rotation of aircraft between 75 Sqn at Ohakea and 2 Sqn at NAS Nowra. This aircraft was positioned outside the Ohakea Museum, but when the Museum was closed in 2007, the replica TA4 was moved into storage at Ohakea. Another Skyhawk in 75 Squadron markings is preserved (in the original RNZAF A4 colour scheme, circa early 1970s) at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum
at Wigram - originally an early model US aircraft, this was gifted to NZ by an American movie company and assembled by the museum with straight refuelling probe and typical bomb and missile load for display. Hanging from the roof alongside is a De Havilland Vampire
FB5 in 75 Squadron colours.
In December 2001, the Air Combat Force of the RNZAF, comprising 2, 14 and 75 Squadrons was closed down, the squadrons disbanded, and the aircraft put up for sale. Since 2002, several private US flight training firms have undertaken due diligence and negotiations to purchase the 17 surviving T/A4K aircraft and the 17 Aermacchi MB339CB's as a package deal. The MB339's have been kept in flying condition by a contracted civilian company using personnel made redundant in 2001 at RNZAF Base Ohakea, however the Skyhawks have been stored in an outside location covered in a latex film at RNZAF Base Woodbourne
. If the aircraft are eventually sold, most of the Skyhawks will require major refurbishment to regain flying condition. The national markings will have to be removed, but it has been mentioned that it is intention of at least one buyer to retain the squadron badges and colour schemes "to preserve the traditions of the RNZAF". On the 7 October 2009, the sale was confirmed to have been completed.
The 75 SQN Association NZ is currently assembling the history of 75 Squadron from 1916 to 2001 for publication in two Volumes that includes stations, bases, countries, battles, honours, aircraft and listing all personnel.
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
. It was formed from the RAF
Royal Air Force
The Royal Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Formed on 1 April 1918, it is the oldest independent air force in the world...
's World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
bomber squadron, No. 75 Squadron
No. 75 Squadron RAF
No. 75 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operated as a bomber unit in World War II, before being transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1945.-First World War, Royal Flying Corps, Home Defence Squadron :...
, which had been initially equipped by the New Zealand government and was largely manned by New Zealanders. The squadron was created when, in a unique gesture, the squadron number, colours and battle honours were transferred to the RNZAF
Royal New Zealand Air Force
The Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
in 1946. It had flown more sorties and suffered more casualties than any other in the European theatre
European Theatre of World War II
The European Theatre of World War II was a huge area of heavy fighting across Europe from Germany's invasion of Poland on September 1, 1939 until the end of the war with the German unconditional surrender on May 8, 1945...
.
The squadron ceased to exist on 13 December 2001, when the RNZAF Air Combat Force, comprising Nos 2, 14, and 75 Squadrons, was officially disbanded.
History
No. 75 Squadron RAF
No. 75 Squadron of the Royal Air Force operated as a bomber unit in World War II, before being transferred to the Royal New Zealand Air Force in 1945.-First World War, Royal Flying Corps, Home Defence Squadron :...
(later RAF) was formed as a home defence fighter
Fighter aircraft
A fighter aircraft is a military aircraft designed primarily for air-to-air combat with other aircraft, as opposed to a bomber, which is designed primarily to attack ground targets...
unit in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
but disbanded at the end of the war. The squadron reformed at Driffield
Driffield
Driffield, also known as Great Driffield, is a market town and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. The civil parish is formed by the town of Driffield and the village of Little Driffield....
on 15 March 1937 as part of the RAF expansion in the mid 1930s, with transfer of pilots from No. 215 Squadron RAF
No. 215 Squadron RAF
No. 215 Squadron was a Royal Air Force aircraft squadron formed as a night bomber squadron in World War I and again in World War II, becoming a transport squadron near the end of the Second World War.-History:...
, being equipped with four Vickers Virginia
Vickers Virginia
|-See also:-References:NotesBibliography* Andrews, C.F. and E.B. Morgan. Vickers Aircraft since 1908. London: Putnam, 1989. ISBN 0-85177-851-1....
s and seven Avro Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
for bomber training. The squadron later operated Handley Page Harrow
Handley Page H.P.54 Harrow
|-See also:-Bibliography:* Barnes, C.H. Handley Page Aircraft since 1907. London: Putnam Publishing, 1987. ISBN 0-85177-803-8.* Clayton, Donald C. Handley Page, an Aircraft Album. Shepperton, Surrey, UK: Ian Allan Ltd., 1969. ISBN 0-7110-0094-8....
s which were replaced by Anson
Avro Anson
The Avro Anson is a British twin-engine, multi-role aircraft that served with the Royal Air Force, Fleet Air Arm and numerous other air forces prior to, during, and after the Second World War. Named for British Admiral George Anson, it was originally designed for maritime reconnaissance, but was...
s in 1939, operating again in a training role alongside No 15 Operational Training Unit. Meanwhile, the New Zealand government had ordered 30 modern Vickers Wellington
Vickers Wellington
The Vickers Wellington was a British twin-engine, long range medium bomber designed in the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, by Vickers-Armstrongs' Chief Designer, R. K. Pierson. It was widely used as a night bomber in the early years of the Second World War, before being displaced as a...
bombers to replace its Vickers Vildebeest
Vickers Vildebeest
The Vickers Vildebeest and the similar Vickers Vincent were two very large two- to three-seat single-engined British biplanes designed and built by Vickers and used as a light bomber, torpedo bomber and in the army cooperation roles...
s. Aircrew were sent to England to train on these new aircraft before flying them back to New Zealand. They and their aircraft were attached to 15 OTU.
75 (NZ) Squadron
75 was the first of the "brackets" squadrons. Ultimately, six other New Zealand units, as well as Australian, Belgian, Canadian, Czech, French, Greek, Hong Kong, Indian, Norwegian, Polish and South African squadrons were formed within the RAF, until the practice ceased in 1942. These squadrons were usually formed around aircrews from the named nation, replacement aircrew where possible coming from that nation as well, although most ground crew were British. Although often referred to, then and since, as an RNZAF unit, 75 squadron was equipped and controlled by the RAF until VJ day.
World War II
75 Squadron saw action early over France, Norway and most other European nations, but principally against Germany. The squadron was progressively equipped with Short StirlingShort Stirling
The Short Stirling was the first four-engined British heavy bomber of the Second World War. The Stirling was designed and built by Short Brothers to an Air Ministry specification from 1936, and entered service in 1941...
s, Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
s, Wellington Bombers and then Avro Lincoln
Avro Lincoln
The Avro Type 694, better known as the Avro Lincoln, was a British four-engined heavy bomber, which first flew on 9 June 1944. Developed from the Avro Lancaster, the first Lincoln variants were known initially as the Lancaster IV and V, but were renamed Lincoln I and II...
s, which it was preparing to take to the Far East as part of Tiger Force
Tiger Force (air)
Tiger Force, also known as the Very Long Range Bomber Force, was the name given to a World War II British Commonwealth long-range heavy bomber force, formed in 1945, from squadrons serving with RAF Bomber Command in Europe, for proposed use against targets in Japan...
when Japan surrendered. The squadron won a single VC, awarded to Sergeant James Allen Ward
James Allen Ward
James Allen Ward VC was a New Zealand recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Biography:...
for climbing along the wing of a Wellington, in flight, to put out an engine fire. 75 Squadron claims to be the only squadron engaged constantly against Germany from 1939 to VE day. The squadron flew more sorties than any other RAF heavy bomber unit, and suffered more casualties than any other squadron. It dropped the second-largest weight of bombs.
An unusual sortie for 75 Squadron was the high altitude run over The Hague
The Hague
The Hague is the capital city of the province of South Holland in the Netherlands. With a population of 500,000 inhabitants , it is the third largest city of the Netherlands, after Amsterdam and Rotterdam...
in March 1945 by a lone Lancaster piloted by Flight Lieutenant H W Hooper. He dropped thousands of leaflets containing an apology from the British government for the earlier Allied
Allies of World War II
The Allies of World War II were the countries that opposed the Axis powers during the Second World War . Former Axis states contributing to the Allied victory are not considered Allied states...
bombing of the city which had been an error.
In March 1944, No. 75 began to exchange its Stirlings for Lancasters and was ready in time to participate in preparation and support of the Allied invasion, the bombing of flying-bomb sites and close-support of the armies. Here it may be mentioned that a Lancaster of the squadron (ND917, a Mark III, captained by Squadron Leader NA Williamson, RNZAF) was, on 30 June 1944, the first British heavy bomber to land in Normandy after the invasion began. The Lancaster was returning from an attack on Villers Bocage in support of the Army and the pilot brought it down on one of the new landing strips in the beach-head in order to seek medical aid for his flight engineer, who had been wounded by flak.
75 Squadron RNZAF
In recognition of their wartime record, in October 1946 the RAF officially handed over the 75 Squadron title and badge to the RNZAF. This is the only occasion that the RAF has “gifted” a Squadron title and badge to another Commonwealth Air Force and is a tribute to the sacrifices and contribution made by all New Zealanders in the RAF during World War II.The post-World War II squadron reformed at RNZAF Base Ohakea
RNZAF Base Ohakea
RNZAF Base Ohakea is an operational base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Opened in 1939, it is near Bulls, 25 km north west of Palmerston North in the Manawatu...
and re-equipped, initially with twin-engine de Havilland Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
fighter/bombers. In February 1958 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother
Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon
Elizabeth Angela Marguerite Bowes-Lyon was the queen consort of King George VI from 1936 until her husband's death in 1952, after which she was known as Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, to avoid confusion with her daughter, Queen Elizabeth II...
presented No 75 Squadron with its Squadron Standard, the squadron having earned the Sovereign's appreciation for outstanding service. Fourteen Battle Honours were awarded, eight of which are depicted on the Standard.
The unit operated de Havilland Vampire
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
s from 1951 to 1970 out of Ohakea.
From 1958 to 1962 the squadron operated nine English Electric Canberra
English Electric Canberra
The English Electric Canberra is a first-generation jet-powered light bomber manufactured in large numbers through the 1950s. The Canberra could fly at a higher altitude than any other bomber through the 1950s and set a world altitude record of 70,310 ft in 1957...
s, on loan from the RAF, out of RAF Tengah
Tengah Airbase
Tengah Air Base is a military airbase of the Republic of Singapore Air Force located at Tengah, in the western part of Singapore. The airbase is the most important airfield of the RSAF as it houses the bulk of RSAF's fixed-wing frontline squadrons, home to all of RSAF's E-2C Hawkeyes , most of the...
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
. They were used on anti-terrorist operations during the Malayan Emergency
Malayan Emergency
The Malayan Emergency was a guerrilla war fought between Commonwealth armed forces and the Malayan National Liberation Army , the military arm of the Malayan Communist Party, from 1948 to 1960....
.
A-4 Skyhawk
The Douglas A-4 Skyhawk is a carrier-capable ground-attack aircraft designed for the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps. The delta winged, single-engined Skyhawk was designed and produced by Douglas Aircraft Company, and later McDonnell Douglas. It was originally designated the A4D...
s were purchased and allocated to the squadron which was the primary attack squadron for the RNZAF. Early in their life all of the aircraft were modified with cranked refuelling probes. The Skyhawk fleet underwent Project KAHU
Project KAHU
Project Kahu was a major upgrade for the A-4 Skyhawk fighter jet. In 1986, the Royal New Zealand Air Force initiated this project which included the installation of a Westinghouse AN/APG-66 radar optimized for maritime tracking, HOTAS controls and a 'glass' cockpit , MIL-STD 1553B databus; Litton...
in the late 1980s, which upgraded the avionics
Avionics
Avionics are electronic systems used on aircraft, artificial satellites and spacecraft.Avionic systems include communications, navigation, the display and management of multiple systems and the hundreds of systems that are fitted to aircraft to meet individual roles...
systems. The squadron's former Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
A-4G aircraft were then re-designated A-4K/TA-4K. The Skyhawks were taken out of service when the squadron was disbanded in 2001.
For many years squadron aircraft would routinely deploy to Clark Air Base
Clark Air Base
Clark Air Base is a former United States Air Force base on Luzon Island in the Philippines, located 3 miles west of Angeles City, about 40 miles northwest of Metro Manila. Clark Air Base was an American military facility from 1903 to 1991...
, in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
to exercise with the United States Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
as part of Exercise Cope Thunder, and additionally there was for many years a routine deployment to Malaysia named Exercise Vanguard. Skyhawks were first deployed for 'Vanguard' in 1971 and deployed until 1999 and probably afterwards.
Disbandment
The RNZAF Air Combat Force, comprising Nos 2, 14, and 75 Squadrons, was officially disbanded on 13 December 2001. The disbandment day parade marched the three squadron standards to the Base Ohakea chapel of St Mark and were laid up there to hang from the rafters, until such time as the squadron/s are reinstated.A political group of concerned civilians and ex-serviceman, called "Save Our Squadrons,(SOS)" was formed to protest the move, and took high court action in an attempt to prevent its loss. The court action was not successful. The New Zealand National Party
New Zealand National Party
The New Zealand National Party is the largest party in the New Zealand House of Representatives and in November 2008 formed a minority government with support from three minor parties.-Policies:...
at the time had promised to re-establish an air combat force if it was re-elected, however in later years statements from their defence spokesperson suggested the cost to do so might be prohibitive. In November 2008, the Labour Government was defeated by the National Party led by John Key. Reinstatement of the air combat capability is very unlikely, although it has been discussed in the media from time to time.
Media
A Squadron History by Norman FranksNorman Franks
Norman Leslie Robert Franks is an English writer who specialises in aviation books on the pilots and squadrons of World Wars I and II.-Biography:...
was published in 1991, titled Forever Strong (a translation of the squadron's Maori motto, Ake Ake Kia Kaha). A pictorial history of the final days of 2, 14 and 75 Squadron has been published, as has a children's book about a Skyhawk serving with the squadron. Aircraft of the Squadron featured in the film Sleeping Dogs and the Disney movie The Rescue
The Rescue (1988 film)
The Rescue is a 1988 adventure film about a group of teenagers who infiltrate a North Korean prison to rescue their Navy SEAL fathers. It was written by Michael J. Henderson, Jim Thomas, and John Thomas, produced by Laura Ziskin, and directed by Ferdinand Fairfax...
.
The National Archives schools web-site features an interview with Gordon Ford, a British wireless operator who served with 75 Squadron.http://www.learningcurve.gov.uk/snapshots/snapshot53/snapshot53.htm
Preserved aircraft
Museum of Transport and Technology
The Museum of Transport and Technology is a museum located in Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand. It is located close to the Western Springs Stadium, Auckland Zoo and the Western Springs Park. The museum has large collections of civilian and military aircraft and other land transport vehicles...
(MoTaT) in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, which never flew with the RNZAF in NZ but was used as a painting dolly, has 75 Squadron markings presumably painted by trainees at an RNZAF Station, alongside an ex-French Navy Avro Lancaster
Avro Lancaster
The Avro Lancaster is a British four-engined Second World War heavy bomber made initially by Avro for the Royal Air Force . It first saw active service in 1942, and together with the Handley Page Halifax it was one of the main heavy bombers of the RAF, the RCAF, and squadrons from other...
that has been restored and is wearing 75 Squadron colours on one side, and the colours of an RAF squadron with New Zealand aircrew on the other side. In a restoration hangar nearby is a de Havilland Mosquito
De Havilland Mosquito
The de Havilland DH.98 Mosquito was a British multi-role combat aircraft that served during the Second World War and the postwar era. It was known affectionately as the "Mossie" to its crews and was also nicknamed "The Wooden Wonder"...
formerly used by the squadron, which is being restored for display. A TA4 Skyhawk 'replica' assembled from parts in the late 90's at Ohakea and carrying the ficticous tail number of NZ6257 also carries 75 SQN low visibility markings on one side, with 2 SQN markings on the other. This is the scheme applied to all Skyhawks in the late 90's to 2001, to simplify the rotation of aircraft between 75 Sqn at Ohakea and 2 Sqn at NAS Nowra. This aircraft was positioned outside the Ohakea Museum, but when the Museum was closed in 2007, the replica TA4 was moved into storage at Ohakea. Another Skyhawk in 75 Squadron markings is preserved (in the original RNZAF A4 colour scheme, circa early 1970s) at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum
Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum
The Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum or Air Force Museum of New Zealand as it is now known, is an air force museum located located at Wigram, the RNZAF's first operational base, in Christchurch, in the South Island of New Zealand...
at Wigram - originally an early model US aircraft, this was gifted to NZ by an American movie company and assembled by the museum with straight refuelling probe and typical bomb and missile load for display. Hanging from the roof alongside is a De Havilland Vampire
De Havilland Vampire
The de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
FB5 in 75 Squadron colours.
In December 2001, the Air Combat Force of the RNZAF, comprising 2, 14 and 75 Squadrons was closed down, the squadrons disbanded, and the aircraft put up for sale. Since 2002, several private US flight training firms have undertaken due diligence and negotiations to purchase the 17 surviving T/A4K aircraft and the 17 Aermacchi MB339CB's as a package deal. The MB339's have been kept in flying condition by a contracted civilian company using personnel made redundant in 2001 at RNZAF Base Ohakea, however the Skyhawks have been stored in an outside location covered in a latex film at RNZAF Base Woodbourne
RNZAF Base Woodbourne
RNZAF Base Woodbourne is a base of the Royal New Zealand Air Force, located 8 km west of Blenheim.Woodbourne was established in 1939 as the base for No. 2 Service Flying Training School . Also located nearby during WWII were the ground training camps of the Delta. In 1942-43, Nos 16 and 18...
. If the aircraft are eventually sold, most of the Skyhawks will require major refurbishment to regain flying condition. The national markings will have to be removed, but it has been mentioned that it is intention of at least one buyer to retain the squadron badges and colour schemes "to preserve the traditions of the RNZAF". On the 7 October 2009, the sale was confirmed to have been completed.
75 Squadron Association of New Zealand
The 75 Squadron Association of New Zealand, was created in 1955 to maintain the comradeship and associations that have been made through membership of 75 Squadron RAF, 75(NZ) Squadron RAF, and 75 Squadron RNZAF. It also was to maintain a link with between all former members of "75 Squadrons" and "75 Squadron Associations", both in NZ and overseas.The 75 SQN Association NZ is currently assembling the history of 75 Squadron from 1916 to 2001 for publication in two Volumes that includes stations, bases, countries, battles, honours, aircraft and listing all personnel.