No. 14 Squadron Display Teams

The No. 14 Squadron Corsair Aerobatic Team

Probably the RNZAF's first aerobatic team ever, flying Goodyear FG-1D Corsairs from No. 14 Squadron whilst serving with J-Force. A three-ship display team was formed.

Display Dates Venue Pilots Notes

15th of Jan 1947
Bofu, Japan
Len Rayner

Max Hope

Tom Rabone

Leader

Notes:

Max Hope recalls this team displaying in Japan:

"Following the RAAF Mustangs 'showing off' to us at Iwakuni, Len Rayner led Tom Rabone and me down to the Aussie base at Bofu, where we did several 'formation loops'. (The Aussies did not come back again). This was the first occasion/recollection I have of formation aeros being carried out."

The First No. 14 Squadron Vampire Aerobatic Team

A three-ship display team was formed flying de Havilland Vampires, the first such thought to have displayed in New Zealand.

Display Dates Venue Pilots Notes

1 & 2 Feb 1952
__
_

23rd of Feb 1952
_

Royal New Zealand
Aero Club Pageant
New Plymouth

RNZAF Whenuapai
Open Day

Wg Comm Johnny Checketts

Sqn Ldr Max Hope

Flt Lt John Waugh

Leader

Notes:

Apparently not strictly a team, this was more organised demonstration flying. However I consider it notable enough to have here on the website. Max Hope sheds some more light on this:

"You mention 'a team' comprised of Johnny Checketts, John Waugh and me --- to my mind this was not really a trained display team, just three pilots doing a few loops etc., usually together!"

Max recalls that the team made seven flights on the 23rd of January 1952 as practice for the two February events. The second display at Whenuapai was however preceded with a bad accident.

"The day we flew up to Whenuapai, Flt Lt R.C.C. Nairn, DFM (U.S.) and 'Tommy' Thompson were also with us. On the descent into Whenuapai, Johnny Checketts put us into 'echelon starboard'. Some moments later I noticed 'Tommy' was lagging back a bit, so I called him to get up.

He rejoined rather fast and in process of settling down, his port wing came down on top of Ron Nairn's starboard wing, which caused the two aircraft to 'fold into' each other, and they quickly disappeared out of sight behind us.

I climbed/turned to starboard and saw two parachutes open. (I later learned from Ron that he had some difficulty in clearing from his aircraft, and he was getting fairly low when his parachute finally opened. 'Tommy' went on to become a very valuable aerobatic team member --- and later a captain in Air NZ."

Our so-called displays were really just a all part of introducing to the public these new jet-fighter aircraft. Hence touring around the various aero clubs of the day. We usually included a loop or two together with an individual display. Most of the airfields were just grass - and I recall Air Traffic Control were not too happy over the brown scorch trails (jet-pipe effluxt) we left across the airfields."

The No. 14 Squadron Vampire Aerobatic Teams in Cyprus

Display Dates Venue Sqn Pilots Included Notes

______From______
3rd of April 1953

RAF Nicosia, Cyprus

Sqn Ldr S. Max Hope

Sqn Ldr Nelson Bright

Flt Lt John Waugh

Flt Lt Harold G. 'Mo' Moss

Flt Lt Clarry J. Berryman

Flt Lt J. Wood

Flt Lt Tom Rabone

F/Lt Stuart McIntyre

F/O John D. Tanner

F/O Mike Palmer

F/O Vern Hume

F/O Russell Smith

F/O E. Ron Short

F/O Ian Gillard

F/O Gordon T. Soden

F/O Pat Farland

F/O John L.N. Harris

F/O Jones-Pritchard

F/O Brian Usher

F/O B.J. Reid

P/O Barry Dudding

Sgt John T. Buckmaster

Sgt Alan Dyer

Sgt Jim Shaw

Sgt Rodney Dahlberg

Sgt G.E. "Tommy" Thompson

________________________

195? RAF Nicosia, Cyprus - No. 14 Sqn display for NZ Prime Minister
Sid Holland
A Flight Team

B Flight Team

F/O Ron Short (Solo)

Notes:

While based at Nicosia in Cyprus between October 1952 and April 1955 with No. 205 Group, Royal Air Force, No. 14 Squadron was flying loaned RAF de Havilland Vampire Mk. 9's, which were tropicalised versions of the FB Mk 5's, as used by the RNZAF.

Max Hope says his logbook reveals the first formation aerobatics practice in Cyprus took place on April 3rd, 1953.

Though the main purpose for them being there was to support efforts to keep the peace in the Middle East region, the squadron began to work up its aerobatic formation skills as a sideline. This was important for tactical areas of course, but it lead onto public display flying too. The squadron was split into two Flights, and each one, A Flight and B Flight, formed their own aerobatics team.

At this stage I have little information on displays by the two 14 Squadron teams. However on the occassion of the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister, Sir Sidney Holland, to Cyprus, both A and B Flights' teams displayed for him, followed by a solo display by F/O Ron Short. When it came time for Short to land his undercariage was unable to be lowered. He made a perfect wheels up landing and was greeting as he climbed from the cockpit by the PM, who took his arm and escorted Short to the airport bar for a well needed drink.

The top entry here is the names of pilots known to have flown with the squadron during its three year Cyprus tour, and who would all have been involved in the aerobatics training there.

Stuart McIntyre recalls:

" I was in one of the squadron teams at Nicosia. It was led by Mo Moss. I flew No. 4 and I think Ron Short was No. 3."

Max Hope was No. 14 Squadron's C.O. from 1952-54, when he was replaced by Sqn Ldr Nelson Bright

Harold 'Mo' Moss later rose to the rank of Air Commodore

J.D. Tanner went on to become a Boeing 747 captain

Mike Palmer later rose to the rank of Air Commodore

Stuart McIntyre later rose to the rank of Air Commodore, then on retirement became Director of Civil Aviation

Pat Farland went on to become a Boeing 747 captain

Jim Shaw went on to become a Boeing 737 captain

Apparently the skills gained from this operation for the squadron are what lead them to keep up the aerobatic team element and later form the famous "Jetobatics" team

Operation Long Trek Two - No. 14 Sqn Vampire Aerobatic Teams

Display Dates Venue Pilots Notes

All 2 June 1953

Flypast and
Aerobatic Display,
Nairobi Coronation
Parade, Kenya

Also flypasts of
Kiamau, Thika
Fort Hall & Myeri

"A" Flight Team
(5 Aircraft)

Sqn Ldr Max Hope

Harold Moss

Mike Palmer

Ron Short

Alan Dyer

_
_

Leader

May-June 1953
_
Dar-Es-Salaam,
Tanganyika

"B" Flight Team
(5 Aircraft)

F/O Vern Hume

John Harris

John Tanner

Pat Mcfarland

John Buckmaster

_
_

Leader

-

-

-

-

26 May - 9 Jun 1953 Entebbe, Uganda
"C" Flight Team
(5 Aircraft)

F/O Tom Rabone

F/O Ian Gillard

P/O Gordon Soden

Sgt GE 'Tommy' Thompson

Russ Smith

_
_

Leader

-

-

-

-

Notes:

This was a one-off special operation for No. 14 Squadron RNZAF, taking part through late May to early June 1953, which came about when the Royal Air Force required a regional squadron to take on the job of doing several flying displays over Commonwealth territory in Africa. These displays were to mark the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.

When it was heard that the AOC Middle East would select the squadron himself by watching them all and deciding which had the best aerobatic team, the Kiwis used some ingenuity. On the day he inspected them, they fielded not one but three aerobatic teams carrying out a synchronised display over Nicosia. Naturally, they were selected.

Instead of the usual two teams the squadron maintained, No. 14 Sqn was divided into three separate display teams, using fourteen aircraft and pilots in total. Each team was assigned a different country and display assignment.

The operation required lengthy trips for all involved, the pilots ferrying their Vampires to their new bases in Africa, while the groundcrews going by RAF Vickers Valletta transport. Basically the aircraft followed old Imperial Airways route which followed the River Nile south, all the way to its source in Uganda. Two flights then turned east to Kenya, and one carrying on all the way to Dar-El-Salaam, Tanganyika - around 3,300 miles from Cyprus. The longest leg of the trip, which had many stops, was two hours between Khartoum and the primitive rainforest airstrip at Juba, and the extreme end of the Nile. here the aircraft were refuelled from 4 Gallon tins.

The "A" Flight team under Max Hope was based at Eastleigh, near Nairobi in Kenya, while the "B" Flight team under Vern Hume had the longest trip to its base at Dar-El-Salaam in Tangayika (now Tanzania). The newly created "C" Flight Team remained at Entebbe in Uganda under the command of Tom Rabone.

While in Kenya, "A" Flight found Government officials wanted them to use their Vampires against the then-current Mau-Mau separatists who were uprising. The Kiwis refused to, and stipulated they were only there to perform the Coronation Commemorations duties.

Meanwhile in Dar-El-Salaam the "B" Flight aircraft were welcomed as wonders as they'd never seen jets in that part of the world before. Locals ensured the RNZAF crews were all billeted in their private homes and well taken care of. "C" Flight in Uganda were also treated with luxury and were billeted in a first class hotel.

No. 14 Squadron CO Max Hope recalls the following memories:

"Leading up to Exercise 'Long Trek Two' (Coronation displays down East Africa) we (14 Sqn.) considered 'Looping 12' aircraft for the A.O.C's display; however No. 205 Group, (our governing R.A.F. body in Egypt.) ruled that, following an accident at the top of a loop by another Sqn, formation teams would be thereafter limited to 4 aircraft.

Thus hampered, we were reduced to putting our three formation aero teams, (12 aircraft) separately, into the one total 360 degree loop (each team 120 degrees apart, but almost over the AOC's head). I believe that it was this display, by these 12 young Kiwi pilots, that won us the honour and distinction of representing the RAF, and the RNZAF for the 'Royal Displays', throughout East Africa.

All our Vampire displays just incorporated a series of loops and barrel rolls with 'wing-overs'."

At least one of the aircraft that went to Tanganyika (now Tanzania) received a Tanganyikan crest painted beside its own No. 14 Squadron crest. It featured a giraffe surrounded by a wreath. This Vampire also carried the name "Neptune"

Ian Gillard recalls this operation with C Flight:

"This flight departed Nicosia on 26 May 1953 and arrived at Entebbe, Uganda via Abu Sueir, Wadi Halfa, Khartoum and Juba on 28 May 53. The return journey to Nicosia was completed on 9 June. While at Entebbe the flight carried out nine aerobatic displays over the capital and other towns in Uganda. World class accommodation was provided in the Lake Victoria Hotel."

At Entebbe, Uganda, the locals called the Vampires "totoComets", toto meaning baby.

One No. 14 Squadron pilot who has confirmed he was not involved with this operation was Stuart McIntyre. He says, "I didn't go on Long Trek ll - I was fighting the Battle of Piccadilly in the NZ Coronation Contingent. It was tough -but someone had to do it."

The No. 14 Squadron Venom Aerobatic Team

When No. 14 Squadron moved to Tengah, Singapore they converted from vampires to the more powerful yet similar de Havilland Venoms. Another display team was created.

Display Dates Venue Pilots Notes

The No. 14 Squadron Venom Aerobatic Team - 1956

27th of June 1956
_

SEATO Conference at
Sembawang

Flt Lt Stuart McIntyre

Flt Lt Colin W. Rudd

F/O Mayne Hawkins

F/O Jack Magon

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

15th of Sept 1956
_

15th of Oct 1956
_____________
_

Battle of Britain Display
at Changi

Display for ACAS (Air
Cdr Everleigh, an RAF
exchange officer)

Flt Lt Stuart McIntyre

Flt Lt Colin W. Rudd

F/O Mayne Hawkins

F/O Barry Flavall

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

Notes:

Stewart Boys says:

The first team formed early in June 1956. The pilots were Sqn Ldr Nelson Bright, Fg Offs Colin Rudd and Mayne Hawkins, and Flt Lt Stuart McIntyre. Shortly after being formed, Sqn Ldr Bright sustained an injury playing squash, and the team was reformed with Flt Lt McIntyre as leader and Fg Off Jack Magon as No 4.

Team member Stuart McIntyre backs this up:

"When 14 moved to RAF Tengah in 1955 we formed a Venom team initially led by Sqn Ldr Nelson Bright but because he had injured his back he had to drop out of the team and I again became No.1 and during my posting there we had several team changes.

We were the official RAF Group team. The team also gave displays at Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok, Thailand.

We sought permission from Group HQ to expand the team to six but were refused. "

Stewart Boys continues:

"The team flew several practice displays over the Tengah airfield with audiences which included at various times the Tengah station commander; Group Captain Colin Gray DSO DFC* and; at at Kuala Lumpur (to be given a final clearance), by the AOC, AVM Kyle.

The main reason for the formation of this team was to take part in the display at the conclusion of a SEATO Conference at Sembawang (in Singapore) on 27th June 1956. The air display consisted of a formation flypast of 5 Lincolns, three Canberras and a combined 60 (RAF) and 14 (RNZAF) Squadron box formation, with the 14 Squadron aerobatic team breaking away from the rear of the formation to give their display.

As the team were coming out of a loop in this display, Flt Lt Mcintyre was "somewhat startled" to se a slow-flying Meteor in front of him and "made a remark". Later, he received an apologetic signal from the AOC who was flying the Meteor.

Barry Flavall replaced Jack Magon in the team after the first display.

Thanks very much to Stewart Boys, Stuart McIntyre and Barry Flavall for the information on this team

The No. 14 Squadron Venom Aerobatic Team - 1957

31st of May 1957
-
_
- Display marking the
conclusion of the
SEATO Exercise Air
Link, Thailand
Flt Lt Stuart McIntyre

F/O Adam Anderson

F/O Colin Rudd

F/O Trevor Bland

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

17th of Aug 1957
_
_
-
_ Conclusion of a
combined parade
for No. 's 14 and No. 41
Squadrons, RNZAF,
RAF Tengah
Flt Lt Stuart McIntyre

Flt Lt Colin Rudd

F/O Trevor Bland

F/O Geoff Roud

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

Notes:

This team first formed in March 1957. Stewart Boys says:

"The first formal display for the 1957 team was on 31 May in Thailand at the conclusion of SEATO Exercise Air Link The air display in which the team took part was located at a point some 60 nautical miles north of Don Muang airport, because of the inclusion of a flypast by a USAF F100 Super Sabre at Mach 1.1 at 500 ft.

On 17 August 1957, a slightly different team (Flt Lt's McIntyre and Rudd, with Fg Offs Bland and Roud) - provided a display at the conclusion of a combined 14 and 41 Squadron parade held at Tengah to mark the visit by CAS RNZAF, AVM C.E. Kay.

AM the Earl of Bandon, C-in-C FEAF; Mr Foss Shanahan, NZ High Commissioner in Singapore: Sir Leonard Isitt, and former CAS RNZAF, and Air Cdre Calder, SASO AHQ Malaya, were also present."

Above: The 1957 Venom team of, left to right, Geoff Roud, Colin Rudd,
Trevor Bland and Stuart McIntyre. Note the white kiwi on the Venom's tail
Photo kindly supplied by Stewart Boys

The No. 14 Squadron Venom Aerobatic Team - 1958

14th of April 1958
__

16th of May 1958
_

No. 14 Squadron
Open Day, Tengah

No. 14 Squadron
Farewell, Singapore

Flt Lt Barry Gordon

Fg Off Neil Alston

Fg Off Geoff Roud

Flt Lt Mike Palmer

Flt Lt Geoff Wallingford

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

No. 5

Notes:

A further Venom team formed in March 1958, this time a "five-ship" comprising Flt Lt Barry Gordon, Fg Offs Neil Alston and Geoff Roud, and Flt Lt's Mike Palmer and Geoff Wallingford.

Above: The 1958 team display show where they fly, using their hands.
Standing - Fg Off Neil Alston, Flt Lt Barry Gordon, and Fg Off Geoff
Roud. Kneeling - Flt Lt's Mike Palmer and Geoff Wallingford.
Photo kindly submitted by Stewart Boys

Stewart Boys says;

"Their first performance was at Tengah during the 14 Squadron 'open day' to celebrate the 21st Anniversary of the formation of the
RNZAF.

Above: The 1958 Venom team of No. 14 Squadron
performing at the RNZAF 21st Anniversary open day
Photo kindly submitted by Stewart Boys

The final Venom formation aerobatic display was flown by this team on the last occasion that 14 Squadron flew Venoms, on 16 May 1958. After taking part in a 13-aircraft "figure 14" formation over Singapore, the aerobatic team completed its display over the Singapore waterfront."

Regarding the waterfront farewell display at Singapore on the 16th of May, the flypast flown in the shape of the number '14' consisted of ten Venoms and three Vampire T.11's. This was followed by a display of aerobatics by the five-man team, as mentioned. This was not the first '14' formation the squadron had mounted, they also did it on the 1st of April 1957 to mark the 20th Anniversary of the RNZAF.

The No. 14 Squadron formation on the RNZAF's 20th Anniversary
as mentioned above. Photo kindly submitted by Stewart Boys

Above: The pilots of No. 14 Squadron on the day of the final farewell flight in Singapore. On the wing, left to right, are Barry Gordon, Ross Johnson and Trevor Huggard. Standing, left to right, are Ian Gllies, Stew Boys, Fred Tucker, Neil Alston, Peter Gasson, Geoff Wallingford, Peter Rhodes and Mike Palmer. Kneeling in front, left to right, are Geoff Roud, Geoff Hubbard and Noel McGuire. The aircraft they are in front of is a de Havilland Venom FB.5, and in the distant background is an Avro Lincoln.
Photo kindly submitted by Trevor Huggard

The No. 14 Squadron Vampire Aerobatic Team

A team flying de Havilland Vampires, as detailed in a caption to a photo in RNZAF: A Short History by Geoff Bentley. Details of date, place etc of this particular team not yet known.

Display Dates Venue Pilots Notes

The No. 14 Squadron Vampire Aerobatic Team - 1958/59

26th of Oct 1959
________________
_ Wellington Airport
Opening Day
Airshow
Flt Lt Colin W. Rudd

F/O Peter M. Rhodes

F/O T.E. Enright

F/O Russell D. Branks

No. 1

No. ?

No. ?

No. ?

Notes:

Russell Branks remembers:

"With Colin their were several incidents. The opening of Wellington airport where the Vulcan lost its port gear while attempting a landing and was well short of the runway. We were at the entrance to the runway and it all happened yards in front of us.

The pilot called the tower to tell him of any damage. "We will watch you as you fly past" There were hundreds of gallons of fuel pouring out of a hole in his port wing where the undercarriage had created a large opening, and Colin told him what had happened.

He landed back at Ohakea on the nose and one main gear, and then the aircraft remained in the hangar for nearly a year while it was repaired. I was always surprised at it's small size in the hangar compared to it's larger silhouette when airborne.

At this airshow we broke from cloud for the downwards bomb burst and were rather low for this manoeuvre, and being the one who had to roll 180 degrees, I commenced a rather vigorous recovery and actually stalled and began a flick roll before recovering.

The smoke on the runway that day was not for show but very real indeed. Colin rather tentatively asked us to check in, just to make sure we had all survived! I realised later on.

1959 was another visit from a large contingent of USAF aircraft and at that airshow we produced our best display that I experienced during my time in the aerobatic team. Regards Russell Branks."

Left to Right: F/O Peter Rhodes, Flt Lt Colin Rudd, F/O T.E. Enright, and F/O Russell Branks

The No. 14 Squadron Vampire Aerobatic Team - 1959/60

20th of Feb 1960

21st of Feb 1960

22nd of Feb 1960

24th of Feb 1960

26th of Feb 1960

27th of Feb 1960

Nelson

Hokitika

Christchurch

Taieri, Dunedin

Stewart Island

Invercargill

Flt Lt John Scrimshaw

F/O Peter M. Rhodes

F/O T.E. Enright

F/O Russell D. Branks

Leader

Notes:

John Scrimshaw recalls:

"In February 1960 we undertook an operation Southern Tour where we gave displays at Nelson, Hokitika, Christchurch, Dunedin and Invercargill."

Of the Hokitika show he remembers:

"The runway was not sealed in those days. There was such a large crowd and traffic jam that we had to get special treatment to get to the airfield."

And of the Taieri airshow at Dunedin:

"That was a very nice setting. The display was held in the early evening and a special train was sent out from Dunedin. I recall it was on the line and our smoke was hanging in the very still air and the sunlight was just getting the top of the loops so it looked fantastic."

Southland was also notable for John:

"On the 26th of February we combined a practise with a special display over Stewart Island. This was for the benefit of one of our squadron pilots who was staying there on his honeymoon. We were amused to later find out that when he walked about everyone on Stewart Island was talking about it and our man was asleep and missed the whole thing.

I recall at Invercargill I was pulling out of a loop when a seagull went under my nose and hit Russell Branks' front windshield which shattered and he suffered a few cuts."

No. 14 Squadron Canberra Display Team

Display Dates Venue Pilots Notes

The No. 14 Squadron Canberra Team - 1966/67____English Electric Canberra

4th of Mar 1967

3rd of May 1967

15th of Oct 1967

5th of Nov 1967

New Plymouth

Gisborne

Rotorua

RNZAF Wigram

Flt Lt Ken Brooking

Sqn Ldr Pat Neville

?

?

Flt Lt Graeme Goldsmith

Flt Lt Mick Murray

?

?

?

?

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

No. 1

No, 1

No. 2

No. 2

No. 3

No. 3

No. 4

No. 4

No. 5

No. 5

Note:

Graeme Goldsmith tells the story of this team - which was not aerobatic but was a dedicated airshow display team:

"Now if we are talking 'Display" and not just "Aerobatic" teams then in 1967 following it's return from Singapore, No. 14 Sqn had a B(I)12 team which performed on at least four occasions according to my log book.

Memory is fading, but on return from Tengah a new CO took over - one Sqn Ldr Pat Neville, later AVM Neville, CAS.   Pat was a navigator and his pilot at the time was a kiwi who had returned from a short service commission flying Hunters in the RAF; one Flt Lt Ken Brooking.

Ken lead the team (no name I might add, but I think we used the callsign 'Canberra Black') of usually four, although sometimes the routine integrated with a fifth solo.

The routine consisted of basically different formations - box, line astern, echelon etc. intermingled with steep turns and wing-overs in both the clean and dirty (gear and flaps down, bomb doors open etc.) configurations.  A final loose line astern final pass ended in a LABS roll-off-the-top manoeuvre.

Lots of noise throughout the whole show - something the Canberra was very good at!!!

My nav throughout was Flt Lt Mick Murray, but I cannot record who the others were.  I can't even remember what position I flew, although No. 3 seems to ring a bell!!"

The airshow programme for the opening of the new New Plymouth airport on the weekend of the 3rd and 4th of March 1967 stated this Canberra team display as consisting of a five Canberra flypast and then a solo bombing. Thanks to Ron Ark for the additional information

_______________________________________________________________

The No. 14 Squadron Canberra Team - 1968/69____English Electric Canberra

October 1969
_ Cook Bi Centennial,
Gisborne
Don Smith

Ivor Roberts

John Woolford

Digby Ellis

Graham Lucas

Michael Murray

Arthur Dovey

John Seward

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

No. 1

No. 1

No. 2

No. 2

No. 3

No.3

No. 4

No. 4

November 1969
_
) Exercise Vanguard 12
RAF Tengah, Singapore
Don Smith

Ivor Roberts

Graham Jackson

Trevor Jones

Murray Abel

Digby Ellis,

Arthur Dovey

John Seward

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

Pilot

Nav

No. 1

No. 1

No. 2

No. 2

No. 3

No.3

No. 4

No. 4

Notes:

Arthur Dovey, who kindly supplied details for both the Gisborne display in October 1969 and for the later November display in Singapore says:

"In November during Exercise "Vanguard 12" we did a formation display at RAF Base Tengah, Singapore, I don't recall the reason, could have been the RAF 50th Anniversary."

No. 14 Squadron Strikemaster Team

Display Dates Venue Pilots Notes

No. 14 Squadron Strikemaster Aerobatic Team - 1973_____Strikemaster

13th of Mar 1973

16th of Mar 1973

18th of Mar 1973

21st of Mar 1973

22nd of Mar 1973

16th of June 1973
_

Palmerston North

RNZAF Base Whenuapai

Kaitaia

Hokitika

RNZAF Base Wigram

RNZAF Base Wigram's
50th Anniversary

Sqn Ldr John Hosie

Fg Off Frank Sharp

Flt Lt Graham Lloyd

Flt Lt Bryan Lockie

No. 1

No. 2

No. 3

No. 4

Notes:

Frank Sharp remembers the following from this team:

"In 1973, again with Sqn Ldr John Hosie leading, we formed a Strikemaster formation aerobatic team. I was No2, from memory Flt Lt Graham Lloyd was No 3 and Flt Lt Bryan Lockie was No 4. We then carried out "Exercise Green Kea" which was an 'introduction of the Strikemaster' tour of NZ.

Apart from the many flypasts my log book records formation aerobatic displays at Palmerston North (13/3/73), Whenuapai (16/3/73), Kaitaia (18/3/73), Hokitika 21/3/73), Wigram (22/3/73).

We were due to display over Wellington on the 25th. We took off from Nelson but the weather in Cook Strait was pretty turbulent and the forecast in WN strong wings with accompanying turbulence. When we were south of Wellington John Hosie decided to do a couple of warm-up manoeuvres to test the conditions.

In the Strikemaster one could here a 'burbling' sound that came from the large canopy when the aircraft was nearing the stall and was probably the air becoming turbulent over the canopy, similar to pre-stall buffet.

Anyway, I remember the conditions as pretty rough and as we pulled up into a loop and were just nearing the fully inverted position I was looking through the leader and saw the No 3 aircraft suddenly yaw slightly outboard then disappear. Almost simultaneously I heard the burble and then my own aircraft auto-rotated and I was no longer in formation.

No problem with either of us recovering as the Strikemaster was predictable and forgiving. I don't recall what happened to Bryan Lockie as No. 4 in the 'box' position, but, as he had to fly a larger loop than the leader I suspect he must have also had problems keeping station. Needless to say, due to the rough weather, we did not complete the intended display over Wellington, however, we did land there.

I note also that I had a passenger, an armourer, LAC Blake. It cannot have been at all pleasant for him and I can't imagine what he thought when we started auto-rotating towards Cook Strait."

After a bit of a break, this team reformed again. Frank continues:

"This same team subsequently carried out a short intensive work-up in June then displayed at the RNZAF 50th Anniversary display at Wigram on 16/6/73.

The weather that day was not particularly bright. We had flown down from Ohakea the day before and accommodation at Wigram must have been tight as we were accommodated in the 'horse-boxes' at No. 2 Officers Mess. There were two beds in each horse-box and they had low dividing walls that didn't' go all the way to the ceiling so you could talk to other people in other boxes.

I recall that one of the bog-rats (I was now a senior Flying Officer!!) was sent to collect the early morning weather forecast and on his return we had the first weather briefing while still lying in our beds!

The actual display went well although memorable as the Christchurch 'inversion layer' was present creating a thin layer of cloud below the height that our vertical manoeuvres topped out.

After take-off we flew to a holding point at New Brighton. We did a couple of loops and found that the thin layer of cloud was almost a non-event as we were in and out of it very quickly and the formation changes that occurred at the top of the manoeuvre were carried out above the thin cloud layer.

This happened during the display and while we were happily changing formation in 'blue sky' above the layer, evidently it looked to the ground observers as if we went into cloud in one formation shape and out of it in another having apparently achieved this while flying IMC!"

No. 14 Squadron Strikemaster Aerobatic Team - 1978_____Strikemaster

10th of Sept 1978 RNZAF Base Wigram
Sqn Ldr Peter Curtin

Flt Lt John Herron

Flt Lt Peter Cochran

Plt Off Phillip Symmans

Note:

This four-ship team, referred to in New Zealand Wings magazine's coverage in their October 1978 issue, was formed for this special airshow which was to mark the 50th Anniversary of the first crossing of the Tasman Sea by the Southern Cross.

No. 14 Squadron Strikemaster Aerobatic Two-ship Team

Display Dates Venue Pilots Notes

28th of Feb 1981
_
Air Force Day 1981,
RNZAF Base Ohakea
Sqn Ldr Peter Faulkner

Flt Lt Lockie Milne RAAF

Note:

The aerobatic pair routine for Air Force Day 1981 included a Red Arrows style head-on roulette manoeuvre

The Black Falcons

A five-ship formation team of Aermacchi MB-339CB Macchis from No. 14 Squadron RNZAF. The pilots were the flying instructors of this operational training squadron, each having more than 1500 hours on the Macchi. The team was formed to mark the Millennium Celebrations.

Display Dates Venue Pilots Notes

1st of Jan 2000

Easter 2000

2000

2000

Gisborne Millennium

Warbirds Over Wanaka

Ohakea Open Day

Auckland

Sqn Ldr Robbie Nicholls

George Evans

Jimmy Turner

Andrew (Daff) Niles

Flt Lt Steve "Imran" Baker

No. 1

No.

No.

No.

No.

Notes:

Robbie Nicholls, who lead this team, was also the CO of No. 14 Squadron at the time.

Steve Baker was an RAAF pilot on exchange and was usually a Caribou pilot by trade. He went on to fly a number of seasons with the Roulettes aerobatics team on his return to the RAAF