Wartime RNZAF Periodical Magazines
Compiled by Dave Homewood

The RNZAF Periodicals at Home

The Airman

Spitfire

Erks' Work

Taieonautics

Windsock

Contact

Gen

Navigation News

The RNZAF Periodicals Abroad

The Corsair Courier
(Bougainville)

Duffy's Gen
(Norfolk Island)

Air Gunner
Canada (coming soon)

Periodicals Related to the RNZAF

The Observer/ The ATC Observer

The Tiger Rag

'The Airman' was the monthly magazine produced by, for and about the people who served at RNZAF Stations Whenuapai and Hobsonville during late 1940 and throughout 1941. The two stations were then seperate from each other but their close proximity of just 6km has always seen a bonding between personnel from each.

The Airman was produced and edited by Eric Young and Frank McCarthy. Young was then based at Hobsonville, and McCarthy at Whenuapai. They teamed up together in December 1940, working during their off-duty hours to produce this magazine.

Though the first station magazine in the RNZAF, and having a high quality of journalism and popular readership, just twelve issues were produced before it was decided to make 'Contact' (then the magazine of RNZAF Stations Levin and New Plymouth) the national magazine for the RNZAF. That move saw the dissolution of all other station magazines. See here for more on this:

The following guide is intended to give you some idea as to what the magazine The Airman was like . Sadly the guide is currently incomplete so if you can add further details please contact me. The scans and details on this page have been kindly supplied by Mr Rod Mackenzie. Rod describes the magazine itself thus:

" The Airman is A4 with around 32 pages (excl cover) but no contents page. Contents were topical of the Stations concerned with the odd article of wider interest. I should add that 'The Airman' magazine was NOT a "rival" to 'Contact' for both served different stations. ''The Airman' magazine was, according to the editorial in the first issue,"intended to be a chronicle of the personnel and activities at Hobsonville and Whenuapai". The first joint editors were LAC F.A. McCarthy (Whenuapai) and LAC E.W. Young (Hobsonville). LAC C.J. Roberts later replaced McCarthy. ''The Airman' magazine was also offered as a bound set by the end. "

I assume that if there were any copyright on these magazines, it remains the property of the Royal New Zealand Air Force or the individual contributors who helped create them. This webpage does not intend to breach any copyright laws, it is merely intended to inform collectors and interested people about this wonderful magazine, and serve as a nostalgic look back at a slice of Air Force social history.

December 1940	January 1941	February 1941	March 1941	April 1941	May 1941
June 1941	July 1941	August 1941	September 1941	October 1941	November 1941

Vol 1/1 - December 1940
Contents Information
(Kindly Supplied by Rod Mackenzie)

Forward by the Commanding Officer, RNZAF Station, Hobsonville (W/C H. B. Turnbull OBE) and Officer Commanding New Zealand (GR) Squadron, Whenuapai (S/L Geoffrey N. Roberts, ADC)
Editorial - Our First Issue
RAF Motto
"Hobby By the Sea" Poem
Air Force Terms Explained
Hobsonville Chaplain Rev. A. Russell Allerton
Society Nuts
"Aerograms" Greeting to RNZAF Personnel Overseas
Canada's "Air University" Empire Training Scheme
Tarmac Topics
Any Complaints? Column in which airmen could air complaints
Bolts from the Blue
Familiar Faces around Hobsonville Caricature - W/C H. B. Burrell OBE
Thursday Night at Whenuapai Poem
He Teaches the World to Fly Article from Reader's Digest, May 1939 - story on Ed Link, inventor of the Link Trainer
Winning the B.C. Poem
Whenuapai Airmen's P.S.I. Fund Article about the Public Services Institute Fund
First Annual Re-Union Auckland Territorial Airmen
Familiar Faces around Whenuapai Caricature - S/L Geoffrey N. Roberts ADC
Resident Nurse Mrs. I.M. Smale
Silence in the Court
The Body Snatchers
Cookery Hints
Sports Notes
Hobsonville Fair and Dance
Station Concert
To-Day's Order
Station Dance
On Guard Poem
"Thoughts in the Air - Feet on the Ground"
Air Force Relations - Whenuapai
Aerial Combats A FAQ on aerial combat
Whenuapai Wireless Section on the Air
Young Man Dinghy Song
Help Make the "Airman" a Lasting Success Notice
Air Gunners, U/T
This War - and the Last An Old Soldier's Reflections
Roll of Honour NZ639163 AC1 Kent Johnston RNZAF
Whenuapai Chaplain Rev. A. G. Gardiner L.Th.
Training and "Esprit de Corps" Makings of a Fighter Pilot

Vol 1/6  - May 1941
Contents Information
(Kindly Supplied by Rod Mackenzie)

Forward by Officers Commanding. RNZAF Stations, Hobsonville (W/C H.B. Burrell OBE) and Whenuapai (W/C J. Seabrook)
The Early History of the R.N.Z.A.F.
A Spot of Guard Duty
Thoughts Poem
Any Complaints?
In Blanket Bay Poem
Tarmac Topics
If Poem
The Invasion Poem
Where Work is Really Done Poem
Familiar Faces Round Whenuapai Caricature - F/L J.H. Grace
The Bashers Column
Sports Notes
Navigation - Interception of Surface Craft
Roll of Honour F/L Lionel Mountjoy Squire / NZ41359 LAC Edwin Chaytor Moore
Builders of the R.A.F. Tradition Flying Officer E.J. (Cobber) Kain, DFC
Barracks Vs. Residences and Officers Quarters
Hobsonville Stores Gossip
Air Training
Kites
Wireless Notes
Radio in the Rain Poem
"Young William" in the Air Force
A Tribute to a Dog - The Patrolmen's Pet

Vol 1/10 - September 1941
Contents Information
(Kindly Supplied by Rod Mackenzie)

Editorial First V.C. (Sgt Pilot Jimmy Ward VC)
Sgt. Pilot J. A. Ward Awarded Victoria Cross
Defending New Zealand G.R. Squadrons on the Job Day and Night
Tarmac Topics
Builders of the R.A.F. Tradition Lt. G.M. Insall VC
Tin Bashers' Columns
Air Force Terms Defined
Sports Notes
To the Forces Poem
Salutes
Obituary Sgt. William Fleming / P/O Athol Foster & LAC Keith Millen McCulloch
The Art of Living Padre Gives Some Good Advice
"Jimminy" No. 1 (GR) Squadrons' dog
N.Z. Airmen Learn to Fly in Canada
The Tale of Edda A Moving Drama in Four Parts - Part 5
Hobsonville Stores  Gossip
"Thirty Minutes Available"
A Quick Bag Bomber to Britain Ferrying Lockheed Hudson's to the UK

"ERKS' WORK"
The Official Magazine of RNZAF Station Ohakea

" Erks' Work" was the official magazine of RNZAF Station Ohakea, and was published on the station. It measured 23 cm in height. The Alexander Turnbull Library in Wellington holds the first issue, which was published in February 1941. Other known issues were May and June 1941. This magazine ceased publication when Contact took its place on the station.

"TAIONAUTICS"
The Official Organ of RNZAF Station Taieri

Published on RNZAF Station Taieri. Dunedin, the unusual name is a mix of the words Taieri and aeronautics. This is perhaps the earliest RNZAF periodical, having started in 1940. It seems three volumes may have been completed before it ceased publication.

The magazines were illustrated and measured 25 cm in height. Taionautics ceased with a special Souvenir Issue in March 1941. Other than these details, I don't know anything else just yet.

"WINDSOCK"
The Magazine of RNZAF Station Woodbourne

"Navigation News"

Navigation News apears to have been newsletter for RNZAF Navigators. I am unsure if it was technical or social in nature. The magazine began in February 1945 and ceased production at the war's end in August 1945. Copies are held at Archives New Zealand. Any further information would be appreciated please.

The RNZAF Periodicals Abroad

"The Corsair Courier"

"The Corsair Courier" was apparently published for RNZAF airmen stationed in Bougainville, Papua New Guinea, during the Pacific campaign of World War Two. It was an RNZAF measuring 33 cm. The content covered war news and New Zealand sporting news. At this stage no further information is known, and any help would be appreciated. It is known that copies of at least one issue exists in the Alexandra Turnbull Library, Wellington.

"Duffy's Gen"

Duffy's Gen was the magazine for RNZAF Station Norfolk Island in 1944. It was published at irregular intervals, and the magazine measured 22-35 cm in height. It appears that eight issues were produced before ceasing with the end of the war.

The title probably makes reference to one of Norfolk Island's most famous historical figures, the convict and escaper Barney Duffy

Issues	Dates
No. 1 No. 2 No. 3 No. 4 No. 5 No. 6 No. 7 No. 8	14th of Nov 1944 ? ? ? ? 5th of June 1945 July 1945 August 1945

"Air Gunner"
coming soon

Magazines Related to the RNZAF

The ATC Observer
The Unofficial Magazine of the A.T.C. Trainees

The Observer and latterly The ATC Observer was published by the Christchurch Wing of the Air Training Corps. It was an A5 sized magazine with a thin card cover, and around 20-26 pages in length. The inscription inside each issues reads:

"Dedicated to the memory of those New Zealand Airmen who have given their lives in the execution of their duty."

Edited by Warrant Officer Balfour G. Dingwall, and costing sixpence an issue, the slant of the contents of these magazines is heavily towards the activities of the Air Training Corps, but balanced with a small amount of information on the RNZAF and the latest news in aeronautics and military aviation. There are articles, short stories, poetry and other items within the newsprint pages, and these are complimented by advertising which obviously assisted the magazines funding.

For the first two volumes, the covers were all of the same design, the only difference apart from the dates were the colours changed. Here is an example of the design: ( Scans and details on this page have been kindly supplied by Chris Rudge, with additional information supplied by Rod Mackenzie. I now also have three issues of this magazine in my possession so I can add some detail from them.)

The variations on the colours changed on the two printed colours seen above, with red top & black boys on Vol 2 No 3; black top and green boys on Vol 2 No 4; and orange top and black boys on Vol 2 No 6. Each of these had pink backgrounds where the above is white, though with my copy of Vol 2 No 3 the pink colour has either completely faded from the front, or it was only pink on the rear side.

Here is a later version of the magazine, now entitles The ATC Observer. Note the more expensive and attractive cover:

 

Issues	Dates and Details
Vol 1 No. 1 Vol 1 No. 2 Vol 1 No. 3 Vol 1 No. 4 Vol 1 No. 5 Vol 1 No. 6 Vol 1 No. 7 Vol 1 No. 8	April - May 1943 May - June 1943
Vol 2 No. 1 Vol 2 No. 2 Vol 2 No. 3 Vol 2 No. 4 Vol 2 No. 5 Vol 2 No. 6	June - July 1943 August 1943 October 1943 December 1943 February 1944 April - May 1944
At this point the cover changes and it is called " The ATC Observer - The Unofficial Magazine of the ATC Trainees" .  The cover changes from a standard drawing (which only changes in colour and not design) to a photograph of a WWII aircraft. The first volume in this series starts at "Vol 1 No, 1" but then reverts back to the earlier sequence! July 1944 - Vol 1
No. 1 ( Vol 3 No. 1) Vol 3 No. 2 Vol 3 No. 3 Vol 3 No. 4 Vol 3 No. 5 Vol 3 No. 6 Vol 3 No. 7	July 1944 August 1944 September 1944 October 1944 Nov - Dec 1944 Jan - Feb 1945 March 1945
Details of The Observer from issues in my collection
Volume 2 No. 3 October 1943 - 24 Pages To Higher Aims Editorial Hurricanes Photo The Publicity Week 7-Page illustrated article about an ATC Recruiting Exhibition in Christchurch Spectacular Growth of Christchurch Wing by Flight Lieutenant L.A. Warner - includes news of units in Greymouth, Granity, Kaikoura, Hawarden-Waikari, Kaiapoi, Geraldine, Temuka, and Waimate The Band of the ATC Article and photo Here and There News of the war - includes 'Growth of Airgraph Service' and 'New Outfit' Adventure Short true story by F/O Marshall, No. 6 Squadron Here and There News of the war - includes 'Air Borne Blood' and 'Avro Lancaster II' The Lament of the Colour-Blind Poem No Ordinary "Mac" By W.O.M. - true short story The Romance of Perspex By C.O.D. about the perspex glass witnessed on the Lancaster that visited Christchurch recently News From Old Boys Physically Speaking by F.I.N. V.C. continuing a series on VC winners - Flt Lt DJ Nicholson VC, Sgt J. Hannah VC, Commander ES Fogarty VC, 2nd Lt P. Singh Bhagat VC No. 24 Squadron by P.A.V.about the latest news from the Ashburton ATC Jottings From A Kiwis Diary by W.O.M. Air Crew Airings by 'Spin' Here and There News of the war - includes 'Self Denial', 'Lighted Parachutes' and 'Jap Rubber'
Volume 2 No. 4 December 1943 - 20 Pages Onward Editorial Charles KingsfordSmith and F/O Stannage of 17 Sqn Photo Smithy Had Visions Anonymous, 2-Page on Charles Kingsford Smith Here and There News of the war - includes 'Drill Cup' and Dance' Jottings From A Kiwis Diary by W.O.M. Air Crew Airings by 'Spin' Ashburton Notes Christ's College (No. 34) Unit No. 58 School Unit No. 31 Squadron by W.O.F. No. 36 Squadron Notes Ellesmere Detached Flight Timaru Calling No. 31 School Unit Waimate Notes Here and There News of the war - includes 'Airborne Lifeboat' and 'Chocks Away' Gliding - 3 page article Physically Speaking Christman Excursion No. 2 Here and There News of the war - includes 'Gliding', 'A.A. Gun' , 'And Gliding' and 'Clipped Spirits' This Flying Business Per Ardua Ad Astra - The Life of an Airman at the Ground Training Depot Letters To The Editor Here and There News of the war - includes tugs and gliders in China
Volume 2 No. 6 April-May 1944 - 28 Pages New Zealand First Editorial Air Power of the First World War by Corporal R. Green, article Advanced Gliding by L.J. Perry Night Fighter Station Reproduced from "Canadian Air Cadet" Acknowledgement Blazing the Pathways To Zeros Former ATC Cadets by Lieut R.S. Williams Double Yoker Victory Through Air Power Disney Film Illustrates Seversky's Theories On Aircraft 'Rec by E.G. Beckett The Grumman TBF-1 "Avenger" Squadron Notes - Air Crew Airings; No. 36 Squadron; No. 31 Squadron Jottings From A Kiwis Diary by W.O.M. - No. 17 Sqn, Ellesmere Detached Flight; Reefton Unit; Kaikoura Detached Flight; No. 15 Squadron, Timaru; Temuka Notes; No. 58 School Unit, No. 31 School Unit Cockpit Monologue New Insignia Capacity Plus With The Wellington Wing Eastbourne Detached Flight The Mobile Instructional Unit The M.I.A. Visits Kaikoura Man In The Air - A Survey of Flying Experiments and Developments From 1878 to the Present Time Physically Speaking Glossary of Flying and Aircraft Terms ATC Pennants Operations Control - With Bomber Command of the RAF Letters To The Editor

Note: I assume that if there were any copyright on these magazines, it remains the property of the Christchurch Air Training Corp or the individual contributors who helped create them. This webpage does not intend to breach any copyright laws, it is merely intended to inform collectors and interested people about this wonderful magazine, and serve as a nostalgic look back at a slice of ATC and Air Force social history.

"The Tiger Rag "

"The Tiger Rag" was not strictly RNZAF but very much related. It seems this was a periodical published by the de Havilland factory at RNZAF Station Rongotai, Wellington, for its workers. It was an illustrated monthly magazine that measured 29 cm high. The magazine apparently began publication in July 1943, and ceased with Volume 1, No. 8 in February 1944.

Copies are held in the Alexandra Turnbull Library, Wellington. If anyone has any more information or access to the copies in Wellington I'd love to know more about this periodical.