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Though first established at Wigram in 1923, it wasn't until 1937 that the Royal New Zealand Air Force became an independent military command.
This National Film Unit documentary marks the RNZAF 21st anniversary celebrations in 1958.
It looks back at the RNZAF's early days and its battle-hardened contribution in World War II, then follows newly recruited Officer cadets working towards earning their ‘wings’ — in Top Gun training Kiwi-style.
RNZAF Boy Entrant School at Woodbourne is also featured
The RNZAF's Venom jets (with Fred Tucker) are also seen in action in Malaya; and its Sunderland's search and rescue role is covered.
At a celebration dinner, an officer muses that one day planes may be pilotless.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW >>>The Eventful Years
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This National Film Unit short captures the action with the RNZAF’s 75 Squadron aerobatic team, John Buckmaster, Adam Anderson, Colin Rudd and Trevor Bland.
The pilots, all in their early to late 20s, fly their de Havilland Vampire jets through low and high altitude manoeuvres.
National Film Unit cameraman John Hutchinson squeezed himself and his camera into the cockpit for 14 flights over five days, to capture spectacular images from a fifth (dual seat) Vampire piloted by Flight Lieutenant Barry D Gordon.
The Jetobatics team was formed in 1958 for the RNZAF's 21st Anniversary Air show at Ohakea. It then toured New Zealand, giving displays at all the major airports.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW >>>Jetobatics
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This entertaining item reflecting on life as a Boy Entrant in the RAF in the late 1950's has uncanny parallels to our experiences within the RNZAF....
“IF YOU CAN’T TAKE A JOKE YOU SHOULDN’T HAVE JOINED!” MEMORIES OF LIFE AS A TRENCHARD BRAT By Rob Knotts 84th Entry, RAF Halton 17 September 1956 to 29 July 1959CLICK HERE TO VIEW>>> http://doczz.net/doc/215580/memories-of-life-as-a-trenchard-brat-by-rob
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