Lancasters - Reunion of Giants

The last two remaining airworthy Lancasters in the world join for a moving tribute to an age long gone. 

The movie "Reunion of Giants" traces the flight of Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lancaster, VeRA, from Hamilton, Ontario to meet her British counterpart, Thumper—the only other airworthy Lancaster in the world—operated by the Royal Air Force in England.

There were many compelling aspects to this story including a blown supercharger during flight which threatened the future of one of the aircraft, the emotive recounting of stories from Bomber Command veterans and the recognition of bravery and sacrifice in an era that had an immense influence on the world.

The video below shows a 3 minute synopsis. A DVD of the full length movie can be obtained here - http://www.warplane.com/gift-shop/dvds/reunion-of-giants.aspx

Flogging A Dead Horse

A universal problem at many different levels of business, government and the services is pursuing actions that are unlikely to achieve a result. The following explanation takes a light-hearted look at the issue - 

The tribal wisdom of the Dakota Indians, passed on from generation to generation, says that:

“When you discover that you are riding a dead horse, best strategy is to dismount" .

However, in government and business organisations, more advanced strategies are often employed, such as:

1. Buying a stronger whip.
2. Changing riders.
3. Appointing a committee to study the horse.
4. Arranging to visit other countries to see how other cultures ride dead horses.
5. Lowering the standards so that dead horses can be included.
6. Reclassifying the dead horse as ‘living-impaired’.
7. Hiring outside contractors to ride the dead horse.
8. Harnessing several dead horses together to increase the speed.
9. Providing additional funding and/or training to increase the dead horse's performance.
10. Doing a productivity study to see if lighter riders would improve the dead horse's performance. 
11. Declaring that as the dead horse does not have to be fed, it is less costly, carries lower overhead and therefore contributes substantially more to the bottom line of the economy than do some other horses.
12. Rewriting the expected performance requirements for all horses.
And of course....
13. Promoting the dead horse to a supervisory position.

If you don't understand this theory, you haven't lived long enough.

How Flying First Class Used To Be

These pictures of the pre WWII Handley Page show a luxurious aircraft from a different era - and just look at the spacious seating arrangement!

These aircraft flew much slower than today and only in daylight and fair weather because they predated instrument flying. But for 26 lucky passengers the experience was relaxed and comfortable.

The HP-42 flew at just 100mph and at only a few thousand

feet so there was much to admire on a journey. Overnights were spent in luxurious hotels before heading off for the next stage of the journey. 

A trip from London to Capetown could take a week but there are no doubt many modern travelers who would swap that arrangement for modern "cattle car" expediency.

Thanks to Peter Randell for the link to this story.

Farewell Arnold Kopp

Odd Bod Arnold Kopp passed away peacefully on 21/12/2016 at Mount Waverley.

Arnold served on 466 squadron earning a DFC and then later an MBE for his contribution to the social security industry in Australia.

Our thoughts are with the Kopp family.

The WWII Veteran in Church

The WWII Veteran in Church

An old Irish World War II Spitfire pilot and flying Ace was speaking in a church, reminiscing about his war experiences. "In 1942," he said, "the situation was really tough. The Germans had a very strong air force. I remember," he continued, "one day I was protecting the bombers and suddenly, out of the clouds, these Fokkers appeared."

There are a few gasps from the parishioners, and several of the children began to giggle.

"I looked up, and realised that two of the Fokkers were directly above me. I aimed at the first one and shot him down. By then, though, the other Fokker was right on my tail."

At this point, several of the elderly ladies of the church were blushing with embarrassment, the girls were all giggling and the boys laughing loudly.

The pastor finally stood up and said, "I think I should point out that 'Fokker' was the name of a German-Dutch aircraft company, who made many of the planes used by the Germans during the war."

"Yes, that's true enough," said the old pilot, "but these fokkers were flying Messerschmitts."

Thanks to Terry Maher for this story.

Farewell To Odd Bod Keith Gillespie

"Just to let you know that Keith Gillespie a member of the Odd Bods passed away peacefully on Saturday 19^th November 2016.

A thanks giving service will take place on Tuesday 29^th November

At Trinity Uniting Church, 15 Black Street, Brighton.

Many thanks

Kind Regards

Diana Gillespie"

Farewell To Odd Bod Ron Clarkson

"I wish to inform the Odd Bods Association Victoria of the passing of my father in law Ronald Victor Clarkson RAAF 417805. DFC.  who passed away on November 9, 2016 at Lutheran Aged Care, Albury 2640 He was aged 98 years and 6 months. 

Earlier this year Ron received the French Medal of Honour of which he was very proud.  He enjoyed hearing from the Odd bods via Newsletter, please cancel his subscription.  

Ron was born in Peterhead, South Australia and during WW11 was sent to England and was posted to Lissett Air force Base in Yorkshire and became a member of 158 Squadron, his plane being the famous “Friday the 13th” which was awarded the Victoria Cross and went on display in Oxford St, London after the war.  Ron did 40 sorties over enemy territory and was awarded the DFC for his courage. 

Ron’s beloved wife of 68 years passed away 5 years ago on November 15, 2011.  Ron was a beautiful humble man and we shall miss him so.  He has two sons, Terry and Leigh. I am married to Terry and Leigh’s wife is Marilyn.  

I wish also to thank the lovely lady who sent Christmas and birthday cards to Ron. Much appreciated.  

Thank you, Sue Clarkson. Albury. NSW"

Always A Rookie by Jack Elliott

Jack Elliott passed away on 7^th November 2016 and like many veterans had recorded some of his wartime experiences. His family have given us access to his memoirs and they contain many fascinating stories.

Those of you who knew Jack will understand that humour will be an inevitable part of his writing. 

Jack starts with the early process of selection as ACII’s into the Air Force, and then training in Tiger Moths at Benalla in Victoria. He talks about the never to be forgotten experience of flying solo after just 5 or 6 hours of tuition, and progresses through his trip to the UK via USA and further training in Tiger Moths at Fairoaks. He recalls the occasion when strong headwinds caused his Tiger Moth to fly backwards and the skills he had to learn to combat those types of experiences.

And Jack hasn’t left out personal stories like the time he was “conned” into meet his wife to be, Laurel, an event he never regretted. And did you know that Jack once appeared in a movie, “Caesar and Cleopatra”?

The full story makes good reading and can be found here – Always A Rookie.

Remembrance Day Service At Repat Hospital Heidelberg

Following are a number of photos from the Remembrance Day Service at the Repat Hospital Heidelberg in Melbourne 2016.

Friends of the Odd Bods Association Secretary, Peter Randell, laid a wreath on behalf of the association and in special memory of veterans George Smith who had a long association with the hospital and Jack Elliott who passed just a few days ago. The hospital’s veteran liaison officer, Robert Winther, mentioned both George and Jack during the service.

Peter is shown with Odd Bod Joe Shuttleworth in one of the photos.

Farewell Jack Elliott

Jack Elliott passed away peacefully on 7/11/2016 with family present after a brief illness.

J. W. Elliott 430131, PLT, 21OTU.

For Those Lighter Moments

From Walter Eacott's collection:

A man in Brisbane walked into the produce section of his local Woolies supermarket and asked to buy half a head of lettuce.

The boy working in that department told him that they only sold whole heads of lettuce. The man was insistent that the boy ask the manager about the matter.

Walking into the back room, the boy said to the manager,

"Some old bastard wants to buy a half a head of lettuce."

As he finished his sentence, he turned around to find that the man was standing right behind him, so he quickly added, "and this gentleman kindly offered to buy the other half."

The manager approved the deal and the man went on his way.

Later, the manager said to the boy,"I was impressed with the way you got yourself out of that situation earlier, we like people who can think on their feet here, where are you from son?"

"New Zealand, sir," the boy replied.

"Why did you leave New Zealand ?" the manager asked.

The boy said, "Sir, there's nothing but prostitutes and rugby players there."

"Is that right?" replied the manager,

"My wife is from New Zealand!"

"Really?" replied the boy, "Who'd she play for?"

John Ireland - Legion D’Honneur Recipient

Another Odd Bod who has received the recognition of the French Government for war service is John Ireland WAG 575 Sqn.

John received his Legion D’Honneur at Melbourne’s Shrine of Remembrance on 29^th September and in fact he is in the same photo as Ron Fitch in a previous article. Our apologies for missing you John.

This is a great honour for recipients, and as John points out, it reflects well on the service of all Odd Bods during WWII.

Presidents Message

Dear Friends,

It is that time of year when we call upon your generosity of heart to support you Association, by renewing your subscription and enjoy the collegiality of other Friends at the Annual Ladies luncheon at Amora Hotel, Riverwalk, Richmond on Friday 4 November.

Your committee has been active this year with regular quarterly meetings organizing those events that carry on the tradition of Pressing on Remembering, and at the AGM on 22 May the existing executive and committee were re-elected.

The Anzac Day march and lunch was the highlight with our patron Air Vice Marshall Peter Scully RAAF Retired as guest speaker and Walter Eacott paying tribute to George Smith, and also having  co-authored George’s Obituary that appeared in The Age in March 2016, which immortalized the ‘Smith Hug’. George’s contributions to the Odd Bods will be perpetuated in the George Smith Award to be presented at the Wesley College Anzac Day service to the year 10 student who is judged to have written the best essay about the Anzac Spirit

The Friends were also represented at two functions at the Shrine; Victory in Europe Day, featuring our vice-president Terry Maher on 8 May and the Battle of Britain 76^th Anniversary on 22 September.

So support your Association dig deep and renew your subscription and join us at the lunch on 4 November

Cheers

Sqn Ldr Bruce P Waxman RAAF Retired

President

Friends of the Odd Bods Association Inc.

October 2016

PS – Veteran members and widows do not pay a subscription.

See Tab at the top of this page for  Combined November Luncheon Application and Subscription Form.

Ron Fitch Legion D'Honneur Presentation

Ron Fitch receives his Legion D'Honneur from the French Ambassador at Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance on 29th September. Congratulations to Ron.

Some Interesting Links

Our readers provide many interesting links to WWII aircraft (and later) stories and here are just a few from recent weeks.

Scottish International Airshow 2016. - http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-37255610

F-16’s Fly As Drones - http://video.boeing.com/services/player/bcpid1173939806001?bckey=AQ~~,AAAAukPAlqE~,oAVq1qtdRjwBrIkHYj2MSytJiEK9s5fy&bclid=0&bctid=2684464741001

A Boy Solves His RAF Father’s Disappearance After 73 Years - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3793758/The-German-laid-war-hero-s-ghost-rest-73-years-Son-s-life-haunted-RAF-father-s-disappearance-stranger-pieced-puzzle-restored-faith-humanity.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490

RAF Church Fenton -  First look: Behind the scenes at Yorkshire’s new film studios (From York Press) - http://m.yorkpress.co.uk/news/14747791.First_look__Behind_the_scenes_at_Yorkshire___s_new_film_studios/?ref=eb

Battle of Britain 75^th Anniversary Celebrations - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3202341/Remembering-Britain-s-hardest-day-Spitfires-Hurricanes-skies-75-years-battle-scuppered-plans-Nazi-invasion.html

Great Old Aircraft Photos

The photos shown below are just a small sample of a variety of WWII aircraft photos at - http://www.mission4today.com/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=14429&finish=15&start=0

Thanks to Fay & Gerald McPherson for the link.

Walter's Wisdom

That Was The Sweetest Aeroplane

Our title was a quote from an American pilot who went on to say "Everyone should fly a Spitfire at least once." John Blyth flew Spitfires for photo reconnaissance during WWII. We won't tell you any more here because the video below won an honorable mention for short film making at the 2007 Sundance Festival and it tells a wonderful story - Just click on the photo and enjoy.

The Battle of Britain 76th Anniversary Service

Battle of Britain 76th Anniversary - Held in the Sanctuary of The Shrine of Remembrance  on Sunday 18th September this years service featured Guest Speaker, Wg/Cdr John Ward, Air Training Group, RAAF Williams, Laverton.
Thanks to Friends of the Odd Bods President, Bruce Waxman, for the photos.