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New Zealand Aircrew Uniforms |
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| The
WW2 period tunic of Group Captain E. W. Whitley, DSO, DFC; RAF. Although
serving the the RAF he was in fact a New Zealander, born Epsom,
Auckland, 17 Aug 1908; joined RAF 1930; commanded No. 245 Sqdn,
1939–40; RAF Station, Haifa,1941; No. 234 Wing, Middle East, 1942;
Nos. 209 and 210 Groups, Middle East,1943; Fighter Leaders' School,
1944; No. 58 OTU, 1945; RAF Station, Church Fenton, 1945. The tunic is
named to him on the typed Gieves label inside the inner pocket. He
is mentioned in most of the texts including the NZ RNZAF official
history. Images by Aubrey
Bairstow |
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| WW2 period uniform of the
noted New Zealand aviator Air Vice Marshall Sir Leonard Monk Isitt KBE.
On the pocket below the ribbons are two sewn loops
to hold a breast star of an order (he was knighted with the KBE). |
| The
cap is amazingly rare, NZ made by Hills and has KC crown. Isett joined
the NZEF in 1915 and the RAF the following year as an instructor. He
commanded Wigram in 1923 and later Hobsonville. At the start of WW2 he
represented NZ at the Empire Training Scheme in Canada. He accepted the
Japanese surrender on behalf of New Zealand. He became Chief of Air
Staff / Air Vice Marshall and retired in 1946. Images
by Aubrey Bairstow |
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An
original RNZAF Wing Commanders uniform consisting of tunic and trousers.
This belonged to an ex-RNZAF Wellington bomber signaller/gunner who flew
on many missions over Europe. Post war he continued service with the
RNZAF, rising to the rank of Wing Commander.
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Images by Aubrey Bairstow
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