P/O Arthur Allan Wiblin, RNZAF

[Andrew Curtis]

Hi

Trying to clear up a record for the database.
P/O Arthur Allan Wiblin, RNZAF was killed on 18 July 1944. Press and other sources say 'accidentally' at Ashburton, NZ.

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/ne...ate=30-09-1944
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-m...otaph%2Fsearch

Sources including http://www.adf-serials.com/nz-serials/nzdh82.htm say a Flare path controller was killed after being hit by a Tiger Moth on this date / place.

Would this be P/O Wiblin? Having difficulty finding any more detail about the accident he was in.

Cheers

Andrew

[COL BRUGGY]

Hello,

NEW ZEALAND

Tue 18 Jul 1944

Landing accident.

2 Elementary Flying Training School, RNZAF (Ashburton)

Tiger Moth II NZ1416 - when coming in to make a crosswind landing was caught in the slipstream of Tiger Moth NZ665, then in the process of taking off, and was temporarily thrown out of control. The main wheels struck the ground heavily, and while the aircraft was recovering from the bounce the port wing struck and fatally injured a pilot instructor who was on the airfield acting as Aerodrome Control Officer (ACO). He is buried at Hukerenui.
Instructor Fg Off R W Gummer and pupil pilot LAC K J Ashcroft in NZ1416 were uninjured.

Pilot Instructor: NZ213966 Plt Off Arthur Alan WIBLIN, RNZAF - Age 21. 514hrs.

See:
For Your Tomorrow - A record of New Zealanders who have died while serving with the RNZAF and Allied Air Services since 1915 - Volume Two: Fates 1943-1998.
Martyn,Errol W.
Christchurch:Volplane Press,1999.
p.251

Col.

[Andrew Curtis]

Hi Col

Thanks for checking and confirming as well as the detail.

Cheers

Andrew