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Thread: Pilot Officer PFH Rowley

  1. #1

    Default Pilot Officer PFH Rowley

    Hi guys,

    I thought I would create a thread in honour of my grandfather who served for the RNZAF in the pacific.

    Started in 16 Fighter Squadron where he flew P-40 Kittyhawks. Then joined 15 Fighter Squadron where received the brand new Corsair F4U. Then 26 Fighter Squadron also flying Corsair F4Us. Finished in Fighter Leader School, Ardmore. He was promoted and to go on to become the Squadron leader of a P51 Mustang squadron in Borneo but the war ended before this role was taken up.

    He was stationed on Esperitu Santos, Rabaul Is and Guadalcanal.

    Tried to add captions under each photo but it wouldn't let me sorry.


    1. Squadron shot
    Fallen comrades marked X

    2. P40 Kittyhawk


    3. P40 mission to Guadalcanal
    Mission to Guadalcanal being lead by Hudson bomber acting as Navigation plane

    4. Heading off to mission
    Scrambling to his P-40 (He is the closest one on the front wheel guard)

    5. P40 Kittyhawk formation
    He is in the closest P-40 on left

    6. Later group shot
    What was left of his group. He is the tall one second row dead centre. (The best looking bloke)

    7. Corsair
    He called his Corsair "Dream Gal"

    8. Dream gal


    9. Jap tank (mention in dispatches)
    Saved an Australian unit from being ambushed by strafing 2 jap tanks and destroying them. Award: Mention in Dispatches

    10. Corsair


    11. Peter in Corsair


    12. Dream gal
    Depth charge to attack Jap ships

    13. Jap ship in sights
    Diving on a Jap ship

    14. Colt Auto .45
    The Colt .45 he brought back

    15. Light Machine Gun
    A captured Jap type 99 LMG

    16. Jap Prisoners
    Shot he took is of two Jap prisoners which is rare because they usually committed hari kari (suicide) rather than be taken prisoner.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails 7. Squadron shot.jpg   1. P40 Kittyhawk.jpg   9. heading off to mission.jpg   3. P40 mission to Guadalcanal.jpg   2. P40 Kittyhawk formation.jpg  

    11. Later group shot.jpg   4. Corsair.jpg   8. Dream gal.jpg   10. jap tank (mention in dispatches).jpg   11. Corsair.jpg  

    Dad in Corsair.jpg   5. Jap ship in sights.jpg   6. Dream gal (depth charge to attack shipping).jpg   Colt Auto .45.jpg   Ozz Justins birthday 049.jpg  

    Ozz Justins birthday 081.jpg  
    Last edited by Canestri10; 01-28-2015 at 19:34.

  2. #2

    Default

    Fantastic photos, Sam! Thank you for sharing a little family history with us.

  3. #3

    Default Aviation News Magazine article

    Also here is an article his son, Peter Jnr, wrote about him for Aviation News Magazine. Enjoy
    Attached Files
    Last edited by Canestri10; 01-29-2015 at 16:20.

  4. #4

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    I can see it... late now, but I'll read tomorrow. Thanks!

  5. #5

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    Great stuff! Thanks for sharing.

    (I think we have a nice subject for our painting contest! I could use some Kittyhawks in my campaign for my PTO operations. All I have to do is learn how to paint!!!)


    This one has the HQ on it!
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    Another view of those planes from above.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by Gotham Resident; 08-25-2015 at 11:42.

  6. #6

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    Quote Originally Posted by fast.git View Post
    Fantastic photos, Sam! Thank you for sharing a little family history with us.
    Likewise

  7. #7

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gotham Resident View Post
    Another view of those planes from above.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    That's my grandfather in the closest plane!

  8. #8

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    Thank you for this family history insight!
    Voilā le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  9. #9

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    If you have about 45 minutes this is an interview with Peter Jnr talking alot about his father.

    First 15 minutes or so are about the war.

    http://cambridgeairforce.org.nz/WONZ...html#58_Rowley
    Last edited by Canestri10; 01-28-2015 at 23:38.

  10. #10

    Default

    I read the .pdf file an dit was very intersting, Sam.

    Your grandpa did mostly ground support/attack sorties. No report about a fight with Japanese planes.

    Don't get me wrong - I have a high respect that he finished pilot school and was choosen for a fighter squadron.

    Anyways a very interesting report.

    I was surpised by the inner attitude of your grandpa when he decribed the strafing on the infantry and descirbed his feelings, when he realized what he did to the workers on the airstrip. Many WW II pilots had a healthy distance to the effects their weapons and bombs did to their targets. (Maybe an advantage that you grandpa had not all the time because of his main order as ground support in difference to example bomber pilots.

    Fortunately he survived the war.
    Voilā le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  11. #11

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Marechallannes View Post
    I read the .pdf file an dit was very intersting, Sam.

    Your grandpa did mostly ground support/attack sorties. No report about a fight with Japanese planes.
    He did engage one zero and it rolled onto it's belly and the pilot bailed out. He was convinced he didn't hit it but one probable kill to note anyway. He mentions this in the interview I posted above. By 1943 the RNZAF was basically left to clean up the remains of the Japanese army while the US pushed on towards the main target.
    Quote Originally Posted by Marechallannes View Post
    Don't get me wrong - I have a high respect that he finished pilot school and was choosen for a fighter squadron.

    Anyways a very interesting report.

    I was surpised by the inner attitude of your grandpa when he decribed the strafing on the infantry and descirbed his feelings, when he realized what he did to the workers on the airstrip. Many WW II pilots had a healthy distance to the effects their weapons and bombs did to their targets. (Maybe an advantage that you grandpa had not all the time because of his main order as ground support in difference to example bomber pilots.

    Fortunately he survived the war.
    Yes it was very interesting indeed. Unfortunately I never got to meet him. Would have loved to hear all his stories.

  12. #12

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    Quote Originally Posted by fast.git View Post
    I can see it... late now, but I'll read tomorrow. Thanks!
    Thanks!

  13. #13

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    Great to be able to see what your Grandfather got up to.

    My dads photo album is denuded of all the really action packed photos that used to be in it, as for some reason he took those out and sent them to the FAA Museum, along with about half a dozen A3 photos of mine given to me by one of the Official war photographers.
    He did this whilst I was away at college, otherwise I would have made copies before he let the original ones go.
    It even included a set of three official shots of Illustrious getting plastered in the Med, and one he took of a Stringbag depth charging a U Boat, and the aftermath.
    I was gutted when I found out, but they were his photos so what can you say?
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  14. #14

    Default

    You are lucky to have that record of your grandfather. I have only 1 or 2 photos and some post cards dad bought no stories. He was on a corvette RCN.

  15. #15

    Thumbs up

    Thank you so much for those wonderful photos Sam.
    You must be so proud of him.
    Like you NZr's our Aussie pilots were also left to clean up as the US pressed on to Japan.
    This led to a lot of ill feeling that ultimately led to the Moratai Mutiny.
    My adopted brother who was 18 years older than me was captured in Singapore & spent the war as a prisoner in Changi but fortunately survived.

  16. #16

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    Having received some excellent painted mini's from user Miscmini, I'm now figuring what to do with my 4 Merit Wildcats. I have decided to alter history and get 1 done in the Paint Scheme for PFH Rowley. He has been moved from a Kittyhawk to a Martlett, I hope the history gods don't mind.

  17. #17

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gotham Resident View Post
    Having received some excellent painted mini's from user Miscmini, I'm now figuring what to do with my 4 Merit Wildcats. I have decided to alter history and get 1 done in the Paint Scheme for PFH Rowley. He has been moved from a Kittyhawk to a Martlett, I hope the history gods don't mind.
    Actually, now that a couple of books have come in, I can put together a timeline where the French G-36 order goes to Australia "in exchange for" the P-40s delivered historically (assumption: Australia is surrounded by ocean, so it's better to provide them naval acft.).

  18. #18

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gotham Resident View Post
    Having received some excellent painted mini's from user Miscmini, I'm now figuring what to do with my 4 Merit Wildcats. I have decided to alter history and get 1 done in the Paint Scheme for PFH Rowley. He has been moved from a Kittyhawk to a Martlett, I hope the history gods don't mind.
    Wow, Mischa I can't wait to see the final product! Many thanks for choosing my grandfather.

  19. #19

    Default

    The plane of your grandfather would be a nice choice for the F4U Corsair in WGS Series 7.

    RNZAF ground attack plane with bombs and rockets.

    Very cool!
    Voilā le soleil d'Austerlitz!

  20. #20

    Default

    That would be a cool idea as well Sven. I can't wait to see the Corsairs.

    Sam, I got 2 Avengers done in the USS Bataan colors, where my own grandfather served (on deck). If I'm going to get a plane custom painted, and I'm going for accurate paint schemes, I might as well use a living model. No reason not to do so! Kevin of miscmini said he's busy, and backlog may be until Sept, but when it's done, I will post the pictures. (I am going to mail them today in fact, in case things change and he gets to them sooner).

  21. #21

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    It is a very fitting tribute to your grandfather to do aircraft from the Carrier on which he served Mischa.


    Click image for larger version. 

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    My father served on HMS Biter and I have tried to find or get Dave to produce all the aircraft with which he was familiar.
    My 1: 1200 scale escort carrier is modeled on that ship.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    I look forward to reading about this ongoing project of yours as it takes shape.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  22. #22

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    Rob,
    Do you know if the HMS had "carrier specific markings"? Ie, like the US carriers did late in the war, with markings on the tail & wing to determine which carrier you were from? If so, perhaps a 2nd Wildcat can be converted to a Martlet for the Med/Atlantic side. ..I have 4 to play with.

  23. #23

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gotham Resident View Post
    Rob,
    Do you know if the HMS had "carrier specific markings"? Ie, like the US carriers did late in the war, with markings on the tail & wing to determine which carrier you were from? If so, perhaps a 2nd Wildcat can be converted to a Martlet for the Med/Atlantic side. ..I have 4 to play with.
    I am not sure about the late war other than the aircraft in the Pacific had the bar added to the roundel to mirror the U.S. bar so as to avoid confusion with the Japanese roundel. Earlier on the Recognition Letters and numbers were specific to the Carrier. I could look up what I have if it will help.
    Rob.
    "Courage is the art of being the only one who knows you're scared to death."

  24. #24

    Default

    What a great tribute - thank you for sharing it.

  25. #25

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Gotham Resident View Post
    That would be a cool idea as well Sven. I can't wait to see the Corsairs.

    Sam, I got 2 Avengers done in the USS Bataan colors, where my own grandfather served (on deck). If I'm going to get a plane custom painted, and I'm going for accurate paint schemes, I might as well use a living model. No reason not to do so! Kevin of miscmini said he's busy, and backlog may be until Sept, but when it's done, I will post the pictures. (I am going to mail them today in fact, in case things change and he gets to them sooner).
    Miscmini (kevin) is beginning production. Yay!

    Rob, I didn't do an HMS Biter plane this time, but I would like to get one. Having just read "A Higher Call" my interest in the African/Med/European war is piqued.

  26. #26

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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by fast.git View Post
    Fantastic photos, Sam! Thank you for sharing a little family history with us.
    Very strong agree: +1

  27. #27

    Default

    It's a Martlet, not a P40, but it's a fitting tribute. I might have to figure out how to do a card for this pilot.

    Click image for larger version. 

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  28. #28

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    Quote Originally Posted by Gotham Resident View Post
    It's a Martlet, not a P40, but it's a fitting tribute. I might have to figure out how to do a card for this pilot.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Wow Mischa! Can you believe I never saw this reply until now!! Sorry it took like only 4 years!

    That's amazing my friend and thank you so much.

  29. #29

    Default

    Great article, Sam.
    I missed it the first time as well. Your reply brought it to the top of the list tonight.
    I downloaded the pdf for further reading.
    Terrific pics to go with it. Thanks for sharing.



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