Episode Details

Guest: Michelle Sim

Host: Dave Homewood

Recorded: 30th of June 2018

Released: 3rd of August 2018

Duration: 37 minutes 49 seconds

This episode features Michelle Sim, the sixth speaker at the recent WONZ Forum Meet held at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, at Wigram, Christchurch.

Michelle is the Communications Manager at the Air Force Museum of New Zealand, and she previously was an Archivist within that museum. She’s also a dedicated avgeek. One of the topics that really interested her when she was working in the Archives was the story of the RNZAF’s No. 1 Aerodrome Construction Squadron, which she presents here.

This unit was assembled from construction workers of the New Zealand Public Works Department, and they were sent to Malaya to build airfields for the Royal Air Force.  Their task was however interrupted by the entry into WWII of Japan who set about attacking Malaya and Singapore, forcing the squadron to fight for their lives in their attempt to get home to New Zealand.

Quick Links:

•  The Air Force Museum of New Zealand

•  Michelle’s Email Contact is Communications@Airforcemuseum.co.nz

“Bombs And Bulldozers”
Presentation by Michelle Sim. All images courtesy of the Air Force museum of New Zealand.

Michelle Sim with a RSAF F-15 at the RNZAF Air Tattoo at Ohakea, Feb 2017

Listen Now