WONZ 308 – Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet 4 – Don Wilkie

The Wings Over New Zealand Show

Guest: Don Wilkie
Host: Dave Homewood
Recorded: 28th of April 2024
Released: 14th of August 2024
Duration: 47 mins 56 secs

This episode is the fourth of the recordings from the recent Legend Aviation WONZ Forum Meet, hosted by Bevan Dewes and Lucy Newell of Legend Aviation at Hood Aerodrome, Masterton, on Sunday 28th of April 2024.

Aviation artist Don Wilkie talks about his book, Forgotten Heroes: Voices of No. 489 New Zealand Torpedo Squadron. The book covers No. 489 (NZ) Squadron from its inception on the 12th of August 1941 at the Royal Air Force Coastal Command’s station at Leuchars airfield in Scotland, right through to its disbandment at Banff on the 15th of August 1945.

Don has compiled the book using hours of interviews and delved deeply into personal accounts, albums and anecdotes to reveal the true character of No. 489 (NZ) Squadron. Containing over 1,000 photos, the book is packed full of incredible detail that chronicles the squadron’s short but vibrant history. In this talk Don details how the book came about and tells some of the stories that he came across in the research for the 490-page book.

Quick Links:
• Don Wilkie’s Website

ANZAC Attack – Don Wilkie’s artwork that adorns the cover of his book.

Don Wilkie during his presentation. (Phil Treweek photo)

Don Wilkie during his presentation. (Phil Treweek photo)

Don’s artworks and his books for sale during the event.