WONZ 349 – The Ventura Hunters
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The Wings Over New Zealand Show episode 349, 'The Ventura Hunters,' dives into a poignant and ambitious international effort to locate the wreckage of a Royal Canadian Air Force Lockheed Ventura PV-1 (AE-665) that crashed in 1943 during World War II. The aircraft carried an Anzac crew, including Don Cormack, a Royal Australian Air Force pilot and uncle of Don O'Rourke, who is leading the search. The episode features a panel of passionate individuals—Bill Thumer, a geophysicist and aircraft hunter; Arthur Palmer, a former RAF pilot and anthropologist; Dave O'Malley, a storyteller and aviation historian; and Scott Hutchinson, a co-sponsor—each bringing unique expertise to the mission. The search is driven not by academic curiosity, but by a deep desire for closure for families and a commitment to honoring the sacrifices of Commonwealth airmen who died during the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan, a program that saw more airmen die in Canada than in combat zones in Europe. Despite setbacks, including inaccurate coordinates and the devastating impact of hurricanes on the wreckage site, the team is refining their strategy to survey a 24-square-kilometer area using side-scan sonar, with hopes of locating the aircraft’s engines. The episode underscores the emotional weight of these searches, the importance of preserving wartime memory, and the enduring legacy of those lost in the skies over Canada. The overarching themes include the human cost of war, the power of personal legacy, and the role of storytelling in preserving history. The team’s goal extends beyond finding wreckage—it’s about completing family stories, honoring the fallen, and educating the public about a largely forgotten chapter of WWII. With support from media outlets like The Australian and a growing online audience, the mission aims to ensure that the 800 Commonwealth airmen who died in Canadian waters with no known grave are not forgotten. The episode concludes on a hopeful note, emphasizing that while the search is challenging, the emotional and historical rewards are immeasurable. The journey is as much about connection and remembrance as it is about discovery.
The search for the lost Ventura AE-665 is driven by emotional closure for families, not just historical curiosity.
Over 800 Commonwealth airmen died in Canadian waters during WWII with no known grave, highlighting a forgotten tragedy.
The British Commonwealth Air Training Plan was the deadliest training program in WWII, with more deaths in Canada than in combat zones.
Local knowledge from fishermen and historical records are critical in narrowing search areas for lost aircraft.
Modern technology like side-scan sonar and geophysical surveying can locate wreckage, but accuracy depends on precise coordinates.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Introduction to the Ventura Hunters Story
Dave Homewood introduces the episode, setting the stage with a brief overview of the Royal Canadian Air Force Ventura and the mission to find the lost AE-665 aircraft with an Anzac crew. He welcomes the international team of searchers and outlines the emotional and historical significance of the hunt.
Bill Thumer's Journey as an Aircraft Hunter
Bill Thumer shares his background as a geophysicist and recounts his first aircraft recovery mission in Greenland, where he helped locate a P-38 Lightning buried under ice. He details the challenges of early expeditions and how his expertise led to the recovery of over a dozen aircraft, including the lost squadron.
Arthur Palmer's Role and the Power of Local Knowledge
Arthur Palmer explains how he became involved through his friendship with Don O'Rourke and his own experience as a field anthropologist and pilot in northern Australia. He emphasizes the importance of local Aboriginal knowledge in locating WWII aircraft and shares his belief that the Ventura crash site is findable.
Don O'Rourke's Personal Journey and Family Legacy
Don O'Rourke shares his family history, the story of his uncle Don Cormack’s disappearance, and how the search began with a family document. He describes the emotional weight of the mission and the support from his brother-in-law Bill Billingsley and co-sponsor Scott Hutchinson.
Dave O'Malley's Storytelling Mission and the Ottawa Memorial
Dave O'Malley reveals his work as a storyteller, documenting the lives of 2,000 Ottawa residents lost in 20th-century wars. He discusses the Ottawa Memorial and the 800 airmen with no known grave, emphasizing the importance of remembrance and public awareness.
“In 1942, the most dangerous place in the war was the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.”
“The engines should be sitting down and we should see them. They're about a thousand kilos each and 65 inches in diameter.”
“The depth of the grief in small countries like Australia and New Zealand... it's not entirely washed away yet.”
Host
Guests
Lockheed Ventura PV-1
other
Bill Thumer
person
Don O'Rourke
person
Arthur Palmer
person
Dave O'Malley
person
British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
organization
Royal Canadian Air Force
organization
Penfield Ridge
place
Ottawa Memorial
other
Scott Hutchinson
person
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