peration: Local cover patrol

Date: 01st May 1943 (Saturday)

Unit: No. 16 Squadron RNZAF

Type: P-40 Kittyhawk

Serial: NZ3031

Code: XO-R

Base: RNZAF Woodbourne, South Island

Location: Wainuiomata area,

Pilot: Sgt. Thomas Victor Marchant NZ/421076 RNZAF Age 23. Killed

REASON FOR LOSS:

Whilst crossing a range from the lee side in a strong wind near Wainuiomata the aircraft was caught in a down draft, crashing and caught fire at 11:15 hrs. The young pilot being killed.

James Fraser, who is part of a network of geocachers people who use GPS to find hidden containers, recently visited the crash site. He noticed the wreckage was to be fast disappearing due to poor weather conditions. When he got there the engine was just gone. It had been swept away, or more likely buried. He would also like to see a community effort to recover the plane's engine. It would be a huge shame if it remained buried and was lost to history.

The Department of Conservation (DOC) warned people not to remove artefacts or interfere with the wreckage. Operations manager Jack Mace said there were a number of historic plane wrecks on conservation land, including the Kittyhawk behind Wainuiomata.

DOC's general policy is to leave plane wrecks where they lie and minimise interference, not just to preserve the heritage values but also out of respect for the dead.

Information courtesy 'Stuff', New Zealand.

In rare cases, it may authorise community groups to transfer crash site materials to a more appropriate location, such as a museum.

For DOC, these wrecks have value as they tell an important story of the risk-filled days of New Zealand's early aviation. Visiting them can be an especially moving and poignant experience. DOC's general policy is to leave plane wrecks where they lie and minimise interference, not just to preserve the heritage values but so out of respect for the dead.

It is an offence to remove any historic artefacts from public land without permission, including parts of plane wrecks. In 2010, those involved in illegally removing the engine of a plane that crashed in the Tararuas in 1955 were given a 'stern warning' by DOC. The engine was subsequently returned.

A spokesperson for the New Zealand Defence Force said the Wainuiomata wreckage remained the property of the New Zealand Defence Force and parts should not be removed.

Burial and other details:

Sgt. Thomas Victor Marchant. Wanganui (Aramoho) Cemetery. Grave D.1.52. Born on the 23rd January 1920at Sydenham, Englan. Educated at Wanganui Technical College, Worked as a wireman by D.A. Morrison and Company Limited at Wanganui. Enlisted on the 07th February. 1942. Awarded his wings on the 02nd September, 1942. Son of Henry William Marchant (died 26th June 1971, age 82), and of Charlotte Jane Marcha nt (née Westwood - died 25th November 1971, age 79), of 24 Fergusson Street, Wanganui, New Zealand. The pilpt had accrued 347 flying hours with 76 on this type. (Information courtesy of Studd New Zealand)

Researched and dedicated to the relatives of this crew with thanks to the extensive research by Errol Martyn and his publications: “For Your Tomorrow Vols. 1-3”, New Zealand Cenotaph, Weekly News of New Zealand, Air Museum of New Zealand, Museum of Transport and Technology, Auckland, Stuff NZ.

Other sources as quoted below:

At the going down of the sun, and in the morning we will remember them. - Laurence Binyon
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