GC1GVQY Texas Tornado Tribute (Auckland) (Multi-cache) in North Island, New Zealand created by KiwiGary

This cache has been archived.

KiwiGary: I feel this cache has had its day, time to clear up the area for new cachers.

Thanks to everyone that visited the cache during its life.

Cache has been removed from final location

GC1GVQY ▼

A cache by KiwiGary Message this owner

Hidden : 10/12/2008

Difficulty:

Terrain:

Size: Size: regular (regular)

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Geocache Description:

A tribute cache to the eleven crew and passengers who lost their lives in this war time disaster.

On the night of 9 June 1942, a B17 Flying Fortress bomber nicknamed the Texas Tornado left the Whenuapai Air force base on its way to Laverton near Melbourne. On board were eleven people and a secret weapon that would go on to helping the allies win the second world war.

The plane never made it to its destination. It crashed less than three kilometres from the runway. The explosion was heard in Pt Chev. Many residents thought this was the start of the threatened Japanese invasion.

At the time this was the worst air disaster on New Zealand soil, and still it still ranks as New Zealand's third worst air disaster.

The fact that the plane had a full load of bombs on board made the explosion even greater. This and the total news ban on the incident fuelled the local rumors of what its real mission was.

The secret weapon on board was a Norden Bombsight. The American's were very concerned about finding the item after crash. Some of the New Zealand soldiers felt this was more important to them, than the lives of dead crew members. At the time the bombsight was revolutionary, hence the concern it may end up in enemy hands.

The crew were buried at Waikumete Cemetery shortly afterwards, after the war the American bodies were re-interred and were buried with full military honours in the United States.

The co-ordinates above will take you close to the location where Texas Tornado ended up. It's still a private house today, so please don't knock on the door or disturb the owners.

During the war the house was owned by George Sinton, who was injured during the crash when the house was knocked off its foundations after clipping a fence behind the house. The plane ended up alongside the house and a fire caused the Bombs and machine gun bullets to be set off.

The Cache

George Sintons House Today

Across the road from George Sintons old house you will find a telephone pole, with a number on it (A)(B)(C)(D)(E) and a smaller grey pole with the following text AM 0(F)/(G)

Using this information work out your next destination which is at:-
S 36° 4(C + G).(A)(E)(D - G) E 174° 3(F - G).(B)(D + G)(A)

You may find it easier to drive or cycle to your next location, here the following questions need to be answered, you will find these 4th from the left:-

Five to (H) are required
How many thousands of nautical miles can we go now? 2(L)80
A - (J)(K) Turboprops?
It can carry (M)2 Troops and (P)4 paratroopers

The final Co-ordinates are:-
S 36° 4(H).(J)(K)(L) E 174° 3(K).(M)(P)(J)

Good luck, some of the locations are on busy roads. So please watch out for little Geocachers. Driving between the locations is very possible. There is no need to cross or tangle with any barb wire fences on your adventure. This could be very dangerous as well. I wouldn't recommend this at night due to the busy roads.

FTF honours, go to The WonderStuff - 15 Oct 2008.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

[First WP] Cbyr arne juvgr cvpxrg srapr [Second WP] Sbhegu sebz Yrsg [FINAL] Ng onfr bs Thz Gerr

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)