|
History of the
Napier
Aero Club
Part 4
|
1928 - 1939 cont...
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| Some of the
visiting aircraft & personalities around at that
time.... |
Four
visitors - no IDs.
One very close to the prop. |
Four
visiting aircraft.
ZK-ABM later crashed in the
Ruahine Ranges, killing pilot
Hamish Armstrong - 21/7/35. |
Visiting
aircraft. |
A DH
60x from
Auckland Aero Club.
Crashed Mangere 1936. |
We hope to eventually
add names to these visitors.
Can you help? |
Pilot
on left - ??
Passenger is a Mr.Erskine,
(local accountant). |
Waco
ZK-ACV. |
A
well-know pilot & engineer...
L.Mangham |
Waco
pilot George Bolt (on left)
with locals and passengers.
No other IDs. |
| THE
EMBANKMENT DROME - VISITING AIRCRAFT From the time the first building was
erected and the landing area was clear of obstructions,
(salt weed, stones and sharp sea shells),
various aircraft from all over New Zealand arrived to
look over the club's efforts in setting up this latest
aerodrome
in such a short time after the 1931 earthquake. We have
this record of the various types and registrations:
ZK-ADV
* ZK-AAU * ZK--ACG * ZK-ACV * ZK-ABB * ZK-ACA * ZK-ACK *
ZK-ABZ * ZK-ACB * ZK-ACY * ZK-ABZ * ZK-ABM
ZK-ABE * ZK-ABG * ZK-ABY * ZK-ABD * ZK-AGB * ZK-ACJ *
ZK-AAT * ZK-ACK * ZK-ADE * ZK-ACC * ZK-ABK * ZK-ABN
ZK-ACQ * ZK-AQB * ZK-AAB * ZK-ADE * ZK-AFV * ZK-AFT *
ZK-ADS - TUI * ZK-ADR - HUIA * ZK-AEH - KARORO
Permanent Airforce aircraft: NZAF 102 * NZAF 2125
We will
gradually detail each aircraft as we gather information
on their visit.
|
| ZK-ABD "VELIE
MONOCOUPE" M-5 |
One of the
aircraft that "dropped in" around
1935-36 was this American
historic 2-seater. It was one of the first
enclosed-cockpit light aircraft
in NZ at that time - and the only one ever
imported into the country.
Powered by a 65 hp Velie radial engine.It didn't
exactly lead a "charmed life" from the
time it was first assembled in
January 1929 for a Mr. Cottrell of Wellington,
until its demise.
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|
| Photos:
Pilot and Engineer L. Mangham & ZK-ABD
Embankment Drome, Napier 1935/6. |
|
This little
orange and black monoplane was test-flown at Hutt
Park by George Bolt.
Soon after it commenced flying in NZ, it was
damaged upon landing on a cow (!)
at Gear Island. While it was being
repaired...extensively damaged by fire.A new fuselage,
wing and extra parts were brought in from
America.
With the salvaged engine and undercarriage, the
Monocoupe was rebuilt and
tested again - flown by George Bolt Nov. 1929 -
in time for the opening of
Rongotai Airport. It was registered in Feb. 1930
as ZK-ABD.
|
It was damaged
once more in April 1930 by an inexperienced
pilot, stalling into swampy ground
whilst landing. Unfortunately, the pilot was
killed.Rebuilt again, it became a
familiar sight around the Manawatu, giving
joyrides off local beaches.
It was
withdrawn from flying in 1938 and placed into
storage at the Union Airways hangar,
Palmerston North. It was destroyed by fire when
the hangar burnt down in 1953.
|
|
| Every
special occasion brought Arnold
Wright and his camera to the
Drome... |
Members with donated
(for the day) 'ute' and trailer |
Ute repainted for
Napier Aero club promotions. |
Ute ZK-BUG must have had
problems..this is all we see
of it in future photos.
Rear wheel assembly? |
Arnold's "special".
Different than ZK-BUG. |
Early days' photo
of members.
Tye Husheer on bonnet. |
ZK-ABD Monocoupe M5
and pilot (no ID) |
Some of the chaps with
an unidentified special part |
A visiting airforce
DH 80A Puss Moth |
ZK-ABZ Sparton.
No ID of pilot or passenger.
Aircraft now in
Geraldine Aircraft Museum. |
Local personalities. |
Early days of draining and
filling. Tye Husheer with
shovel & bow tie.
No IDs of others. |
Rotorua Airways DH80
Puss Moth ZK-ABG
"Te Arawa".
Impressed by RNZAF
1942 NZ-594..released...
became ZK-AJW.
Note folding wings. |
A rare shot of Arnold Wright,
(sitting + striped jersey),
with club members. |
| A Very Special
Occasion |
 |
 |
Windsock designed by
the Napier Aero Club.
Now under someone's house in
Napier, apparently. |
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| ..Napier
Aero Club Page 3 |
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| Napier
Aero Club Page 5... |
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