Post by planewriting on Apr 11, 2024 9:22:23 GMT 12
On the National Library of New Zealand website, there are several photographs of BOAC Sunderland flying-boats G-AGJL “Hobart” amd G-AGJM “Hythe” moored together at Mechanics Bay in February 1946. There are also photographs of Captain G G Stead and Captain Steer at Mechanics Bay posing in front of one of the two Sunderland flying-boats. Presumably they were each respectively in command of one of the 'boats.
Does anybody know the full story about why both flying-boats were visiting New Zealand at the same time? Various books I have got mention G-AGJM “Hythe” visiting New Zealand in 1947, but I have been unable to find any reference in any of the books I have about both 'boats being in New Zealand at the same time.
She is calling in again tomorrow Friday to discuss further. Being tenacious, I am keen to establish which of BOAC's numerous Sunderlands was involved. Could it possibly be G-AHJR? This is the only BOAC one to later join the RNZAF and these days it is at Motat. I have looked through the series of articles "Aircraft visiting New Zealand" in the Aviation Historical Society of New Zealand journals but these are evidently incomplete. Does anyone out there know which Sunderland visited New Zealand in April 1947?