Rongotai and Milson in 1933-1938

[Dave Homewood]

Oh wow, I just love this compilation of clips that encapsulate the 1930's aviation scene in New Zealand so well. There are scenes around Rongotai Aerodrome between 1933-1938, and a smidgen of Milson thrown in, including:

- loads of Gipsy Moths
- at least one Tiger Moth
- a Waco
- visiting Fokker Trimotor VH-UXX "Faith In Australia"!!
- Miles Hawk ZK-AEQ which was written off in June 1937
- Percival Gull
- a Bristol Fighter!!
- a couple of Vickers Vildebeests!!
- a Fairey IIIF!!
- a Hawker Tomtit!!
- Supermarine Walrus K5774!!
- the Monospar ZK-AET
- a Cook Strait Airways DH89 Dragon Rapide ZK-AEE 'Jupiter'
- a flight in the Rapide with some low level scud running over Cook Strait's fishing fleet
- Union Airways' DH86 Express ZK-AEG 'Karoro' just floating in to land at Milson
- a gang of men shifting a large building on Rongotai airfield using a block and tackle chain pulley system, and tracks
- a model aeroplane
- Comper Swift ZK-ACG
- Short Empire flying boat G-ADUT "Centaurus" flying over, and then in the harbour
- Rongotai's emergency fire crew dong a practice drill

www.ngataonga.org.nz/collections/catalogue/catalogue-item?record_id=63526

[camtech]

Some fascinating stuff here, Dave

[davidd]

The serial number of the Walrus in your list has a superfluous digit Dave, think it should read K5774 only. Also did not see any Whitney Straights, think that was the Percival Gull alluded to by Errol M in the summary.
David D

[Dave Homewood]

Thanks David, not sure how that 2 snuck into the serial. Removed now.

Ah right, a Gull. I get all those Miles and Percival things confused from that era.

Great film though, eh?

[camtech]

Dave, please slow these down - I have jobs to do around the house and I keep getting distracted by all this marvelous stuff you keep dredging up. I'm getting growled at!!

[Dave Homewood]

Hahahaha. The posts are not going anywhere, so do your jobs and then come back