Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 19, 2006 21:11:22 GMT 12
I just heard an incredible thing on National Radio. In the Sounds Historical programme, they dug an old show out of the archives from the 1950's which had interviews with old people of the time about early transport. There was a lot about memories of the first cars in NZ, but the last piece was on Richard Pearse's aircraft.
The interview was done with Richard Pearse's brother, who I think the announcer said was Warren Pearse (?).
Anyway the brother was taling about the engineering of the first plane, and the first flight. He said he was the guy who started the propellor. He described the flight just as we know it, off the road, flying for a bit, and then clipping the hedge as he was just two low to clear it.
He said Richard was chuffed with the flight and intended to carry on and develop the plane, till the news came through that the Wrights had flown, and he gave up on the idea.
The documentary stated this first flight took place on the 31st of March, 1904.
Amazing to hear such a first hand account, from NZ's first ever groundcrew member!
The interview was done with Richard Pearse's brother, who I think the announcer said was Warren Pearse (?).
Anyway the brother was taling about the engineering of the first plane, and the first flight. He said he was the guy who started the propellor. He described the flight just as we know it, off the road, flying for a bit, and then clipping the hedge as he was just two low to clear it.
He said Richard was chuffed with the flight and intended to carry on and develop the plane, till the news came through that the Wrights had flown, and he gave up on the idea.
The documentary stated this first flight took place on the 31st of March, 1904.
Amazing to hear such a first hand account, from NZ's first ever groundcrew member!
