Post by chrisnpl on May 28, 2008 3:53:35 GMT 12
This is a long - VERY long - overdue update on progress with research on RNZAF Station Whenuapai/Whenuapai International Airport 1945 - 65.
Research began in October of 2006, and at that time, I was daft enough to think that it would all be over, done, and dusted, in about six months. Eighteen months later...
I'm finally winding down, because I can't keep continually buying every Whites Aviation and NAC magazine I can get my hands on, or continually interrogating everyone I can think of who might be interested in aeroplanes, flown during the 1950s, etcetera!
Several kind men have given me a lot of photographs, including some via this forum, with the help of the Alexander Turnbull Library I have had some photos released from the MOTAT collection (positive prints only in existence); and I'm waiting to hear back from A.T.L. again, and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. I've been through the Auckland City Council Archives, four different libraries, to Wellington once and Auckland twice, and it's now time to wind down. There are about 60 references, 30 colour photos, and about twice that number of black and whites. It is currently in proof-reading and length is around 72,000 words. It also covers World War Two, bits about the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the insurgencies in Cyprus and (then) Malaya. However, the focus is mostly on the civil side of operations, and the airlines of Whenuapai - on the domestic side, New Zealand National Airways Corporation, Bay of Plenty Airways, SPANZ, Midland Air Services and other local commuter airlines, and on the international side TEAL/Air New Zealand, QANTAS, BOAC, Transports Aeriens Intercontinentaux, Canadian Pacific, and Pan American. An appendix of timetables through the years shows how crowded the Station had become by the end of its civil operations on November 23rd 1965. Some information on One (Territorial) Squadron Auckland is also included.
With luck, I will have the final lot of photos by mid-June and will then be going to print. As the research is likely to be of limited interest - probably only to aviation fiends like ourselves...
I'll be printing it privately.
I will be going abroad at the end of July, and returning mid-October, so will be releasing the book properly around then. It will be available from me by mail-order.
Thank you to everyone on the forum who has given me pieces of information. Final price has not yet been set, and I will advise this once the printer has given the final quote.
The Auckland Museum have advised me that they are having a major restructuring, but will do their best to get the photos I have ordered to me on time.
Research began in October of 2006, and at that time, I was daft enough to think that it would all be over, done, and dusted, in about six months. Eighteen months later...
I'm finally winding down, because I can't keep continually buying every Whites Aviation and NAC magazine I can get my hands on, or continually interrogating everyone I can think of who might be interested in aeroplanes, flown during the 1950s, etcetera!
Several kind men have given me a lot of photographs, including some via this forum, with the help of the Alexander Turnbull Library I have had some photos released from the MOTAT collection (positive prints only in existence); and I'm waiting to hear back from A.T.L. again, and the Auckland War Memorial Museum. I've been through the Auckland City Council Archives, four different libraries, to Wellington once and Auckland twice, and it's now time to wind down. There are about 60 references, 30 colour photos, and about twice that number of black and whites. It is currently in proof-reading and length is around 72,000 words. It also covers World War Two, bits about the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and the insurgencies in Cyprus and (then) Malaya. However, the focus is mostly on the civil side of operations, and the airlines of Whenuapai - on the domestic side, New Zealand National Airways Corporation, Bay of Plenty Airways, SPANZ, Midland Air Services and other local commuter airlines, and on the international side TEAL/Air New Zealand, QANTAS, BOAC, Transports Aeriens Intercontinentaux, Canadian Pacific, and Pan American. An appendix of timetables through the years shows how crowded the Station had become by the end of its civil operations on November 23rd 1965. Some information on One (Territorial) Squadron Auckland is also included.
With luck, I will have the final lot of photos by mid-June and will then be going to print. As the research is likely to be of limited interest - probably only to aviation fiends like ourselves...
I'll be printing it privately.I will be going abroad at the end of July, and returning mid-October, so will be releasing the book properly around then. It will be available from me by mail-order.
Thank you to everyone on the forum who has given me pieces of information. Final price has not yet been set, and I will advise this once the printer has given the final quote.
The Auckland Museum have advised me that they are having a major restructuring, but will do their best to get the photos I have ordered to me on time.
Will keep you all updated as things progress.
