|
|
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 26, 2009 12:45:42 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 26, 2009 13:00:36 GMT 12
There have been a couple of interesting articles published in the Dominion Post newspaper over the past week (including in today's edition) about the opening airshow at Wellington Airport in October 1959.
I was at that airshow — I was 5½ years old, but I can still vividly remember some of it, including the Vulcan bomber almost coming to grief and the Sunderland flying-boat scraping its hull along the runway. I was fortunate enough to attend the airshow with my mother's cousin, the late Alan "Mac" MacAuley, who installed the radar on Hawkins Hill and also installed most of the radio and nav-aid equipment at the airport, so I got taken into all sorts of places the general public weren't allowed, including into the airport control tower. I was in there when the Vulcan bomber almost came to grief. I used to often go down to Wellington (from Hastings where I grew up) during school holidays and stay with Alan and Ellen MacAuley. He used to take me all sorts of interesting places during his call-outs to fix radios and nav-aid systems when they went wrong, including into the cockpits of TEAL and NAC airliners. It was a real buzz to be a kid and have a fascinating relation like Alan.
|
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 27, 2009 10:11:04 GMT 12
|
|
|
|
Post by alanw on Oct 27, 2009 22:10:27 GMT 12
Hi flyjoe; thanks for posting that, some unique aircraft in there. This is the Sunderland M-Mike scraping it's keel on the runway. Peter (flyernzl) posted this on the Seawings Flying Boat forum sometime ago. Wonder if the pilot received a rocket from his CO when he arrived back at Hobby  |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 28, 2009 0:47:59 GMT 12
The pilot did very well in the circumstances, as did the other crew members. It was not strictly the pilot's fault, he was instructed to do a low pass. Aiming at a low pass he didn't know that the poor design of the airport's runway end, as it was then, was going to cause vortexes that pushed the aircraft up and then what goes up comes down again and the aircraft was controlled by the airflow and thus went downwards. When you're in something that weighs so many tons it's hard to stop it dropping like a stone.
From memory the captain received a medal for his flying. I know Ray Tocker (who'll be speaking at out Waikato Forum meet) received a special commendation for his part in saving the aircraft. He told me just the other day that he was glad that he had the best pilot on the unit (MOCU) in the pilot's seat, anyone else and they'd have been history he said.
Ray is putting together a special dislay for next month's Armistice in Cambridge about the incident. He's even built a Sunderland model. He has also been interviewed recently by the Dominion and other newspapers about the accident.
For a first hand account see RobinK's awesome thread called 'Blast From The Past'. He was in the co-pilot's seat as one of the trainees aboard. Ray was saying to his knowledge all who were aboard are still alive and he hoped he might get an invite to Wellington to their special event for the 50th which is happening next month or something soon.
Are they having an airshow or anything? I it possible for them to even hold an airshow? I'm sure it would be too much hassle and danger to do so there.
|
|
|
|
Post by alanw on Oct 28, 2009 11:54:51 GMT 12
Hi Dave
Thanks for those comments, really puts it into perspective
the problems that can arise flying a large aircraft like a
Sunderland.
I can imagine that the crew would have been quite
dedicated in removing the decking to inspect the
keel damage, on the flight home to see if they could
patch it up sufficiently, to land on the water and it
last long enough to beach the aircraft.
I guess in respect, it demonstrates the high level of training
given to RNZAF pilots and crews (not forgetting the ground crew)
to fly and maintain RNZAF aircraft.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 28, 2009 20:24:06 GMT 12
Are they having an airshow or anything? I it possible for them to even hold an airshow? I'm sure it would be too much hassle and danger to do so there. There is no airshow being held at Wellington (I doubt it would even be possible these days), but they are holding an open day this coming Sunday, 1st November with lots of activities, including behind-the-scenes tours, including tours through the new international terminal (that is currently under construction). Click on the link I posted with the first message in this thread for more info about the open day. The Vintage Aviator have currently got their BE2 replica on display inside the domestic terminal at Wellington Airport as part of the 50th anniversary celebrations. |
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Oct 30, 2009 10:15:57 GMT 12
I didn't see the BE2 yesterday when I was transitting through the terminal. Just a few new cars on display. They were blocking off the restaurant (if you can call it that) area opposite Whitcoulls with screens though, maybe it was being set up.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 31, 2009 0:55:12 GMT 12
I didn't see the BE2 yesterday when I was transitting through the terminal. Just a few new cars on display. They were blocking off the restaurant (if you can call it that) area opposite Whitcoulls with screens though, maybe it was being set up. The BE2 replica is right down the end of the terminal wing with all the departure lounges (according to the article in the Dominion Post last week, including a photograph of it being admired by travelling public), but I'm not sure whether it is on the upper or the lower level. |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Oct 31, 2009 9:29:18 GMT 12
What was the first aircraft to land at Rongotai, I wonder. I guess if you take in the flights on the beach nextdoor at Lyall Bay then the airport is in fact more like a century old.
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Oct 31, 2009 12:47:26 GMT 12
The Wairarapa Archive published a book titled, “Taking Flight — The Fisher Monoplane and early aviation in the Wellington region” by Paul Maxim, in 2003. It is a fascinating and well-researched account of early attempts at flight and successful flights, initially in the Wellington area, then in Wairarapa.
The first attempt at flight in Wellington was on Sunday 26th September 1909 at the Basin Reserve when John Pechugin and Henry Little attempted to fly an aeroplane they had constructed themselves. However, their attempts were unsuccesful.
Unfortunately, the Wairarapa Archive don't have a website, but if you ever visit Masterton on a weekday (when they are open), they are at 79 Queen Street.
|
|
|
|
Post by vgp on Oct 31, 2009 13:47:08 GMT 12
Air Force helps Wellington airport celebrate 50 years30 October 2009 This weekend the Royal New Zealand Air Force will be taking part in Wellington Airport’s 50th anniversary open day, to be held this Sunday 1 November. Included in the line-up of a day of fun and aviation will be two flying displays by a North American Harvard MKIII from the Air Force’s Historic Flight. On the ground will be a static display by one of the Air Force’s popular Iroquois helicopters and Air Force recruiters will be out and about ready to answer questions about life in the RNZAF. Harvard pilot Squadron Leader Scott McKenzie says he is looking forward to being part of Wellington aviation history. “It is great to be part of such an historic event and to share in the celebrations. The RNZAF and Wellington Airport have a long history of working together, dating back to the late 1930s.” With the outbreak of World War II a recruitment centre and initial training school was set up, and in June 1940 RNZAF Station Rongotai was officially created, with the station used to form flying units for overseas. The station was disbanded in 1945, but the RNZAF maintained a presence on the site and today the Air Movements Terminal provides services to support military air operations and often welcomes visiting VIPs to the capital. www.nzdf.mil.nz/news/media-releases/20091030-afhwc50y.htm |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 1, 2009 0:34:41 GMT 12
The station may have officially been created in June 1940 but in fact it had been an active operational station, New Zealand's third such, since March 1938 when the first Baffins arrived there. The Baffins were flown and maintained by the Wellington (Territorial) Squadron there, a mix of territorial and regular RNZAF men, the latter's mechanics permanently based on the airfield.
|
|
|
|
Post by b10m on Nov 1, 2009 9:24:18 GMT 12
1959 I was a Printers Apprentice at the Foxton Herald (I think we were called printers devils amongst other names). I rode my 1955 BSA Gold Flash down to the opening, I still can see the Vulcan hitting the end of the runway and still can see it climbing away with the landing leg swinging in the airflow, and what I think was fuel pouring out of the wing.
Airwork had a display there, and I bought off them a Gentex helmet, and did I look cool or what riding home.
|
|
|
|
Post by Brett on Nov 1, 2009 14:21:34 GMT 12
This is the TVAL Be2 by the check-in counters. It is difficult to photograph because of the windows behind it and the typical Wellington sunny day. I would have taken a photo of the Southland NPC team but I couldn't get them to smile ;D ;D ;D ;D  Hallett Griffin brought a show-pony to display, leaving his workhorse Prospector (and Beaver etc) at home. Note the throng of admirers...  A boat at the airport? It must be a Flying Boat! This is the first time I have seen the two Wellington Airport rescue boats, and I hope it's the last (I regularly fly out of Wellington).  Squadron Leader Scott McKenzie firing up the RNZAF Harvard.  Cheers, Brett |
|
|
|
Post by Dave Homewood on Nov 1, 2009 16:04:53 GMT 12
Nice photos Brett. So is that Be2 the one just registered or a third one then?
|
|
|
|
Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 1, 2009 17:06:57 GMT 12
Thanks for posting those pics Brett, I was out until 4am and missed the display today. Caught a glimpse of the Harvard at the top of a few loops and stall turns though!  |
|
|
|
Post by baz62 on Nov 1, 2009 18:01:09 GMT 12
Awesome photos Brett. Have you had a few white knuckle flights in and out of Wellington?
|
|
|
|
Post by kiwithrottlejockey on Nov 1, 2009 18:14:32 GMT 12
I luuuuve white-knuckle flights into and out of Wellington.
On a good (wild-weather) day, flying out of, or preferably into Wellington beats the wildest fairground ride ever invented.
The last time I flew into Wellington was one such day. I was on an Air Nelson flight from Napier with an approach from the south into a howling norwester. I could tell from the turbulence on approach and the state of the sea off Lyall Bay that the landing was going to be a good one. The landing could probably best be described as simply an arrival. I reckon the props were in reverse pitch a nano-second before the main wheels even touched the runway. Awesome stuff, and the pilot managed to turn off at the first taxiway after the mainwheels touched. The flight attendant made some (sarcastic?) comment over the PA: “I guess that means we must have arrived at Wellington!”
They haven't yet invented the device that can cause me to suffer from motion sickness.
PS.....I'm one of those weird people who also luuuurve extremely wild crossings of Cook Strait on the ferries! ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by mumbles on Nov 1, 2009 22:06:11 GMT 12
|
|
