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Post by carolbaxter on Mar 9, 2020 12:45:51 GMT 12
I'm an author and cruise ship speaker looking for information about the 1978 drama when an American pilot, James Edward (Jay) Prochnow, was flying a Cessna 188 AgWagon across the Pacific and his automatic direction finder failed as he neared Norfolk Island. An Air New Zealand DC-10 under the command of Gordon Vette was sent out in search of him and managed, incredibly enough, to find him. I'm interested in finding good quality photographs of Captain Gordon Vette, the first officer Arthur Dovey, and the Flight Engineer, Gordon Brooks (who died in the Mount Erebus disaster). I'm also wondering how I might access any Air New Zealand or general aviation reports on the incident. I'm preparing a cruise ship talk and like to make sure that I have all the facts right.
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Post by carolbaxter on Mar 9, 2020 12:48:12 GMT 12
NB. I am not a "leading aircraftman". I don't know where that came from ...!!
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Post by Luis 'ᚭᛋᛒᛁᛅᚱᚾ' Rozas on Mar 9, 2020 13:29:27 GMT 12
NB. I am not a "leading aircraftman". I don't know where that came from ...!! In short, all members are given aeronautical ranks that change once you have a certain number of posts. Someone else can give a more detailed explanation though, if you want.
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Post by camtech on Mar 9, 2020 18:33:40 GMT 12
I can recall the event, but need to have a look to see if I have the article.
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Post by AussieBob on Mar 9, 2020 18:55:40 GMT 12
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 9, 2020 19:37:41 GMT 12
Arthur Dovey lives in Wanaka is that helps.
Air New Zealand has its own archive, not sure how to contact them though.
Perhaps the Walsh Memorial Library at MOTAT can also assist?
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Post by Dave Homewood on Mar 9, 2020 19:38:48 GMT 12
Also Gordon Vette's son is celebrity dog trainer Mark Vette, I believe - see www.markvette.com/
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Post by shorty on Mar 9, 2020 20:06:06 GMT 12
Correct about Mark Vette, Gordon Vette was my cousin.
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Post by joey05 on Mar 10, 2020 8:21:40 GMT 12
Is that the same Arthur Dovey with the Yak 3? (insert sad face)
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Post by baz62 on Mar 10, 2020 9:09:46 GMT 12
NB. I am not a "leading aircraftman". I don't know where that came from ...!! You are for now.....:-)
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Post by avenger on Mar 25, 2020 9:12:19 GMT 12
The DC 10 was not 'sent out to search" for the Cessna but was on a scheduled flight. Indeed the Arthur Dovey referred to is (was?) the operator of the Yak. There's another, Malcolm (Mal ) Forsyth a former Navigator also on the crew.
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Post by johnnyfalcon on Mar 25, 2020 15:09:23 GMT 12
I understood that the DC-10 entered a holding type pattern while the crew dumped fuel, threw all its lights on, and engaged the passengers as spotters, and that they never actually "found" the Agwagon, but through clever use of relative sun position navigation (and use of one's pinkies on the instrument coaming), enough information was established to enable the 188 pilot to find Norfolk Island - just (on fumes?).
Edit. Just read the above link which generally corroborates my recollection
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Post by aerofoto on Mar 27, 2020 6:37:15 GMT 12
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