Across the World in an Ercoupe, NZ Harold Newton Part 2

[frankpilot]

Come & re-trace the 1947 record flight of decorated WW2 New Zealand (NZ) pilot Harold Newton in his little Ercoupe from Europe to NZ. Previous Part 1 video covered Belgium to Malaysia. This Part 2 covers Malaysia to NZ. Experience the storms & a forced beach landing on beautiful Lord Howe island. Enjoy a real-life Ercoupe at my home airfield at the end of this Part 2 video. Hope you like. Cheers.

[frankpilot]

No comments from New Zealanders on this historic flight!? Cheers.

[camtech]

Interesting story. I had read about this adventure, but thanks for putting some visual context to it.

[planecrazy]

Have been looking forward to seeing part two and especially the crossing the ditch section,
thank you Frank.

My Understanding is he put in a flight plan to fly direct to NZ from OZ, the aviation authorities
of the time weren't happy with this an insisted he go via Norfolk Island.

Always wondered if Harry never intended to go to Norfolk as Lord Howe Island from Coffs
Harbour is way further south, perhaps the loose cowling played a part in the diversion?

I do know for a fact they fixed the loose cowl with some wire, he was only on the beach for
around twenty minutes as I have spoken at length with locals who were present on the day.
Another thing of note is lagoon beach not super flat and the sand is always quite soft so I
believe you got the bumpy landing spot on.

Harry's Ercoupe on Lord Howe Island in 1947.


Lagoon beach this afternoon, as you can see quite and angle and the sand is soft.


Another angle further up the beach.


Last I heard the Ercoupe still exists and was being restored on Auckland's north shore?

[frankpilot]

Jul 10, 2024 17:55:04 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

Have been looking forward to seeing part two and especially the crossing the ditch section,
thank you Frank.

My Understanding is he put in a flight plan to fly direct to NZ from OZ, the aviation authorities
of the time weren't happy with this an insisted he go via Norfolk Island.

Always wondered if Harry never intended to go to Norfolk as Lord Howe Island from Coffs
Harbour is way further south, perhaps the loose cowling played a part in the diversion?

I do know for a fact they fixed the loose cowl with some wire, he was only on the beach for
around twenty minutes as I have spoken at length with locals who were present on the day.
Another thing of note is lagoon beach not super flat and the sand is always quite soft so I
believe you got the bumpy landing spot on.

Harry's Ercoupe on Lord Howe Island in 1947.


Lagoon beach this afternoon, as you can see quite and angle and the sand is soft.


Another angle further up the beach.


Last I heard the Ercoupe still exists and was being restored on Auckland's north shore?

[frankpilot]

Thanks so much for this. You know, in all my very extensive research I never did see that photo of him on the beach at Lord Howe Island. It’s a beauty! Where the hell did you get it from!? Cheers.

[planecrazy]

Jul 11, 2024 13:40:54 GMT 12 frankpilot said:

Thanks so much for this. You know, in all my very extensive research I never did see that photo of him on the beach at Lord Howe Island. It’s a beauty! Where the hell did you get it from!? Cheers.

Local photo, hoping one day I might surface some more, would have been a big event on the island!

[planecrazy]

I have a Dumas also model of an Ercoupe, in the queue of projects. I'd like to do as Harold's machine would love to see an
image of the "Petit Pegase" art work on the side of the fuselage, can recall seeing a pic somewhere but it wasn't very clear.

[frankpilot]

Jul 11, 2024 16:05:02 GMT 12 planecrazy said:

I have a Dumas also model of an Ercoupe, in the queue of projects. I'd like to do as Harold's machine would love to see an
image of the "Petit Pegase" art work on the side of the fuselage, can recall seeing a pic somewhere but it wasn't very clear.

Thanks. I have sent an email to Harold's son Matt who runs Precision Helicopters out of Hokitika and asked if he has any relevant pics. I'll let you know the outcome. Cheers, Frank.

[Peter Lewis]

I have this White's photo of the Ercoupe taken in NZ (Whenuapai?) shortly after its arrival




blowing up the centre-section from the scan, i can get this:



Does that help?

I have several other early images of this aircraft, but none are very clear on this detail.

[planecrazy]

Wow Peter thanks for posting these great pictures, they are a great looking little aeroplane.