TSS Earnslaw Apparently Rammed Keith Wakeman's Cub

[Dave Homewood]

Are there any photos of this incident? From The Press, 3 January 1969:

DAMAGED PLANE

Dismantling Begun

The floatplane which was rammed by the Lake Wakatipu steamer Earnslaw on New Year’s Eve as she returned from a moonlight cruise of the lake was being dismantled and would be returned to Christchurch by road, the pilot of the aircraft (Mr W. K. Wakeman) said yesterday.

He said it had sustained too much damage to the fuselage to be repaired on the spot. “The steamer struck the port wing. It must have hit with considerable force,” said Mr Wakeman.

The plane, which belongs to the Christchurch Central Flying School, was insured.

[davidd]

I think that Cub was BPC, painted in a sort of teal green and white.

[Dave Homewood]

This accident happened only weeks after he famously took off from Harewood on the back of a 'speeding' truck in it, as he could not take off the normal way from there with the floats fitted. I believe that was the first time it was done in NZ though it is not that uncommon overseas.

[JW]

Found this picture of BPC on a truck taking off

www.facebook.com/ChristchurchAirport/photos/a.285489908181611/4040801845983713/?type=3

[Dave Homewood]

Cool shot.

[Antonio]

#ThrowbackThursday to this little bit of nostalgia from one of our Airport Ambassadors. In 1968 this float-plane was put on the back of a truck at Christchurch Airport in an attempt to launch it airborne.
The truck belted down the runway as fast as an old Bedford could go and after a few failed attempts the plane took off from the back of the truck!


Chris Rudge
One version of the story I heard was that an American Starlifter pilot, who had seen one of the attempts, was asked by ATC if he wanted to line up and take off. He replied: “Why, hell no. I haven’t flown half way around the world to miss this!”