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Post by p40fanatic on Apr 19, 2007 12:44:38 GMT 12
Hi all
If anyone has a copy on video (or DVD if poss) of Ian Mackersey's documentary on Jean Batten from 1989 I'd very much like to borrow it if possible. I'm quite happy to pay courier costs.
Cheers and thanks in advance.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 19, 2007 13:27:04 GMT 12
I didn't know there was a documentary on her. It would be interesting to see.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Apr 20, 2007 9:37:03 GMT 12
As with the tapes I promised Dave a while back, I have that stored away somewhere too. Problem is I can't find them. I think it was simply called 'Garbo of the Skies', I recall it had some good footage and interviews, and detailed Batten's last days in Majorca after being bitten by a dog with rabies. I'll have a scrounge about in a few weeks, bit busy at the moment I'm afraid.
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Post by p40fanatic on Apr 20, 2007 16:29:24 GMT 12
Fantastic, I don't mind waiting. Take your time. Garbo Of The Skies sounds about right, I'm rereading the book of the same name ATM (also by Ian Mackersey).
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 20, 2007 19:03:45 GMT 12
She wrote a couple of books herself too didn't she?
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Post by p40fanatic on Apr 21, 2007 2:12:42 GMT 12
That she did - Solo Flight and Alone In The Sky, a copy of which I've just purchased from TradeMe. I believe Solo was reedited by her flyingness and reprinted as Alone, as I recall another book she wrote entitled My Life. She also wrote her memoirs rather late in life, but these remain unpublished except where quoted in Mackersey's Jean Batten: Garbo of the Skies.
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 21, 2007 14:32:31 GMT 12
Zac, have you visited Motat in Ackland? It has a good display dedicated to her. She helped to establish Motat with fundraisers and personal appearances in the 1960's and 1970's and was really behind the museum.
Also the other shrine to her is the airport with her lovely Gull on display, and the statue of her. It's good that she has been remembered in this way. She did a lot for aviation and for women I guess.
I never knew that she died from rabies though. I know it was quite some time between her death and the public finding out she'd died because, from memory, she was buried under her married name or something.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Apr 21, 2007 15:24:45 GMT 12
She was buried in a paupers grave as noone was able to identify her body.
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Post by flyjoe180 on Apr 21, 2007 15:33:07 GMT 12
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Post by p40fanatic on Apr 22, 2007 11:33:59 GMT 12
Yeah, it's an incredibly sad story in my mind. She was hardly an angel during her life, truth be told, but a very intriguing personality. I remember a while back somewhere seeing that a certain Mr Jackson was planning a biopic, and Ian Mackersey's website says something along the lines of "soon to be a major motion picture". I say bring it on!
I've been to Auckland International once, when I was younger and I don't really remember seeing the Gull, and when I was last at MoTaT it was a very lightning visit. I'm hoping to get up to Auckland at some point in order to check out everything more thoroughly.
Oh, Alone In The Sky came yesterday. Great condition for only $12! Has tons of pics and some drawings as well, it was originally published as My Life in 1938. Everything I read about it says that artistically it's nothing special, but I'll reserve judgment until I've read it. Nice cover though!
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Post by Dave Homewood on Apr 22, 2007 12:18:30 GMT 12
At Mangere the Gull hangs in an area where the departure lounge is situated, but there's a mezzanine floor where anyone can go and look at it. It's a beautiful thing and must be one of NZ's most important aviation treasures.
When you eventually get to Motat again, the Batten display is at the older part, Motat 1, not the Sir Keith Park Memorial Airfield Motat 2 side. As well as Batten it has displays on other NZ pioneers like Richard Pearse (including his orignal tird aircraft and remnants of his first flyer and a handbuilt motorcyce he made. Also Walsh Brothers, George Bolt and others are dedicated there. Well worth a look.
I haven't heard anything about an impending film but it would certainly make an interesting one.
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Post by Kereru on Apr 22, 2007 19:09:11 GMT 12
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Post by p40fanatic on Apr 22, 2007 19:29:04 GMT 12
Thanks Colin - I've had one of your pics of 'DPR as my desktop wallpaper for several days now! I'm very much looking forward to getting up to Mangere again to see her...and it being in MoTaT 1 would explain how I missed the 1/4-scale model of her when I was up there. That'll teach me!
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Post by p40fanatic on May 26, 2007 13:25:30 GMT 12
BUMP!  |
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divya
Leading Aircraftman
Posts: 1
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Post by divya on Jun 19, 2007 1:18:07 GMT 12
Hello all,
I'm new to this forum. I have an 85 yr old friend who used to fly Jean Batten's Percival Gull during the 50s. He worked as a photographer for the company that manufactured the plane. I'd really love to get hold of a copy of the documentary as a gift for his 85th. flyjoe or anyone else who can help - would it possible for you to send a copy to me in London? I'll send you the costs in advance.
Thanks,
Divya
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Post by flyjoe180 on Jun 19, 2007 22:38:37 GMT 12
Hi Divya, I read your PM and have tried to find the tape but to no avail as yet. I'll email/PM you when I locate it (I'm working weird hours and my belongings are scattered all over the place). Won't be a problem when I do find it. When's his birthday?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 23, 2007 8:00:30 GMT 12
None of these responses seemed to indicated if you managed to get a copy of the Documentary.
If you still want a copy why don't you call Ian Mackersay himself - he lives in Mt Eden in Auckland (look him up in the phone book) and is now into his 80's but still writing books - he is a very nice man and approachable. But he is busy
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Post by flyjoe180 on Nov 23, 2007 8:40:13 GMT 12
I think I sent my copy to Dave.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 24, 2009 15:34:02 GMT 12
Bump?
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Post by dakman on Dec 24, 2009 20:46:56 GMT 12
hI All also have a copy of the tv show Garbo of the skies you are welcome to the use of the video cassette if needed lets know your address
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