New Zealand's First Airline : Hoki to Haast (Hardback)

Author(s): Richard Waugh

Aviation in New Zealand

New Zealand?s first licensed airline to fly scheduled services, operated the Hokitika to Haast route on the scenic West Coast of the South Island. Air Travel (NZ) Ltd was launched in 1934 by legendary pilot Bert Mercer, the first Kiwi to achieve 10,000 flying hours. The airline also pioneered airmail, air-ambulance, alpine tourist flying and versatile freight work. Illustrated by many rare photographs this book tells the story of de Havilland Fox Moths, Dragonflies and Dominies and how these biplanes became indispensable to the isolated people of South Westland. The sturdy fabric covered, wooden and wire aircraft flew in demanding weather, mostly fully loaded, to landing strips on beaches, riverbeds and in the bush. After Mercer?s tragic death, National Airways Corporation (NAC) and West Coast Airways continued the air service with Chief Pilots Norm Suttie, Frank Molloy and Brian Waugh.The world?s longest running de Havilland biplane airservice lasted until 1967; an unforgettable mix of excitementand routine, romance and tragedy, ably demonstrating thegrowing role of aviation for ordinary New Zealanders

$69.00 NZD

RRP $69.90 NZD (1% off)

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Product Information

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General Fields

  • : 9780473159375
  • : Craig Printing Company
  • : December 2008
  • : 280mm X 210mm
  • : New Zealand
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Richard Waugh
  • : Hardback
  • : 387.706593
  • : 152
  • : photographs, (some colour)