01 November 2010 - 100 years of flight in New Zealand
FLIGHT
100 YEARS OF FLIGHT
IN NEW ZEALAND
Written and compiled by John Mounce and Richard WilliamsSupported by the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT)
This book celebrates 100 years of aviation in New Zealand, telling the story or our aviation history from the earliest beginnings to where we are today. International air travel is taken for granted and the use of all types of aircraft in our everyday life has become the norm, from crop-dusting to freight delivery and from rescue helicopters to military patrols.
This book tells only a small part of that journey but the stunning images portray New Zealanders' enduring love affair with flight.
‘Aviation is surely a dream to which many aspire, but few get to experience more than being merely a passenger. As you leaf through this book, ponder the many challenges that arose over the years, the rapidity of development during wartime, and the transformation of pioneer commercial air travel to the high-quality and reliable air services we have today. Enjoy this celebration of the first century in New Zealand skies.' From the foreword - Jeremy Hubbard, MOTAT Director
MOTAT is the home to New Zealand's most unique and historic aviation collection, including many of the aircraft mentioned in this book. The Museum's volunteers have spent years restoring and rebuilding aircraft that have been significant in the history of New Zealand aviation.
MOTAT has embarked on a project to provide a new aviation display hall at its Western Springs site so that this collection can be more appropriately housed and exhibited. The new aviation display hall will provide further opportunity to tell the story of aviation's significant contribution to the development of New Zealand.
About the Authors
RICHARD WILLIAMS is a long-serving employee of New Zealand National Airways Corporation and Air New Zealand, He is a keen photographer and currently finds time to work as a volunteer in the Walsh Memorial Library at MOTAAT cataloguing various aviation collections that have been gifted to the museum. He is an associate member of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a past President of the New Zealand Division and Past Chairman of New Zealand Aeronautical Trusts Ltd.
JOHN MOUNCE has spent his whole career in aviation, joining de Havilland in the UK and graduating as an aeronautical engineer before joining New Zealand National Airways Corporation and later Air New Zealand. He is an ardent aviation photographer and has amassed a large collection of aviation images. He is a MOTAT Board member and also a member of the Air Force Museum Board of Trustees, and is Chairman of New Zealand Aeronautical Trusts Limited, which provides trust management for memorials in the aviation field.
