Cook Strait Airways

Date: ca 1930s

Reference: PAColl-6528

Description: Photographer unknown. Arrangement: Negatives housed at 1/4-018094 to 018119 and 1/4-018121 to 018134 Quantity: 40 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Film negatives

Date: 17 Sep 1998

From: National Airways Corporation (NAC) 50th anniversary oral history project, Stages I and II

By: Kenning, Allan Cedric, 1920-2001

Reference: OHInt-0439-02

Description: Allan Kenning was born in Nelson in 1920. Discusses his family, childhood home in Nelson, growing up during the Depression, attending Nelson College and developing an interest in air transport and travel. Comments on personality types suitable for flying. Discusses becoming the office boy for Cook Strait Airways in Nelson in 1935. Talks about various aircraft, learning to fly in a Taylor Cub aircraft with Keith Johnstone and the early sensation of flying. Describes his first solo flight with the Air Force, the discipline required in flying with the Air Force and flying during World War II. Describes becoming an Air Force flying instructor at Woodbourne, going to the Pacific with the general reconnaissance squadron, crew members Don Furness and Sid Pratt, and flying politicians and royalty in his role as VIP pilot. Discusses becoming a pilot with Union Airways (later NAC) in 1946. Recalls that Wellington's operations transferred to Paraparaumu from 1947 to 1959. Comments on NAC Chairman Sir Leonard Isitt, and General Manager Maurice Clarke. Discusses flying style, flight planning and navigation. Talks about DC3, Viscount, Lodestar and Fokker Friendship aircraft. Comments on accidents including the Lodestar crash, an Electra crash on Ruapehu, the 1953 DC3 crash at Raumati, the 1963 DC3 crash in the Kaimai Ranges and the Safe Air Bristol Freighter crash at Harewood. Comments on a psychologist's report about these accidents. Gives details of his daily routine as a line pilot. Mentions the Pilots' Union and Gerry Gerrand. Discusses the General Manager in 1952, Group Captain J J Busch and Captain Johnny Walker. Describes engineering headquarters at Christchurch and NAC's innovative approach to aircraft maintenance. Recalls the introduction of flight hostesses in 1956. Comments on the capabilities of the Viscount aircraft, its structural problems, American and British aircraft design criteria in connection with air turbulence in New Zealand and the British attitude to New Zealand wanting an American cockpit. Discusses the 1958 negotiations for purchase of Fokker aircraft, British attempts to sell their aircraft and pressure from the government. Mentions Walter Nash. Recalls becoming Chief Pilot in 1960, personnel problems and some difficulties with the union. Describes ways of assessing pilots and testing for safe flying. Comments on the diplomacy of NAC General Manager Doug Patterson with politicians. Mentions Peter Gordon, Martyn Findlay and Tom Shand. Recalls the possibility of merger with TEAL. Describes evaluating aeroplanes to replace the Viscounts and the recommendation of the Boeing 737. Comments on women pilots. Describes being Flight Operations Manager, continuing with flying and then becoming Assistant General Manager (Technical) and retiring from flying. Describes attempts to change flight routes and timetables to prevent profit loss and the influence of politicians including Robert Muldoon. Discusses marketing and advertising. Discusses the lease of a 737 aeroplane and crew to Nigeria and the possiblity of a lease of DC10 aircraft to Chile. Mentions NAC chairmen Sir Alan Gilkison and Bill Mace. Comments on the major concern about operating out of Rongotai (Wellington Airport). Recalls the announcement of the merger of NAC and Air New Zealand by Robert Muldoon in 1977. Comments on Hugh Templeton, Colin McLachlan, the relationship of Air New Zealand Chief Executive Morrie Davis and Muldoon, and the relationship between Morrie Davis and Doug Patterson. Comments on the failure of the merger to take industrial problems into account. Discusses the Erebus disaster, the accuracy of the Chippendale Report and the effect of the disaster on the airline. Comments on the difference between jet and propellor aircraft. Explains his role in the sale of the DC10 aircraft, the use of brokers in the sale of used aircraft and their techniques. Describes the purchase of Boeing 747 aircraft and the insistence by Muldoon on Rolls Royce engines. Recalls the influence of Tom Skinner during a strike. Mentions his wife Gwen Thomson and children Judith Everson, Gillian Heald and Robyn Fabish. Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Accompanying material - Sale of Lockheed Lodestar aircraft to USA - 1952; Purchase of Viscount ZK-NAI - 1966; Purchase of Boeing 737 ZK-NAM - 1973 Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008627-OHC-008631; OHLC-004394-OHLC-004397 Quantity: 5 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 4.30 Hours and minutes Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA 2698. Photos of Allan Kenning and Allan and Gwen Kenning in 1994 Search dates: 1920 - 1998

Date: 22 Sep 1998

From: National Airways Corporation (NAC) 50th anniversary oral history project, Stages I and II

By: Grocott, Gavin Kay, 1914-1999

Reference: OHInt-0439-01

Description: Gavin Grocott was born in Wellington in 1914. Gives details of his parents' backgrounds. Describes his father who was postmaster at a number of South Island towns. Talks about living at Kelburn, Nelson and Pahiatua and attending Pahiatua District High School and Wellington College. Discusses his first job in 1950 with the Union Steam Ship Company. Talks about the influence of Managing Director Norrie Falla who helped establish commercial aviation in New Zealand. Mentions marrying Molly Scott in 1940. Recalls going to World War II with the 2NZEF, being wounded and returning to New Zealand on a hospital ship. Describes no job at Union Steam Ship Company after the war, working for Union Airways (later NAC), becoming the Head Office representative for technical headquarters at Palmerston North and trips to Wellington to meet the chairman Sir Leonard Isitt. Mentions Wellington was a secondary airport. Give details of the 1949 Lodestar plane crash at Waikanae, the 1954 DC3 crash at Paraparaumu and the Kaimai crash. Describes becoming District Manager in Wellington in 1949. Discusses passengers going to Paraparaumu and the operation of Cook Strait Airways from the NAC office at Rongotai. Discusses becoming Auckland District Manager in 1957 and responsibility for the new terminal in central Auckland. Mentions General Manager Doug Patterson. Describes becoming Assistant General Manager and having responsibility for finance, operations, engineering, traffic, sales and marketing. Discusses NAC board members and some staff. Talks about South Pacific Airlines of New Zealand (SPANZ) and TEAL. Comments on pressure to acquire jet aircraft, the new building at Wellington and the 1973 Air New Zealand merger bid. Interviewer(s) - Hugo Manson Arrangement: Tape numbers - OHC-008624-OHC-008626; OHLC-004390-OHLC-004392 Quantity: 3 C60 cassette(s). 1 printed abstract(s). 1 interview(s). 3 Hours Duration. Finding Aids: Abstract Available - abstracting complete OHA 2697. Two photos of Gavin Grocott and photo of Gavin Grocott and family in the 1980s Search dates: 1914 - 1998

Date: 1937

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-AVH-03-06-G

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation or predecessor. Title taken from original enclosure. Arrangement: Original box labelled " Union Airways DH Express 86 South Island 1936-1939" and "Union Blenheim Dec 1937". Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative, 1/4 plate. Processing information: Description created from original item housing. Item has not been previewed as part of processing.

Date: 1937

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

By: Cook Strait Airways; New Zealand Union Airways Ltd

Reference: WA-AVH-04-06-G

Description: Photograph taken by Whites Aviation or predecessor. Left to right are [Jim?] Stead, George Harvey, A G Gerrand, C Allison, and R Kirkup. Title taken from original enclosure. Arrangement: Original box labelled " Union Airways DH86 Express |North Island 1936-1939". Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative, 1/4 plate. Processing information: Description created from original item housing. Item has not been previewed as part of processing.

Date: 26 Dec 1935

From: Evening post (Newspaper. 1865-2002) :Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post newspaper

Reference: 1/4-032324-G

Description: Cook Strait Airways offering joyrides on De Havilland DH89 Rapide biplanes, 26 December, 1935, Rongotai Aerodrome, Wellington. Photographer unidentified. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Glass negative

Date: 1938

From: [Ephemera, timetables, tickets, and advertising relating to aviation, airline companies, flights, aeroplanes, aircraft, by New Zealanders or in New Zealand. 1930-1939]

Reference: Eph-A-AVIATION-1938-01

Description: Shows the logo of the company at the top, followed by details of passenger name, date of travel, reporting place, and time of reporting. Quantity: 1 colour photo-mechanical print(s) on envelope. Physical Description: Photolithograph, on envelope, 86 x 153 mm.

Date: 1936

From: Whites Aviation Ltd: Photographs

Reference: WA-AVH-13-10-G

Description: Cook Strait Airways De Havilland DH 89A Dragon Rapide aircraft ZK-AEW 'Mars', flying over Nelson. Anzac Park visible in foreground. Photograph taken in 1936 by Leo White. Source of descriptive information - Notes on file negative sleeve. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative, 3.25 x 4.25 inches Finding Aids: File print in Whites Aviation folder: B3.

Date: [ca 16 Jan 1950]

From: Dominion Post (Newspaper): Photographic negatives and prints of the Evening Post and Dominion newspapers

Reference: EP-Transport-Aviation, Historical-07

Description: Cook Strait Airways' de Havilland DH89A Dragon Rapide, ZK-AED. Photograph taken circa 1930s by an unidentified photographer. Publication note - Published in the Evening Post 16 Jan 1950, 28 Jul 1950, 1 Apr 1968, 17 Dec 1969. Quantity: 1 b&w original photographic print(s). Physical Description: Silver gelatin print, 19.1 x 30.2 cm

Date: Between 1937 and 1939

From: Raine, William Hall, 1892-1955 :Negatives of New Zealand towns and scenery, and Fiji

Reference: 1/2-045008-G

Description: De Havilland DH89 Rapide aircraft of Cook Strait Airways (foreground), a Lockheed Electra aircraft of Union Airways (centre), and a Waco biplane (background) at Rongotai aerodrome. Photograph taken between 1937 and 1939 by William Hall Raine. Quantity: 1 b&w original negative(s). Physical Description: Dry plate glass negative 4.5 x 6.5 inches

Date: 1935

From: [Ephemera, timetables, tickets, and advertising relating to aviation, airline companies, flights, aeroplanes, aircraft, by New Zealanders or in New Zealand. 1930-1939]

Reference: Eph-A-AVIATION-1935-02

Description: Horizontal diamond-shaped silver label shows the CAS monogram in a circle flanked by wings. The label has a blue border. Quantity: 1 colour art print(s). Physical Description: Relief print on label (horizontal diamond), 82 x 119 mm.