New Zealand Aviation

The aeroplane Aotearoa and her crew of three disappeared while trying to cross the Tasman from Sydney in 1928. This fleshes out the details of the venture and its members, John Moncrieff, George Hood and Ivan Knight.

Fraser Books, Masterton, 2019. Softback. 167 pages. NEW

A very thorough, illustrated and well researched account of South Canterbury aviation pioneer Richard Pearse. His entitlement to first-flight honours is fully and fairly discussed here.

A.H. & A.W. Reed, Wellington, 1973. Hardback with dust jacket. 251 pages. SECONDHAND

Bolt became apprenticed to Vivian and Leo Walsh in 1916 and continued involvement with aviation until his death. Bolt becam Chief Engineer of TEAL in 1944. This also covers early NZ aviation as Bolt was involved.

AH and AW Reed, Wellington, 1974. Hardback with dust jacket. 176 pages. SECONDHAND

A book about remarkable New Zealander's of all ages who love to fly. Full of interesting little known aviation stories about aircraft being flown and being restored.

Random House, Auckland, 1998. Softback. 290 pages. SECONDHAND

A very thorough and comprehensive history of all the small and pioneering air lines that operated in New Zealand prior to the consolidation of the 1970s. Copious illustrations.

Craig Printing Co. Ltd., Invercargill, 2003. Softback. 228 pages. SECONDHAND

A social history of New Zealand aviation. From pioneers Richard Pearse, Bertram Ogilvie, George Bolt and others, right up to TEAL and Air New Zealand. Covers the fascination of Kiwi's for Kingsford Smith, Jean Batten etc.

Whitcoulls, Wellington, 2002. Softback. 144 pages. SECONDHAND

An illustrated history of aviation in New Zealand from the early balloonists of 1889, early gliders and powered aircraft. Includes George Bolt, Richard Pearse and other pioneers. Well illustrated with technical appendices covering the various air services, their staff and air fleets.

Reed, Wellington, 1975. Hardback with dust jacket. 188 pages. SECONDHAND

A history of the aviation industry in New Zealand up to the CAA formation in 1992. Focuses on regulation and commercial activity. Includes a chapter on the Chippindale Report on Erebus disaster, and accounts of some notable aviators.

David Bateman, Auckland, 2003. Hardback with dust jacket. 276 pages. SECONDHAND

50 Years of New Zealand Aviation - Gliding and Power 1935-1985. Author's account of his time in the RNZAF, as well as work topdressing and recreation in gliders. This copy signed by author to the title.

Roy Russell, Tauranga, 1986. Softback. 141 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of how SPANZ was formed and how it challenged the air licencing bureaucracy, political establisment and the government owned NAC monopoly of the day. This airline used modified DC-3 Viewmasters.

Craig Printing Co. Ltd., Invercargill, 2000. Softback. 148 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of the Lockheed 10 Electa and how it was introduced to the whole Main Trunk route from Auckland to Dunedin and revolutionised commercial aviation in New Zealand.

Craig Printing Co. Ltd., Invercargill, 1998. Softback. 120 pages. SECONDHAND

NAC was formed when the post-war Labour Government nationalised the country's private airlines. After operating on domestic and some Pacific routes for 31 years, the NAC merged with Air New Zealand in 1978.

Craig Printing Co. Ltd., Invercargill, 2007. Hardback, no dust jacket as issued. 320 pages. SECONDHAND

An illustrated collection of stories about West Coast aviation and airmen in two volumes. Both volumes signed with a dedication by the author.

Paul Beauchamp Legg, Picton, 1994. Softback. Vol. I, 162 pages, Vol. II, 171 pages. SECONDHAND

The life story of an ex RNZAF pilot who was a pioneer of agricultural aviation and the top dressing industry and later developed a large Australasian Cessna sales agency.

Mallinson Rendel Publishers Ltd., Wellington, 1985. Hardback with dust jacket. 140 pages. SECONDHAND

Autobiography of a topdressing pilot, raised in New Zealand he piloted topdressers in New Zealand and Southern Africa. 

Hodder and Stoughton, Auckland, 1978. Hardback with dust jacket. 200 pages. SECONDHAND

A well illustrated account that describes the ups and downs of the company since its founding in 1955, and also documents many aspects of the development of the helicopter industry in New Zealand.

Hazard Press Ltd., Christchurch, 2006. Hardback with dust jacket. 222 pages. SECONDHAND

The fiftieth anniversary story of New Zealand Mapping Ltd., founded by Piet van Asch in 1936, and responsible for aerial photographs and mapping of the country and south west Pacific. Scarce.

Grantham House Publishing, Wellington, 1986. Hardback with dust jacket. 188 pages. SECONDHAND

In depth and well illustrated, this gives the history of accidents and air accident investigations in New Zealand. Includes Flight 901 Erebus disaster, as well as many other incidents, some serious others miraculously fatality free. Well illustrated.

Grantham House, Wellington, 1995. Softback. 292 pages. SECONDHAND

An exciting insight into early regional airlines, South Island Airways, Trans Island Airways and West Coast Airways and the daring pilots who flew in the rugged south island landscape.

Hazard Press, Christchurch, 1991. Softback. 229 pages, illustrated. SECONDHAND

The true flying experiences of  a Kiwi private pilot who began flying when he was 55. Photographs taken from the cockpit by the author.

Old Sausage Publications Ltd., Christchurch, 2009. Hardback with dust jacket. 132 pages. SECONDHAND

A lifetime of aviation, from war service in the Pacific, flying for NAC in Otago and Southland, Fiji airlines, and starting Tourist Air Travel Limited in Auckland. THIS copy has a personal dedication as is signed by the author.

AH and AW Reed, Wellington, 1971. Hardback with dust jacket. 233 pages. SECONDHAND

A history of the first 50 years of Aeromodelling Championships. New Zealand Model Aeronautical Association Inc. National Championships from 1948 to 1997. Well illustrated.

New Zealand Model Aeronautical Association Inc., Auckland, 2002. Softback. 120 pages. SECONDHAND

The first 50 years of Air New Zealand. The connecting of New Zealand towns and cities nationally and internationally, first with flying boats then with airliners. Includes TEAL, NAC and Air New Zealand. Focusing on air-crew and aircraft as well as the companies serving New Zealand.

Heinemann Reed, Auckland, 1990. Hardback with dust jacket. 200 pages. SECONDHAND

The story of planes in New Zealand, from Richard Pearse to Tim Wallis and further. Fully illustrated with colour photographs by the author as well as archival material. THIS BOOK will incur an additional postage charge to overseas destinations.   

Godwit/Penguin Random House, Auckland, 2017. Hardback with dust jacket. 432 pages. NEW

The story of Douglas Patterson, last general manager of NAC, and a long-time participant in civil aviation in New Zealand. Includes his various roles in the industry including the Erebus disaster.

New Zealand Wings, Otaki, 1997. Softback. 212 pages. SECONDHAND

Describes the protracted development of the technology that resulted in the world's first powered, sustained flight on a windy beach in North Carolina, USA in 1903. Mention is made of Richard Pearse.

Putnam Aeronautical Books, London, 2002. Hardback with dust jacket. 255 pages. SECONDHAND

The service life of the various types of DC3 in New Zealand skies. Includes military service in WWII and later, NAC passenger service, and Antarctic flights.

Random House New Zealand, Auckland, 2000. Softback. 158 pages. SECONDHAND

A substantial, scholarly and well illustrated account of airships built between 1900-1940.

G.T. Foulis & Co. Ltd., Henley-on-Thames, UK. Hardback with dust jacket. 376 pages. SECONDHAND                                                                           

Memoirs by Britain's foremost airship commander. Includes military service in WWI and record breaking flights. He was First Officer on the R101.

William Kimber and Co. Ltd., London, 1970. Hardback with dust jacket. 239 pages. SECONDHAND 

A history of Cardington Airship Station and its role in world airship development.

Terence Dalton Limited, Lavenham, 1984. Hardback with dust jacket. 223 pages. SECONDHAND

A lifetime of commercial aviation flying in South Otago and Fiordland including venison recovery and Search And Rescue work.

Craigs Design and Print, Invercargill, 2013. Softback. 224 pages. SECONDHAND

In 1978 a NZ freight airline encounter unidentified flying objects during a routine  flight. ten days later a film crew on the same route captured footage of strange travelling lights following the plane. This hard evidence is still being discussed in relation to what actually occured over Kaikoura.

Hodder and Stoughton, Auckland, 1980. Hardback with dust jacket. 209 pages. SECONDHAND