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 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, 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

Wigley's story of pioneer flying in the Southern Alps. Includes his WWII service in the Pacific Islands with RNZAF. First published in 1965, this is a new edition.

AH and AW Reed, Wellington, 1977. Hardback with dust jacket. 222 pages. SECONDHAND

Since the first aircraft arrived in Nelson in 1921 it has played an important role in New Zealand aviation development. Commercial, agricultural and private aviation in Nelson.

Nelson City Council, Nelson, 1985. Softback. 108 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 air services and air travel in New Zealand's most remote region. of South Westland, 1934-1967. First published in 1994.

Craig Printing Co. Ltd., Invercargill, 2000. Softback. 80 pages. NEW

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

A chronological pictorial history of Air New Zealand 1940-2015. Covers the development of the brand, aircraft and aircrew. With nice images of advertising and ticketing material.

Bauer Media Group, Auckland, 2014. Softback. 242 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

Jean Batten's autobiography, written at the height of her fame just a few years after she made the first-ever solo flight from England to New Zealand. THIS COPY has some pasted in newspaper clippings from the period, all connected with her.

George G. Harrap and Co Ltd., London, 1938. Hardback with no dust jacket. 304 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

A collection of stories and photographs of enthusiasts who make and fly their own aircraft. Illustrated.

David Ling Publishing Ltd., Auckland, 2007. Softback. 184 pages. SECONDHAND

From balloons to Boeings in New Zealand. A history of NZ aviation, published to mark the 21st anniversary of NAC. Has cartoon style illustrations throughout. THIS COPY is the second printing, for the 25th anniversary of NAC.

NAC Print, 1968. Softback. 106 pages. 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

Autobiography of a life of aviation adventures including being radio operator for Kingsford-Smith on the first successful North Atlantic crossing from London to New York in 1930. Rare and fragile  paperback limited to 10,000 copies.

H W Bullivant, Christchurch, 1944. Softback. 195 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

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