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This film illustrates the experience of the flying boat service in 1947
Archives New Zealand
Published on 29 Mar 2015
New Zealand National Film Unit presents Weekly Review no. 330 'Sydney Eight Hours' (1947).
On 30 April 1940 the first passenger flight from Auckland to Sydney was flown by the airline Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) in the ‘Aotearoa’, a Short S30 flying boat. TEAL was the forerunner of Air New Zealand, and was first registered in Wellington as a limited liability company on 26 April 1940.
From 1940–1950, TEAL operated a single route, from Auckland to Sydney with its Short flying boats; and from 1948–54 contracted an ANA DC-4 to serve Melbourne to Christchurch. From 1950–54 Wellington was also served by flying boat to Sydney. In the first year of service, 130 trans-Tasman flights were completed carrying 1461 passengers.
This film illustrates the experience of the flying boat service in 1947.
It comes from the Weekly Review newsreel series produced by the National Film Unit, which ran from 1941-1950.
The NFU was established to publicise New Zealand's participation and achievements during the war. After WW2 the NFU expanded from producing weekly newsreels to making documentaries and films to the order of Government Departments. During its existence the NFU produced films for national organisations as well as many films on its own initiative. The private film industry in New Zealand relied heavily on the NFU's extensive film processing facilities.
Archives reference: AAPG W3471/6347 F8
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO>>>
This film illustrates the experience of the flying boat service in 1947
Archives New Zealand
Published on 29 Mar 2015
New Zealand National Film Unit presents Weekly Review no. 330 'Sydney Eight Hours' (1947).
On 30 April 1940 the first passenger flight from Auckland to Sydney was flown by the airline Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) in the ‘Aotearoa’, a Short S30 flying boat. TEAL was the forerunner of Air New Zealand, and was first registered in Wellington as a limited liability company on 26 April 1940.
From 1940–1950, TEAL operated a single route, from Auckland to Sydney with its Short flying boats; and from 1948–54 contracted an ANA DC-4 to serve Melbourne to Christchurch. From 1950–54 Wellington was also served by flying boat to Sydney. In the first year of service, 130 trans-Tasman flights were completed carrying 1461 passengers.
This film illustrates the experience of the flying boat service in 1947.
It comes from the Weekly Review newsreel series produced by the National Film Unit, which ran from 1941-1950.
The NFU was established to publicise New Zealand's participation and achievements during the war. After WW2 the NFU expanded from producing weekly newsreels to making documentaries and films to the order of Government Departments. During its existence the NFU produced films for national organisations as well as many films on its own initiative. The private film industry in New Zealand relied heavily on the NFU's extensive film processing facilities.
Archives reference: AAPG W3471/6347 F8
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO>>>
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What is so special about ZK-AMA?
Seaplanes were once the epitome of glamorous air travel in Aotearoa.
Seventy-five years ago, a Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) flying boat named Aotearoa and registered ZK-AMA took off from the Waitemata Harbour bound for Sydney, Australia, New Zealand's first international flight of its kind, which would pioneer international air travel in the South Pacific.
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The Coral Route
The inaugural flight, from Auckland to Papeete via Suva and Aitutaki, left on 27 December 1951.
It started as a monthly service but proved so popular, the airline began to fly once a fortnight.
The name 'Coral Route' came from a TEAL staff competition.
Head steward Eric Mullane's winning entry was inspired by the beauty of coral islands and of the song-filled (choral) welcome that was given to visitors to the islands.
Head steward Eric Mullane's winning entry was inspired by the beauty of coral islands and of the song-filled (choral) welcome that was given to visitors to the islands.
This silent video gives a glimpse of this glamorous holiday package.
TO VIEW THIS VIDEO CLICK HERE
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Short S.30 Empire Class
The first services were flown by Short S.30 Empire Class flying boats.
Between 1940 and 1947, TEAL operated two of these.
A third S.30 was destined for TEAL but war shortages in England led to a delay and eventual cancellation of its delivery.
Short S.25 Sandringham Mk IV 'Tasman Class'
In 1946, TEAL acquired four Short S.25 Sandringham IV 'Tasman Class' flying boats.
They were a passenger transport variation of the Short Sunderland.
However they were grounded for six months in 1948 due to engine cooling issues and disposed of at the end of 1949.
Short S.45 Solent Mk IV
The replacements for the S.25 Sandringham IV 'Tasman Class' flying boats were the Short S.45 Solent IV of which TEAL acquired four.
They were delivered during 1949 with one setting a new trans-Tasman crossing record of 5 hours 37 minutes.
The Solents continued flying until 1954 with the introduction of the Douglas DC-6 landplanes.
However, Solent ZK-AMO Aranui continued on the Coral Route until 1960.
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PLEASE NOTE:
CLICK HERE TO VIEW VIDEO >>> https://vimeo.com/60697188
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MANY OF THE CONTENTS OF THIS PAGE HAVE BEEN "BORROWED" FROM......
http://friendsofthesolentflyingboat.wordpress.com/
Friends of the Solent Flying Boat
Intended as Information for.....
Members of the society, Friends of the Solent Flying Boat
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Attached some pics taken at a TEAL apprentices Reunion
sponsored by MOTAT and the Solent Volunteers in 2004.
Attached some pics taken at a TEAL apprentices Reunion
sponsored by MOTAT and the Solent Volunteers in 2004.
The first blog for Friends of the Solent Flying Boat
Here is a short notice from Don Olliff, the organiser of Friends of the Solent Flying Boat:
The original Solent Preservation Society was formed in approx 1982 to retrieve-restore and maintain ZK-AMO and with much of the objectives achieved it was decided to dissolve the Society in 2005.
At that time there was an obvious need for some medium for Retired TEAL Staff of the Solent era to maintain contact and friendship.
To this end the “Friends of the Solent Flying Boat “was instituted and has proved to be very successful. It is a very informal group-no fees-no membership rules-just a current mailing list of approx 95.
We have a Get-Together every six months in the form of a substantial Morning Tea and average approx 70 attendees. There are normally several short presentations on Solent Historical matters and lots of nostalgia and most importantly bonding of long term friendships.
MoTaT Management and Staff are very supportive of our Group and of course we maintain close contact with the Volunteer Team who tend to the ongoing welfare of ZK-AMO.
We expect ZK-AMO to be moved into the museum in the next few months, in the meantime, have a look at the photos below taken from Meola Rd.
We are delighted that Bill Le Couteur is initiating the Blog site and know that it will generate a lot of interest and input from Solent era Friends and enthusiasts.
The plan is to accept text and photos from members. It can also be used as a means of communicating upcoming events.
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Evans Bay — Wellington's first international airport
http://xtranewscommunity2.smfforfree.com/index.php?topic=8964.0
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VIDEO:
75th Anniversary Tribute to Pan Am's China Clippers
A film developed for the November 22, 2010 celebration in San Francisco. Credit to Retired Pan Am Captain Tommy Carroll.
It was more than just a plane, it was a complete system
that had to be designed and built across the Pacific Ocean.
Not mentioned is
how this system played important roles during WWII, especially the newly
created facilities on Wake Island.
Speakers on for pleasant background music
and newsreel commentary.
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