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Aviation History
1956
1956 - 1178.PDF
324 FLIGHT A typical topdressing refilling operation: Fletcher FU-24 of Wanganui Aerowork. New Zealand TTHE practical application of aviation to agriculture has been—A and remains—New Zealand's outstanding contribution to Commonwealth aviation. In particular, the country's develop-ments in the techniques of aerial topdressing—the spreading of fertilizer and grass seed by air on inaccessible high grazing coun-try—have proved their worth in the cultivation of healthy pastureland. In this application, and in the allied farming jobsof crop-spraying and dusting, the expansion of activity since the war has been phenomenal. To support the work of the hundreds of farm flying operatorsare many groups of ingenious craftsmen on the aircraft main- tenance side—the aerodrome blacksmiths, capable of devisingand making specialized equipment for New Zealand's agricul- tural aircraft as well as coping with routine overhaul andmaintenance. On the manufacturing side, as regards complete aircraft,there is no New Zealand industry. At present about half of a 100-machine series of Fletcher all-metal spray/dust/dressingaircraft from the U.S.A. are in operation, having been assembled from the "knocked-down" condition by New Zealand companies. The picture may well change over the next twelve months,however, with the appearance in New Zealand of the two new British agricultural aircraft, the Auster Agricola and the EdgarPercival E.P.9. After racing each other neck-and-neck over the past nine months, these types are now both being preparedfor New Zealand tours—indeed one is already en route at the time of writing—and at least one is probably headed for localmanufacture in New Zealand. The current activities of some of the major companies on theNew Zealand aviation scene are reported below; others are listed in the later pages of the Commonwealth directory. Cable-Price Corporation, Ltd. THIS company acts as New Zealand and Australian repre-sentatives of the Fletcher Aviation Corporation of Rosemead, California, and continues to import Fletcher FU-24 agriculturalaircraft in "knocked-down" condition. Assembly of sections and the complete aircraft is the responsibility of Tasman EmpireAirways and James Aviation (see under respective headings), and over 40 completed machines have been sold to date. The de Havilland Aircraft Company of New Zealand, Ltd. THE major development during the past year has been anextension of the repair work carried out for the R.N.Z.A.F. At Rongotai Aerodrome, maintenance and overhaul of aircraft andengines is performed, the total floorspace being approximately 38,000 sq ft. Facilities include machine shop, plating, test house,wood mill, fitting and welding; and a comprehensive stock of de Havilland and other spares is held. At Palmerston North, a Goblin overhaul shop (de Havilland staffed) is in operation. Under the presidency of Sir Geoffrey de Havilland, the com- pany employs approximately 50 people. Managing director resident in New Zealand is J. A. Kerr. James Aviation, Ltd. A TOTAL of 45 Fletcher FU-24 aircraft have beenassembled by James Aviation, which has a further 55 machines to complete during the next 18 months. In addition to finalassembly of these aircraft at Rukuhia Aerodrome, Hamilton (the company's main base), the construction of fuselage unitsis also undertaken. Workshop space has been increased to a total of 35,000 sq ft,of which 7,000 sq ft is at Rotorua Aerodrome, the firm's second operating base. Helicopter maintenance facilities have beenestablished, and the total staff has been increased to 75. On the operating side, the company's fleet engaged on agri-cultural work has been expanded to three Beavers, three Fletchers, three Tiger Moths, and one DC-3. Three Austersare used on forest fire patrol, and three passenger aircraft used on charter work, ambulance and aerial photography. TheJames company also directs the operation of two helicopters now engaged on aerial work in New Zealand. Tasman Empire Airways, Ltd. SITUATED at Mechanics' Bay, Auckland, and WhenuapaiAirport, T.E.A.L. provide complete overhaul and maintenance facilities for British and American aircraft and components.These facilities include 54,000 sq ft of hangar space and 80,000 sq ft of workshops. In the Fletcher FU-24 programme,the company assembles the wings and other components. Other current work includes the overhaul and maintenanceof DC-6 aircraft and Solent flying-boats of the company's own fleet, plus Sunderlands, Bristol Freighters and Hastings of theR.N.Z.A.F. Line maintenance of DC-6B aircraft for C.P.A.L. and T.A.I, is carried out and, on the engine side, the overhauland servicing of Pratt and Whitney engines, Hercules engines, de Havilland and Hamilton Standard airscrews. Servicing ofcomponents is also performed. The scope of the engineering facilities is substantially deter-mined by the airline's geographical situation. Its mail, passenger and cargo-carrying operations take place over a widely flungand lowly populated area, singularly dependent upon air trans- port but economically not always able to provide attractiveoperating conditions. The same dependence upon aviation necessitates the maintenance of very highly developed technicalfacilities, capable of providing full service to the operators of an astonishing range of equipment. General manager and chiefexecutive of T.E.A.L. is G. N. Roberts, C.B.E., A.F.C.
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