Nelson Firm Buys Four Helicopters

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30737, 29 April 1965, Page 5

Nelson Firm Buys Four Helicopters

(Neto Zealand Press Association) NELSON, April 28. The Nelson firm, Helicopters (N.Z.) Ltd., has purchased four late model Bell helicopters at a cost of £lOO,OOO.

Two of the helicopters will be Bell 47 G-4 models which will be used for high pay-

service completed by the old machines.

load agricultural work. One model, a Bell 47 G-3B turbo-supercharged unit, is identical to the Sioux helicopters being purchased by the Army. The fourth model, a Bell 47, G-2, was used by President Johnson during his electioneering campaign and is described by Mr J. Reid, manager of Helicopters (N.Z.), Ltd., as “a very ornate affair finished in iridescent bronze.” In accordance with aviation import requirements, the purchasing company has had to export its old helicopters, three of which served in the Korean war.

The company’s fleet will remain at five with machines based at Nelson, Timaru, Wanganui, Hastings and one with a roving commission.

Mr Reid said the old machines fetched £30,000. Two will be engaged in cotton spraying in Western Australia and one will return to America for a new engine. Two of the new helicopters will arrive in June, one in August and one in October.

Mr Reid hopes the new purchases will serve the company for 20 years. This was the