“Lost’’ Electra Had Strong S.I. Links

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31594, 3 February 1968, Page 19

“Lost’’ Electra Had Strong S.I. Links

The Electra aircraft put aboard the Hawea at Lyttelton on Wednesday and bound for the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland was not a former flagship of the National Airways Corporation’s Electra fleet, as reported. This particular aircraft was bought in the United States in the 1950 s by the late Captain B. Chadwick for TransIsland Airways, the money to buy it having been raised mainly in the Nelson district. A spokesman for thfe Christchurch branch of the Aviation Historical Society said the aircraft was not built until 1941 and was originally used as an executive transport for the Standard Oil Company in the United States.

During its service life with Trans-Island Airways it flew exclusively in the South Island and was never at any time owned or operated, wholly or in part, by either Union Airways or its successor, N.A.C. At the museum, parts from the Electra will be used to restore another aircraft which was once part of the N.A.C. fleet.

The society’s spokesman said the Electra, which had been used for fire-fighting training at Christchurch airport in recent years, had been earmarked by the society for restoration and display at the Ferrymead Historic Park, as a memorial to the enterprise of the late Captain Chadwick. Supporters of the Ferrymead project strongly opposed the transfer of the aircraft to Auckland. Mr M. A. Connelly, M.P. for Riccarton, had even tried to persuade the Minister of Civil Aviation (Mr Gordon) to prevent it going north. But as the Auckland museum had already received approval in writing from the Minister to acquire the Electra, his department had no alternative but to allow it to go.

Mr Connelly said last night he understood that such parts of the Electra as were not required by the Auckland museum would be made available to the Aviation Historical Society in Christchurch.