New Zealand Flying School
The New Zealand Flying School was formed in 1915, by the Walsh Brothers, Leo and Vivian, to train pilots for the Royal Flying Corps. The school flew a fleet of home-built and imported flying boats from Mission Bay on Auckland's Waitemata Harbour, near where a sculpture now stands to commemorate the Walsh brothers. Over 100 pilots trained at the school, most of them going on to serve in the First World War, including ace Keith Caldwell.
Walsh Brothers type D flying boat
The flying school was sold to the New Zealand Government in 1924 after struggling to survive after the end of the war.
Aircraft
- Avro 504 K & L
- Boeing Model 1 - 2 planes acquired in 1919; first product for Boeing
- Curtiss Model F
- Airco DH.6 - one example, damaged by gale August 1920 and not repaired
- Supermarine Channel
- Walsh Brothers Flying Boats
On film
A 1993 documentary "Wings on the Waitemata" includes historical footage of the Walsh brothers' flying school.
References
- Includes good photographs
- 1966 Encyclopedia entry
- http://uneli.unitec.ac.nz/our_auckland/kohi/flight%20school.htm
- http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Walsh%20Bros%20Avro.htm
- http://www.raes.org.nz/index.cfm/NZAT/Vivian_and_Leo_Walsh
- http://www.teara.govt.nz/EarthSeaAndSky/SeaAndAirTransport/Aviation/3/en
- http://www.dnzb.govt.nz/dnzb/default.asp?Find_Quick.asp?PersonEssay=3W3
- http://www.auckland-airport.co.nz/NewsHistory/aviators.php?walsh
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