Early
Hawke's Bay Model Aero Clubs
We have little information so far
regarding
the formation dates of Model Aero Clubs
in Hawke's Bay. PleaseCONTACT
USif
you can provide some information.
A frequent visitor to the
embankment drome.
These photos were taken by
Mr. Arnold Wright who, along with Ty Husheer,
was a "mover and shaker" in creating a
great interest in aviation among local
youngsters.
Napier
club, (about 1934-38) during a visit from
a
Palmerston North club, (known as
"The Hornets"),
on the old embankment drome when the
construction of the
Napier Aero Club's complex was in
progress.
At
the beginning of World War 2, some
members of the
model aero club and of the Napier Aero
Club
were called up or voluntarily signed up
to "do their bit".
Sadly, some never returned home.
One member of the modellers we can name
is Ron
Crabtree
from Napier, who was a radio-op/gunner
with No.7squadron.
Returning from a raid over Europe with a
badly-damaged Stirling,
the pilot had to ditch into the sea.All
were lost before help arrived.
Some of
the Napier
Model Aero Club members,
(Ron
Crabtree
far right).
Mr. Fostick was a keen
glider pilot in the gliding section of the Aero
club and flew a
fighter aircraft in Lybia. He lost his life when
shot down by an enemy aircraft.
A
line-up of modellers & model
aero club members,Mr.
Fostick
among them, apparently.
Napier
members with a 'wing'
of some significance ?
(Tye
Husheer
last on right)
A
large hangar taking shape.
Circa. 1935 - 1938
NEWSPAPER
CLIPPINGS
re-MODEL AERO CLUB
[click to view]
Today's
model aero club....
Graham
Rose President of Hawke’s Bay Radio
Flyers ( inc )
has passed this photo of a Napier Aero
Modellers Club Trophy that has come
into their possession at some time. It is
named the Williams Trophy,
and first won by L Pothan in 1937-38 then
by R Yates in 1948- 49.
There is an engraving for 1987- 89 but no
name.
Does anyone have any information about
this Trophy ?
'WARBIRDS
OVER AWATOTO' - February 2008
This
photo of the HB port area is a little
unique from the fact
that it was 'shot' from a model
aeroplane,
with a small camera onboard.
Ron Crabtree, (mentioned earlier and
sadly killed
in WW2),built the model and launched it
from Napier's Bluff Hill.
Two
photos of a local Hawkes Bay lad 1930s,
passed on to the
HB Cultural Trust
for ID.
Could
this be the young
Air Vice Marshall
Sir Hector McGregor
?
He was a Napier
resident at one time.
The M-AC on the wings may be a clue. Can
anyone help?
