The
SOUTHERN CROSS Visit to Hawkes Bay
Saturday 21st. January 1933
After
the official opening of the Napier aerodrome, on
the embankment site, ( June 2nd 1932 ),
arrangments were made by the Napier Aero Club to
hold a special air pageant,
in conjunction with the Wellington Aero Club and
the New Zealand Airforce
to welcome the visit of Air Commodore Sir Charles
Kingsford Smith and the Southern Cross
(VH - USU Fokker - vii/3m).
This visit was to also celebrate "the new
Napier" carnival week. The
district was gradually recovering from terrific
damage caused by the 1931 earthquake,
with much of Napier rebuilt. The morale of the
population needed a lift, so special
entertainment events
were organised at that time.... the visit of the
Southern Cross and "Smithy" being one
of the highlights.
OFFICIAL
PROGRAMME
Forward CLICK FOR MORE
Programme
of Events CLICK FOR MORE
Sir
Charles
Kingsford Smith CLICK FOR MORE
CROWDS
GATHER FOR THE 11am ARRIVAL OF THE
SOUTHERN CROSS.
NOTE THE LINE-UP OF THOSE WONDERFUL
CLASSIC CARS AND THE 1930s FASHION...
HATS, HATS - AND MORE HATS.
BERMUDA SHORTS WERE JUST BECOMING THE
LATEST FASHION FOR THE BOLDER LADIES.
SOUTHERN CROSS FLYS
IN
FROM OVER PANDORA POINT.
HAWKER TOM TITS AND
GYPSY MOTHS IN DISTANCE.
FOKKER VH-USU THE
SOUTHERN CROSS ON ITS FINALS, THEN LANDS,
WITH A MINI SANDSTORM BEHIND.
THE HAWKER TOM TIS
& GYPSY MOTHS FOLLOW IN OVER PANDORA
POINT, THEN LAND ONE-BY-ONE,
(TWO ON THEIR FINALS), AND PARK FOR THE
PUBLIC TO INSPECT.
THE VISITORS POSE
FOR A PHOTO.
PEOPLE
GATHER AROUND THE SOUTHERN CROSS
AND LATER QUEUE UP FOR PASSENGER FLIGHTS.
LOCAL OFFICIALS
( INCL. GOVERNOR GENERAL)
INTRODUCED TO THE VISITORS.
Arnold Wright -
photographer, aviator, businessman.
A remarkable motivator, and 'promotions'
man with a sense of humour.
He could have slotted into our Art Deco
scene today, no problem,
along with his very different, cool
"car-ute-wagon".
LOCAL OFFICIALS
( INCL. LADY BLEDISLOE)
INTRODUCED TO THE VISITORS.
We have included
this little photo-session of Arnold's,
since there are very few shots of him,
(he was always behind the camera). He is
most deserving to have this photo
opportunity with the famous Southern
Cross.
Under his and Tye Husheer's leadership,
(plus the input of many others), both
whipped up a town's enthusiasm to create,
(in 2 years), a fully-equipped airport,
capable of accommodating one of
Australasia's largest, (in those days),
passenger aircraft.
Only three years'
previously, this site was a recreational
boating and fishing area, under six feet
of sea...
and here was one of the most famous
aircraft in the world parked on it.
