Author(s): Richard Waugh

Aircraft

These small airlines of the 1950s and 1960s, like Fred Ladd's Tourist Air Travel in Auckland and Popeye Lucas' Southern Scenic in Queenstown, were colourful examples of post-war optimism and the 'can do' attitude which changed New Zealand forever. These were versatile airlines flying Cessnas, DH89 Dominies and Widgeons; opening up new scheduled air services, pioneering tourist flying, operating air ambulance and other special charters, developing agricultural work, carrying newspapers and airmail. Illustrated by many rare photographs, this book reveals new and fascinating insights into post-war New Zealand. It describes how these pioneer airlines, and those who ran them, endeared themselves to many - including royalty, farmers, politicians, clergy, tourists and most importantly to thousands of ordinary New Zealanders. Paperback