Douglas DC-3 ZK-APA aircraft [Puweto], thought to have been taken at Milson Airport, with the Royal Mail insignia panted near the cockpit.This aircraft served with the RNZAF as NZ3555 from 20 August 1945 and was re-registered as a civilian aircraf...
Creator: Elmar Studios
Place: Palmerston North
Date: circa 1947
This photograph shows the damaged "Southern Cross" when it landed at Milson Airport, Palmerston North. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and crew of the 'Southern Cross', a Fokker F. VII Trimotor aircraft, were delayed in Palmerston North for several we...
Creator: G F Framjee [?]
Place: Milson Airport, Palmerston North
Date: February 1933
The National Airways Corporation aeroplane ZK-APB ‘Popotea’, made by the Douglas Aircraft Co. (US), sits on the grass at what is thought to be Milson Airport. ZK-APB was the first NAC DC-3 to be properly fitted out as an airliner, rather than jus...
Creator: Elmar Studios, 459 Main Street, Palmerston North
Place: Palmerston North
Date: 1940s
Aroha Clifford was the first pilot trained by the Canterbury Aero Club in 1928. She may have been New Zealand’s first woman pilot.
Creator: Unknown
Place: Milson Airport?, Palmerston North
Date: circa 1970 to circa 1999
A photograph in the same set as this was published September 1928 in the Manawatu Daily Times over the news heading "Steering a Plane". The caption underneath reads, "The Southern Cross at Sockburn - a photograph specially taken showing the huge w...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Sockburn, Christchurch
Date: September 1928
This aircraft, a Miles M2H Hawk Major, was flown by Squadron Leader McGregor and H G Walker in the London to Melbourne Air Race in 1934. They were sponsored by the Manawatu Air Race Committee. After the race the pilots made exhibition flights in t...
Creator: G F Framjee
Place: Palmerston North
Date: circa 1934
The "Miles Hawk" ZK-AEQ, a training aircaft owned by the Manawatu Aero Club, stands outside the first hangar at Milson Aerodrome, Palmerston North.
Creator: T C Benfell
Place: Palmerston North
Date: circa 1935
Captain Russell, DFC & Croix de Guerre, (right) was the pilot of the Walsh Brothers DH6 which travelled around New Zealand promoting air travel and taking people for 'joy rides'. H E Hibbard (left), of Dannevirke, was the first person to have a "j...
Creator: George Marshall, Dannevirke
Place: Tararua District
Date: July 27, 1920
The Walsh Brothers DH6 aircraft, piloted by 23 year old Captain Richard Russell toured the North Island promoting air travel and taking passengers for 'joy rides'. The plane flew from Dannevirke Racecourse, with Captain R Russell and 15 year old V...
Creator: George Marshall, Dannevirke
Place: Tararua District
Date: July 31, 1920
Thought to be the occasion of the air pageant held to mark the inauguration of Union Airways commercial service from Palmerston North 15 January 1936. ZK-ADE (nearest) was owned by the Manawatu Aero Club. Other planes from left: Vickers Vildebeste...
Creator: T C Benfell
Place: Airport Drive, Milson, Palmerston North
Date: circa 1936
Violet Hibbard (at right) accompanied Captain R Russell on the first flight to land in Palmerston North, 31 July 1920, at the age of 15 years. The flight was re-enacted in 1970 for the Palmerston North Centennial celebrations. This flight was pil...
Creator: Daily Telegraph, Napier
Place: Dannevirke
Date: October 27, 1970
Only one M-3B Falcon Major, pictured here, was registered in New Zealand. It crashed at Rongotai Airport, Wellington, 19 February 1936, killing its pilot, Squadron Leader M C McGregor of Palmerstson North. Union Airways was a subsidary of the Unio...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Palmerston North
Date: 1935
Taking to the air is Darby West, test piloting Alexander Radford's home built plane, a modified version of the American Lincoln Sports 1921, at Milson Airport. See Manawatu Evening Standard 23 May 1975, p 10-11 for more information.
Darby (David...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Milson Airport, Palmerston North
Date: 1940
People looking at a DH 89 Dragon Rapide (ZH-ACO) named ‘Tainui’ anchored on the grass at Milson Aerodrome, Palmerston North. The aircraft had competed in the England – Australia Melbourne Centenary Air Race after which it flew on to New Zealand an...
Creator: Unknown
Place: Palmerston North
Date: 1930s
The 'Southern Cross', flown by Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and crew, shortly before its departure from Milson Aerodrome. The Fokker F. VII Trimotor aircraft was delayed in Palmerston North for several weeks after its wing was damaged during taxiin...
Creator: Snapshots Unlimited
Place: Palmerston North
Date: February 1933