10 February 2012

Dragonfly Commemoration at Christchurch this weekend

MISSING FOR 50 YEARS!

Commemorating the 50th anniversary of the disappearance of the DH90 Dragonfly ZK-AFB - Captain Brian Chadwick with Louis Rowan, Elwyn & Valerie Saville (nee Bignell) and Darrell Shiels - on 12 February 1962.

West Melton Aerodrome   (Weedons Ross Road, west of Christchurch)

Sunday 12 February 2012   9.30am – 4pm

-          10am welcome and short talk by Richard Waugh. Presentations on recent Dragonfly search initiatives at 11am, 1.30pm and 2.30pm

-          DH90 Dragonfly ZK-AYR joy-rides  - $100 per person (min 3) in one of the rarest biplanes in the world

-          Canterbury Aero Club Day – club flying with trial flights

-          Visiting aircraft welcome (especially vintage)            

-          Historical aviation displays and aviation book sales                

-          Bring your classic car or motor bike (especially British)

-          BBQ Lunch (gold coin)

(If wet weather: Drop-in function at Canterbury Aero Club, Pound Road, Christchurch Airport from 1.30pm to 4.30pm)

All welcome.

More information contact: Richard Waugh

Ph 09 5339400 Email: rjw@ecw.org.nz

On Monday 12 February 1962 Air Charter’s Dragonfly ZK-AFB (formerly operated by the Canterbury Aero Club 1946-1956) went missing on a scenic flight from Christchurch to Milford Sound. The search for the veteran aircraft and five occupants (including a honeymoon couple) was headline news in New Zealand and Australia. In spite of the largest aerial search undertaken in New Zealand and one of the most extensive in the South Pacific, nothing was ever found.

ZK-AFB is considered to be the most searched-for-aircraft in New Zealand and searches continue to the present time.

No comments:

Post a Comment