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THE WALSH BROTHERS

By Geoffrey Rodliffe

 

The next appearance on the aviation scene, was one of the most notable in our aviation history.  In 1910, two Auckland brothers, Leo and Vivian Walsh, backed by an enthusiastic syndicate, imported a Howard Wright Farman biplane in kitset form.  For the considerable sum of $1530, the kitset consisted mainly of rolls of wire and cloth along with the engine, and roughly cut spars and straits, with drawings supplied.

The brothers set to work, and by late 1910, the airframe was completed.  This was then transported to a field at Glenora Park, Papakura, and under a large marquee, Leo and Vivian assisted by their sisters, Misses Veronica and Doreen Walsh, commenced the painstaking task of fitting the fabric covering. 

Finally the job was completed, and the aeroplane wheeled out  for testing.  On its tail was painted the inscription-The Walsh Aeroplane Company, Aeronautical Engineers, Constructors, Auckland, Registered No. 1, with a crest below encircling the words, Aero Club New Zealand.  So was born the first aero club and its first aeroplane.

 

The initial tests were carried out without ailerons fitted.  The aircraft bounced into the air several times as it taxied at speed around the field.  After adjustments to the undercarriage and rigging wires, the ailerons were fitted and the biplane was ready to fly.  Vivian Walsh was the pilot, but with no instructions of any sort, he was obliged to teach himself by trial and error.  He was, however, a careful and studious man and felt his way with skill and patience. On February 5, 1911, the first public demonstration was made. The small group of onlookers, including his family, had the privilege of observing the first controlled flight to be made in New Zealand.

Newspapermen and photographers flocked to the scene as the success of the flight became known.  Sir Joseph Ward personally christened the aeroplane "Manurewa" which appropriately, is the Maori word meaning floating bird, In March 1911, a further public demonstration was arranged, arid before a crowd of  spectators, Vivian took the "Manurewa" to a height of 60of 60 feet in a fine demonstration.  During take-off for a second flight the undercarriage skid caught on an unseen mound, and with a splintering crash, the aircraft flipped over on to its back in a cloud of dust.  As the dust cleared it was seen that the aircraft was almost a total wreck, but remarkably, Vivian crawled out without serious injury.

 

Despite the serious damage sustained, "Manurewa" was rebuilt, and Vivian was to carry out more flights in her. The syndicate backing the Walsh brothers, however, became impatient to have the aircraft demonstrated in Auckland, but Leo and Vivian were not prepared to do this, until they were perfectly confident of their own, and the machine's ability, This difference of opinion led to the machine being taken from the hands of the coristructors and pilot.  Thus terminated the Walsh brothers first excursion into New Zealand aviation.

 

        
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