Ask to use material, get more information or tell us about an item
This film shows scenes from Leo and Vivian Walsh’s Flying School at Mission Bay, Kohimarama, Auckland [on 16th & 17th February, 1917]. The New Zealand Flying School opened in 1915 at Orakei before shifting to Mission Bay. It provided trained pilots for the Royal Flying Corps during World War One. Hugh Blackwell and the legendary George Bolt were among the pilots who trained there.
Men training to fly seaplanes at Mission Bay in Auckland. The airmen include George Bolt. Aerial footage of the Waitemata Harbour, Mechanics Bay and Rangitoto. The men attend classes and perform callisthenics outside, train in Morse code and aircraft maintenance. In their spare time they enjoy swimming and water skiing around the Orakei wharf.