DECO FLIGHTS OF FANCY
From California, to WWII action, Paris and now Hawke’s Bay, this just-landed 1942 DC-3 could host Art Deco-style scenic flights across the region.
From California to Paris to Te Anau and finally Hawke’s Bay. A 1940s plane barely saved from becoming a cafe´ has found its new home in Napier.
If you were watching the sky on Thursday afternoon you would have seen a 1942 DC-3 plane fly into Hawke’s Bay Airport.
It’s the latest stop in the plane’s international history and part of a plan a group of people have to bring scenic Art Deco style flights to the region.
The plane was built in 1942 and assembled at the Douglas plant in Long Beach, California mostly by women.
It began its life as a Skytrain C-47 and functioned as a troop carrier for the US Airforce in World War II.
The plane was later converted to a Douglas DC-3.
Seven years ago, the owner flew the plane from Paris on The Jean Batten Trail from England to Auckland which gave the plane its name of The Jean Batten Clipper.
Pilots Rodger McCutcheon and Phillip Maguire flew the old aircraft to its final destination on Thursday.
The plane was set to be decommissioned and turned into a cafe´ before McCutcheon spotted it on a trip to Te Anau three weeks ago.
“When I saw it in the grass in such good condition, I thought, ‘I’ve got a home for that’,” he said.
After inquiring at the airport, he was told where he could find the owner.
He asked the owner if he would give him a shot at keeping the airplane flying and, after gathering a team of pilots and engineers, it was on its way to Napier.
The Jean Batten Clipper sits at Hawke’s Bay Airport, but the group intends to build a hangar for the plane very shortly.
Substantial work was done on the aircraft when it arrived in New Zealand which has helped it remain in such good condition.
McCutcheon is managing the project and the group plans to form an Art Deco DC-3 Trust to which the plane will be transferred.
“This is an airplane to be shared with everyone in Hawke’s Bay. None of us is making money out of this, it’s for love.”
The group plans to introduce the plane to the region with a black-tie ball event in the next couple of months.
By Labour Weekend they are hoping to have the plane fully licensed under New Zealand civil aviation rules and regulations and ready to start taking passengers.
“We envisage that not only will it be used for people who want to do something special on an Art Deco trail but also every weekend.
“We want to make sure everyone can enjoy it so we will keep the cost of the flights down. I think people will be surprised at the prices.”
The plane will be available for scenic routes across Hawke’s Bay but can also be hired for trips elsewhere.
There are four experienced airline pilots who are on board to fly the plane, including Maguire who works in flight operations and safety at Air New Zealand.
McCutcheon expects more will come on board from Hawke’s Bay and other regions.
The seating is different from other DC-3s in the country and has “corporate comfortable seating” and large windows to admire the view.
The group is looking for volunteers to help get the plane shipshape and can be contacted at artdecodc3@gmail.com.