Walter .... as disciplined as "I am" .... you're "a bad influence" upon me .... because you've got me doing it now too
This's not much of a challenge (by Walter's standards), but, the following FS images are based on an actual real world event which occurred in Auckland, New Zealand, on March 31st 1967 .... the day on which captain Fred LADD (a jovial, much respected, NZ aviation pioneer), the general managea and Chief Pilot of NEW ZEALAND TOURIST AIR TRAVEL LTD .... flew GRUMMAN G44 WIDGEON ZK-BGQ "under" the main span of the Auckland Harbour Bridge, as his parting gesture to the Hauraki Gulf and city of Auckland, after serving 12 years and finally retiring from the amphibious airline he managed and was intrumental in co-founding ....
This particular stunt was performed much to the horror of his unsuspecting wife, and 2 other PAX/guests, whom accompanied him aboard the aircraft during this final flight.
"UNDER THE BRIDGE" .... his wife exclaimed once airborne and upon sudden realisation of his actual intentions.
"YOU'LL LOOSE YOUR LICENCE .... YOU'LL LOOSE EVERYTHING .... YOU CAN'T GO UNDER THE BRIDGE" .... she protested further.
Taking photographs, himself, as the aircraft slipped beneath the bridges main span she once again chastized him immediately afterward .... "NOT ONLY WAS IT UNDER THE BRIDGE .... BUT .... IT WAS NO HANDS TOO" .... she retorted.
This particular, and now infamous, feat resulted in captain LADD being prosecuted under the NZ Cvil Aviation safety regulations and his being summoned to court for "wreckless flying" .... but .... which also concluded in his being "discharged without conviction" (by the presiding magistrate .... Justice W.J.MEADE) under terms of "leniency" provided within the law/act and in consideration of his past humanitary services to the scattered remote islands of the Aucklands Hauraki Gulf region .... albeit with a severe reprimand (told what a "bad lad"/LADD he'd been) .... being warned to never, ever, repeat such a violation in the future" .... and having court costs awarded against him.
Captain Fred LADD .... throughout his colourful and impressive aviation career .... spanning the pre war period, RNZAF Pacific service during World War 2, and a number of highly successful post war civil aviation ventures until his passing during 1989 .... had a reputation throughout the NZ aviation community for being "the showman" (if ever thre was one) and "QUITE A LAD" too.
I actually enjoyed the privillege of meeting, and conversing with, captain Fred LADD on many occations throughout the 1980's.
Prior to this social connection with the man I'd also done my "very first ever" flight aboard a GRUMMAN WIDGEON during 1967 .... with his NZTAT and as a birthday present from my parents .... so .... I guess one could say I was well'n'truly "baptized in weater"
I only wish I'd some NZTAT textures for this particular GRUMMAN G44 WISGEON model (by Joe BINKA) .... with which to re-enact this (now) famous/historical NZ aviation event.
Anyone interested in reading more about NZTAT .... and its GUMMAN ampbibian opertions in Auckland, NZ (which were eventually merged into MOUNT COOK AIRLINES from late 1967, then succceded by SEA BEE AIR during 1976 and operated until 1990), may like to read my extensive 2-part feature in regard to this portion of NZ's interesting civil aviation history and per the following link ....
tonymadgehjg.proboards.com/thread/5950/lifetime-interest-27-years-researchEx SEA BEE AIR Chief Pilot .... captain Norm SANSON .... has also recently written, and released, a book about his own unusual, but, thoroughly fascinating aviation career and which is entitled
"A DEVIATION FROM THE NORM - A PILOTS STORY" by Norm SANSON (GOOGLE search the book title or
Norm Sanson" online) .... throughout which he recounts many of the interesting, and often absolutely hilarious, events and other situations, he witnessed or became involved with during his distinguished 17 years of flying the GRUMMAN WIDGEON and GOOSE amphibians with both MOUNT COOK AIRLINES and SEA BEE AIR between 1973 and 1990. Extremly well written .... thoroughly entertaining .... all true and completely unembelleshed .... and a well recommended read too. Again I was privilleged to fly with Norm (and other SEA BEE AIR pilots) aboard our amphibians both as a fare paying PAX as well as a free-loader by frequent invitation. I miss those days sorely
Mark C
AKL/NZ