Stephen Berry first contributed his story "Southern Cross Adventure" for the Antilles Air Boats website but has continued to share his many stories of flying boats. This Stephen Berry page will continue to highlight his historical view of those iconic airplanes and those that flew them.
Stephen Berry joined Qantas Airways in 1966 at age 21 and spent the next 26 years working for the company out of Sydney. Eighteen of these years was as a Flight Service Director, a role that today is known as a Customer Service Manager.
At age 5, Stephen was captivated by the Short Solent taking off and landing near his home in Wellington, New Zealand. His fascination with Shorts flying boats came in 1950, when TEAL began operating Short S-45 Solent 4s between Wellington and Sydney.
When Stephan began flying for Qantas, he was based in Sydney, bringing him closer once more to those magnificent flying boats. Ansett Flying Boat Service operated from Rose Bay, where he spent many hours photographing the Short Sandringhams.
In 1974, Charlie Blair arrived in Australia to take possession of "Beachcomber" and "Islander" and move them to the U.S. Virgin Islands. Stephen spent time at the Rose Bay flying boat facility, where he got to know Ron Gillies and Noel Holle. Once they recognized him as a devoted flying boat enthusiast, they gave him free rein of the two aircraft and the maintenance hangar while the planes were prepared for the ferry flight.. Ron and Noel worked for Ansett but agreed to continue with Blair's Antilles Air Boats. When the two iconic aircraft left Australia, Stephen thought he would never see them again. Two years later, however, he became part of an adventure he would never forget.
It was 1976, when Charlie and Maureen O'Hara Blair decided to utilize the Sandringham "Southern Cross" (formerly "Beachcomber") in Ireland for the summer months. The trip went well so it was planned to return in 1977. Stephen heard of the planned 2nd trip to Ireland and very much wanted to be part of it. Read more...
Stephen Berry had the opportunity during his career at Qantas to service its customers on some equally iconic aircraft. We will share more about Stephen, Qantas and other aircraft in the coming months. Stay tuned.
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I am very pleased that Stephen found the Antilles Air Boats website and is able to share his wonderful photos and stories of his Southern Cross trip to Ireland. We will continue to post new additions as they arrive.
click on above photos for more info
Capt. Charles F. Blair Jr.
photos courtesy of Stephen Berry
Stephen and Maureen enjoying the flight
Sundanese boys on the port wing of the Solent to prevent the starboard wing becoming fully submerged.
photo credit TEAL Captain Ian Patterson, Stephen Berry Collection
Wide angle of the stricken Solent as Sudanese children watch events from the beach.
photo credit TEAL Captain Ian Patterson, Stephen Berry Collection
The starboard float was ejected on the landing and hit the port tail plane. Not the leading edge damage.
photo credit TEAL Captain Ian Patterson, Stephen Berry Collection
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click on above photos for more info
photo credit Stephen Berry Collection
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Museum of Transport and Technology
Auckland
Solent 'Aranui' on her beaching gear at MOTAT circa 1998 before finally being moved indoors out of the weather.
TEAL Solent IV "Aranui" on temporary display at MOTAT Auckland. Since this photo the flying boat has been moved into an even larger display building.
TEAL Solent IV 'Aranui" on display in the temporary building at MOTAT Auckland.
'Aranui" in the temporary building at MOTAT Auckland. This building was too small for the Solent, notice its tail disappearing into the ceiling. AMI now resides with the Sunderland in the new, much larger display building.
TEAL Solent ZK-AMO 'Aranui"
as visitors to Motat can see her today.
A busy scene at MOTAT circa1998. Solent 'Aranui" at left, and RNZAF Sunderland NZ4115 at right. Both aircraft were stored outdoors for almost 30 years, due to lack of funds for a new building.
The Museum of Transport and Technology (more commonly known as MOTAT)[1] is a transport and technology museum located in Western Springs, Auckland, New Zealand. Established in 1960 and formally opening in 1964 as a location for the preservation of trams and early New Zealand transportation technologies, the museum has large collections of civilian and military aircraft, other land transport vehicles, and includes exhibitions focusing on transportation, science and history. The museum features live exhibits which display working transportation, including the Western Springs tramway, which links the two main sites of the institution, MOTAT Great North Road and the MOTAT Aviation Hall on Motions Road. MOTAT is largely managed by volunteers, supported by full-time professional museum staff.
Short Solent IV ZK-AMO, RMA Aranui, was firstly used by TEAL between Mechanics Bay on Auckland Harbour and Rose Bay Sydney, Australia until superseded on scheduled services by the land based propliners. ZK-AMO was redeployed on the iconic Coral Route from Auckland New Zealand to Fiji, Samoa, Cook Islands, Tonga and Tahiti, until once again superseded by propliners in September 1960. ZK-AMO has been fully restored and preserved at the Museum of Transport and Technology in Auckland. It was briefly overhauled outside when the Keith Park Memorial Aviation Display at MOTAT was enlarged in 2010–2011
Short Mk V Sunderland NZ4115
MOTAT’s Sunderland is one of the rarest aircraft in the collection. It is one of four remaining in the world and the only example in New Zealand.
This Sunderland was one of sixteen that were brought to New Zealand after World War II for the Royal New Zealand Air Force. Most of its service was with 5 Squadron at Laucala Bay in Fiji, but it also served with the Maritime Conversion Unit at Hobsonville.
The Sunderlands were much loved and appreciated in the Pacific for the search and rescue and mercy missions they carried out. This included anything from searching for missing fishermen, survivors from aircraft wrecks or missing vessels. They also dropped off emergency medical equipment and picked up sick or injured people and took them to hospital.
The Sunderlands were replaced by Orions in 1966 when NZ4115 was withdrawn from service and donated to MOTAT. It was ferried to its present site at MOTAT and reassembled by the RNZAF during February/March 1967.
A busy day at MOTAT showing a presentation about TEAL to a school group. Two 'mechanics' demonstrate how engine maintenance was carried out while the Solent was moored on a buoy. Those Hercules engines are massive!
Museum of Transport and Technology
Stephen shares a few photos and comments of his time at Qantas
When Stephen Berry began at Qantas he flew as crew on the Lockheed
L-188C and Boeing 707-138C before moving to the 7474's.
The 747SP...the letter designation SP was Special Performance and for Stephen it was special as well, It was his favorite aircraft during his career.
A Boeing photo of Qantas 747SP VH-EAA in flight over Washington State in mid January 1981.
Qantas Lockheed 188C Electra VH-ECB at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in 1960.
Qantas photo
Stephen giving a running commentary to the 747SP families during a special flight organized by Qantas on
February 1,1981. Qantas photo
Qantas crew and families line up for a photo with their brand new Boeing 747SP in the background, Qantas photo
more photos
Farewell
click on above photos for more info
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The Coral Route was a glamorous island-hopping service operated by TEAL.
The
French Sandringham
by Stephen Berry
Former Sandringham 7 flying boat G-ACKO Frigate Bird III owned by Sir Gordon Taylor prior to its delivery flight to Australia in November 1954.
Sandringham 7 F-OBIP of French airline RAI on her beaching gear at Le Bourget, France in April 1979. This aircraft was formerly G-ACKO Frigate Bird III owned by Sir Gordon Taylor.
An update of the S.25 Sandringham display at Musee AIR+Espace will be updated soon.
Not all the boats flew
Another passion of Stephen Berry is he is a life-long ship lover. The above photo of Stephen shows him in front of a historical display that he and good friend Steve Moore assembled during a trans Pacific voyage on the SS Canberra
below... On another voyage, Stephen with Commodore Ian Gibb of P&O liner Oriana.with colleague Klas Brogren
TEAL Short Solent IV ZK-AMN 'Awatere' undergoing flight trials over England in 1948. The beautiful amphibian in the background is the rare Short Sealand . The Short Brothers timeless flying boat design is obvious.
Four pre-production Sealands were produced. https;//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Sealand
Historically connect ... more Solent
The entire Auckland based TEAL staff pose in front of ZK-AMN 'Awatere' at Mechanics Bay in February 1951.
Freight being loaded on TEAL Solent ZK-AML 'Aotearoa II' at Mechanic Bay, Auckland in early 1950.
Is this TEAL Solent towards the camera or away from it? In this case it is the former case.
An excellent view of the navigators desk past the radio officers position to the flight deck on board a TEAL Solent IV
Relatives and friends farewell TEAL Solent flying boat headed for Sydney at Mechanics Bay, Auckland in 1952.
Newly arrived from its manufacturer Short Brothers in Belfast, Northern Ireland, ZK-AMM 'Ararangi" moored at a buoy in Mechanics Bay, Auckland in late 1949.
A TEAL Solent IV seconds from touch down on the Waitemata Harbour, Auckland following her delivery trip from Northern Ireland in late 1949.
A TEAL Solent flying boat taxiing in to the terminal in Rose Bay, Sydney in early 1950.
Douglas DC-6
A TEAL Douglas DC-6 on the ramp at Whenuapai, Auckland's former international airport.
TEAL Douglas DC-6 in flight.
A TEAL Douglas DC-6 being refueled at Whenuapia, Auckland's former international airport.
A TEAL Douglas DC-6 over New Zealand's Southern Alps.
A TEAL Lockheed 188C Electra at Christchurch, New Zealand in 1960.
TEAL Lockheed 188C Electra ZK-TEC at Christchurch, New Zealand in 1960
Lockheed
L-188C Electra
TEAL Lockheed Electra ZK-TEA in flight over Burbank, California in 1959. This photo by Lockheed was taken before the Electra left for New Zealand.
Qantas Lockheed 188C Electra VH-ECA at Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport in 1960. Qantas photo
Reflections on a great day.
Simon and Stephen Berry with their parents on 747SP day at Wellington Airport, New Zealand on January 31, 1981. Qantas photo
Ansett Flying Boat Services VH-BRC Beachcomber in December 1952 soon after her sale to Ansett in December 1952.
Sunderland III VH-BRF Islander of Ansett Flying Boat Services on the lake at Tamworth, NSW, Australia..
Ansett Flying Boat Service started its service to Lord Howe Island back in 1952 and continued for the next 20 years. Lord Howe Island is a crescent-shaped volcanic remnant in the Tasman Sea, located about 600 kilometers east of mainland Australia, known for its dramatic sea cliffs, pristine reefs and beautiful beaches. The flying boats would land in the lagoon and moor off-shore while loading and unloading passengers as well as remain for a period of time. On a few occasions, storms and high winds pulled the aircraft off its mooring and the flying boat wound up on the beach. Some beachings faired better than others. Read more...
VH-BRF Islander on the beach at Lord Howe Island on 31 May 1965. Like her consort, Islander was successfully refloated and flown back to Sydney for repairs.
Ansett Flying Boat Services VH-BRC Beachcomber on the beach at Lord Howe Island in June 1974. The aircraft was successfully refloated and flown back to Sydney for repairs.
'Islander" and "Beachcomber" links to .R.N. Smith's Aussie Airliner / Ansett Flying Boat Service.for additional information.
When the TEAL Solent Aranui was withdrawn from service some jokesters at RNZAF Base Laucala Bay, Fiji, where AMO had been based for the previous decade, painted several "going away" presents on the Solent's fuselage.
For example they placed the letter S in front of TEAL above the main entrance door, a "where's wally" head above the blue cheat line, skull and cross bones beneath the cockpit and directly below that "eat at Joes" and below that an "explosion" from one of the external vents.
These "additions" remained on Aranui for several years while she deteriorated outdoors at RNZAF Hobsonville, Auckland, and later at MOTAT. To my knowledge these are the only photos of the added "artwork" in existence.
ZK-AMO Aranui left Laucala Bay for Auckland carrying the Fiji-based crew on 15 September 1960. After arrival it was de-stored at Mechanics Bay before being towed to RNZAF Base Hobsonville where it was brought ashore and placed alongside the main runway at the base. It spent 5½ years parked on the grass at Hobsonville alongside retired RNZAF Sunderlands before its relocation to the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT.
Aranui finally left RNZAF Hobsonville under tow over the weekend of 7-8 May 1966. The aircraft was launched back into the water at Hobsonville and floated down the upper reaches of the Waitematā Harbour to Meola Creek. Early on the morning of 8 May 1966, the flying boat was beached at Meola Creek and hauled across Meola Road to its new home at the Keith Park Memorial Airfield (MOTAT 2).
Captain Joe Shepherd (at left) and Captain Maurice McGreal standing at Aranui's main entrance door.
Captain Maurice McGreal standing amongst the crew's luggage about to be loaded aboard Aranui for the final flight down to Auckland. Some of the crew had been based at Laucala Bay for several years, hence the large amount of luggage to be repatriated.
"where's Wally" painted by RNZAF jokesters before the Solent's last ever flight from Fiji to New Zealand on 15 September 1960.
Solent IV ZK-AMO Aranui being towed from Hobsonville to MOTAT on 8 May 1966. Note the skull and cross bones beneath the cockpit.
"The aluminum may fade, but the journeys, stories, and connections you made will live on forever."
The Last Hurrah
Aranui on short finals to Mechanics Bay on 15 September 1960.
by Stephen Berry
ZK-AMO Aranui on short finals into Auckland, ending forever New Zealand's Solent years. Note the air force roundel on her rear fuselage, put there as a joke by the staff at RNZAF Laucala Bay, Fiji.
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The Royal Tour by TEAL Solent
The Commonwealth Royal Tour of 1953/54 was notable for being the first time the monarch had travelled on a non-British airline. Until the 1953 tour, when the new Queen flew from Fiji to Tonga by TEAL, the monarch had travelled only by British Overseas Airways (BOAC).
The tour of South Pacific nations began when the Royal Yacht Gothic berthed at Suva, Fiji, on 17 December 1953.
According to contemporary reports, the yacht dropped anchor in Suva Harbour at 8:15 a.m. on that day, where it was greeted by Fijian artillery with a 21‑gun salute. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh were met by the Governor of Fiji, Sir Ronald Garvey, and Fijian chiefs shortly after 9 a.m., and the Queen stepped ashore at 10:30 a.m.
During their stay, Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh made two recorded flights in Fiji and Tonga, both in the Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) Solent flying boat Aotearoa II.
Read the full article below
by Stephen Berry
Farewell to the TEAL Solents
by Stephen Berry
A fine painting by the late Ron Fulstow of the penultimate Solent departure from Wellington on 23 May 1954.
Stephen Berry shares his knowledge of how the four iconic flying boats of Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) stopped flying the skies above the Tasman Sea.
When Boats Flew Over The City
from Stephen Berry
TEAL Proves Naysayers Wrong
by Stephen Berry
"TEAL Solent Ararangi pulling away from the pontoon at Evans Bay watched by dozens of well wishers In the three and a half years the Solents operated from Wellington this scene was repeated dozens of times.
The Solent wears the livery of the period, i.e 1951 to 1954"
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Written and edited by Stephen Berry
TEAL Solent Ararangi in the incomplete
Evans Bay pontoon
Evans Bay, Wellington, New Zealand
Memories of a 'Mishap'
The above colorized images were created by an AI software that made some changes that are not tottaly accurate, The original b+w images are in the article :Memories of a 'Mishap"
Written and edited by Stephen Berry
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A companion article to "Farewell to the TEAL Solents" above
A sincere thank you to Stephen Berry for his contribution to the Antilles Air Boats website.
Stephen's has dedicated his time to share knowledge as well as his collection of photos of the flying boats that flew the South Pacific and his time at Qantas Airways.
Enjoy his stories, comments and images of those incredible days gone by
I have also included links to additional historian contributors.
R.H. Smith's Aussie Airliners
Geoff Goodall