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, so plans were made. Stephen heard of the planned 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
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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.
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.
TEAL Solent ZK-AMO 'Aranui"
as visitors to Motat can see her today.
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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
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Farewell
click on above photos for more info
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 Ian Gibb of P&O liner Oriana.with colleague Klas Brogren
The Coral Route was a glamorous island-hopping service operated by TEAL.
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.
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.
Is this TEAL Solent towards the camera or away from it? In this case it is the former case.
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.
Freight being loaded on TEAL Solent ZK-AML 'Aotearoa II' at Mechanic Bay, Auckland in early 1950.
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.
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
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