Interview with Jack Shorthouse and Ray Gasparich on flying boats on 1YA
Maker and role
Wayne Mowat, Presenter
Jack Shorthouse, Interviewee
Ray Gasparich, Interviewee
Production date
04 Aug 1990
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Object detail
Accession number
05-736
Description
Abstract of a Radio New Zealand programme broadcast on 1YA
File 1
00.10” Recording begins. Announcer mentions first scheduled passenger flight from New Zealand using flying boats. Introduces Jack Shorthouse and Ray Gasparich.
01.11” Shorthouse flew Short Mk IV Solent flying boats. Learnt to fly them when began work for TEAL in 1947. Reason did not like flying Solents. Would get seasick in Empire class flying boats when worked as navigator. Had to have first class navigation licence – explains. Number of passengers which different flying boats could carry. Number of crew.
03.21” Describes problem with Sandringham flying boats. American Pratt and Whitney engines. Problems with over heating. Describes flying Solent flying boats. Top flying speed. Great passenger comfort. Describes foot muffs used on Solent flying boats.
05.00” Inflight service – stewardesses were employed after 1946; before that cabin crew were men. Ray Gasparich mentions role of stewardesses. Cost of one-way ticket across Tasman. Tables between seats on Solents, playing cards were provided. Describes how meals were served on board.
07.07” Flying boat services stopped in 1954. Jack explains what happened to flying boats. Ray explains that ZK-AMA Aotearoa became café at Mission Bay [Auckland] and then was broken up. Awarua was broken up earlier. No Empire class flying boats left in existence. Sandringham flying boats were sold to overseas airlines. Explains what happened to Solent flying boats. Last of four is at MOTAT.
08.27” Ray worked as an engineer. Only flew once on Solent. Jack had no accidents while flying. Recounts that astrodome on flying boat exploded while was standing in it. Effect of this accident on other crew. Was left in Suva and taken to hospital.
10.26” Ray talks about aim of Solent Flying Boat Preservation Society. MOTAT owns Solent. Reason society was established. Continues about aim of society. Thinks that inside is ‘not too bad’ regarding being close to original condition. Outside work will be ‘cosmetic’ – explains reasons. Cost of restoring flying boat to original condition is very high.
12.20” Number of members involved in restoration. Work on flying boat once a week. Mrs Seddon from Dunedin rings programme. Was passenger on flying boat from Rose Bay in Sydney to Auckland. Set off four times before got airborne. Ray has heard of this. Story told by Captain Brownjohn who recalled that flew over ship, Mariposa on first attempt to take off, and when arrived in Auckland, Mariposa had just berthed. Much comment about which was faster means of travel. Mrs Seddon recalls taking off first time. Reason turned back after 800 miles. Second time travelled 400 miles before turned back. Third attempt. Recalls flight – ‘it seemed quite luxurious’.
15.29” Ray explains that have restored cockpit area to best of ability. Some instruments are still missing. Explains how team of society work on restoration project. Does not know when restoration will be complete. Only Mark IV Solent in existence.
17.55” Recording ends
File 1
00.10” Recording begins. Announcer mentions first scheduled passenger flight from New Zealand using flying boats. Introduces Jack Shorthouse and Ray Gasparich.
01.11” Shorthouse flew Short Mk IV Solent flying boats. Learnt to fly them when began work for TEAL in 1947. Reason did not like flying Solents. Would get seasick in Empire class flying boats when worked as navigator. Had to have first class navigation licence – explains. Number of passengers which different flying boats could carry. Number of crew.
03.21” Describes problem with Sandringham flying boats. American Pratt and Whitney engines. Problems with over heating. Describes flying Solent flying boats. Top flying speed. Great passenger comfort. Describes foot muffs used on Solent flying boats.
05.00” Inflight service – stewardesses were employed after 1946; before that cabin crew were men. Ray Gasparich mentions role of stewardesses. Cost of one-way ticket across Tasman. Tables between seats on Solents, playing cards were provided. Describes how meals were served on board.
07.07” Flying boat services stopped in 1954. Jack explains what happened to flying boats. Ray explains that ZK-AMA Aotearoa became café at Mission Bay [Auckland] and then was broken up. Awarua was broken up earlier. No Empire class flying boats left in existence. Sandringham flying boats were sold to overseas airlines. Explains what happened to Solent flying boats. Last of four is at MOTAT.
08.27” Ray worked as an engineer. Only flew once on Solent. Jack had no accidents while flying. Recounts that astrodome on flying boat exploded while was standing in it. Effect of this accident on other crew. Was left in Suva and taken to hospital.
10.26” Ray talks about aim of Solent Flying Boat Preservation Society. MOTAT owns Solent. Reason society was established. Continues about aim of society. Thinks that inside is ‘not too bad’ regarding being close to original condition. Outside work will be ‘cosmetic’ – explains reasons. Cost of restoring flying boat to original condition is very high.
12.20” Number of members involved in restoration. Work on flying boat once a week. Mrs Seddon from Dunedin rings programme. Was passenger on flying boat from Rose Bay in Sydney to Auckland. Set off four times before got airborne. Ray has heard of this. Story told by Captain Brownjohn who recalled that flew over ship, Mariposa on first attempt to take off, and when arrived in Auckland, Mariposa had just berthed. Much comment about which was faster means of travel. Mrs Seddon recalls taking off first time. Reason turned back after 800 miles. Second time travelled 400 miles before turned back. Third attempt. Recalls flight – ‘it seemed quite luxurious’.
15.29” Ray explains that have restored cockpit area to best of ability. Some instruments are still missing. Explains how team of society work on restoration project. Does not know when restoration will be complete. Only Mark IV Solent in existence.
17.55” Recording ends
Media/Materials
Physical description
1 sound cassette (approximately 18 minutes)
Other title
1YA Wayne Mowatt, 9-5-90 , J. Shorthouse, R. Gasparich
Credit line
Wayne Mowat et al. 04 Aug 1990. Interview with Jack Shorthouse and Ray Gasparich on flying boats on 1YA, 05-736. Walsh Memorial Library, The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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Production place
Subject: all levels
Interviews
Shorthouse, Jack (b. 1920)
Interviews
Gasparich, Ray
Anecdotes
Short Solent
Anecdotes
Employees
Tasman Empire Airways Limited
Anecdotes
Piloting
Airplanes
Anecdotes
Short Sandringham
Anecdotes
Passenger traffic
Airlines
Anecdotes
Food service
Anecdotes
Solent Preservation Society Incorporated
Anecdotes
Conservation and restoration
Anecdotes
New Zealand
Sound recording and reproducing
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