FIRST N.Z. AIRCRAFT

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31096, 27 June 1966, Page 8

FIRST N.Z. AIRCRAFT

Rukuhia-Built Topdresser (N.Z. Press Association) HAMILTON, June 26. The completion of the first New Zealand-built aircraft, a Fletcher topdresser at Rukuhia last week, marked a major advance in a new New Zealand industry, the Minister of Aviation, Mr McAlpine, said at a ceremony marking the occasion at Hamilton Airport on Friday. He had flown from Wellington specially to be present when the newly-complet-ed topdresser was presented to its new owner, Wanganui Aero Work Ltd. The Fletcher, which took about three raonhs to build, is the first o be built since Air Parts New Zealand Ltd. bought the entire Fletcher project from California last ■ year. Air Parts are a Hamilton firm, and are the only firm in the world producing Fletchers.

The factory where the aircraft are being manufactured beside the Waikato Aero Club was only opened four months ago. Air Parts is confident that it can produce 40 machines a year and develop substantial markets for the topdresser overseas. Several inquiries have already been received from Australia, India, the Philippines and Uruguay. Mr McAlpine said that assembly of aircraft in New Zealand had been going on since the Second World War, but the Fletcher was the first aircraft to be manufactured here. Components will still be imported but 70 per cent of each Fletcher will be made in New Zealand.

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