Launching Of Spanz Result Of Dreams, Hard Work

Taupo Times, Volume XIV, Issue 49, 24 June 1965, Page 5

Launching Of Spanz Result Of Dreams, Hard Work

nching of the Dominion's second major internal of 10 years' "dreaming and hard work" by two lilots.

The two pilots, Captains Rex Daniell and Bob Anderson, had between them logged over five million miles and 25,000 flying hours in both civil and military operations. = ;

For many years after the war while both men were flying DC3's up and down New Zealand, each dreamt of the day when they would make a break and start a see*>nd internal airline. They knew the type of aircraft they wanted, but lacked the tremendous finance necessary to launch such a venture. Each of their thoughts was completely independent. Captain Anderson was stationed in Wellington, while Captain Daniell was stationed in Auckland. It was not until they met 13 years ago, quite by chance, that their ideas were pooled and the company was born. They worked hard. Captain Anderson advocated for both buying into a small feeder airline, but Captain Daniell had his sights levelled on a much more ambitious programme and plumped for the founding of a second internal airline. Both were finally convinced that a second airline, feeding country areas with a|

regular service could prove to be the answer. Between them they resolved that "their" company would need a backing of £120,000. They decided to form a public company. Captain Daniell realised that while he had the flying and semi-executive side of running an airline under eontrol, he lacked the knowledge of intense ground organisation required in run- » ning a transport company, But they still needed more finance — the enthusiasm of the promoters could not pay for the aircraft demanded by Captain Daniell. He strongly advocated the Douglas DC3 as the basic operational aircraft most suited to New Zealand conditions. It was indeed two intensely proud men who watched their first aircraft arrive on its delivery fiight from Au{stralia. The aircraft wdiich had been extensively outfitted in Melbourne was hailed by aviation experts as the best finished aircraft of its type in the world.