Vivian Walsh (aviator)

Vivian Claude Walsh (1888–1950)[1] was a New Zealand engineer. Vivian and his English-born elder brother Leo Austin Walsh (1881–1951) were pioneers of New Zealand aviation.[2][3]

Vivian and Leo built a British Howard Wright biplane, which Vivian first flew on 5 February 1911. This was the first recognised powered flight made in New Zealand.[4]

They established the New Zealand Flying School in 1915 to train pilots for the Royal Flying Corps, building their own series of flying boat trainers.

Walsh Brothers type D flying boat of 1918

He made pioneering airmail, air passenger,[5] and air survey flights, but was unable to make these commercially viable,[6] and in 1924 he sold the New Zealand Flying School assets to the New Zealand Government, and gave up all involvement in aviation.[1]

Vivian died in 1950, and Leo in 1951. The Auckland Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society, concerned to preserve the memory of the brothers' contribution, formed the Walsh Memorial Air Pageant Organisation. Several events raised significant monies for educational purposes - now administered via the New Zealand Aeronautical Trusts Ltd.[7]

Other memorials include:

See also

References
  1. R. L. Williams. 'Walsh, Austin Leonard and Walsh, Vivian Claude', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Apr-2014
  2. WALSH, Leo Austin, and WALSH, Vivian Claude', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966.
  3. Royal Aeronautical Society - New Zealand Division: Vivian and Leo Walsh
  4. New Zealand History: First controlled powered flight in New Zealand
  5. Wings Over Cambridge: The New Zealand Flying School's Avro 504
  6. Peter Aimer. 'Aviation - An aviation industry', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 13-Jul-12
  7. Royal Aeronautical Society - New Zealand Division: History of NZAT
  8. Scouts New Zealand: Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School
  9. MOTAT: WALSH MEMORIAL LIBRARY
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