Knife [Bowie Knife]
Maker and role
Cliff Tait, Attributed to
Object detail
Accession number
2005.84.30
Maker
Description
Original Bowie knife, blade made of steel with possibly a bone or ivory handle. The blade is tapered to a slightly curved point. Cliff Tait used the knife to open food and drink.
Brief History
This knife was worn by Cliff Tait during his round the world flight in 1969 using an Aero Engine Services Limited (AESL) Airtourer single-engined aircraft. Cliff Tait carried out the flight to promote New Zealand and the NZ-built Airtourer to the world. Leaving Hamilton on 12 May 1969, he made the 30,500 mile (49,084 km) trip in 284 hours. Despite a range of challenges along the way, he returned safely to Hamilton on 1 August 1969. Tait made history as the first person to circumnavigate the globe in a New Zealand built aircraft, and probably the first in a single engine aircraft of this small size.
Marks
Original Bowie Knife Engraved
Media/Materials
Collection
Credit Line
Cliff Tait. Knife [Bowie Knife], 2005.84.30. The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
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