Head in the clouds : from Sopwith Pups to DC-10s : the absorbing account of an engineer's fifty years in aviation
Maker and role
Godfrey Nugent (Geoff) Wells, Author
Production date
1973
See full details
Object detail
Accession number
8022
Description
"Mr Wells writes with zest and humour of airline life not only in Australia but later with Imperial Airways (now BOAC) and, from 1939, with TEAL and Air New Zealand. His story, informative and entertaining, will delight those who, travelling in today's sleek airliners, want to know what came before them. Many fliers crossed his path: Smithy, Ulm, Jim Mollison, Amy Johnson, Jean Batten among them - people who played their part in blazing the airline trail across the world... His cheerful personality and wide-ranging interests give his book lively appeal." - book jacket
Contents: Early childhood / years of discovery / problems of a career / motorcycles, cars and 'planes / Australia wins the toss / pioneers of the sky, 1919-1930 / with Australian National Airways, 1929 / record-breaking flights / a cable does the trick / 1934 - I join Imperial Airways / Indian contract / the Graunchers Arms / back to England, 1937 / transfer to TEAL / delivery flight / introduction to New Zealand / purchasing Sandringham flying-boats, 1946 / from floats to wheels / dreams come true / from engineering to commercial aviation / the jet age / Auckland International Airport takes shape / the phase out / index
Contents: Early childhood / years of discovery / problems of a career / motorcycles, cars and 'planes / Australia wins the toss / pioneers of the sky, 1919-1930 / with Australian National Airways, 1929 / record-breaking flights / a cable does the trick / 1934 - I join Imperial Airways / Indian contract / the Graunchers Arms / back to England, 1937 / transfer to TEAL / delivery flight / introduction to New Zealand / purchasing Sandringham flying-boats, 1946 / from floats to wheels / dreams come true / from engineering to commercial aviation / the jet age / Auckland International Airport takes shape / the phase out / index
Signature/Marks and Type
Hodder & Stoughton complements card stuck to initial and back pages (copy1) Business card
Geoff Wells (copy2)
11.12.73 Hand-written
D. H. Thompson (copy2) Hand-written
Claire Brown (copy3)
19 Te Kawa Rd
One Tree Hill
Auckland 5 Sticker
Geoff Wells (copy2)
11.12.73 Hand-written
D. H. Thompson (copy2) Hand-written
Claire Brown (copy3)
19 Te Kawa Rd
One Tree Hill
Auckland 5 Sticker
Media/Materials
Physical description
253 pages, 32 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, maps, portraits ; 22 cm
ISBN/ISSN
0340177373
Credit line
Godfrey Nugent (Geoff) Wells. 1973. Head in the clouds : from Sopwith Pups to DC-10s : the absorbing account of an engineer's fifty years in aviation, 8022. Walsh Memorial Library, The Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT).
![Engine and Propeller [Wright Whirlwind Engine and Hamilton Propeller from 'Southern Cross']; Wright Aeronautical Corporation; Hamilton Standard Propellers; 16 Feb 1928](https://collection.motat.nz/records/images/medium/32274/3efe4a5cd808e6d9e7c7cb2f6560c725aa35da5a.jpg)
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