Story: Aviation

Sockburn airbase

Sockburn airbase

In 1916 the Canterbury (NZ) Aviation Company was established to train pilots for war service, and to promote military and commercial aviation. An airbase was built on the outskirts of Christchurch at Sockburn, where these instructors, pupils and ground crew hammed it up for the camera in 1917. In the background is a Caudron biplane used for training pilots.

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How to cite this page:

Peter Aimer, 'Aviation - The beginnings of aviation', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/6565/sockburn-airbase (accessed 29 March 2024)

Story by Peter Aimer, published 12 Jun 2006