Twelve days of Christmas: Donation gives flying boat a lift

Jeff Morris says the grant will help to conserve the Solent's cockpit. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Cruising the skies in a flying boat was reserved for the wealthy and glamorous back in the 1950s.

Many wanting to to see the aircraft in action would flock to the waterfronts in Auckland and Wellington to get a glimpse and see the big splash of water as it came in for landing.

More than 60 years after they first appeared in the sky, the world's last remaining Solent flying boat is being restored at Motat, Auckland's Museum of Transport and Technology.

The Solent Mark IV flying boat, named the Aranui, is set to get a facelift over the next few months with the help of several fundraising efforts - including a $10,000 grant from Auckland Airport.

Motat is one of 12 charities from around the country to get a chunk of $120,000 as part of the airport's annual Christmas giveaway. Motat commercial manager Jeff Morris said it was hugely grateful for the grant, which will go towards helping to conserve the aircraft's cockpit.

"This majestic flying boat once graced the Pacific skies ferrying passengers along the Coral Route.

"It was operated by Tasman Empire Airways Limited (TEAL) and the route was labelled the most romantic in the world by those who flew it."

In its heyday, the Aranui operated a Tasman and South Pacific service in between 1949 and 1954.

It later travelled the romantic Coral Route - from the harbour in Auckland to Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti and the Cook Islands - with its passengers, dressed in their finery, offered fine dining and glamour.

Among the most famous people to travel the Pacific via a Solent flying boat were a young Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, in 1954, and American Western movie star John Wayne.

A spokeswoman for Auckland Airport, Anna Cassels-Brown, said the company was happy to help a charity that helped to conserve a unique part of New Zealand history.

"Motat does a great job looking after our transport and technology history," she said.

"We are really excited to be able to support the restoration of this aircraft which has been so central to New Zealand's aviation story."

12 days of Christmas

Auckland Airport is giving away $120,000 to Kiwi charities as part of its 12 Days of Christmas initiative. The Herald and Herald on Sunday will profile each of the recipients.