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Levin monoplane pioneer Martin Butler dies in P.N.

LEVIN, - A man who flew a monoplane he built in Levin in 1932 died in Palmerston North Hospital on Sunday.

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He was Martin Ronald (Jack) Butler; 60, of Taita, and formerly of Levin.

Mr Butler became ill while attending St Joseph's Parish and Convent School golden jubilee celebrations in Levin on Saturday.

He held a trial of his plane at Waitarere Beach on July 14, 1932.

A report in the Levin Chronicle said the plane was of smart appearance. Just as he sped up the engine, the gasket blew out and a flood of water through the carburetor brought the engine to a standstill. This caused delay but after a short flight he made a fine landing and repeated the process.

The monoplane, with a wing spread of 28 feet and a 40 horsepower engine with 2000 revolutions a minute took Mr Butler two years of work in his spare time to build.

Mr Butler is survived by his wife and three children. - N.Z.P.A.