National Airlines Corporation- Cinema Advertising Slide
The 'National Airlines Corporation' (NAC) was founded in 1945 as a government-owned airline. It mainly serviced domestic routes, with a few international Pacific services included before merging with international airline 'Air New Zealand' in 1978.
The Douglas DC-3 was a revered passenger airliner used around the world. Variants also served as cargo planes and the military versions (most commonly the C-47) saw extensive service during World War Two. DC-3s were the mainstay of NAC from its establishment right up until the 1960s. The airline kept a few DC-3s for rural airstrips until the middle of the 1970s!
This slide was used to advertise the Nelson fights in Paraparaumu, with the town's airport being used. A 'Paper's Past' search reveals that test flights using this route were carried out in 1952, with the service becoming permanent shortly afterwards. NAC advertised this short flight over the Cook Strait as being perfect for a day excursion and added it to a growing list of Kapiti Coast services.
But not everything went to plan. Three children died when a DC-3 crash landed on final approach from Christchurch to Paraparaumu airport in 1954. NAC subsequently ordered all flights with unattended children to have cabin crew on board.
These slides may have also been shown (in a modified form) in Horowhenua- although this has not been confirmed. However, many Horowhenua locals would have flown with NAC!
