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{{distinguish|Walsh brothers}}
'''Vivian Claude Walsh''' (1888–1950) was a <ref name=DBNZ>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3w3/walsh-austin-leonard R. L. Williams. 'Walsh, Austin Leonard and Walsh, Vivian Claude', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Apr-2014]</ref> [[New Zealand]] engineer. Vivian and his English-born elder brother '''Leo Austin Walsh''' (1881–1951) were pioneers of New Zealand aviation.<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/walsh-leo-austin-and-walsh-vivian-claude WALSH, Leo Austin, and WALSH, Vivian Claude', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966.]</ref><ref>[http://www.raes.org.nz/index.cfm/NZAT/Vivian_and_Leo_Walsh Royal Aeronautical Society - New Zealand Division: Vivian and Leo Walsh]</ref>
[[File:Walsh Brothers (14828198731).jpg|thumb|The Walsh brothers constructing an aircraft in Auckland (c. 1910s)]]
[[Image:Walsh Brothers Type D.JPG|thumb|Walsh Brothers type D flying boat of 1918]]

'''Vivian Claude Walsh''' (1888–1950)<ref name=DBNZ>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/biographies/3w3/walsh-austin-leonard R. L. Williams. 'Walsh, Austin Leonard and Walsh, Vivian Claude', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Apr-2014]</ref> was a [[New Zealand]] engineer. Vivian and his English-born elder brother '''Austin Leonard (Leo) Walsh''' (1881–1951) were pioneers of New Zealand aviation.<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/1966/walsh-leo-austin-and-walsh-vivian-claude WALSH, Leo Austin, and WALSH, Vivian Claude', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966.]</ref><ref>[http://www.raes.org.nz/index.cfm/NZAT/Vivian_and_Leo_Walsh Royal Aeronautical Society - New Zealand Division: Vivian and Leo Walsh]</ref> The Walsh brothers were sons of immigrants from [[Yorkshire]] to New Zealand.<ref name="EvolvingAuckland9.1">{{Cite book| editor-first=John| editor-last=La Roche |editor-link=John La Roche |title=Evolving Auckland: The City's Engineering Heritage |year=2011 |publisher=Wily Publications |chapter=Walsh Brothers Flying School |first1=Colin |last1=Zeff |pages=203-206 |isbn=9781927167038}}</ref>


Vivian and Leo built a British [[Howard Wright 1910 Biplane|Howard Wright biplane]], which Vivian first flew on 5 February 1911. This was the first recognised powered flight made in New Zealand.<ref>[http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/page/first-controlled-powered-flight-new-zealand New Zealand History: First controlled powered flight in New Zealand]</ref>
Vivian and Leo built a British [[Howard Wright 1910 Biplane|Howard Wright biplane]], which Vivian first flew on 5 February 1911. This was the first recognised powered flight made in New Zealand.<ref>[http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/page/first-controlled-powered-flight-new-zealand New Zealand History: First controlled powered flight in New Zealand]</ref>


They established the [[New Zealand Flying School]] in 1915 to train pilots for the [[Royal Flying Corps]], building their own series of [[Walsh Brothers Flying Boats|flying boat trainers]].
They established the [[New Zealand Flying School]] in 1915 to train pilots for the [[Royal Flying Corps]], building their own series of [[Walsh Brothers Flying Boats|flying boat trainers]].

[[Image:Walsh Brothers Type D.JPG|thumb|200px|Walsh Brothers type D flying boat of 1918]]


He made pioneering airmail, air passenger,<ref>[http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Walsh%20Bros%20Avro.htm Wings Over Cambridge: The New Zealand Flying School's Avro 504]</ref> and air survey flights, but was unable to make these commercially viable,<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/aviation/page-3 Peter Aimer. 'Aviation - An aviation industry', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 13-Jul-12]</ref> and in 1924 he sold the [[New Zealand Flying School]] assets to the New Zealand Government, and gave up all involvement in aviation.<ref name=DBNZ/>
He made pioneering airmail, air passenger,<ref>[http://www.cambridgeairforce.org.nz/Walsh%20Bros%20Avro.htm Wings Over Cambridge: The New Zealand Flying School's Avro 504]</ref> and air survey flights, but was unable to make these commercially viable,<ref>[http://www.teara.govt.nz/en/aviation/page-3 Peter Aimer. 'Aviation - An aviation industry', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 13-Jul-12]</ref> and in 1924 he sold the [[New Zealand Flying School]] assets to the New Zealand Government, and gave up all involvement in aviation.<ref name=DBNZ/>
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[[Category:1888 births]]
[[Category:1888 births]]
[[Category:1950 deaths]]
[[Category:1950 deaths]]
[[Category:New Zealand aviators]]
[[Category:New Zealand aviation pioneers]]

Latest revision as of 07:58, 27 July 2024

The Walsh brothers constructing an aircraft in Auckland (c. 1910s)
Walsh Brothers type D flying boat of 1918

Vivian Claude Walsh (1888–1950)[1] was a New Zealand engineer. Vivian and his English-born elder brother Austin Leonard (Leo) Walsh (1881–1951) were pioneers of New Zealand aviation.[2][3] The Walsh brothers were sons of immigrants from Yorkshire to New Zealand.[4]

Vivian and Leo built a British Howard Wright biplane, which Vivian first flew on 5 February 1911. This was the first recognised powered flight made in New Zealand.[5]

They established the New Zealand Flying School in 1915 to train pilots for the Royal Flying Corps, building their own series of flying boat trainers.

He made pioneering airmail, air passenger,[6] and air survey flights, but was unable to make these commercially viable,[7] and in 1924 he sold the New Zealand Flying School assets to the New Zealand Government, and gave up all involvement in aviation.[1]

Vivian died in 1950, and Leo in 1951. The Auckland Branch of the Royal Aeronautical Society, concerned to preserve the memory of the brothers' contribution, formed the Walsh Memorial Air Pageant Organisation. Several events raised significant monies for educational purposes - now administered via the New Zealand Aeronautical Trusts Ltd.[8]

Other memorials include:

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b R. L. Williams. 'Walsh, Austin Leonard and Walsh, Vivian Claude', from the Dictionary of New Zealand Biography. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 1-Apr-2014
  2. ^ WALSH, Leo Austin, and WALSH, Vivian Claude', from An Encyclopaedia of New Zealand, edited by A. H. McLintock, originally published in 1966.
  3. ^ Royal Aeronautical Society - New Zealand Division: Vivian and Leo Walsh
  4. ^ Zeff, Colin (2011). "Walsh Brothers Flying School". In La Roche, John (ed.). Evolving Auckland: The City's Engineering Heritage. Wily Publications. pp. 203–206. ISBN 9781927167038.
  5. ^ New Zealand History: First controlled powered flight in New Zealand
  6. ^ Wings Over Cambridge: The New Zealand Flying School's Avro 504
  7. ^ Peter Aimer. 'Aviation - An aviation industry', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, updated 13-Jul-12
  8. ^ Royal Aeronautical Society - New Zealand Division: History of NZAT
  9. ^ Scouts New Zealand: Walsh Memorial Scout Flying School
  10. ^ MOTAT: WALSH MEMORIAL LIBRARY