New Zealand National Airways Corporation

1963 Royal Visit Crew Operating Instructions for Viscounts
ZK-BRE c/n 282 and ZK-BWO c/n 428.

New Zealand National Airways Corporation 1963 Royal Visit Operating Instructions.

New Zealand National Airways Corporation 1963 Royal Visit General Information.

ZK-BRE Royal interior

NAC - New Zealand National Airways Corporation Viscount ZK-BRE c/n 282, named 'City of Auckland', was prepared for the visit to New Zealand of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh and was used on Friday 15th and Saturday 16th February 1963. The aircraft was fitted out with prefabricated furnishings, plastic panels for the walls in off-white, the ceiling covered in a doeskin type of fabric, and carpeting of a rich gold colour. After the visit the fittings were stored for future use.

First Officer Jim Pavitt told the Vickers Viscount Network that his main job on the flights was to look after the Royal Standard, with strict orders not to drop it overboard!

A second NAC - New Zealand National Airways Corporation Viscount ZK-BWO c/n 428, named 'City of Dunedin', was operated during the Royal visit as the number 2 aircraft. On Sunday 17 February 1963 the day after it was used on the Royal visit, ZK-BWO slid down an embankment at Rongotai, Wellington, New Zealand damaging No.3 and 4 propellers.