What's in a name? Aviation history fun facts

28 Mar 2017

Queenstown Airport 1948, pioneer aviators (from left to right): Barry Topliss, Fred ‘Popeye’ Lucas, Trevor Cheetham, and Bill Hewett with the Proctor ZK-AJY.  Thanks to Malcolm Topliss for sharing this historic photo!

Aviation history fun facts - airport street names

Ever wondered how the streets around Queenstown Airport got their names?  They’re all based on aviation pioneers… 

• Lucas Place (SH6 to Remarkables Park):  Named after Frederick Lucas, better known as ‘Popeye’.  ‘Popeye’ served with RAF Bomber Command and later commanded an RNZAF Transport Squadron in the Pacific.  With ex-servicemen Bill Hewett and Barry Topliss, he formed Southern Scenic Air Services in 1947, pioneering freight, scenic charters, topdressing, scheduled passenger services, and supply drop flying. 
• Tex Smith Lane (laneway into GA precinct):  Legendary bush pilot Tex Smith MBE was the longest serving pioneer general aviation pilot in this area, clocking up over 23,000 hours.  Although he was a man of few words, Tex was revered by the GA community - hence the inspiration for the name.
• Sir Henry Wigley Drive (main road into airport):  Sir Henry "Harry" Rodolph Wigley was a pilot, entrepreneur and pioneer of NZ’s travel and tourism industry who was well liked and respected nationwide.  He became a flying instructor for the RNZAF, a fighter pilot, a businessman and an inventor – landing the first ski plane on the Tasman Glacier in 1955, a feat which became a part of Mt Cook’s core tourism offering.  He was also captain of the NZ ski team in 1936-37 and, after the war, led his company in establishing new ski-fields and facilities at Coronet Peak and Ohau.