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“The First Flight” is the little-known story of the New Zealand Squadron, a small ferry flight unit set up in England by the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) in June 1939 to fly brand new Vickers Wellington bombers halfway round the world. Now this story is told in a new book by NZBCA member, Chris Newey.

The First Flight – Book Cover

 The New Zealand government had launched a bold plan to re-organise and expand the country’s long-neglected air defences based on the work of a Royal Air Force (RAF) technical advisor, Wing Commander Ralph Cochrane (of later Bomber Command fame). As part of Cochrane’s plan, 30 of Britain’s most up-to-date bomber aircraft were to be purchased and delivered from the other side of the world. A team of pilots and technicians led by Squadron Leader Maurice Buckley MBE, RNZAF was assembled in England to fly the Wellingtons out to New Zealand, six at a time.

By late August 1939, however, war with Germany was imminent. The New Zealand government offered to put the men and machines at the disposal of the RAF, the first material contribution to Britain’s war effort by any Commonwealth country, a week before war was declared. The first ferry flight had been due to leave only a month later.

The men stayed on to train, but with no assurance that they would stay together as a New Zealand unit. After seven months of uncertainty, lobbying and political debate Buckley eventually built the unit up to full operational status, becoming No. 75 (New Zealand) Squadron, the first Commonwealth squadron formed within the RAF.

The book relies heavily on documents and photographs kept by Maurice Buckley, some now at Archives New Zealand and some still held by his family. It also draws on original Vickers records and the Squadron’s Flight Authorisation Book, logbooks and photographs held by the Air Force Museum of NZ.

‘The New Zealand Bomber Squadron’ became famous for its many accomplishments during the Second World War and a source of great national pride, but until now, the story of how it came into being has never been properly told.

Limited stocks of the hardback edition are available from the Air Force Museum bookshop, or you can contact the author direct at email: [email protected].  RRP (hardback, NZ stock) NZ$ 56.35 (incl. GST)

The book is also available online from:

• Hardback: The Great British Book Shop  https://www.thegreatbritishbookshop.co.uk/products/the-first-flight
• Soft Cover: Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1915335493/