First Cattle Airlift

The first consignment of cattle to be airlifted into Gisborne arrived at Darton Field recently after a direct flight in a Bristol Freighter from Christchurch Airport.

The cattle, 12 yearling and two-year-old stud Shorthorn heifers from leading Canterbury breeders, were airfreighted by N.A.C. for Mr Bill Williams's Waimoko Station at Whangara.

On arrival at Darton Field the heifers were offloaded directly on to waiting trucks for transportation up the Coast.

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The interior of the Bristol with its cargo of neatly penned stock

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N.A.C. freight handler Mr Don McLennan found the heifers a little more lively than his normal freight. Assisting him is the truck operator, Mr Tom Smith.

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A view along the top of the truck to the yawning mouth of the Bristol Freighter

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The truck fitted snugly into the mouth of the aircraft