Page 18 - MFWDec 2023

OBITUARY

David Griffin
Allan Knox
Ian Harvey

John died peacefully at The Oaks retirement complex in
Riccarton on Sunday 12th November at the age of 92,
after a life well lived as a proud father, pilot, engineer,
fisherman and master model builder.

John was a strong supporter of the Christchurch MAC for
decades. He was the ultimate master builder of traditional
and advanced models and achieved competition success
across free flight and radio-controlled soaring and vintage
classes at local and national and international levels.
He attended many nationals including the very first one at
Most of all, he was a fine gentleman who loved to chat Wanganui and enjoyed numerous successes, mainly in
about all things aeronautical. Dropping by at Wairakei Rd, free flight, vintage and R/C Soaring. John is justifiably
one could always be sure of a warm welcome and offer of a proud of winning the Champion of Champions trophy at
cuppa from John and Val in their sunny living room before the Kirwee nationals in 2000.
venturing out to the shed to see John's latest masterful
creation or learn more building tips. Many a crashed model In 1991 shortly after retirement from Air New Zealand,
has flown again following Johns immaculate repair jobs. John and Dave Griffin formed "Canterbury Sailplanes”.
This long successful partnership brought many New
John’s models either for his own use or for commercial Zealand original designs to life with John designing the
sale are “works of art” and many are still cherished by their wing and structural layout of the ARTF sailplanes "Prima”
owners. At the Oaks Retirement Village, after Val died, one and "Mach One”. Over 100 of these 3m composite
could enjoy a nip of Old Grouse whisky and a chat at his Sailplanes were produced making high class sailplanes
villa, but this imbibition became somewhat surreptitious available to kiwis and encouraging thermal soaring in NZ.
when restricted by staff when in care following some falls. Canterbury Sailplanes also produced many thousands of
slope soaring foamies for New Zealand and export sales,
John first experienced aeromodelling when he saw a introducing soaring cheaply to many fliers both locally and
model being built by a school teacher about 1937. In 1938 around the world.
his father brought him a rubber model kitset (bamboo,
tissue, banana oil and wire construction) built and flown Positions held in the CMAC include Club President from
inside the house!! John joined the Wanganui Aero 2003-5; soaring liaison officer for 7 years; free flight liaison
Modellers 1945-49, was a Founder member of North officer for 5 years; torque editor for 3 years and secretary
Shore model aero club 1950-52, then moved to the for 1 year. He also held positions on the S.I.M.A.A. for
Christchurch where he has been a long term member of several years. John served on Soaring SIG for 2 terms in
the CMAC. the 1990’s - during this time the SIG re-wrote all the
soaring guidelines and rules and invited internationally
In 1950 John joined Aircraft Services Ltd at Mangere renowned soaring guru - Joe Wurts to New Zealand from
Aerodrome (now Auckland International), the base of the the USA. This eventually led to Joe and Jan moving
Auckland Aero club, as a "Boy”. Transferred to National permanently to NZ and our many years of successful
Airways Corporation in Palmerston North as an international competition that have followed once Joe
apprentice, he became an Aircraft Engineer, licensed on became eligible to represent New Zealand. John has also
engine overhauls, then an engine shop inspector, moved served as contest director for many thermal soaring
to the technical section where he worked until retirement. events at both club and national levels. John also
represented RC Modelling on the Airspace Users Safety
During this time John learnt to fly the Tiger Moth and Committee which oversees the activities of all users of the
Auster, and worked on Aero Club aircraft including the airspace around Christchurch, putting forward the aero
Beech Stagger-wing and the Chrisley Super Ace. He was modelling perspective.
part of production team producing Easicut lawn edging
tool in spare time to fund his modelling habit. John was John’s involvement in aeromodelling has been
flying the Tiger Moth before he learned to drive! recognised with a life member of CMAC (1999), induction
into the NZMAA (now MFNZ) hall of fame (2009) and
He was a committee member for the inaugural Trans- recipient of the MacDonald Memorial trophy for services to
Tasman R/C 1974 consisting of pylon racing, aerobatics, aeromodelling (2017).
with thermal soaring as a supplementary event. The
committee then created the Cirrus Trophy for club team John leaves us after a long and satisfying life. He was
competition (in the Christchurch area) in thermal soaring much loved by his friends and family and left us with only
to class D rules (Formula 500). good memories. May he rest in peace.

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