Bell Block Aerodrome facts for kids

Bell Block was the original location of the airport for New Plymouth, a city in New Zealand. It served as the main airport for the region for many years.

History of Bell Block Airport

Early Days and First Flights

The Bell Block airport first opened in 1933. It had five runways made of grass. The longest runway was about 5000 feet long. A company called Union Airways used this airport for their main flights. They even built large hangars and repair shops there for their planes.

World War II and Military Use

During World War II, the airport was taken over by the RNZAF, which is the New Zealand Air Force. It became known as RNZAF Base Bell Block. After the war ended, the airport went back to being a civilian airport for public use.

New Airlines and Bigger Planes

After the war, a new government airline called New Zealand National Airways Corporation (NZNAC) started using the airport. They continued to use the repair facilities that Union Airways had built. Planes like the Lockheed Loadstar and the famous Douglas DC-3 Skyliner were common sights at Bell Block.

Why the Airport Moved

As time went on, airplanes became much larger and faster. The Bell Block airport, with its grass runways and surrounding hills, wasn't big enough anymore. NZNAC wanted to use newer, bigger planes like the Fokker Friendship. These modern planes needed a paved runway, not grass.

So, the New Plymouth City Council decided to build a brand new airport. This new airport, with a paved runway and a modern terminal, opened in 1966.

What Happened to Bell Block

Once the new airport was ready, Bell Block airport closed down. The land was then used for light industries and warehouses. Some of the original large hangars, where planes were once repaired, can still be seen there today.